Biography

Ms. Dignam is an accomplished leader in the global chemicals sector with a strong track record of operational excellence and transformational leadership. She has been with Chemours since its launch as a publicly traded company. Prior to that, she spent over 26 years at DuPont, where she held several executive leadership roles overseeing various product divisions. Over her tenure at Chemours, she has refocused and strengthened its product portfolios with meaningful growth opportunities to accelerate value creation. 

Prior to becoming the Company’s CEO, she led Chemours’ Titanium Technologies (TT) and Advanced Performance Materials (APM) segments, which together represented over 68% of Chemours’ net sales in 2023. During her tenure, she drove business transformation through significant operational savings, customer value initiatives, and enhancements to resource utilization across the manufacturing process. She brings a valuable perspective to the Board on the Company’s business strategy, operations, talent priorities and sustainability initiatives. 

Ms. Dignam holds a Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Drexel University.

Key Skills and Experience: 

• Chemical Industry: Developed significant experience of more than 35 years in the chemicals sector, where she has held senior leadership roles across a range of critical functions, including operations, sales and marketing, commercialization, and global supply chain management. 
• Strategic Planning: Demonstrated significant acumen in developing corporate strategy throughout her leadership of Chemours’ largest business segments. While President of the APM segment, Ms. Dignam successfully restructured the Company’s product offerings, expanding access to global markets, developing clean energy and advanced electronics lines to address customer priorities and accelerate growth, and unlocking operational efficiencies to drive profitability.  
• Logistics and Supply Chain: Gained significant experience managing complex multinational operations, supply chains, and logistics through her leadership roles at DuPont and Chemours, where she oversaw global supply chain management and operations of Fluoroproducts divisions.

Career Highlights: 

• The Chemours Company
  • President and CEO (since 2024)
  • President, Titanium Technologies (2023-2024)
  • President, Advanced Performance Materials (2021-2023)
  • VP, Global Operations, Fluoroproducts (2019-2021)
  • Global Senior Business Director, Fluoropolymers (2016-2019)
  • North American Business Director, Fluoropolymers (2015-2016)
• DuPont
  • Director of Global Supply Chain, Fluoroproducts (2013-2014)
  • Global Business Manager, Sulfur Products (2009-2013)
  • Global Sales Manager, Clean Technologies (2007-2009)
  • Variety of management positions (1988-2007)

Other Public Company Boards: 

• Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc. (since 2023)

Private Company Directorships and Other Organizations: 

• American Chemistry Council (since 2024)
• National Mining Association (since 2023)
• Society of Chemical Industry America (since 2024)
• United States Chamber of Commerce (2022-2023)

 

^{CEO Denise Dignam Talks Priorities and Growth Opportunities for Chemours} 

Q: What made you want to be a chemical engineer?

A: I’ve always had a knack for math and science but didn't know what to do with it. One day, Drexel University hosted a chemical engineering open house, and knowing my love for STEM-related subjects, my Dad suggested, “Hey, I think you would be a great engineer, why don’t you stop by?” The thought of becoming a chemical engineer had never occurred to me, but the thought of figuring out the processes and components that make chemistry tangible was something that has always fascinated me. What I found is I love science, but even more so I love working with people to solve problems.

Q: You mentioned your parents being influential figures in your early career, tell us a little more about that?

A: I grew up in a big family where a strong work ethic was instilled in us from day one. Growing up, I watched my Dad work three to four jobs at a time, while my Mom was working part-time jobs as well and raising us. We were expected to pitch in. As a kid, I worked at our local bakery and for an office cleaning service. My parents led by example and taught us that hard work matters and no one is above getting their hands dirty. 

Q: Why Chemours?

A: I was around when Chemours was spun off as an independent company. I’ve had the unique opportunity to witness a very cool cultural change, which seemed to happen overnight. The transparency, approachability, and values-driven approach our leadership team took from the start to help shape the company was such a natural fit for me and I was very excited to be part of something new. I’m a very direct person and like to address both challenges and opportunities head-on, so I saw this as a unique chance to be part of something great. I watched commitments be followed by actions and progress, and I thought, “okay this is going to work.” To this day I’m proud and humbled to be part of this company.

Q: What’s one thing people might not know about you?

A: I’m incredibly passionate about women’s empowerment and, as part of this, helping to prepare women for success in the workforce. Over my career, I have been amazed to see how many antiquated ideas about the role of women in society persist. My four daughters serve as my inspiration to help change this paradigm. I want them to be educated, informed, and fearless in their ambitions, and to serve as champions for others fighting the same battles.