2019 Alumni Awardee

Allison (Hicks) McDonald (BS & MS, Chemical Engineering)

Global HR Director
The Dow Chemical Company

As the Global HR Director of Human Resources for a number of organizations including Research & Development, EHS & Sustainability, Information Systems and Facilities, Allison McDonald works with executives within The Dow Chemical Company to develop and execute the talent management and organizational strategies for a number of the company’s organizations. In her leadership role, she is accountable for ensuring that Dow talent, and the supporting talent programs, are capable of driving breakthrough innovation, commercial growth, and profitability for the Company. McDonald provides strategic direction, consulting and implementation plans across these organizations, actively engages with leaders to ensure effective succession planning, performance management and workforce planning. She drives talent development programs that elevate the skills and effectiveness of the broad organization and that provide high-potential employees with meaningful development opportunities.

McDonald joined Dow in 1989 and served in a variety of roles in Manufacturing and Engineering (M&E) at the Midland, MI, Freeport, TX and Pittsburg, CA sites. In 2001, she relocated to Indianapolis, IN to assume the role of HR Business partner for Dow AgroSciences’ Supply Chain, EH&S, Purchasing, and M&E functions. During her time there, McDonald successfully built a new Supply Chain organization for Dow AgroSciences, enabled by the creation of improved training and knowledge for employees, as well as enhanced business execution.

In 2006, McDonald was named M&E Strategic Staffing Leader within Human Resources, and was responsible for coordinating external hiring and University Relations for Dow’s global M&E function. In 2007, McDonald relocated to Midland and became the M&E HR partner with additional responsibility for global people processes across all of M&E. In 2008, she became HR partner for R&D, supporting the Advanced Materials portfolio, as well as the Dow Automotive and Specialty Films business groups. In 2011, McDonald served as Director of HR Information Technology, and was responsible for leading the corporate strategies for developing and maintaining Dow’s HR Technology solutions, managing external vendor relationships and leading the implementation and maintenance of integrated HRIT systems. In 2012, McDonald moved into the Global HR Director supporting the Dow executive in charge of Information Systems, Facilities, Customer Service, EHS & Sustainability and the Shared Business Services organization. In March 2014, McDonald moved into her current role.

McDonald holds both bachelor’s and master’s of science degrees in chemical engineering from Washington State University. She completed the Executive Education Program at Thunderbird University in 2003, as well as the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification and MAIC Six Sigma Black Belt training in 2005.