Ashland announces hiring of Sara Stensrud as chief people and communications officer of Valvoline

COVINGTON, Ky. – Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) today announced that Sara K. Stensrud has joined its wholly owned subsidiary, Valvoline Inc., as chief people and communications officer. She reports to Valvoline Chief Executive Officer Sam Mitchell and is based at Valvoline’s global headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky.

In this role, Ms. Stensrud is responsible for global management of all aspects of human resources, including talent management and development, compensation and benefits, and labor and employee relations. She also oversees corporate communications.

Ms. Stensrud brings more than 25 years of senior leadership experience in the retail industry to her new role. Prior to joining Valvoline, she served six years as executive vice president and chief human resources officer for Chico’s FAS, Inc. (NYSE: CHS), a leading women’s retailer with more than 23,000 employees. Before that, she worked for Shopko Stores Inc., spending the majority of her seven-year career at the Midwest retailer as senior vice president of human resources. From 1990-2003, she held posts in operations, training and retail education at Fred Meyer Stores, which was acquired by The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) in 1999. Ms. Stensrud earned her bachelor’s degree in communication from California State University in Chico, California.

“We are excited to welcome Sara to the Valvoline leadership team,” said Mitchell. “We believe her significant retail experience and focus on delivering measurable results through innovative HR practices will help position Valvoline as a preferred employer in our markets.”

Added William Wulfsohn, Ashland chairman and chief executive officer: “Sara is a seasoned retail executive with a proven track record of building alignment and engagement across a global organization. Her addition to the Valvoline leadership team represents another step forward as we prepare to separate into two independent, publicly traded companies.”

“I am thrilled and honored to join the Valvoline team during this exciting time as it celebrates its 150th anniversary and prepares for the future,” Ms. Stensrud said.

About Ashland

Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) is a global leader in providing specialty chemical solutions to customers in a wide range of consumer and industrial markets, including adhesives, architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, food and beverage, personal care and pharmaceutical. Through our three business units – Ashland Specialty Ingredients, Ashland Performance Materials and Valvoline – we use good chemistry to make great things happen for customers in more than 100 countries. Visit ashland.com to learn more.