Kimberly Underhill, BSChE ’87, Global President, Kimberly-Clark Professional

Kimberly Underhill was initially reluctant to follow the path that eventually led her to a diverse international career in business and management. She was a chemical engineer who wanted to focus on research. But she had an opportunity to work in marketing. And after a year of testing the waters in business, she never looked back.

Underhill, now global president of Kimberly-Clark Professional, has embarked on a highly successful 30-year career as an engineer, brand manager, operations manager, marketing director and international executive.

Most of her executive roles were during her 28-year career with Kimberly-Clark Professional. Her passion as a Purdue-educated chemical engineer has taken her all over the world, including a three-year stint as president of European consumer business in the United Kingdom.

Now based in Atlanta, she is a member of the John Purdue Club and the University’s President’s Council. Underhill still credits Purdue for laying the foundation to her successful career. “Purdue taught me the value of hard work, and that an engineering degree can open many doors in life.”