Cory Valente joined The Dow Chemical Company in 2011 as is currently the R&D leader for Strategic Recruiting and Research Assignments Program. He also proudly serves as the Global Leader for GLAD, Dow’s LGBTQ and Ally Employee Resource Group. He holds a PhD in Organic Chemistry from York University in Toronto. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Northwestern University in the laboratory of 2016 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry Sir Fraser Stoddart.
Prior to his current roles, Cory led the architectural binders R&D exterior synthesis team in Dow Coating Materials before taking an assignment in scale-up & manufacturing where he led the commercialization of several polymer products. Currently, Cory is responsible for setting and implementing the PhD campus recruiting strategy for R&D at Dow, and managing a group of new Dow scientists and engineers in a specialized research assignments program.
As the global leader for GLAD, he works with a steering team and senior leadership to develop and implement strategy related to culture change and employee engagement, corporate reputation, and equitable policies & practices. He facilitates Dow’s proactive and visible position on LGBT equality externally, including standing in opposition to discriminatory state bills and in support of national equality legislation. Cory was named by the Financial Times & OUTstanding to their top Future LGBT leaders list in 2015 and 2016.
