Mark J. Costa is board chair and chief executive officer of Eastman, a global specialty materials company that makes a broad range of products found in items people use every day. Costa has led a major transformation that enabled the company to achieve its greatest period of innovative growth. Its advances across industries such as agriculture, consumer goods, personal care, transportation and textiles help improve the quality of life around the world.
This transformation began with a significant change in Eastman’s portfolio by divesting commodity businesses and acquiring and integrating several specialty companies. Fueled by his belief in the power of innovation to create value for all stakeholders, Costa and his team have positioned Eastman to address society’s biggest challenges: climate change, the global waste crisis and the need to care for a growing population.
A champion of sustainable innovations, he has overseen the launch of Eastman’s two new molecular recycling technologies — significant advances that help solve the waste crisis and climate change.
Costa’s passion for a more inclusive and diverse workforce has led to a stronger company culture, one that strives to create an environment where all employees can be their true selves at work and contribute to their fullest potential without fear of bias or discrimination.
He first came to know Eastman as a senior partner with Monitor, the world’s leading strategy consulting firm. In 2006, Costa joined Eastman’s executive team as chief marketing officer and leader of corporate strategy and business development. He was named executive vice president in 2008, adding profit-and-loss responsibilities for the specialty plastics and performance polymers businesses. The following year, his role expanded to lead the specialty products businesses. During this time, he also served as chief marketing officer and headed the global integrated supply chain as well as Eastman’s global innovation and sustainability initiatives. In 2013, he was named president of Eastman and appointed to the board of directors. He assumed his current position in 2014.
Costa serves on the Executive Committee for the American Chemistry Council. He is also an active member of the Society of Chemical Industry (SCI), the Business Roundtable and The Business Council.
A native of Carmel, California, he received a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of California, Berkeley and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He is married and has two sons. In his spare time, he enjoys tennis, skiing and mountain biking.