Jeannette Knudsen

Jeannette Knudsen currently serves as Chief Legal Officer and Secretary. In this role, she has oversight of the legal, compliance, and regulatory functions and is deeply involved in the development and execution of the Company’s strategy. 

She brings over two decades of experience managing large-scale business transactions, including mergers and acquisitions; leading complex litigation; overseeing regulatory compliance and risk management; ensuring responsible corporate governance and serving as Board advisor; and evolving corporate responsibility strategy to align with the needs of the Company and its constituents.  

Professional Highlights  
 
Jeannette joined the Company in 2002 as Corporate Counsel and has held roles of increasing responsibility including serving as Senior Corporate Counsel and Assistant Secretary and Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. She was named a Company Officer in 2007. Before taking on her current role, Jeannette led a transformation of the legal function to meet the evolving needs of the business. In addition, she helped lead major acquisitions, evolved the Company’s governance practices, and worked cross functionally on corporate responsibility initiatives.  

Jeannette has also established foundational guidance, including a Board of Directors succession framework; introduced meaningful transformation, such as the development of a robust recovery and cost control strategy; and developed new core competencies, including creating the compliance and risk organizations – resulting in external recognition, including being named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere.  

Prior to joining the Company, Jeannette was an Associate Attorney with Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLP where she practiced corporate transactions, intellectual property, real estate, and construction. 

Industry Leadership 

Jeannette serves on the Intellectual Property Advisory Council and Miller-Becker Center for Professional Responsibility for The University of Akron School of Law. She is also engaged in numerous professional and civic organizations including the Ohio Bar Association, Akron Bar Foundation, GC50, the Women’s General Counsel Group, and the Consumer Brands Association’s Legal Committee, among others.  

Community Leadership  

Jeannette serves on the Board of Directors for the Achievement Centers for Children, a non-profit organization with a mission to empower children and adults with disabilities to achieve their greatest potential. 

Educational Background  

Jeannette earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Akron.