2025

Petrochemical HERITAGE Award Honoree 

LORI J. RYERKERK

Retired Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Celanese Corporation

Lori J. Ryerkerk is the retired chairman, chief executive officer, and president of Celanese Corporation, a Fortune 500 global chemical and specialty materials company based in Dallas, Texas. Celanese is a leader in the development and production of materials used in most major industrial and consumer applications. Ryerkerk was named CEO and a member of the board of directors in May 2019. She was appointed chairman in April 2020 and retired on December 31, 2024.

Ryerkerk’s expertise in the energy industry spans three-plus decades. She combines deep technical and commercial skills with a passion for the manufacturing business. Her unwavering focus on safety, environmental, and social performance is the foundation on which she has overseen some of the most technically complex operations in the industry.

Ryerkerk is a graduate of Iowa State University, where she completed her chemical engineering degree. She currently serves on the board of directors of Eaton Corporation, a leading provider of power management technologies and services, and previously served on the board of Axalta Coating Systems, a leading provider of liquid and powder coatings. She also actively supports a variety of organizations in her hometown of Beaumont, Texas.

LINKS -  

Science History Institute - Petrochemical Heritage Award Honoree