Ravi Gukathasan, CEO

Ravi set up DSC as a custom chemical company the day after he graduated in 1987 Within 6 months of operation, he’d put a strategy in place to scale up from laboratory amounts to commercial volumes. He’s since led the growth of DSC, resulting in its success financially, as well as its reputation as a respected, environmentally and socially responsible producer. As CEO for overall strategy, global partnerships and innovation, DSC continues to meet the needs of global material science and fine chemical markets through innovation that’s built into every aspect of its founder’s vision.

Driven by a passion from an early age for individual freedom and opportunity, CEO Ravi Gukathasan continually asks himself —and those around him, “What is the right thing to do?”

Since 2014, Ravi been following on his commitment to transform DSC into a triple bottom line corporation by reshaping the company he founded almost 30 years ago into a “deliberately developmental organization”. The transformation will have a significant impact on the company in terms of financial growth, further commitment to environmental sustainability, and people development.

Ravi’s enthusiasm, inspiration, and undaunted belief in the power of original thinking and human potential are contagious. It’s an indication of his leadership that’s led to the incredible success of DSC, including the loyalty of the company’s highly skilled staff and stakeholders. “In all my years of success as a CEO,” he says, “I’m most proud about what we’re doing now”.

• Ph. D. Organometallic Chemistry, University of Toronto, 1987