MICHAEL KOBORI TITLE : CHIEF SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER
LIFETIME OF ACHIEVEMENT IN SUSTAINABILITY
In the realm of sustainability leadership , Michael Kobori stands out as a doer , thinker , dreamer , and agitator . His journey from Levi ' s to the top sustainability role at Starbucks exemplifies the transformative power of passionate individuals within the corporate landscape .
Who is Michael Kobori , and what drives his relentless pursuit of sustainability ? At the age of 17 , Michael ' s life took a pivotal turn when his father encouraged him to apply for a scholarship that led him to spend a summer in Tokyo , Japan . The experience ignited a global perspective within him , setting the stage for a career dedicated to understanding and addressing the world ' s challenges . With a Master ' s Degree in Public Policy from the University of California , Berkeley , as well as a background in Asian Studies and Psychology , Michael embarked on a journey that would shape his role as a sustainability leader .
Throughout his career , Michael has demonstrated a spectrum of accomplishments . His expertise has extended to consulting Fortune 500 corporations and designing impactful training programmes addressing human rights and labour concerns , including adeptly handled a US $ 2m grant portfolio focusing on human rights , economic development and regional cooperation for Thailand and Vietnam .
Michael ' s journey led him to a 22-year tenure at Levi Strauss & Co ., culminating in his role as Vice President of Sustainability . In this capacity , he chaired the company ' s sustainability board and steered a global team comprising 27 dedicated sustainability professionals .
As Chief Sustainability Officer at Starbucks Coffee Company , Michael is responsible for steering Starbucks towards becoming resource-positive while engaging the company ' s vast network of partners and customers worldwide . Under his tenure , Starbucks has embarked on a journey towards sustainability , setting ambitious goals to be achieved by 2030 .
MICHAEL KOBORI TITLE : CHIEF SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER
COMPANY : STARBUCKS INDUSTRY : FOOD AND BEVERAGE LOCATION : UNITED STATES
As Chief Sustainability Officer at Starbucks , Michael leads sustainability , social impact and ESG for the global enterprise . Alongside executive leadership and Stabucks ’ board , he spearheads vision , strategy and governance , and manages the world-class team on programme development , partnerships , business integration and impact measurement .
26 June 2024