Women's Forum of New York recognizes Eastman for increase in female representation

Today it was announced that Eastman is being honored by the Women's Forum of New York at its sixth biennial "Breakfast of Corporate Champions" (BCC) event, for achieving at least 35 percent female representation on their board of directors. The company, with representation of 36 percent women on their board, is recognized as a corporate game-changer for promoting women's leadership in the boardroom.

"For over 100 years, Eastman's products have made life better for millions of people around the world. To achieve our vision, we continually strive to be a company that welcomes people of all backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, and that starts at the top with our Board," said Mark Costa, Board Chair and CEO. "In terms of gender diversity, we've publicly committed to achieve gender parity across all levels of our professional workforce by 2030."

This commitment has helped Eastman increase its number of women in senior leadership positions in recent years, putting the company on par with industry peers. Today, four of Eastman's eleven Board of Directors seats are held by women—Vanessa Allen Sutherland, Julie Holder, Renée Hornbaker and Kim Ann Mink.

For 2021, the Women's Forum will salute the 243 companies, from the S&P 500 and FORTUNE 1000, that have achieved 35 percent, or more, female representation on their corporate boards. All "Corporate Champion" honored companies, from 2011 to 2021, have exceeded the national average of board seats held by women (source: BoardEx, June 2021). The Women's Forum recognizes the critical role of Eastman's leadership in accelerating change to help make gender equity a business priority, and for driving intent to action.

"We salute Eastman for their impressive success to achieve greater gender balance in their corporate boardroom," said BCC Founder and Chair, Janice Reals Ellig, CEO, The Ellig Group. "As part of the Women's Forum of New York's ongoing "Corporate Board Initiative," we're proud to honor Eastman as an important member of the 2021 class of Corporate Champions who are determined to lead the way."

The Women's Forum "Corporate Board Initiative" reflects the organization's belief that change happens more quickly when it's driven from the top. The initiative focuses on company leadership, including CEOs, Directors, and Nominating and Governing Chairs, working to advance the appointment of women with the overarching goal to achieve gender parity on corporate boards.

The BCC Honorary Co-Chairs are Kenneth C. Frazier, Executive Chairman of the Board, Merck & Co., Inc. and Maggie Wilderotter, Chairman and CEO, Grand Reserve Inn. The President of the Women's Forum is Joan Haffenreffer, Chief Administrative Officer and Managing Director, Citi Global Public Affairs.

For more information about Eastman please visit www.eastman.com, and click here to read the company's 2021 Annual Inclusion & Diversity Report. To learn more about the Women's Forum of New York, and the organization's Corporate Board Initiative, please visit https://www.womensforumny.org/.