In recognition of their efforts to champion lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality in the workplace, six executives and leaders from The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) have been named to the 2016 OUTstanding Leading LGBT+ & Ally Executives and LGBT+ Future Leaders Lists, published by the Financial Times. The rankings honor LGBT and ally leaders who actively contribute to an environment where all employees feel safe, are respected and valued, and are able to bring their whole selves to work.

Dow was one of the most recognized among all companies on this year’s lists and all three executives in Dow’s Office of the Chairman and CEO have been honored by OUTstanding, highlighting the Company’s continued, high-level commitment to LGBT rights and equality.

“This recognition is a testament to the passion and drive exemplified by Dow people,” said Andrew Liveris, Dow’s chairman and chief executive officer. “At the core of our values is the belief that everyone, independent of sexual orientation and gender identity, deserves the right to feel safe and supported in the workplace. Not only is it the right thing to do based on principle, but it’s the right business decision.”

Top 50 Leading Ally Executives

Andrew Liveris, chairman and chief executive officer (3)

Liveris has led Dow to achieve a 100 percent rating on the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Corporate Equality Index for twelve consecutive years. He fearlessly leads by example through support of Dow’s U.S. policy push at the state and federal levels and direct engagement with stakeholders on the critical role inclusion plays in innovation and business success. Liveris’ high profile support of workplace equality at global events, such as the World Economic Forum, has helped to rally a diverse array of leaders from all sectors towards LGBT equality.

Howard Ungerleider, vice chairman and chief financial officer (13)

For over a decade, Ungerleider has served as executive sponsor of Dow’s LGBT employee resource group (ERG), GLAD (Gays, Lesbians and Allies at Dow). He has played an integral role in increasing participation fourfold and elevating the group to its current position as the largest of Dow’s seven ERGs. He has also worked to leverage Dow’s positive influence outside of the Company. As a former Executive Committee Member of the Water & Woods Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Ungerleider drove culture change to ensure anti-discrimination policies protect any existing and potential members of the LGBT community.

Top 100 LGBT+ Executives

Jim Fitterling, president and chief operating officer (28)

In 2014, Fitterling came out to Dow’s global employee population after nearly thirty years as a closeted professional at the Company. His announcement, in celebration of National Coming-Out Day, inspired hundreds of employees to join Dow’s LGBT ERG and feel confident in bringing their whole selves to work. He leads by example among senior LGBT and ally executives around the world by supporting policy progress, sharing best practices and driving a strategy for greater inclusion of LGBT colleagues at Dow.

Louis A. Vega, chief of staff and vice president, Olympics and Sports Solutions (10)

Vega is chief of staff and vice president for Dow’s Olympics and Sport Solutions business. He has been honored with the “OUTstanding in Business” recognition each year since it was founded in 2013, speaking volumes to his commitment towards spreading a culture of equality and inclusion for all, both within Dow and in the business community. Vega serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Victory Institute and is an officer on GLAAD's Board of Directors. His work for equality also includes participation and leadership at many conferences and panels, globally, including representing Dow on a key White House task force on workplace equality.

Top 50 Future LGBT+ Leaders

Cory Valente, Ph.D., R&D leader, Strategic Recruiting and Research Assignments Program (20)

Valente is the global leader for Dow’s LGBT ERG, setting strategic priorities, leading employee communications to bolster the business case for inclusion, and influencing the Company’s participation in LGBT legislation at the state and federal levels. He recently coordinated Dow’s first ever sponsorship of Shanghai’s Pride festival and speaks frequently on LGBT rights and equality at external events. Valente is also a founding member of the Delaware Valley Consortium for LGBT and Ally Scientists and Engineers.

José Alberto Pino Andrade, new business development manager, Dow Mexico (15)

Andrade leads Dow’s LGBT ERG efforts in Latin America and is the founder of the group’s Mexico City chapter. He has raised awareness and driven culture change for LGBT inclusion through prominent guest speakers and creative seminars that connect hobbies and social activities to diversity. In 2014, Andrade was a founding member of Pride Connection, the first Mexican association for companies that support the LGBT community, now with 23 corporate participants.

Leading the Drive for Inclusion and Equality

Dow is a long-time leader in championing a fully inclusive workplace. The Company offers best-in-class policies and practices for LGBT colleagues, including equal benefits to same-sex partners for everything from health, dental and life insurance to bereavement leave, relocation and dual career assistance. Dow recognizes survivor benefits for LGBT colleagues under its pension plan and provides transgender benefits.

The Company also drives public policy and advocacy to bring fairness and equal treatment to all LGBT citizens, speaking on Capitol Hill in support of LGBT policies and leading state and federal lobbying activities.

About Dow

Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines the power of science and technology to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company is driving innovations that extract value from material, polymer, chemical and biological science to help address many of the world's most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, clean energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow's integrated, market-driven, industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 180 countries and in high-growth sectors such as packaging, electronics, water, coatings and agriculture. In 2015, Dow had annual sales of nearly $49 billion and employed approximately 49,500 people worldwide. The Company's more than 6,000 product families are manufactured at 179 sites in 35 countries across the globe. On June 1, 2016, Dow became the 100 percent owner of Dow Corning Corporation’s silicones business, a global company with sales of greater than $4.5 billion in 2015, 25 manufacturing sites in 9 countries and approximately 10,000 employees worldwide. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.

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