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Sustainability

Sustainability has become synonymous with transformation, and how leaders act today influences what our world looks like tomorrow. Our Sustainability Practice Group helps organizations develop their culture, teams, and individual leaders to be forces for good. We draw out the potential of emerging leaders who will create our better tomorrow. We aim to create mutual benefits for our people, our planet, and the communities we impact.
 

We help organizations dream about what the sustainability function can look like, and coach Chief Sustainability Officers to be the best versions of themselves.

Rachael De Renzy Channer, Global Head of Sustainability


Who We Are

  • Our consultants are former industry executives and sustainability leaders, with experience working at CDP, TOMRA Systems, BP Alternative Energy, and start-up sustainability ventures, among others.

  • Established in 2008, we have over a decade of experience partnering with organizations on sustainability leadership solutions.

  • We work across industries, partnering with Fortune 100 companies, asset and private fund managers, non-profits, start-ups and family businesses.

  • We have one global P&L. As a result, we are incentivized to collaborate and harness all of our Firm’s resources to ensure our clients’ success. We tap into our firm-wide network to offer creative solutions.

  • We believe sustainability must be at the heart of businesses and can help your organization develop and implement sustainability strategies and talent solutions, whether you are at the start or the midpoint of your journey.

 

What We Do

Our Sustainability Practice Group partners with clients to solve to their most complex sustainability challenges to build teams that will contribute to environmental quality, long-term economic prosperity, and improved social equity.

  • We discover and develop talent with spikes in sustainability for roles across organizations, including Chief Sustainability Officers, Heads of ESG, as well as P&L leaders and investors focused on social impact and climate solutions.

  • We help boards understand their role as stewards and what sustainability means to their companies and how to integrate it into the CEO mandate and board committee structure.

  • We partner with investors and corporate leaders on impact investing and discover and develop fund-level sustainability leaders for private capital and asset managers.

  • Our consultants help you build a sustainability function from the ground up, defining the right goals for your organization and then measuring and achieving them.

  • We benchmark performance across peer sustainability functions, connect you with best-in-class sustainability leaders, and assess and develop Sustainability talent internally.

 

How We Will Work Together

We understand that companies today need transformational leadership in order to achieve their vision for sustainable businesses. Our global consultant team partners with you on key leadership challenges, whether you are at the start of your sustainability journey, looking for your first Chief Sustainability Officer, elevating the role of sustainability in your organization to the CEO and board level, or re-imagining your core business purpose to address the challenges of the 21st Century. As a Firm, Egon Zehnder is committed to one enduring purpose: Leadership for a better world. Our Sustainability Practice helps organizations realize their full potential to change the world for the better.


Sustainability Consultants

Catherine Zhu

Catherine Zhu

Toronto

Global Lead

Catherine Zhu, based in Toronto, is Egon Zehnder’s Global Head of Sustainability Practice. She is a trusted advisor to boards… Read more

Jessica Watson

Jessica Watson

Washington, D.C.

Jessica Watson is one of the co-founders of Egon Zehnder’s Washington, DC office and currently leads the firm’s Health Practice for the Americas… Read more

Zachary Pomerantz

Zachary Pomerantz

New York

Zach Pomerantz is in Egon Zehnder’s Global Services Practice, focusing on Real Estate, Travel & Hospitality, & Sustainability. Read more

Akiba Smith-Francis

Akiba Smith-Francis

New York

Akiba Smith-Francis, based in New York, belongs to Egon Zehnder’s Consumer, Sustainability and Public and Social Sector practices. Read more

Kristen Burke

Kristen Burke

Atlanta

Kristen Burke, based in Atlanta, is active in Egon Zehnder’s Consumer, Digital, and Technology practices. Read more

Ana Paula Gonzalez

Ana Paula Gonzalez

Miami

Ana Paula González works out of Egon Zehnder’s Miami office as a member of the Private Equity, Technology and Communications, and Sustainability… Read more

Christopher King-Sidney

Christopher King-Sidney

Dallas, Seattle

Chris King-Sidney is a core member of Egon Zehnder’s Industrial practice, specializing in the engineering and construction, mining and metals… Read more

Elena Rodighiero

Elena Rodighiero

Palo Alto

Elena Rodighiero is active in Egon Zehnder’s Technology & Communications Practice Group, helping clients navigate their digital transformation… Read more

Dale McDermott

Dale McDermott

Toronto

Based in Toronto, Dale McDermott belongs to Egon Zehnder’s Consumer, Financial Services, and Industrial practices. Read more

Alejandro Elizondo

Alejandro Elizondo

Mexico City

Alejandro Elizondo, based in Monterrey, Mexico, is active in Egon Zehnder’s Industrial, Financial, Technology, Services and Family Business practices. Read more

Laura Rey

Laura Rey

Bogotá

Based in Bogotá, Laura Rey Pizano is active in Egon Zehnder’s Private Equity and Infrastructure practices as well as in the firm’s Legal… Read more

Rachael De Renzy Channer

Rachael De Renzy Channer

London

Rachael De Renzy Channer is Egon Zehnder’s Global Head of Sustainability. Prior to undertaking this role… Read more

Andrew Vivian

Andrew Vivian

London

Andrew Vivian, based in London, has a particular specialization in the industrial and business services sectors while working across Egon Zehnder’s… Read more

Helen Crowley

Helen Crowley

London

Helen Crowley, based in London, works closely with companies in the media and marketing services sectors on all leadership and talent issues. Read more

Magali McIntyre

Magali McIntyre

London

Magali McIntyre advises technology organisations, financial services clients, and private equity-backed high-growth companies on leadership… Read more

Toby Gibbs

Toby Gibbs

London

Toby Gibbs, based in London, advises international companies on talent strategy, assessment, leadership development, and board and executive search. Read more


Thought Leadership | Sustainability

Read more insights
Where are all the jobs? A sector guide for students

Where are all the jobs? A sector guide for students

Catherine Zhu, head of the sustainability practice, discusses the green jobs available for students and the workforce at large with the Financial Times. Read more

Creating a sustainable world through leadership — The Brazilian Perspective

Creating a sustainable world through leadership — The Brazilian Perspective

To shed light on how Brazilian leaders approach their sustainability agenda, we sat down with Brazilian executives in a variety of sectors to discuss… Read more

Corporate Sustainability Becomes a Team Sport

Corporate Sustainability Becomes a Team Sport

Rachael De Renzy Channer, Egon Zehnder's Global Head of Sustainability explains how the changing role of the CSO is transforming business. “As we see… Read more

Finding Your ‘Inner Activist’

Finding Your ‘Inner Activist’

Bringing your whole self to work and recognizing the whole self of others makes leading in turbulent times less lonely. Read more

How Can CHROs Play a Key Role in ESG?

How Can CHROs Play a Key Role in ESG?

Insights from Italian CHROs on how they can take a more active stance in shaping their organizations’ ESG strategy and initiatives. Read more

Does Your Board Have the Sustainability Expertise It Needs?

Does Your Board Have the Sustainability Expertise It Needs?

A practical guide to determine the right type of sustainability leader for your organization. Read more

New study from Egon Zehnder Finds Boards Need Four Key Ingredients to Become Stewards of Sustainability

New study from Egon Zehnder Finds Boards Need Four Key Ingredients to Become Stewards of Sustainability

A report released by Egon Zehnder has found that while boards are prioritizing sustainability, there is room for improvement for driving ESG agendas. Read more

Stewards of Sustainability

Stewards of Sustainability

The 2022 Sustainability Board Report recommends that companies increase their sustainability engagement with diversity, education and self-reflection. Read more

How Boards Can be ESG Leaders, Not Followers

How Boards Can be ESG Leaders, Not Followers

In June 2022, Egon Zehnder held the latest event in its Corporate Governance Exchange (CGX) series, which brings together chairs and Nomination & Remuneration… Read more

Egon Zehnder Names Rachael De Renzy Channer Global Head of Sustainability

Egon Zehnder Names Rachael De Renzy Channer Global Head of Sustainability

The newly created role marks one of the first formal sustainability leader appointments in the top five global executive search and leadership advisory firms. Read more

Chief sustainability officers prosper as ESG risks mount

Chief sustainability officers prosper as ESG risks mount

Rachael De Renzy Channer discusses how the Chief Sustainability Officer has become a crucial member of the corporate management team. Read more

Four Ways to Move Your Sustainability Agenda Forward

Four Ways to Move Your Sustainability Agenda Forward

As companies gear up to incorporate sustainability more holistically, we outline practical actions leaders can take to make progress on sustainability goals. Read more

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