CEOs for Sustainability

Working together for a common goal.

Hosted by the nonprofit Sustainable Pittsburgh, CEOs for Sustainability is the nation’s only executive network providing regional thought leadership on business sustainability.

Fast Facts:

CEOs for Sustainability is exemplary executive leadership and collaboration to drive positive change in the region.

We’re asking businesses to lead forward by committing to a sustainable economic recovery and taking action toward that end.

EVENTS

LEADERSHIP

RESOURCES

Sustainable Business is Good Business

Savvy business leaders are the driving force behind transformational sustainability strategies, linking business sustainability performance, financial performance, and regional quality of life.

88% of employees say working for a company with a strong purpose is more important to them than ever before.
Porter Novelli Purpose Tracker, August 2020

Companies in the top quartile for racial and ethnic diversity are 35% more likely to have financial returns above their respective national industry medians.
Why Diversity Matters, McKinsey & Co.

Low-emissions products and services represent $2.1T in opportunity.
CDP

Sustainability meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It is a process of continual improvement.

In business, this means that in addition to financial performance, a company prioritizes its social and environmental actions. A sustainable business strategy is a long-term view that helps identify operational efficiencies and new opportunities, mitigates risk, and positions the company as a desirable place to work and invest in.

Vision

A sustainable business strategy pays off.

Broader, more equitable economic growth for all
Greater pay equity, health insurance access, and personal resiliency for minority populations
Minority communities strengthened by policies favoring local minority-owned businesses

New jobs in the trades, tech, energy efficiency, and electrified fleets
New business models and opportunities in clean energy
Reduced carbon emissions and air pollution
Mitigated climate risk to operations, supply chain

Events

Leading Forward

Access past webinars

Tapping Opportunities in the Circular Economy, hosted by Sustainable Pittsburgh and CEOs for Sustainability
Embodied Carbon: Why It Matters for Your Carbon-Reduction Strategy, hosted by Sustainable Pittsburgh and CEOs for Sustainability
Tracking and Measuring Sustainability Progress, hosted by Sustainable Pittsburgh
Tools & Tactics for Workplace Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, hosted by Sustainable Pittsburgh, CEOs for Sustainability, and Vibrant Pittsburgh
Advancing Your Organization’s Carbon-Reduction Goals, hosted by Sustainable Pittsburgh, CEOs for Sustainability, and Chatham University’s Falk School of Sustainability & Environment

2022 CEOs for Sustainability C-Suite Summit

More than ever, meaningful progress on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues depends on collaborative leadership and peer exchange. During this annual gathering, C-Suite executives shared how businesses large and small are leading forward.

THANK YOU TO OUR PRESENTERS:

Debbie DeLong, Ph.D., Marketing Professor, Chatham University
Steven Guy, President & CEO, Oxford Development
Jana Lake, President, 3R Sustainability
Antonis Papadourakis, Ph.D., President & CEO, LANXESS
JoAnn Rizzo, Eco Chair, AE Works Ltd.
Craig Stevenson, President, AUROS Group
Charles Toran, President, Sci-Tek Consultants
Raymond Yeager, President & CEO, DMI Companies

TOURS:

2021 CEOs for Sustainability C-Suite Summit, Presented by UPMC Health Plan

In this third annual C-Suite Summit, C-Suite executives from private and publicly traded companies shared candid perspectives on achievements at their businesses — achievements that are building on the group’s Leading Forward priorities for a more resilient, equitable economy and advancing strong environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance.

Keynote speaker Lisa Conway, Vice President of Sustainability, Americas at Interface Inc., opened the event, calling on business leaders to join Interface in advancing its Climate Take Back strategy, which aims to help reverse global warming. A global flooring manufacturer, Interface has pursued “Moonshot Goals” to transform into arguably the world’s most sustainable industrial company. A panel of CEOs for Sustainability leaders followed, sharing their commitments to sustainability as a business imperative and foundation for competitive advantage. Featured presenters included the following:

Mary Beth Jenkins, COO, UPMC Health Plan
Leroy M. Ball, Jr., President and CEO, Koppers
Ron C. Keating, President and CEO, Evoqua Water Technologies
Kurt Lesker IV, President and CEO, Kurt J. Lesker Company

Watch Event Recording

2020 CEOs for Sustainability C-Suite Summit, Presented by UPMC Health Plan

During this November 18th event, CEOs for Sustainability leaders called upon their peers in the Pittsburgh region to take action around three priorities for achieving a sustainable economic recovery: advance racial and ethnic equity, support local businesses and communities, and reduce carbon emissions. Several C-Suite leaders shared how their businesses are responding to challenges and using a sustainability strategy as a competitive advantage. Microsoft’s Vice President of AI Country Strategy and Sustainability Partnership Gretchen O’Hara delivered the keynote speech, sharing practical insights on how Microsoft is addressing society’s most pressing challenges, including plans to be carbon negative by 2030. Additional featured speakers included:

Diane Holder, President and CEO, UPMC Health Plan
Haakan Jonsson, Ph.D., Chairman and President, Covestro LLC
Jana D. Lake, President, 3R Sustainability
Jodi Rennie, VP and General Manager, Turner Construction
Sara Thompson, Principal, Pashek + MTR

Watch Event Recording

Resources

Resources for Leading Forward

Access Roadmap Here

The crises of 2020 have wrought hardship on many families and businesses in southwestern Pennsylvania. The CEOs for Sustainability business network, hosted by the nonprofit Sustainable Pittsburgh, is committed to “leading forward” on a sustainable economic recovery. These business leaders are calling on the region’s workplaces to take actions vital to supporting a sustainable recovery that works for all:

supporting local communities and businesses through the pandemic crisis,
advancing racial and ethnic equity through their own business operations, and
reducing their companies’ carbon footprint.

A win-win for business and community

By applying a business strategy around these three priorities, businesses gain a competitive advantage and demonstrate their leadership in the community.

The Leading Forward Roadmap, developed by Sustainable Pittsburgh, provides a framework for how businesses can take actions around these priority areas.

The Roadmap includes strategic steps, customizable tools, and regional resources to support “leading forward” on a sustainable economic recovery for all.

Leaders