Portia Yarborough

Portia Yarborough, Chief Science & Sustainability Officer (CSSO), Michelman

Dr. Portia Yarborough joined Michelman as the Chief Science & Sustainability Officer (CSSO) in February 2023. The CSSO role is the cornerstone of the organization’s mission of sustainability and Michelman’s core commitment to creating planet favorable products and solutions.  She provides strategic direction and implements policies that support our steadfast commitment to sustainable chemistry and our purpose of innovating a sustainable future.

Prior to joining Michelman, Portia worked at DuPont and held positions of increasing responsibility in global R&D, operations, and business leadership, impacting global industries, including aerospace, electronics, and protective apparel. She is a principled and collaborative leader with a passion for innovation and science-enabled growth. During her tenure at DuPont, she demonstrated her ability to create value with customers in various sectors, cultivated deep expertise in building innovation pipelines from concept to commercialization, and played a pivotal role in stewardship and risk management throughout the product lifecycle. Her expertise in these areas were instrumental in driving success and ensuring compliance with industry standards.

Portia holds a B.S. in Chemistry from Wake Forest University and a Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry from Cornell University. As a testament to her commitment to personal growth and social responsibility, Portia is a Henry Crown Fellow of the Aspen Institute and an esteemed Aspen Global Leadership Network member.