In the wake of the COVID-19 era, major American companies are making significant cuts, with over 1.1 million jobs slashed by November. The tech and retail sectors have been hit hardest, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas research. Sustainability teams haven’t been spared from these cuts.
Companies like Boeing, BlackRock, Kohler, Wells Fargo, and Zendesk have seen major layoffs, while S&P Global and Southwest have made targeted cuts, all in the name of revising ESG priorities. Leadership changes continue as companies reassess their commitments to emission reductions.
Longtime Leaders Departing
Notable leadership changes include Pamela Gill-Alabaster leaving Kenvue in June as her role was absorbed into research and operations. Apple is also seeing change, with Lisa Jackson departing in January after 13 years, her duties being split between two senior executives. Unilever used Rebecca Marmot’s departure to eliminate the global CSO position, assigning sustainability to Michael Stewart, now in charge of corporate affairs.
Internal Promotions and Restructuring
In the nonprofit sector, the Science Based Targets initiative hired David Kennedy, formerly of EY, to redefine its executive direction. The Bezos Earth Fund appointed Tom Taylor as CEO, while B Lab Global is searching for a new director after tightening its standards. Companies like Inter IKEA Group and Mars are promoting internal talent, with Lena Julle, a 30-year veteran at IKEA, becoming sustainability director, highlighting a trend of valuing in-house expertise.
However, these reorganizations pose challenges. While eliminating certain leadership roles can streamline hierarchy, it may also dilute sustainability’s impact within companies. The departure of charismatic, experienced leaders can leave a difficult-to-fill void.
What’s next? The future promises to be dynamic, with challenges and opportunities for newcomers in this ever-evolving field.