Douglas D. Tough has been the CEO of International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) since March 2010. He was appointed following a successful tenure as a member of the board, where he had valuable insights into the company’s operations. Under his...

Douglas D. Tough has been the CEO of International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) since March 2010. He was appointed following a successful tenure as a member of the board, where he had valuable insights into the company’s operations. Under his leadership, IFF shifted its focus to align executive pay with performance, which is a significant change. In 2014, he received a total compensation of over $7.4 million, of which a good chunk was from vested stocks from previous years. This illustrates how seriously he takes aligning incentives with shareholder value, emphasizing outcomes over mere cash rewards. Fun fact: in his first year as CEO, Tough didn’t receive any bonus despite being a high earner, which is unusual in this line of work. Doug’s journey in corporate leadership began way before IFF, marking a career filled with strategic insights and value creation. He also experienced ups and downs in his stock holdings, peaking at around $34 million in 2021 before dipping a bit, showcasing the volatile nature of executive investments. His hold on a huge amount of stock signifies confidence in IFF’s future, making him a CEO who walks the talk. Tough’s style combines analytical thinking with a hands-on approach, focusing not just on financials but also on cultivating a talented team.