Lehtonen is the immediate past chair of F23, and she has served as sub chair for several subcommittees.

Jan 14, 2026

Karen Lehtonen, senior vice president of innovation and product development with LION First Responder PPE, Inc. has started her three-year term on the ASTM International board of directors.

ASTM International’s board is made of 25 leaders from a variety of companies, associations, universities, government bodies, and other organizations around the world.

An ASTM International member since 2000, Lehtonen is chair of the SEI board. She is also an active member of the committees on color and appearance (E12); homeland security applications (E54); and protective clothing and equipment (F23). She is the immediate past chair of F23, and she has served as sub chair for the subcommittees on PPE conformity assessment, interoperability, and compatibility (F23.50) and planning (F23.95). For her work with F23, she has received the Award of Achievement (2016), Award of Appreciation (2021), and Outgoing Chair Award (2024). She is currently on the Safety Equipment Institute (SEI) Board, an affiliate of ASTM.

Lehtonen received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Rochester Institute of Technology.

For full information on ASTM’s 2026 Board of Directors, visit: https://www.astm.org/about/governance/board-of-directors 

Media Inquiries: Gavin O’Reilly, tel +1.610.832.9618; goreilly@astm.org

Release #13039

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