10 July 2024 
(New York, July 10, 2024) A list of the 100 leading Chief Sustainability Officers (CSOs) in the United States and Canada has been released today. Executives stem from a diverse range of industries, including retail, consumer brands, services and technology, underscoring the universality of the sustainability challenge.
The list has been published by Futur/io Institute, a pioneering organization dedicated to nurturing and inspiring leadership in sustainable innovation and building the most impactful network of CSOs globally. An extensive database was compiled with scientific partner The Leonardo Centre on Business for Society at Imperial College Business School.
Women represent nearly two thirds of the Top 100 CSOs of North America, with 66 women and 34 men featured on the list. US companies are the majority, occupying 91 positions, while Canada has 9 companies present.
The complete list is available online at: csoawards.org/north-america
“We want to shine a light on the importance of these leaders and the role of the CSO. They are breaking new ground in the transition to desirable futures in which business and sustainability thrive together, in synergy” stated Harald Neidhardt, CEO & Curator of the Futur/io Institute. “Every year, we celebrate the most important CSOs in Europe during the World Economic Forum week in Davos. Now, we are bringing the prestigious CSO Awards to Climate Week in New York, to honor the leaders of companies in the United States and Canada.”
To be featured in the Top100 list, the executives must be the highest sustainability representative of the company or group with an executive role, occupy the position for at least a year, and be considered a thought leader.
At a company level, the list includes companies headquartered in the USA or Canada, with an annual revenue of over $1 billion and at least five thousand employees. Oil and gas companies were not considered, in an effort in line with the recent COP29 of the United Nations Climate Secretariat (UNFCCC) to encourage fast divestment from fossil fuels and resource-heavy industries.
The Futur/io CSO Awards Top 100 List is the first chapter in an initiative that aims to celebrate the leading Chief Sustainability Officers of North America. The CSO Awards will culminate at a gala ceremony in New York City on September 23, during the UN General Assembly and Climate Week. The CSO Awards North America are supported by premium partners IntegrityNext and Celonis.
The Futur/io four-quadrant model was developed in partnership with scientific research partners, such as the Leonardo Centre at Imperial College Business School and Denominator, specialized in human-centric data. Futur/io Institute will narrow down the Top100 list to 20 names, who will be the nominees of the CSO Awards. The final three Award Winners, as well as the special mentions, will be selected by a Grand Jury composed of thought leaders in sustainability and only announced at the gala ceremony.
About Futur/io Institute
We believe in co-creating desirable futures where ideas and innovation drive a regenerative economy that benefits people and the planet within the planetary boundaries.
The Futur/io Institute is a pioneering organization to serve the most impactful network of Chief Sustainability Officers dedicated to transforming businesses to drive positive impact for people, planet and prosperity. We do this through publications, podcasts and convening at inspiring locations like Davos, Basel, Lisbon, Venice and New York.
With a mission to inspire ambition, action and cross-pollination to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the institute provides a platform for thought leaders, innovators, and change-makers to shape the futures of business and society.
Futur/io works with organizations like the UNFCCC or corporations in leadership training and curates Executive Programmes to inspire future leaders in sustainable innovation. Each year in Davos, the institute organizes executive receptions and recently debuted the annual CSO Awards to shine a light on the leadership role of Chief Sustainability Officers.
Futur/io is based in Hamburg and works as a think-tank with a selected international and diverse faculty of 100+ leaders in sustainability. The most recent book “Leadership for Sustainable Futures” was published in May 2024 with Murmann Publishers. CEO & curator Harald Neidhardt hosts the CSO Impact Podcast, which launched in June 2024.
Media Contacts
Barbara Axt, Media Relations, Futur/io
Luciana Prestes, Head of Marketing, Futur/io
