Top 10: CSOs in Manufacturing

Here are our Top 10 Chief Sustainability Officers who are leading the charge for sustainable development across the manufacturing sector - from moving their business towards net zero, electrifying their practices, expanding affordable access to healthcare, making products biodegradable, expanding water stewardship, improving the energy efficiency and broadly developing sustainable solutions.

10. Emma Keller

Nestle UK & Ireland

Nestle believes in the power of food to enhance the quality of life. Credited as our number one in Top 10 Biscuit Manufacturers, Emma works ardently in her role to help Nestle reach net zero emissions and a supply chain free of deforestation.

Emma previously worked at WWF as Head of Food and Sustainability Research Engineer at Unilever. She has a Masters of Science from Imperial College London and an Engineering Doctorate from the University of Surrey. Emma is also a STEM Ambassador for Exscitec, which promotes STEM subjects to young people.

9. Roger Martella

GE and GE Vernova

GE Vernova has a goal to electrify and decarbonise the world. CSO Roger Martella is at the forefront of sustainable progression at the company, with his passion for engaging with diverse stakeholders to improve environmental protections for vulnerable populations globally and advancing equity.

“We work to catalyse access to secure, sustainable, reliable and affordable electricity to help drive global economic development,” he said. “At the same time, we invent, deploy, and service the technology to decarbonize and electrify the world.”

8. Caroline Roan

Pfizer

As Pfizer's Chief Sustainability Officer, Caroline oversees Environmental, Social and Governance work across Pfizer, with a vision to help build a more sustainable world for everyone. 

“We are leveraging the full scope of our resources and partnerships to ensure better health for everyone everywhere - ranging from redefining how we fight infectious diseases to expanding affordable access to our breakthrough medicines and vaccines,” she said.

Before joining Pfizer, Caroline served as Associate Director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS (CIRA) at Yale.

7. Rebecca Marmot

Unilever

Unilever's sustainability goals include making all product formulations biodegradable, implementing water stewardship programmes at 100 manufacturing sites in water-stressed areas and supporting farmers to protect their environments. 

“If we step up, together, as the private sector, national governments, civil society and the academic community, we can safeguard against future pandemics and other health crises, and ensure access to water, sanitation and hygiene for all,” she said.

6. Melanie Nakagawa

Microsoft

As Corporate Vice President, Chief Sustainability Officer at Microsoft, Melanie uses AI to transform Microsoft’s sustainability landscape. She has optimised data centre energy and water efficiency, advanced low carbon materials and improved the energy efficiency of AI and cloud services.

Earlier in her career, Melanie worked as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Climate and Energy in 2021, as well as a Non-Resident Fellow at the Center on Global Energy Policy. She has an MA in International Affairs, Peace and Conflict Resolution from American University School of International Service. 

5. Christine Montenegro McGrath

Mondelēz International

Christine is the Global Sustainability and Well-being leader at food manufacturer Mondelēz International. She has a proven track record for developing sustainable solutions in Fortune 150 consumer products businesses, having previously worked at Kraft Foods, from 1989 to 2012. 

From her base in Chicago, Christine leads Mondelez International's worldwide sustainability initiatives, alongside its health and well-being business strategies. She is passionate about growing businesses, while having a positive impact on people and the planet. 

4. Pam Cheng

AstraZeneca

Pam currently leads sustainability initiatives at AstraZeneca. This week, she celebrated 25 years since the merger between Swedish Astra AB and UK-based Zeneca Group, which has brought vital medicine to patients all across the world. 

“As we continue to push the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines, it is also the perfect moment to reflect on how far we’ve come,” she said. “To everyone who has been part of this journey, past or present, thank you for your incredible contributions to patients and society.”

3. Lisa Jackson

Apple

Although not the ‘CSO’, Lisa Jackson reports directly to Apple CEO Tim Cook to cover the company's sustainability initiatives. 

In her role, Lisa manages Apple’s efforts to lower any negative impact on the environment and in utilising renewable energy across the company. 

Lisa leads Apple’s US$100m Racial Equity and Justice Initiative, which upholds education, economic opportunity and criminal justice reform. She previously served as Administrator of the US Environmental Protection Agency under President Obama and holds an MA in Chemical Engineering from Princeton University. 

2. Virginie Helias

Procter & Gamble

Virginie has brought modern sustainability to consumer goods manufacturer Proctor & Gamble. In one example, Virginie increased the use of PCR plastic across P&Gs hair care portfolio of brands. 

“Increasing the use of recycled plastic in the packaging of our flagship brands, like Pantene and Head & Shoulders, makes it easier for consumers to choose more sustainable products, without any trade-offs,” she said. 

With three decades of experience at the company, Virginie provided her insights to those attending Sustainability LIVE: Net Zero.

1. Kristen Siemen

GM

GM’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Kristen Siemen, sat down with our sister title Sustainability magazine, to discuss GM’s vision of zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion and how the company is facing the biggest challenges in our world today.

“At GM, we pioneered the innovations that move and connect people to what matters,” she said. “It's a simple but very powerful statement that honours our heritage of innovation, captures who we are today when we're at our best and really looks forward to what we can accomplish in the future.”

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