Janet M. Botz, executive director and chief communications officer for Dow Corning Corp., has been elected vice president for public affairs and communication at the University of Notre Dame by its Board of Trustees, on the recommendation of Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., University president. The appointment is effective Nov. 1.
Jan has very successfully led a communications office with international reach, and in a career that has spanned decades she has gained experience in all aspects of organizational communications,Father Jenkins said.We are fortunate to have someone with her intelligence, discernment and background heading our Office of Public Affairs and Communication.
“Its a great honor for me to be invited to join this great university,Botz said.It will be exciting to be part of its long tradition of excellence and to work with all the dedicated people who will assure its continuing success.
In her new role, Botz will be responsible for advancing Notre Dames interests and contributions in the public arena and directing the Universitys communications with its multiple internal and external audiences. Established in 2001, the public affairs and communication division is composed of some 50 staff members in news and information, community relations, the Robinson Community Learning Center, Notre Dame Magazine, and the marketing communications units – Notre Dame Web Group, Notre Dame Media Group and ND Works.
Botz has worked since 1980 for Dow Corning, a high-technology, specialty chemical company based in Midland, Mich., with service and sales of approximately $5 billion and 10,000 employees.
For the past seven years, Botz has been responsible for the global direction and implementation of the companys internal and external communications strategies. Her primary role has been management of Dow Cornings reputation by integrating communications to customers, employees, managers and external publics – including government and community relations. She has served as the chief communications counsel and strategist for executive management and has been responsible for corporate branding, employee and management communications, corporate contributions, and risk, issue and crisis communications.
From 1996 to 2001, Botz managed various communications divisions for Dow Corning for the Americas, Europe and globally. She began her career at Dow Corning in sales, then spent five years in marketing before becoming cash manager and then finance manager in the treasury department. She joined the communications team in 1992.
Botz has been honored by the International Association of Business Communicators with two Gold Quill and two Silver Quill Awards of Excellence in employee communications and crisis communications. She is an invited member of the Arthur Page Society, chair of the Conference Boards Council of Corporate Communications Strategy, chair of the American Chemistry Councils communications committee, and a member of the Vice PresidentsForum.
After graduating summa cum laude with a bachelors degree in sociology and English from Saginaw Valley State University, Botz worked for five years as a reporter and editor at The Saginaw News in Saginaw, Mich. She earned her master of business administration degree from Central Michigan University in 1981.
Her current civic activities include service on the Saginaw Valley State University Board of Fellows, the governing body of Mid-Michigan ATHENAPowerLink, the organizing committee of the American Heart Associations annualGo Red for Womenfund-raising event, and the executive council as chair of the communications committee for the Michigan Health Information Alliance.
Botz is married to A.T. Lippert Jr., a Saginaw-area attorney. They will relocate to South Bend.
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Originally published by at news.nd.edu on August 20, 2008.