As the climate crisis demands decisive action, women leaders are stepping into critical roles to drive sustainability across industries. They are managing innovative strategies, embedding ESG priorities into corporate frameworks, and leading the charge toward a low-carbon future. From tech giants to luxury brands, their influence spans diverse sectors, demonstrating that bold leadership is essential to creating lasting environmental and social impact. In this list, Climate Insider spotlights 20 remarkable women who are redefining corporate sustainability in 2024.
1. Renee Morin – Chief Sustainability Officer, eBay
At eBay since 2020, Renee Morin has championed sustainable business practices while enhancing operational efficiencies, positioning eBay as a leader in responsible e-commerce.
2. Ellen Jackowski – EVP/Chief Sustainability Officer, Mastercard
Ellen Jackowski leverages her extensive experience from HP to drive Mastercard’s global sustainability initiatives, focusing on innovative solutions to climate challenges.
3. Kate Wylie – Chief Sustainability Officer, CHANEL
Kate Wylie directs CHANEL’s sustainability strategies while heading Fondation CHANEL, emphasizing environmental resilience and reducing the luxury brand’s ecological footprint.
4. Jessica Alsford – Chief Sustainability Officer, Morgan Stanley
Jessica Alsford leads Morgan Stanley’s Institute for Sustainable Investing, driving ESG integration and expanding sustainable investment strategies globally.
5. Karen Pflug – Chief Sustainability Officer, IKEA
Karen Pflug applies her data-driven expertise to IKEA’s global sustainability strategy, tackling complex challenges with innovative solutions for a greener future.
6. Judith Wiese – Chief People and Sustainability Officer, Siemens
Judith Wiese aligns Siemens’ global operations with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, seamlessly integrating organizational leadership with sustainability.
7. Velislava Ivanova – Chief Sustainability Officer, EY Americas
Velislava Ivanova advises companies on low-carbon transitions and leads EY’s sustainability initiatives across the Americas, with a focus on climate change services.
8. Virginie Helias – Chief Sustainability Officer, Procter & Gamble
Since 2016, Virginie Helias has embedded environmental stewardship into P&G’s strategies, driving sustainable innovations across its product portfolio.
9. Paulette Frank – Chief Sustainability Officer, Johnson & Johnson
Paulette Frank advances J&J’s environmental health initiatives, spotlighting the critical intersection of human health and environmental sustainability.
10. Bea Perez – Chief Sustainability Officer, The Coca-Cola Company
Bea Perez fosters global partnerships and manages Coca-Cola’s sustainability and communications strategies to reduce its environmental impact.
11. Melanie Nakagawa – Chief Sustainability Officer, Microsoft
Melanie Nakagawa integrates sustainability across Microsoft’s operations, drawing on her expertise in climate policy and energy strategy.
12. Kathryn Alsegaf – Chief Sustainability Officer, Deloitte
Kathryn Alsegaf leads Deloitte’s global climate strategy, advancing net-zero goals and promoting best practices in sustainability reporting.
13. Kate Brandt – Chief Sustainability Officer, Google
Kate Brandt focuses on carbon-free energy and green technology innovations, pushing Google toward ambitious sustainability milestones.
14. Sophie Beckham – Chief Sustainability Officer, International Paper
Sophie Beckham champions sustainable forestry and positions International Paper as a leader in aligning sustainability with business strategy.
15. Ann Tracy – Chief Sustainability Officer, Colgate-Palmolive
Ann Tracy oversees Colgate-Palmolive’s environmental health and safety programs while advancing supply chain sustainability initiatives globally.
16. Cassandra Garber – VP of Sustainability, Dell Technologies
Cassandra Garber directs Dell’s ESG strategy, focusing on shared value creation and addressing systemic challenges like climate change and e-waste.
17. Alanna Boyd – Chief Sustainability Officer, Sun Life
Alanna Boyd spearheads sustainability at Sun Life, leveraging her background in government relations to embed resilience across the organization.
18. Alison Taylor – Chief Sustainability Officer, ADM
Alison Taylor oversees ADM’s global sustainability strategy, championing programs aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals like Zero Hunger and Climate Action.
19. Katharina Beumelburg – Chief Sustainability & New Technologies Officer, Heidelberg Materials
Katharina Beumelburg leads Heidelberg Materials’ ESG, R&D, and innovation efforts, driving partnerships to advance sustainability and technological progress.
20. Mary de Wysocki – Chief Sustainability Officer, Cisco
Mary de Wysocki shapes Cisco’s sustainability strategy, aligning environmental goals with long-term value creation for the business and the planet.
Climate Insider Notes
This list highlights the growing influence of women in sustainability leadership, illustrating how diverse expertise drives progress. Key takeaways include:
- Sectoral Diversity: Leaders are making strides across industries such as technology (e.g., Microsoft, Dell, Google), finance (e.g., Morgan Stanley, EY), and consumer goods (e.g., P&G, IKEA, Colgate-Palmolive).
- Strategic Integration: Many executives emphasize aligning sustainability goals with core business strategies, showcasing the importance of ESG in achieving financial and operational success.
- Global Reach: Companies like Siemens, CHANEL, and Coca-Cola demonstrate how sustainability initiatives transcend borders, fostering worldwide impact.
- Focus Areas: From advancing renewable energy (Google) to tackling systemic issues like e-waste (Dell) and sustainable forestry (International Paper), these leaders are addressing critical challenges head-on.
This list reflects the transformative power of leadership and collaboration in shaping a sustainable future, inspiring action across industries and geographies.
