Denise A. Garner

Biography

      Denise Garner was named senior vice president and chief innovation officer of The Clorox Company, effective Jan. 5, 2015. In this role, Garner leads worldwide research and development; oversees stewardship activities to ensure the health, safety and environmental benefits of the company’s products; and leads a multifunctional innovation process for developing and commercializing new products and improving existing products. Previously, Garner served in multiple management roles with the company. From 2010-14 she was vice president, R&D – Global Cleaning & International, leading R&D for the U.S. laundry and homecare businesses, the International Division and Professional Products Division. She also led the cross-functional innovation team driving new product innovation for the U.S. cleaning business. From 2004-10 she was vice president, R&D and Innovation – Specialty Division. In that role, she helped lead the division’s efforts in creating new innovation strategies to drive significant growth and breakthrough cost savings on the cat litter, food, charcoal, water filtration and auto businesses. Before that, she was director of new products in cleaning and manager of product development and project management in homecare, helping lead the development and launch of Clorox® disinfecting wipes. Garner joined Clorox in 1988 as a scientist and subsequently held various positions of increasing responsibility in Research & Development and Product Supply. She began her career as a scientist at Kraft Foods. Garner serves as chair of the board of directors for the East Bay SPCA and on the corporate board for the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship, Bay Area chapter. A native of Illinois, Garner holds a Bachelor of Science degree in agribusiness from Arizona State University and a Master of Science degree in food science/chemistry from the University of California, Davis. 

Research Interest

 Biochemistry, Enzymology