Ashland’s Carolmarie Brown Receives Honors

As a female business executive, strategist, marketing and communications expert and philanthropist, Carolmarie Brown understands how to shape the brand and reputation of multinational companies, drive business growth and put the power of Ashland’s people and products in the hands of customers and communities around the world.

Brown, Ashland’s vice president corporate affairs, marketing, brand and business communications has a passion for problem-solving that is well-served in a company whose purpose is to responsibly solve for a better world.

But what makes her different is her unique ability to jump across functional lines, from the boardroom to the STEM classroom, from communications to business operations, and from philanthropy to employee engagement with both ease and understanding.

Brown has led the development of a comprehensive philanthropic strategy, Responsible Solvers, that allows Ashland leaders and local employees to customize their philanthropic community programs to fit the unique needs of countries and cultures from Thailand to Texas and Newark to New Delhi.

It’s a business philosophy that has paid significant dividends with a focus on bringing more women and minorities into the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) that taps the business leaders of tomorrow today.

When Ashland took on a new Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy that drove those disciplines deeper into the company at every level, it was Brown who spearheaded the communications plan, bringing a technical strategy to life, and shining a spotlight on the people behind the products, employees who are experts in manufacturing, sourcing, sales and research and development.

Prior to Ashland, Brown’s business accomplishments include a 25-year career at DuPont in various roles, including marketing, sales, communications, issues management, public relations, new business and product development, brand management and licensing. She was responsible for some of DuPont’s most profitable brands, including Teflon, Lycra, Corian, and STAINMASTER.

“I am deeply honored by this recognition,” Brown said. “The truth is, I am a part of an amazing team of solvers from every corner of the world in a company that enables everyone to bring their authentic selves to work. The fact that I get to help create and shape these strategies is a testament to our CEO, whom I deeply admire, and to the mentors, both women and men that I have had throughout my 35-year career. But nothing is as rewarding as seeing young women today, aspiring to business leadership, who like my own daughters have become interested in STEM. These young ladies are our future – the next generation of solvers, and I am happy to help them on their paths as leaders and as women.”