Corporate sustainability leaders play a crucial role in driving climate action and fostering climate solutions within businesses and the broader community. These leaders lead and manage initiatives to reduce carbon footprints, implement renewable energy sources, and enhance energy efficiency, ensuring that their companies operate sustainably. They advocate for integrating environmental considerations into business strategies, influencing company policies, and promoting innovation in sustainable practices. Their efforts not only contribute to mitigating climate change but also enhance the company’s reputation, attract eco-conscious consumers, and create long-term financial benefits through sustainable growth. This article will discuss 10 corporate sustainability leaders you should know about in 2024.
- Christine Wickett, Head of Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility at Morguard Investments Limited
About Christine Wickett
Christine Wickett is a seasoned professional in sustainability with an impressive career focused on implementing and managing environmentally responsible practices across various sectors. Currently, she leads the Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility department at Morguard Investments Limited, where she has been instrumental since March 2018. In this role, Christine drives the integration of sustainable business practices into growth strategies, ensures compliance with regulatory requirements, and engages stakeholders in the business case for sustainability. Her expertise in responsible investing trends and best practices supports Morguard’s commitment to maintaining a social licence to operate. Before Morguard, Christine managed environmental programs at The Home Depot Canada, emphasising relationship building and stakeholder management. Her earlier experience includes coordinating sustainability initiatives at The Hospital for Sick Children, where she developed compliance reports, promoted waste diversion, and implemented energy management plans.
- Valerie Durand, Head of IR and Corporate Sustainability at Air Canada
About Valerie Durand
Valerie Durand is an experienced professional with a strong focus on sustainability, currently serving as the Head of Investor Relations and Corporate Sustainability at Air Canada. In this role since February 2021, Valerie has been instrumental in developing and executing the company’s ESG strategy, overseeing the Corporate Sustainability report, and managing various ESG reporting initiatives. Her responsibilities extend to leading the philanthropy and community investments strategy, and she plays a significant role in the Air Canada Foundation. Previously, as the Director of Communications Optimization from May 2018 to February 2021, she provided strategic advice on internal programs and contributed to the development of organisational structure.
- Sandra Odendahl, Senior Vice President & Head of Sustainability, Diversity and Social Impact at BDC
About Sandra Odendahl
Currently serving as the Senior Vice-President & Head of Sustainability, Diversity, and Social Impact at the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) since April 2022, Sandra Odendahl leads BDC’s ESG programs, incorporating environmental action, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Prior to this, Sandra was the Vice President & Global Head of Sustainability at Scotiabank, where she led enterprise-wide ESG strategies, policies, and reporting, and oversaw the bank’s human rights, social impact, and climate change strategies. Her tenure at Scotiabank also included launching ScotiaRISE, a significant commitment to economic resilience. Sandra’s leadership in sustainability extends to her previous role as President & CEO of CMC Research Institutes, where she focused on testing and scale-up of innovative carbon reduction technologies.
- Shilpi Singh, AVP Head of Sustainability at Aviva Canada
About Shilpi Singh
Currently serving as the AVP Head of Sustainability at Aviva Canada since April 2023, Shilpi Singh plays an important role in shaping and implementing the company’s sustainability initiatives. Prior to her role at Aviva, Shilpi amassed significant experience at Morningstar Sustainalytics, where she held various positions, including Director of Global Corporate ESG Solutions. During her tenure there, spanning over four years, she demonstrated her expertise in integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into corporate strategies. Shilpi’s journey in sustainability began at Evalueserve, where she served in progressively senior roles focusing on ESG research and engagement with companies. With a solid foundation as a Financial Research Analyst at The D. E. Shaw Group, Shilpi brings a unique blend of financial acumen and sustainability expertise to her current leadership role, driving positive change and fostering sustainable practices within organisations.
- Gregg Meyer, Chief Sustainability Officer at Steve Madden
About Gregg Meyer
Gregg Meyer has a promising career in sustainability, currently serving as the Chief Sustainability Officer, Counsel, and VP CSR at Steve Madden Ltd. Since August 2018, Gregg has been instrumental in driving innovation and expanding the company’s positive social impact globally. His focus on diversity, sustainability, and social and environmental awareness aligns with the company’s mission to create meaningful change. At Steve Madden, Gregg collaborates across all levels of the organisation to design and implement programs that generate positive outcomes for communities, employees, and customers. In addition to his sustainability role, Gregg also serves as counsel to Steve Madden Ltd., providing legal guidance on litigation, compliance, product testing, and corporate law matters. His multifaceted approach demonstrates a commitment to integrating sustainability principles into both business strategy and legal operations, contributing to a more socially and environmentally responsible corporate culture.
- Tara Schmidt, Head of Climate & Sustainability at Lloyds Banking Group
About Tara Schmidt
Currently serving as the Co-Head for Scotland in Corporate & Institutional Banking at the Bank of Scotland since April 2023, Tara Schmidt holds the role of Managing Director and Head of Climate & Sustainability Strategy within Lloyds Banking Group’s Corporate & Institutional Banking sector, positions she has held since March 2023. Previously, Tara directed the climate and sustainability strategy for Lloyds as Head of Sustainability & ESG Finance from August 2021 to March 2023. Before joining Lloyds, she was Vice President of Corporate Strategy at Wood from November 2019 to August 2021. Her experience is further enriched by her tenure at ERM: Environmental Resources Management, where she served as Partner and Principal Consultant in the Global Low Carbon Transition team from October 2016 to October 2019.
- Sanaz (Kafayi) Raczynski, Head of Sustainability at Kohlberg & Company
About Sanaz Raczynski
Since August 2020, Sanaz Racyznski has been the Managing Director and Head of Sustainability at Kohlberg & Company in Mount Kisco, New York, where she spearheads the firm’s sustainability initiatives. In addition to her role at Kohlberg & Company, Sanaz contributes to the broader sustainability community as a member of the Private Equity Advisory Committee for the Principles for Responsible Investment since December 2022 and the General Partner Advisory Committee for Novata since June 2022. She also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester, a position she has held since September 2022. Prior to her current roles, Sanaz was the Head of Sustainability for Real Assets and Private Markets at Nuveen, a TIAA company, from September 2016 to August 2020, and earlier, she served as Head of Business Management and Chief of Staff for TIAA Asset Management from May 2015 to December 2016.
- Alexis Rosenblum, Global Head of Sustainability & Social Responsibility at Capital Group
About Alexis Rosenblum
Alexis Rosenblum has built an impressive career in the asset management industry with a particular focus on climate, ESG, sustainability, and public policy. She currently serves as the Global Head of Sustainability & Social Responsibility at Capital Group, a role she has held since September 2022. Previously, she was BlackRock’s first Chief Corporate Sustainability Officer, where she played a crucial role from August 2019 to June 2022 in establishing and leading the company’s sustainability initiatives. Alexis has demonstrated her expertise as a business builder by creating industry-leading functions from the ground up and developing highly effective teams. Her tenure at BlackRock also included seven years as a Director in the Global Public Policy Group, where she engaged with regulators and legislators worldwide on critical issues in investment management and corporate governance.
- Anna Krotova, Head of Sustainability at Picnic Technologies
About Anna Krotova
Anna Krotova has an impressive background in sustainability and climate-focused roles, marked by her leadership and impactful contributions in various organisations. Currently, she serves as the Head of Sustainability at Picnic Technologies, a position she has held since September 2023 in Amsterdam. Prior to this, she was the Director of Sustainability at Mambu from May 2021 to April 2023, where she established and led the company’s sustainability function, integrating sustainability as one of Mambu’s five strategic objectives and earning recognition on the UK Women in Fintech Powerlist 2022. At the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Anna was the Senior Standards Manager, overseeing the development of widely-used corporate sustainability and ESG reporting standards such as the GRI Universal Standards and those focused on water, biodiversity, and waste.
- Robert Metzke, SVP and Global Sustainability Head at Philips
About Robert Metzke
Robert Metzke has an extensive professional background focused on sustainability and climate, highlighted by his long-standing role at Philips. Currently, he serves as the Senior Vice President and Global Head of Sustainability, a position he has held since October 2022. In this role, he leads the development and implementation of Philips’ ESG strategy, programs, and policies, aligning them with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Robert is an integral member of several key committees and boards within Philips, including the Innovation Board, ESG Committee, and the Philips Foundation Board, where he drives the sustainability agenda as a core aspect of the company’s mission. Prior to this, he was the Vice President and Global Head of Sustainability at Philips for nearly six years, focusing on advancing the company’s environmental and social governance initiatives.
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