Leaders

Sir Richard Branson

Founder, Virgin Group; Co-founder, The B Team

Sir Richard Branson

Founder, Virgin Group; Co-founder, The B Team

“I believe business must be leading, and not waiting on, the shift toward an inclusive future. I joined The B Team to stand at the forefront of this movement and inspire others to join.”

Sir Richard is the founder of the Virgin Group and co-founder of The B Team. As a B Team Leader and sustainability advocate, he is committed to building a net-zero economy that supports thriving and resilient communities. Sir Richard has incubated several purpose-driven organizations via Virgin Unite (the Virgin Group’s nonprofit arm), including The Elders, Ocean Unite and the Planetary Guardians. He also serves on The B Team Australia Network Steering Committee.

Jochen Zeitz

President, CEO & Chair, Harley-Davidson, Inc.; Co-founder, The B Team

Jochen Zeitz

President, CEO & Chair, Harley-Davidson, Inc.; Co-founder, The B Team

“Business cannot ignore the impact it has on people and our planet. I co-founded The B Team to help ensure that impact is a positive one—and one the private sector views proactively.”

Jochen is the president, CEO and chair of Harley-Davidson, Inc. and a co-founder of The B Team. He also serves as chair of American electric motorcycle manufacturer LiveWire and is the former CEO and chair of sports brand Puma, where he pioneered the first-ever environmental profit & loss statement (E P&L). Jochen’s leadership informs The B Team’s advocacy on corporate sustainability governance, both regionally and globally. He is a co-founder of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (ZEITZ MOCAA) and founder of the Zeitz Foundation and The Long Run.

Jesper Brodin

CEO, Ingka Group I IKEA; Chair, The B Team

Jesper Brodin

CEO, Ingka Group I IKEA; Chair, The B Team

"Together we have a decade to prevent irreversible damage from climate change to the home we all share, the planet. I joined The B Team to spark real change–we need to take a positive, proactive and collaborative approach to turn the climate challenge into scalable solutions–together. It’s good business to be a good business and the time for talk is over. We will act, now."

Jesper is CEO of Ingka Group | IKEA and chair of The B Team. With years of experience embedding sustainability and equality into business practices, Jesper’s leadership is central to The B Team's efforts to catalyze an inclusive economy. Additionally, he is co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders and serves on the global board of directors of the World Resources Institute (WRI).

Ester Baiget

President and CEO, Novonesis; Vice-Chair, The B Team

Ester Baiget

President and CEO, Novonesis; Vice-Chair, The B Team

“As global industry leaders, to make real change and ensure we can live within the boundaries of a healthy planet we must look beyond our own walls and solutions. I joined The B Team to connect with a strong, courageous group of leaders that are determined to actively advocate for change by engaging in dialogue and setting the tone with tangible examples of bold leadership.”

Ester Baiget is President and CEO of Novonesis and Vice-Chair of The B Team.

An experienced international leader with a strong track-record, Ester joined Novozymes after working as president for Dow’s Industrial Solutions business unit and a member of the executive leadership team. She joined Dow in 1995 as an engineer in Tarragona, Spain. In her years as Business President for Industrial Solutions, the business expanded the market, improved its market-leading position, delivered double-digit growth and strong earnings.

She holds a chemical engineering degree and an MBA from the University of Tarragona (Spain).

Ajay Banga

President, The World Bank

Ajay Banga

President, The World Bank

“From rising temperatures to rising inequality, we are facing some of the most trying challenges of our time and none of us will succeed unless we all can succeed. I joined The B Team to partner with this esteemed group of individuals as we look to tackle these large societal challenges.”

Ajay is president of The World Bank. For more than a decade, he led Mastercard as its president and CEO. Under his leadership, Mastercard launched the Center for Inclusive Growth, which advances sustainable economic growth and financial inclusion around the world, in 2014. He is an honorary chair of the International Chamber of Commerce, having previously served as chair from June 2020 to June 2022. A longtime advocate for diversity, inclusion and belonging at work, Ajay has a track record of building workplaces that strive to win with decency and partnering with governments and policymakers to build economies that work for all.

Oliver Bäte

CEO, Allianz Group

Oliver Bäte

CEO, Allianz Group

“Companies have responsibilities toward society, which go beyond their own shareholders. I joined The B Team to help businesses realize these responsibilities for a shared future that benefits all.”

Oliver is CEO of Allianz Group. His work as a B Team Leader is helping to catalyze business action toward a net-zero economy with opportunity for all people. Oliver serves on the Institute of International Finance’s board of directors.

Marc Benioff

Chair, CEO and Co-Founder, Salesforce

Marc Benioff

Chair, CEO and Co-Founder, Salesforce

“As business leaders we have a responsibility to all stakeholders—customers, employees, partners, communities and the environment—not shareholders alone.”

Marc is chair, CEO and co-founder of Salesforce. Under Marc's leadership, Salesforce has become the third-largest enterprise software company and the largest enterprise applications company in the world. He also co-founded the Pledge 1% movement, committing 1% of Salesforce’s equity, product and employee time to the community since the company’s founding 25 years ago. Marc is a member of the World Economic Forum (WEF) board of trustees, co-founded the global nature conservation movement 1t.org and serves as inaugural chair of WEF’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. He is the owner and co-chair of TIME and author of Trailblazer: The Power of Business as the Greatest Platform for Change.

Sharan Burrow

Former General Secretary, International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)

Sharan Burrow

Former General Secretary, International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)

“The world’s working people need a new social contract. That’s why I joined The B Team—to create the dialogue in partnership with business, civil society and governments for a new social contract to advance social progress for all.”

Sharan is the former General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), which represents nearly 200 million workers worldwide. She champions the interests of workers and impacted communities through The B Team’s advocacy for a just and inclusive transition to a clean energy future. Sharan is a member of the Africa-Europe Foundation Women Leaders Network, a commissioner on the Business Commission to Tackle Inequality, a Visiting Professor in Practice at the LSE Grantham Institute and serves on The B Team Australia Network Steering Committee.

Kathy Calvin

Former President and CEO, UN Foundation

Kathy Calvin

Former President and CEO, UN Foundation

“The just and sustainable future we envision for 2030 and beyond is only possible through collaboration. I joined The B Team to partner with innovators across sectors to help bring this vision to life.”

Kathy is the former president and CEO of the UN Foundation, an independent charitable organization that collaborates closely with the United Nations to make progress on global challenges. Her work as a B Team Leader reflects her passion for building a thriving, equitable and resilient net-zero world. Kathy serves as an ambassador for the World Benchmarking Alliance, a nonprofit that assesses and ranks the world’s most influential companies on their contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Emmanuel Faber

Chair, International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB)

Emmanuel Faber

Chair, International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB)

“Without fairness, there is no way we can create an economy that will tackle our collective challenges of today: inequalities, health, migrations, climate. That’s why I joined The B Team—to collectively face these challenges today, for a better tomorrow.”

Emmanuel Faber is inaugural chair of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), an independent standard-setting body developing a global baseline of sustainability disclosure standards. Previously, he was CEO of Danone, one of the world’s largest food products companies. At the ISSB and as a B Team leader, Emmanuel is working to write a new common language for capital markets and accelerate the transition toward a more sustainable and resilient global economy.

Christiana Figueres

Founding Partner, Global Optimism

Christiana Figueres

Founding Partner, Global Optimism

“Without optimism, it is almost impossible to tackle any large challenge. And without collaboration across unusual sectors, getting things done takes way too long. I joined The B Team to accelerate these crucial cross-sector conversations and partnerships.”

Christiana is a founding partner of Global Optimism, co-presenter of the climate action podcast “Outrage + Optimism” and chair of the Earthshot Prize. From 2010 to 2016, she was executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, leading the process that secured the landmark Paris Agreement. A tireless optimist and advocate for cross-sector ambition and collaboration, Christiana is also co-author of The Future We Choose: The Stubborn Optimist’s Guide to the Climate Crisis.

Ryan Gellert

CEO, Patagonia

Ryan Gellert

CEO, Patagonia

“I’m joining The B Team because they’re redefining business culture and developing better leaders worldwide. I look forward to working on this collective effort with leaders I respect and pushing the business community to scale solutions to the environmental crisis and the other pressing challenges of our time.”

Ryan is CEO of Patagonia, the California-based outdoor apparel company. Previously, he spent six years as Patagonia’s general manager of Europe, the Middle East and Africa. During that time, he elevated Patagonia to a position of leadership in Europe’s outdoor industry and environmental communities. In 2022, Ryan oversaw the transfer of Patagonia’s ownership to a new structure that legally enshrined the company’s values and allows for every dollar that’s not reinvested back into the business to be distributed as an annual dividend to protect our planet. He has served on the boards of Access Fund, Protect Our Winters, the European Outdoor Group, the Soil Heroes Foundation, and he was a founding individual member of the 1% for the Planet nonprofit.

Mats Granryd

Director General, GSMA

Mats Granryd

Director General, GSMA

“Building a truly equal world is not something that any of us can do alone—as individuals, as companies, even as an industry. But working together, we truly can make a difference—that’s why I joined The B Team.”

Mats Granryd is director general of the GSMA, the trade association for the world’s 700 mobile network operators. An advocate for gender equality and responsible business leadership in an increasingly disruptive digital landscape, Mats’ leadership is helping to build a future where all communities, consumers and companies can succeed.

André Hoffmann

Vice Chair, Roche Holding AG

André Hoffmann

Vice Chair, Roche Holding AG

"Business can be a force for good, as long as its purpose is not merely to make money but to serve the community and satisfy societal needs sustainably"

André is vice-chair of Roche Holding AG and a board trustee of the World Economic Forum and WEF’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. A leading business voice on conservation and sustainability, he brings a wealth of experience advocating for climate action that also accounts for nature and biodiversity. André also serves as chair of the Capitals Coalition.

Arianna Huffington

Founder and CEO, Thrive Global

Arianna Huffington

Founder and CEO, Thrive Global

"We need to redefine success. True, sustainable success has to be built around purpose and well-being. More and more companies are realizing that what’s good for their people is also good for their business and the planet. I joined the B Team to accelerate this culture shift."

Arianna is the founder and CEO of Thrive Global, founder of The Huffington Post and a best-selling author. Her dedication to creating sustainable and purpose-driven workplaces is catalyzing a private sector that prioritizes worker wellbeing.

Van Jones

CNN contributor, Magic Labs Media president and DreamMachine.org founder

Van Jones

CNN contributor, Magic Labs Media president and DreamMachine.org founder

“It is increasingly clear that we need more private sector solutions to public sector problems. In the face of mounting ecological and social crises, individuals, families and governments can do only so much, acting alone. We must leverage the power of markets, the ingenuity of entrepreneurs and the reach of global brands to bend the curve in a powerful way. I am proud to join the B Team, as it seeks solutions to the planet’s toughest challenges.”

Van Jones is a U.S. media personality, an entrepreneur and a world-class change maker. He has a rare track record in the modern era of bringing people together to do hard things — in areas as diverse as clean energy solutions, criminal justice reform and racial inclusion in the tech sector.

Dr. Mo Ibrahim

Founder and Chair, Mo Ibrahim Foundation

Dr. Mo Ibrahim

Founder and Chair, Mo Ibrahim Foundation

“Business is essentially a force for good. I joined the B Team to work on strengthening corporate governance and transparency.”

Mo is the founder and chair of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, which he established in 2006 to support good governance and exceptional leadership on the African continent. He founded Mobile Systems International (MSI), a world leading cellular consulting and software provider, in 1989 and Celtel International, one of Africa’s leading mobile telephone companies, in 1998. Born in Sudan, Dr Ibrahim is also the co-founder and co-chair of the Africa Europe Foundation, which was launched in 2020 to reset and bolster Africa-Europe relations.

Dr. Ilham Kadri

CEO, Syensqo

Dr. Ilham Kadri

CEO, Syensqo

"A sustainable future depends on our abilities, as business leaders, to take ambitious collective actions on pressing issues of our time and beyond such as climate change or social inequalities. We need to look in the same direction, and this is what The B Team is all about, we align our visions to make sustainable change happen."

Ilham, CEO of global specialty materials leader Syensqo, led the successful demerger of Solvay in 2023 after achieving remarkable results during her tenure as Solvay's CEO. With a background in leading global industrial giants like Shell and Dow, she's renowned for driving profitability, sustainability, and societal impact. As an independent board member for A.O. Smith and L'Oréal, chair of World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and President of the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic), Ilham is a catalyst for sustainable business practices. A philanthropist and academic, she champions education and community support initiatives globally.

Joseph D. Kenner

Former president and CEO, Greyston

Joseph D. Kenner

Former president and CEO, Greyston

“The B Team and Greyston share many common interests, including recognition of the dignity of work and striving to employ individuals who face significant barriers to employment. The ability to assist those who need a first or second chance to provide for themselves and their families will be enhanced by collaborating with B Team and its leaders.”

Joseph (Joe) was the president and CEO of Greyston – one of the most well-known social enterprises in the United States. He frequently shares his expertise on purpose-driven business and advocates for a more inclusive economy through employment, workforce development and social services.

Isabelle Kocher de Leyritz

Former CEO, Engie; co-founder and CEO, Blunomy

Isabelle Kocher de Leyritz

Former CEO, Engie; co-founder and CEO, Blunomy

“We’re entering a new era for business. It’s no longer a choice to operate for the benefit of the environment and society. I joined The B Team to help companies realize that there is no winning company on a losing planet.”

Isabelle is the co-founder and CEO of Blunomy, an innovative company specializing in energy transition and decarbonization. Previously, she was CEO of French multinational utility company Engie. Her work as a B Team Leader is helping to accelerate the shift toward a net-zero economy that supports resilient communities, decent jobs and competitive markets.

Guilherme Leal

Co-Founder and Co-Chair, Natura

Guilherme Leal

Co-Founder and Co-Chair, Natura

“The big changes we seek will not be promoted by a single country, sector or organization. We need to work in partnership. I joined The B Team to work in tandem with leaders across sectors to transform the way we do business.”

A business and social entrepreneur, Guilherme is the co-founder and co-chair of Brazilian-based cosmetics maker Natura &Co, the world’s largest B Corp. As a B Team Leader, he is a passionate advocate for mission-driven entrepreneurship that puts people and planet at the heart of business purpose.

Andrew Liveris

Chairman Emeritus and Former CEO, Dow Chemical

Andrew Liveris

Chairman Emeritus and Former CEO, Dow Chemical

“The collective will of all of us has to be organized in a way that creates the intersection of business, government, and civil society under one title: humanity. I joined The B Team to advance this collective humanity.”

Andrew is the chair emeritus and former CEO of Dow Chemical. As a business leader and sustainability advocate, he has fought to ensure that the manufacturing industry is a key stakeholder in efforts to radically reduce global carbon emissions. Andrew continues to work across the US bipartisan divide, advising three US presidents throughout his career. He serves on The B Team Australia Network Steering Committee and is the author of Leading Through Disruption: A Changemaker’s Guide to Twenty-First Century Leadership.

Hiro Mizuno

Independent Board Member of LiveWire Group, Inc. and Mission Committee Member of Danone S.A

Hiro Mizuno

Independent Board Member of LiveWire Group, Inc. and Mission Committee Member of Danone S.A

"It’s the mutual responsibilities of investors and corporates to promote long-term sustainable economic growth. Investors must accelerate business transformation for a sustainable and inclusive society. B Team Leaders understand our responsibilities and more importantly know how to do it profitably."

Hiro is the founder and CEO of Good Steward Partnership and a special advisor to the CEO of MSCI. Previously, he served as UN Special Envoy on Innovative Finance and Sustainable Investments and as the chief investment officer of Japan's Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF), the largest pension fund in the world. He is a Planetary Guardian and also serves as a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Councils.

Juan Carlos Mora Uribe

CEO, Bancolombia

Juan Carlos Mora Uribe

CEO, Bancolombia

“It’s an honor to join this inspiring group of leaders,” said Juan Carlos. “At Bancolombia, we are committed to promoting sustainable development and enabling more people to achieve financial well-being. We partner with different local and international actors to adopt responsible business practices that have a positive impact on the environment and society, and we motivate others to do the same. The collective action of leaders is needed now more than ever in our lifetimes.”

Juan Carlos is the CEO of Bancolombia, a financial services company committed to promoting sustainable development. His career at the company spans more than three decades, during which time he coordinated Bancolombia’s listing on the prestigious Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Juan Carlos co-chairs the Climate Finance Leadership Initiative Colombia (CFLI Colombia), which convenes senior finance and corporate leaders to catalyze climate finance flows in Colombia.

Jacqueline Novogratz

Founder and CEO, Acumen

Jacqueline Novogratz

Founder and CEO, Acumen

"As we seek to overcome the pressing challenges of our time, we all must commit to collaborating fearlessly, with a moral imagination that will enable us to deliver a more sustainable, equitable world for all of us."

Jacqueline is the founder and CEO of Acumen, a global nonprofit and pioneer in impact investing. She is a recognized leader, social entrepreneur and advocate for moral leadership. Jacqueline’s life’s work has focused on using investment tools and strategic philanthropy to solve poverty.

Paul Polman

Business leader, campaigner, co-author of “Net Positive”

Paul Polman

Business leader, campaigner, co-author of “Net Positive”

“If you don’t bring purpose to business, citizens of the world will ask: why are you around in the first place? I joined The B Team to build a private sector driven by purpose.”

Paul works to accelerate action by business to tackle climate change and inequality. As CEO of Unilever (2009-19), he demonstrated that business can profit through purpose, delivering shareholder returns of 290% while the company consistently ranked first in the world for sustainability. Today Paul works across a range of organizations to deliver the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which he helped develop.

Jean Oelwang

Founding CEO and President, Virgin Unite

Jean Oelwang

Founding CEO and President, Virgin Unite

"I’m honored to be joining a group of leaders who are committed to realizing a better way of doing business for humanity and the planet. I look forward to working collectively to tackle unacceptable issues, to heal divisions and to create an economic system that benefits all."

Jean is the founding CEO of Virgin Unite. She has helped corporations put the wellbeing of people and the planet at their core, including working with over 25 Virgin businesses across 15 industries to help embed purpose in all they do. Prior to that Jean spent seventeen years living and working on six continents to start and help lead mobile phone companies in South Africa, Colombia, Bulgaria, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, and the US. Over the years, Jean has collaborated with partners to incubate and launch several global initiatives, such as The Elders, The B Team, 100% Human at Work and most recently Planetary Guardians.

Mary Robinson

Former President of Ireland and Chair, The Elders

Mary Robinson

Former President of Ireland and Chair, The Elders

“I am confident that if we put our mind to it business can help build the inclusive economy of tomorrow. For the benefit of our world’s most vulnerable, business cannot remain silent or inactive. I joined The B Team to help spark this private sector action.”

Mary is an international human rights icon and former President of Ireland (1990-97), currently serving as chair of The Elders, an independent collective of global leaders working together for peace and a sustainable future. From 1997 to 2002, she served as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Mary’s leadership has helped bring justice to the forefront of the climate agenda — justice for those most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. She serves as a Planetary Guardian, an honorary president of the Africa-Europe Foundation (AEF) and a patron (and former inaugural chair) of the Institute for Human Rights & Business (IHRB).

Hamdi Ulukaya

Founder, Chair and CEO, Chobani

Hamdi Ulukaya

Founder, Chair and CEO, Chobani

“We need companies to step up and do their part. It’s not a choice, it’s a responsibility. I joined The B Team to create a sense of urgency among all business leaders to not just talk—but to act.”

Hamdi is the founder, chair and CEO of Chobani. In 2016, he founded the Tent Partnership for Refugees to catalyze private sector leadership in response to the global refugee crisis. As a B Team Leader, Hamdi helps to shape new corporate leadership norms around inclusivity, community and corporate responsibility. Watch Hamdi’s groundbreaking TED talk, which inspired the creation of The B Team’s New Leadership Playbook.

Zhang Yue

Chairman and Founder, Broad Group China

Zhang Yue

Chairman and Founder, Broad Group China

“Sustainable development is critical in an era where social transformation and accelerating urbanization is occurring in many countries. As a B Team Leader I have the opportunity to advance rapid low-carbon revolution in the global architecture and transportation.”

Yue is chair and founder of Broad Group China, a multinational prioritizing sustainable construction and air purification. He is dedicated to advancing energy efficient technologies, particularly around energy conservation and lightweight transportation.

Professor Muhammad Yunus

Chair, Yunus Centre

Professor Muhammad Yunus

Chair, Yunus Centre

“The best way to cultivate a sustainable business is to solve humanity's greatest problems. I joined The B Team to encourage business models that drive these solutions and empower people at all levels of society.”

Nobel Peace Laureate Muhammad Yunus is chair of the Yunus Centre and the founder of Grameen Bank and Yunus Social Business. His efforts to create economic and social development for those most in need has engendered greater levels of financial inclusion and economic opportunity for women around the world.