DuPont CEO, Ellen Kullman, slated as MIT's 2014 graduation orator
Ellen Kullman, the former CEO of DuPont and current chair of the company's board, will deliver a speech at MIT's 148th Commencement exercises on June 6, 20XX. Kullman's tenure at DuPont was marked by her focus on market-driven science, collaboration, and adapting to global trends.
Kullman joined DuPont in 1988 and led the company since 2009. Her strategic leadership has been instrumental in steering DuPont towards innovation and business growth. She emphasized aligning DuPont’s scientific innovation and product development closely with customer and market needs, ensuring that research efforts translate into commercially viable products.
Under Kullman's leadership, DuPont fostered strong internal teamwork among diverse research, manufacturing, and business units, as well as external partnerships across industries and academia, to accelerate innovation and meet complex challenges. Navigating globalization, emerging markets, and evolving economic and environmental factors were critical initiatives to keep DuPont competitive and responsive worldwide.
DuPont, under Kullman's leadership, introduced thousands of new products and patent applications every year. The company serves a wide range of markets including agriculture, food, electronics, solar energy, construction, and transportation.
In addition to her role at DuPont, Kullman is the chair of the U.S.-China Business Council and a member of the board of directors for Change the Equation, a coalition of over 100 CEOs committed to improving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics learning for pre-K to 12 students in the U.S.
Kullman earned her bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from Tufts University in 1978 and her master's degree in management from Northwestern University in 1983. Before joining DuPont, she worked at Westinghouse and General Electric.
Kullman is also a co-chair of the National Academy of Engineering's Committee on Changing the Conversation: From Research to Action and serves on the boards of Tufts University and its School of Engineering. She has been a guest speaker at notable MIT Commencements, including Drew Houston '05, co-founder and CEO of Dropbox, and Sal Khan '98, MEng '98, founder of Khan Academy.
As Kullman delivers her speech at MIT's Commencement, students and faculty will undoubtedly gain insight into her experiences and perspectives on leadership, innovation, and global trends.
- As the former CEO of DuPont, Ellen Kullman will deliver a speech at MIT's 148th Commencement, discussing her focus on market-driven science, collaboration, and adapting to global trends.
- During her tenure at DuPont, Kullman led the company since 2009 and steered it towards innovation and business growth through strategic leadership.
- Kullman emphasized aligning DuPont’s scientific innovation and product development closely with customer and market needs to ensure research efforts translate into commercially viable products.
- Under Kullman's leadership, DuPont fostered internal teamwork among diverse research, manufacturing, and business units, and cultivated external partnerships across industries and academia.
- In addition to her role at DuPont, Kullman is the chair of the U.S.-China Business Council and a member of the board of directors for Change the Equation, working to enhance science, technology, engineering, and mathematics learning for students.
- Kullman earned her bachelor of science in mechanical engineering and her master's degree in management, paving the way for a successful career in business and technology.
- Before joining DuPont, Kullman worked at Westinghouse and General Electric, gaining valuable experience in the field.
- Now, as Kullman serves on the boards of Tufts University and its School of Engineering and delivers speeches at MIT Commencements, she continues to inspire future engineers, graduates, and business leaders in technology.
- From agriculture and food to electronics and solar energy, transportation, and construction, Kullman's emphasis on innovation and collaborative research at DuPont has had a significant impact on various industries and the environment.
