Neal Rakow

Neal Rakow is a seasoned R&D leader at 3M with extensive experience in managing diverse teams and driving product development across multiple divisions, including Personal Safety and Food Safety. As Senior R&D Director, Neal leads the Digital Manufacturing, Analytics, and Processing team within 3M’s Corporate Research Lab, overseeing personnel in both the US and Germany. Previous roles include head of the Personal Safety Division's R&D organization in the Asia Pacific region and Global R&D Manager for the Personal Safety Division, where Neal managed multidisciplinary teams and advanced product technologies. With a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a B.S. in Chemistry with a minor in Mathematics from Colorado School of Mines, Neal has a strong foundation in scientific research and technology development, complemented by participation in industry councils such as The Conference Board's Business Process Automation Executive Council.