RPM’s Board of Directors provides guidance as we strive to deliver for our shareholders and grow our business responsibly. We continue to build Board engagement in environmental and social issues, and the sustainability expertise of Director Beth Whited, President, Union Pacific Corporation, has been valuable. She oversaw sustainability at Union Pacific, demonstrating exceptional leadership and strong commitment to environmental stewardship.

As of May 31, 2024, our Board is composed of 11 Directors, 10 of whom are independent. The Board includes three women and one African American man, representing 36% overall diversity. Women have been represented on the RPM Board for three decades, and we remain dedicated to diversity and inclusion on the RPM Board and at all levels of the company. 

Since adopting the Rooney Rule in fiscal year 2020, a mandate to include diverse candidates in the selection pool for vacant Board seats, we have expanded our Board’s gender diversity. General (retired) Ellen Pawlikowski was appointed to the RPM Board of Directors in FY23. Pawlikowski is a retired four-star general of the United States Air Force and is an independent consultant. She provides expertise to industry and academia on strategic planning, program management, logistics and research and development.

Our Governance and Nominating Committee Charter designates oversight for the identification of sustainability risks and opportunities, and the development and implementation of sustainability goals to the Committee.  

Building a Better World Oversight Committee 

RPM’s Building a Better World Oversight Committee supports our ongoing commitment to responsibly serve and engage our associates, customers and stakeholders on critical sustainability matters. Oversight Committee members report to the Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors. The Oversight Committee includes, among others, Vice President – Corporate Benefits & Risk Management; Vice President – Environmental, Health and Safety; and Vice President – Operations. The Building a Better World Oversight Committee is chaired by the Vice President – Investor Relations & Sustainability. 

The Oversight Committee reviews and identifies sustainability and climate-related risks and the processes for developing and managing sustainability related goals. The Chair of the Building a Better World Oversight Committee reports to the Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board to seek insight with respect to important sustainability and climate-related issues. Dedicated teams of subject matter experts focus on addressing and managing risks, opportunities and strategies as well as developing initiatives and programming in support of our Building a Better World program pillars.