Ilham Kadri is CEO and President of the Executive Committee of Solvay, a materials, chemicals and solutions company which through its purpose, values and science contributes to protecting the climate, preserving resources and fostering a better life.
Dr. Kadri is a world citizen with a rich professional experience across a variety of industries in four continents and with leading multinationals, including Shell, UCB, Huntsman, Dow Chemical and Sealed Air. Prior to joining Solvay, Dr. Kadri was CEO and President of Diversey in the United States.
Ilham Kadri is a purpose-driven leader with education and meritocracy, science and sustainability as the red threads in her personal life and career. In mid-2000 she had her first major business experience in integrating sustainability in strategy, and the opportunities this brings to people, the planet and profitability. She went on to lead sustainable water desalination projects and led the purpose-driven growth and turnaround of Diversey which resulted in its spin off and successful sale to Bain Capital. Under her leadership Solvay is working towards achieving its ambitious sustainability strategy, Solvay One Planet, which addresses biodiversity among others. Dr. Kadri actively promotes inclusion and diversity and is committed to mentoring young women and promoting women in STEM. She is the founder of the ISSA HygieiaTM Network, a non-profit foundation promoting women in the hygiene industry and launched a book Invisible Heroes a collection of inspirational stories of professional cleaners.
She is an independent board member at A.O. Smith and upcoming independent board member at L’Oréal. In addition, Ilham Kadri is an Executive Committee member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), member of the steering committee of the European Round Table of Industrialists as well as a permanent member of the International Business Council.
Dr. Kadri holds a degree in chemical engineering from L'École des Hauts Polymères in Strasbourg and a PhD in macromolecular physico-chemistry from Strasbourg’s Louis Pasteur University. In September 2019, she entered Fortune’s list of Most Powerful Women in International Business, ranking 21st. She is featured in books including "The Future Leader" and "The Power of Women".
