• 2025 Luminary Award winner •

Jennifer Kamara exemplifies the fusion of technical excellence, scientific innovation, and a deep commitment to inclusive leadership. As an Associate Technical Service & Development (TS&D) Scientist at Dow, she has established herself as a rising leader in material science, with a portfolio of accomplishments that span product innovation, market impact, and community engagement.

Since joining Dow in 2021, Jennifer has become a cornerstone of the North America Building Science Technical Service and Development team. She provides technical expertise across the South Central and Mountain regions, guiding customers in the commercial construction market on structural silicone, weatherproofing, and pavement sealant applications.

Jennifer is deeply involved in Dow’s innovation pipeline, from product development and testing to commercialization. She leads initiatives expanding Dow’s air barrier product portfolio, with a major launch anticipated in 2025, and contributes to reformulation projects aligned with Dow’s sustainability commitments, including the removal of methyl ethyl ketoxime (MEKO) from professional products by 2028. She has also spearheaded updates to the Americas Dow Construction Sealants Technical Manual, ensuring technical accuracy and improving usability across markets.

Her expertise in DOWSIL™ pavement sealants has elevated her as a subject-matter expert, extending her influence beyond North America to colleagues in South Africa and the Asia Pacific. As a technical lead, she combines customer insight with scientific rigor to drive innovation, creating tools that streamline knowledge transfer and optimize pavement sealant applications. She supports a $45M+ regional portfolio and a $7M pavement sealant market, collaborating with Departments of Transportation and industry stakeholders to improve system design, ensure code compliance, and accelerate project timelines. 

Beyond technical delivery, Jennifer has taken on leadership roles across Dow. She has co-chaired safety committees, led recruitment for graduate R&D talent, and contributed to global R&D onboarding and employee experience teams. Her selection for the 2025 McKinsey Management Accelerator Program further underscores her potential for advancement and her growing reputation as a courageous and visionary leader.

Born in Dallas, Texas, to a Honduran father and Colombian mother, she spent her childhood in multiple Latin American countries, experiences that grounded her in humility and gratitude. Her early years were marked by resilience, from training in Lima Lama martial arts—where she became a Central American champion—to graduating high school at 16. Determined to pursue engineering, Jennifer transitioned to the U.S. for higher education, beginning at a community college before transferring to the University of Texas at Dallas, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. She later completed her MBA at Texas A&M University in 2022, expanding her leadership and business acumen.

Her career began at Eaton Corporation, where she managed a $100M market and drove technical sales initiatives before joining Dow. Alongside her career, Jennifer has remained dedicated to service and inclusion, leading Dow’s Hispanic Latin Network at the Texas operations level, mentoring students through SHPE, and fostering spaces for cultural awareness and belonging.

Jennifer’s journey reflects determination, adaptability, and a deep passion for community. Married to a Sierra Leonean husband she met during her studies, and now a mother to a young daughter, she embodies balance between family, cultural identity, and professional ambition.