Profile: Dr Stephanie Burns

Dr Stephanie Burns

Dr Stephanie Burns became Honorary President of SCI on 1 July 2009, succeeding Dr John Beacham. Her appointment by the Board of Trustees recognised her ability not only to act as a prestigious figurehead but to contribute in a practical way to the future of the Society.

Dr Burns has a long-term connection with our organisation, being a member of the Executive Committee of SCI America, where she is presently the Chair. In 2006, she received the SCI Mond Health and Safety Award, in recognition of her commitment to sustainability and responsible custodianship of the planet.

Dr Burns' appointment as Honorary President of the Society in 2009 celebrated her passion for innovation, her talent for recognising global opportunities, and vision for combining the scientific and social benefits of chemistry. These skills and abilities have been instrumental in leading her career from the laboratory to the boardroom at Dow Corning.

As Honorary President of SCI, Dr Burns acts as an international ambassador for the Society. She has hosted and participated in industry meetings, formally representing the Society at prestigious events. In her role as Honorary President she has also sought to endorse the SCI Awards Programme.

Dr Burns' personal interest and commitment to innovation and knowledge transfer, supported by her experiences steering such initiatives in industry, complement perfectly the aims and business strategy of SCI. Dr Burns shares her experience, her networks and her global perspective of the chemical sector with SCI Trustees and the Executive Director as they work to shape the future of SCI.

Dr Stephanie Burns' achievements to date include:

  • Leading Dow Corning during a period of record sales growth, including $6.0 bn in 2010
  • Spearheading Dow Corning investments in new geographic regions, including China, India, Poland, Russia, Turkey and Vietnam
  • Steering a work-life balance initiative at Dow Corning, which led to the company being listed in the Working Mother's 100 Best Companies in the years 2005 through 2010
  • Receiving the 2006 SCI Mond Medal for Health and Safety in recognition for her leadership in Health and Safety at Dow Corning
  • Receiving the Chemical Education Foundation's 2006 Vanguard award in recognition of her advocacy of science, mathematics and technology education
  • Appearing in Forbes.com's list of 'the Most Powerful Women' for several years in a row
  • Being appointed by U.S. President Barack Obama to the President's Export Council in 2010
  • Receiving the Société de Chimie Industrielle's 2011 International Palladium Medal Award
  • Serving as Chairman, Dow Corning.

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