Don’t wait to get involved

When Melanie Kalmar ’87, ’25 returned to Central Michigan University this spring, it was as a member of the College of Business Administration Hall of Fame—an honor recognizing alumni who have made a lasting impact in their industries, communities and within the college. For Kalmar, the recognition reflects not just a nearly four-decade career at Dow, where she rose to Corporate Vice President, Chief Information Officer and Chief Digital Officer, but a broader commitment to using her experience to support others—and to help them see what’s possible for themselves.

“You don’t have to be in a CIO or a top position in a company to give back,” she said. “Even if you’re early in your career, you have experience that students don’t and that they would benefit so much learning from.”

A path shaped by curiosity

Kalmar’s path to CMU and into technology did not begin with a clear plan. Growing up in a small Michigan farm town, she did not always expect to attend college, but by high school she had found a growing interest in computers—at a time when access was still limited.

“My school didn’t offer any computer classes because it was so new,” she said. “But my high school algebra teacher set up a self-study for me, and I had a terminal sitting in a closet that I connected to a Delta College computer.”

That early curiosity led her first to Western Michigan University before transferring to Central Michigan University, where she found a program that better aligned with her goals. With guidance from an advisor, she made a defining decision between computer science and management information systems—one focused on building technology, the other on using it to help organizations succeed.

“Being able to help a company achieve their strategy by leveraging technology was what really started to excite me,” she said.

Even then, the future wasn’t fully clear. “Did I have a vision of where I would end up? No,” she said. “I loved what I was learning, but I just couldn’t think through what the working world would be like.” What she did have was a willingness to keep moving forward, to follow what interested her and to learn by doing.

Learning by doing

That uncertainty began to shift when an advisor encouraged her to pursue an internship with the state of Michigan—an experience that helped connect what she was learning in the classroom to the real world.

“It really gave me a good understanding of, OK, I can see how I can apply all of this to helping a business,” she said.

As professional opportunities emerged, she stepped into them—joining Dow, moving from technical roles into leadership, and eventually guiding major global initiatives that shaped how the company operates. Along the way, her understanding of her work deepened.

“That’s when it really clicked—the leveraging IT to help the business achieve its strategy,” she said.

Her impact extended well beyond individual projects. “[She] drove some of our most significant achievements,” said Dow Chairman and CEO Jim Fitterling. “Whether that was modernizing our digital landscape, enhancing how we work, improving customer experiences or bringing new products to market.”

Creating opportunities for others

Over time, Kalmar’s focus expanded beyond her own work to the opportunities available to others—particularly women entering the field of technology. That shift began with a single experience at the Michigan Council of Women in Technology, where she found herself surrounded by hundreds of women working in the same space.

“I remember walking into this big conference room with hundreds of mostly women and thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, we’re all in technology,’” she said.

What started as curiosity became something more sustained. Through programs ranging from summer camps for young girls to professional development opportunities for women at different stages of their careers, Kalmar saw firsthand how access and encouragement could shape a person’s path.

One moment, in particular, stayed with her.

“One of the mothers came up to me at a girls’ technology camp and said, ‘If I would have had this opportunity as a young girl, my life would be different today,’” she said. “That just stuck with me—how can I do more?”

That question continues to guide her. It has shaped her involvement not only with external organizations, but also with CMU, where she has remained engaged through mentorship, advisory roles and classroom experiences. What began with an invitation to speak at Dialogue Days evolved into something more personal.

“I had to ask myself, why didn’t I do this sooner?” she said. “It was so exhilarating to be there with the students.”

Leading with heart

Kalmar’s impact extends beyond technology and education into the broader community, including her work with the Humane Society of Midland County. What began as a simple outreach grew into years of leadership, including chairing one of the organization’s largest fundraising events.

“It was so much fun because I found so many other animal lovers in the business,” she said.

That willingness to show up and get involved is a consistent thread across her career and her community work. It’s also what others notice most. “She is an absolute inspiration to our organization,” said Jesse Fletcher of the Humane Society of Midland County. “We would be lost without her.”

In her professional life, that same approach has earned its own description. “Melanie is a change agent and approaches everything with her own unique ‘Melanie magic,’” said Michigan Women in Technology Council colleague and friend Jane Sydlowski.

A full-circle moment

Now retired from Dow, Kalmar describes her current work as a “portfolio career,” staying engaged through board service, advisory roles and continued involvement in the organizations she cares about. That includes her ongoing connection to CMU, where she continues to support students and programs while staying connected to the field that shaped her career.

“I wanted to stay engaged because I wanted to stay current with tech,” she said. “I wanted to stay engaged with women in technology and the Humane Society.”

For those who know her, the Hall of Fame recognition reflects more than professional achievement. As Jim Fitterling noted in his congratulatory remarks, Hall of Fame careers don’t just occur in isolation. “They take a team, and your legacy is written in the many teams that you’ve built and the people you’ve lifted through your leadership.”

For Kalmar, the recognition is part of a much larger story—one that continues to unfold through the way she chooses to stay involved.

“You give, but you get so much back from giving,” she said. “Find a way. Find an organization. Find something you’re passionate about.”