Milliken & Company, a global leader in materials science, announced the appointment of Bethany Smith as its new Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), effective February 12, 2024. This appointment marks a significant milestone in Smith’s career and the company’s journey towards fostering a more inclusive and innovative workplace. Smith, who stepped into the role following the departure of Craig Haydamack, has been with Milliken & Company for several years, during which she has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to the company’s values.
Before her official appointment, Smith served as Interim Chief Human Resources Officer since October 2023. Her extensive experience within Milliken includes roles such as Vice President of Human Resources for Corporate Support functions and HR leadership positions in Milliken’s Healthcare Division and Textile Business, as well as Director of Talent Acquisition and Learning and Development. Smith’s background in manufacturing, along with her HR expertise, underscores her deep understanding of the company’s operations and culture. Her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) initiatives has been particularly notable, contributing significantly to Milliken’s corporate environment.
Smith’s academic credentials include an engineering degree from Clemson University, and she is actively involved in the community, serving on the board of the Charles Lea Center and advisory boards of the University of South Carolina Business Partnership Foundation and the YMCA of Spartanburg. Her multifaceted career, blending technical expertise with human resources leadership, aligns well with Milliken’s forward-looking approach to HR management and corporate governance.
