A Wichita native with deep roots in the community is stepping into one of corporate America’s most powerful roles.
Karen S. Carter, who grew up in northeast Wichita and graduated from East High School, has been named Chief Executive Officer of Dow, one of the world’s leading materials science companies. Her appointment, effective July 1, marks a historic milestone—not only for Wichita, but for representation at the highest levels of corporate leadership.
Carter joins a small group of women leading Fortune 500 companies. While a record 55 women now serve as CEOs, only two are Black women.
“Only two Black women currently lead Fortune 500 companies, including Carter and Thasunda Brown Duckett of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association (TIAA).”
Black Leadership Still Rare at the Top
Black leadership across Fortune 500 companies remains limited overall.
Although representation has increased over time, only about nine Black CEOs are currently leading Fortune 500 companies, and just 28 Black executives in total have ever held those roles since the list began in 1955. Those numbers underscore how rare it remains for Black leaders—men or women—to reach the top of America’s largest corporations.
Rooted in Wichita
Long before she rose through the ranks of a global company, Carter was a Wichita student, church leader and young worker learning the fundamentals of business.
Born Karen Shepard, she grew up near 27th and Fairmount and later near 13th and Crestway. She attended Buckner Elementary, Minneha Elementary, Robinson Middle School and East High School, where she was part of the International Baccalaureate program.
After graduating from East High, Carter earned a degree in business marketing from Howard University and later a master’s degree in international business from DePaul University.
Her first job came at Ken Mar Family Drugs at 13th and Oliver, where she learned how to count money and observed what it takes to run a business from the store’s owners, Darrell and Sylvia Steinshouer.
She was also active in Wichita Children’s Theatre and modeled during her time at East High.
Much of her leadership foundation, she said, came from her involvement at St. Paul AME Church, where she served as president of the Young People’s Department.
“Having matriculated through USD 259 from grade school all the way to high school, I’m a proud East High Blue Ace,” Carter said. “But I learned a lot of my leadership lessons from St. Paul AME Church growing up there and then of course my Mom. She is the greatest example that I have of leadership.”
Deep Family Roots in Wichita
Carter’s ties to Wichita remain strong through her immediate family, many of whom continue to live and serve in the community.
Her mother, Karen Cayce, still lives in Wichita and remains active in the community and at St. Paul AME Church.
Her sisters are also well-known locally. Carla Eckels serves as Director of Organizational Culture at KMUW and is the host of the nationally syndicated show Soulsations. Carol Cole recently retired after a 44-year career in local city and county government.
Her father, Jesse Shepard, died when she was 12. In his honor, Carter and her siblings adopted Shepard as their middle name—a lasting tribute to his influence.
Together, their presence reflects a family deeply rooted in public service and community engagement in Wichita.
A Career Built for the Top Role
As CEO, Carter brings more than three decades of experience at Dow, where she most recently served as Chief Operating Officer overseeing business and operational performance across the company.
She previously led Dow’s largest division—Packaging & Specialty Plastics—and held leadership roles across business, commercial and corporate functions, giving her broad experience across the company’s operations.
Her appointment reflects a leadership progression that has increasingly defined successful CEO selections—deep operational experience, cross-functional leadership and direct responsibility for core business performance.
At Dow, Carter has already been leading efforts tied to performance and transformation.
“We are in the middle of a significant transformation … called ‘transform to outperform,’” she said. “It’s going to deliver more than $2 billion of earnings uplift over the next two years.”
A Company You Know—Even If You Don’t Know the Name
While Dow may not be a household brand name for many consumers, its products are part of everyday life.
Dow materials are used in food packaging that keeps groceries fresh, plastics found in water bottles and containers, insulation that helps homes stay energy efficient, and components in cars, electronics and medical supplies. Its innovations also support adhesives, sealants and coatings used in construction, home improvement and consumer goods.
In many cases, consumers interact with Dow products daily—without ever seeing the company’s name on the label.
A Full-Circle Moment
Wichita has every reason to take pride in one of its own—someone who has reached the top of corporate America while still holding tight to the city that helped shape her.
“Wichita is the place that I call home,” Carter said. “I’ll be proud to retire here.”
