BS 1979, Chemical Engineering
Kathy Fish is Chief Research, Development and Innovation Officer for Proctor & Gamble.
She is responsible for leading 6,700 global Research and Development (R&D) employees and managing $1.9 billion in annual R&D investments. She is a member of P&G’s Global Leadership Council, a key advisor to the CEO, and liaison to the board of director’s Innovation and Technology Committee.
She has been with P&G in various global and regional leadership roles in R&D across the company’s largest businesses (including fabric care, baby care, hair care).
A native of Fort Worth, Texas, she grew up in South Bend, Indiana, and came to Michigan State in 1975. She recalls arriving at MSU with a love for math and science, but uncertain about her path for the future. Networking with the faculty and her classmates led her to Chemical Engineering, which became the foundation for a rich career at Proctor & Gamble. While at MSU, she also swam competitively on the Spartan Swimming and Diving Team.
In 2014, Fish was elected P&G’s first female chief technology officer. The title was changed in 2017, to be more reflective of her R&D role. She is responsible for shaping, growing, and transforming product categories with superior innovation that is noticeably better than key competition.
Fish is the P&G sponsor for the company’s relationships with both Michigan State University and the University of Michigan, and serves on the UM College of Engineering Leadership Advisory Board. She is also a member of Innovating 50, a community for executives leading global innovation & technology platforms. She is on the board of Cincinnati Arts and Technology Studios, and is a member of the United Way Tocqueville Society.
Outside of work, Kathy loves most sports, Pilates, music and enjoys the beach with her family.
