Impact for a Better World

Our purpose is Leadership for a Better World—helping the world’s largest organizations transform in response to the needs of society and the planet. This requires more than ambition; it demands a collective shift in mindset, with each of us recognizing our role in shaping a better future. 

As a Firm, we are on this journey too. Our 2024 Impact Report highlights our progress—guided by our values, driven by measurable outcomes, and grounded in our belief that long-term prosperity and sustained profitability can only be achieved when business and society thrive together. 

Our Vision Map shows the interconnectedness of our ambitions—what we aim to achieve for each other as colleagues, for our clients, and for the communities we serve.

The report reflects a step change in how we understand, measure, and communicate our impact. We achieved 100% renewable electricity across global operations, completed our first CSRD-aligned Double Materiality Assessment, reduced our carbon footprint by 8.3%, and expanded participation of our firm-wide initiative designed to embed sustainability into every aspect of our operations, Impact Pathways, by 43%. These milestones, alongside new inclusion initiatives and deeper engagement with clients on sustainability, mark tangible progress in embedding purpose into how we lead, operate, and serve. 

We are proud of the diverse, talented individuals who make up our global team. Each colleague brings unique strengths, perspectives, and experiences that enrich our culture and shape how we deliver value to clients. Believing that inclusion, well-being, and ongoing learning are essential for people to thrive, we continue to invest in a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to lead.

In 2024, our focus on human and social capital deepened in three key areas. First, we continued to measure and strengthen local impact through our Impact Pathways initiative, which aligns with the B Corp Impact Assessment methodology. This program helps each office understand its social and environmental footprint and identify opportunities for improvement. Participation grew by 43% this year, with 63 offices—representing 97% of our workforce—using the tool to set tangible goals and track progress.

Second, we expanded inclusion initiatives to ensure colleagues feel seen and supported. We launched a global Neurodiversity Network, providing resources and community for neurodiverse colleagues, and extended Menopause Matters in the DACH region, fostering open dialogue and practical support.

Third, we advanced programs to help colleagues reach their full potential. From tailored training to well-being initiatives, we are enabling our people to lead with confidence and purpose. Our global “Walk the Earth” challenge brought together more than 500 colleagues from 30 offices, collectively logging 88 million steps while building well-being across regions. We piloted a sustainability training program to equip colleagues with the knowledge to integrate climate considerations into client work, with a global rollout planned in 2025.

Our environmental strategy is grounded in internationally recognized frameworks, including the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol and the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Driven by transparency, collaboration, and measurable results, we have shaped a clear pathway toward decarbonization.

In 2024, all electricity consumed across our operations was matched with renewable energy, achieved through a combination of local renewable electricity contracts and the purchase and retirement of unbundled Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs) from verified and internationally recognized registries.

We advanced our global GHG inventory framework, boosting consistency, transparency, and alignment with leading standards. With support from third-party experts, we developed near-term emission reduction targets aligned with the SBTi methodology. For the first time, we obtained independent, third-party limited-assurance verification of our FY2024 GHG emissions data.

These steps are part of a broader decarbonization pathway, embedding environmental awareness into our operations and supply chain, and moving us closer to our long-term net-zero ambitions.

Our clients face growing complexity, and the leaders we advise must adapt to address pressing challenges. Our commitment to sustainability, integrity, and accountability extends beyond our internal work—it shapes how we help leaders and organizations act with purpose.

We have developed new insights and programs to navigate modern leadership challenges, refining our thinking on systems value and board stewardship to help leaders reframe purpose and create value for broader ecosystems. Our thought leadership explores how mindsets and governance models must evolve to deliver sustainable value.

Our Integrated Services Model unites our diverse services to support clients in cultivating sustainable leadership across transformation, governance, and succession. By examining leadership through a systems lens, we provide organizations with the tools they need to thrive in an interconnected world.

We are dedicated to helping clients build robust climate governance frameworks, develop effective Chairs and boards, and appoint visionary leaders in the public and social sectors who can spearhead systemic change. This work is deeply collaborative. It involves reframing organizational purpose, expanding stakeholder engagement, and ensuring that leadership is equipped to address both the risks and opportunities of a rapidly changing world.

Strong governance is the foundation on which lasting impact is built. In 2024, we completed our first CSRD-aligned Double Materiality Assessment (DMA), a process that identifies and prioritizes sustainability topics most relevant to our Firm and its stakeholders. By considering both impact materiality, the effects of our business on people and the planet, and financial materiality, the risks and opportunities these topics create, we have a clearer picture of our impact and the path ahead.

These insights will shape our accountability structures, inform the setting of time-bound goals, and guide how we integrate sustainability into core strategy. This year, we also enhanced our leadership and governance structures to meet the needs of today’s risk landscape, including establishing a dedicated Risk Management Function and refining decision-making processes to reflect evolving stakeholder and regulatory expectations.

Egon Zehnder is incorporated in Switzerland and adheres to the country’s corporate governance practices and requirements. Our partner-elected board—comprising the Executive Chair, CEO, and four other members—sets strategic direction and ensures accountability for sustainability-related impacts, in line with best practice and external standards. The board reflects an equal gender balance, with 50% women and 50% men, underscoring our commitment to diverse representation at the highest level of governance.

Our journey is ongoing. The progress captured in this report—across our people, our environmental performance, our client work, and our governance—is both a testament to what is possible and a reminder of the work still ahead. By living our purpose of Leadership for a Better World, we aim to create value that endures, for organizations and for society alike.