Nance K. Dicciani
Dr. Nance Dicciani has over 35 years of experience in the chemicals and materials industry, including significant positions of leadership in business, business development, international operations, manufacturing, research& development and engineering.
In 2014, with two colleagues, she founded RTM Vital Signs, LLC, a medical device start-up company focused on the development of a continuous monitoring system for vital signs, including blood pressure. RTM is in its development stage and has successfully completed first round financing. Before her retirement in 2008, Dr. Dicciani was the president and CEO of Honeywell Specialty Materials. Dr. Dicciani has a proven track record of leading multinational enterprises, developing new technologies into profitable businesses, acquiring as well as selling businesses and product lines, and initiating joint ventures with both large and small enterprises throughout the world.
Dr. Dicciani joined Honeywell in November of 2001 from Rohm and Haas where she held the position of senior vice president and business group executive of Chemical Specialties and director, European Region, including Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In addition to overseeing the European Region, she was responsible for business strategy and worldwide operations of five business units. Dr. Dicciani was an executive at Rohm and Haas from 1991 until 2001 and during her tenure initiated new research programs, revamped existing businesses, expanded global operations and transformed businesses through new ventures.
Prior to joining Rohm and Haas, Dr. Dicciani worked for Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. for 14 years where she held leadership positions in research, engineering, commercial development and business management.
Dr. Dicciani earned a BS in chemical engineering from Villanova University, an MS in chemical engineering from the University of Virginia, and after several years as Superintendent of Reservoirs for the Philadelphia Water Department, earned a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. She also earned an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Dicciani has received distinguished alumni awards from both Villanova University and the University of Virginia.
She currently serves on the Boards of Directors of Praxair, Inc, a large, multinational industrial gases company; Halliburton, one of the world’s largest providers of products and services to the energy industry; and LyondellBasell, a world leader in plastics, chemicals and refining. She is the Non-Executive Chair of AgroFresh Solutions, a specialty chemical company focused on promoting food freshness and preventing food waste. Dr. Dicciani also served on the board and was Lead Director of Rockwood Holdings, Inc., a global specialty chemicals and advanced materials company; and PPL Corporation, a large energy utility company.
Dr. Dicciani also serves as Secretary of the Board of Trustees of Villanova University; Co-Chair of the Advisory Board of the Raj & Kamla Gupta Governance Institute of Drexel University; and is a member of the Advisory board and Executive Committee of the University Research Association in Washington D.C.. In 2006, Nance was appointed by President George W. Bush to the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. Dr. Dicciani was the Warren K. Lewis Lecturer in Chemical Engineering at MIT and has also served on the Board of Directors and Executive Committees of the American Chemistry Council and the Society of Chemical Industry. Dr. Dicciani has been named twice as one of “The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women” by Forbes magazine and has received numerous other professional awards and honors, including the highest achievement award given by The Society of Women Engineers (SWE). She is an instrument rated pilot and has been a coach for Special Olympics.