DuPonts’ Ellen Kullman Named a Top ‘Woman to Watch’
The Wall Street Journal recently announced its ’50 Women to Watch 2008′ list, ranking DuPont President and CEO-designate Ellen Kullman No. 8, up from No. 25 last year.
The publication notes that Ellen “sees the current state of the economy as a temporary challenge that won’t derail the company’s long-term focus on science.”
Ellen said, “Our plans are focused on delivering science-based solutions to an emerging and resource-constrained world, and to continue to capture especially strong growth in emerging markets.”
Her Bio includes the fact that she is on the board of directors of General Motors. That could take a lot of her time in the coming months. Congratulations to Ms. Kullman and DuPont.
Prior to her appointment as DuPont president effective Oct. 1, 2008 and CEO effective Jan. 1, 2009, Ellen J. Kullman, 52, served as executive vice president and a member of the company’s office of the chief executive. She was responsible for DuPont Coatings & Color Technologies; DuPont Electronic & Communication Technologies; DuPont Performance Materials; DuPont Safety & Protection; Marketing & Sales; Pharmaceuticals; Risk Management; and Safety & Sustainability. In March 2008, Ellen was tapped to lead the dynamic planning process for the company’s growth in emerging international markets.
A native of Wilmington, Del., Ellen began her career at DuPont in 1988 as marketing manager in the Medical Imaging business. Following two years as business director for the X-ray Film business, she moved to Printing & Publishing as global business director, Electronic Imaging. In 1994, she joined White Pigment & Mineral Products as global business director and was named vice president and general manager in 1995. She assumed leadership of two high-growth businesses, DuPont Safety Resources in 1998 and Bio-Based Materials in 1999.
Ellen was named group vice president and general manager in 2000 with the addition of Corporate New Business Development and Intellectual Assets Licensing. In 2001 she assumed responsibility for DuPont Flooring Systems and DuPont Surfaces. She was named group vice president – DuPont Safety & Protection in February 2002. In June 2006 she was named executive vice president until her appointment as DuPont President and CEO.
Ellen is a member of the board of directors of General Motors Corporation. She is on the Board of Trustees at Tufts University, serves on the board of overseers at Tufts University School of Engineering. She is also on the Board of Trustees, National Safety Council.
Prior to joining DuPont, Ellen worked for General Electric in various business development and marketing positions. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Tufts University and a Masters degree in management from Northwestern University.