TOP 100 LEADERS

Valerie Smith

Chief Sustainability Officer CIti

Kathleen McLaughlin

Chief Sustainability Officer Walmart

With an extensive background in corporate sustainability and research , Smith took her environmental science studies from the University of Virginia and put them to practise in her career progressions .

Since graduating , Smith has operated as a professional in the environmental space , having worked with the Peace Corps , The Brainerd Foundation , a policy advisor at the National Audubon Society , and the Houston Advanced Research Centre – all before reaching her current destination , Citi .

As the CSO at Citi , she is responsible for the teams working towards sustainability and ESG practice , upholding the company ’ s commitments to global sustainability .

The goals of the organisation are driven by collaboration , making this a priority for Smith as she leads Sustainable Progress Strategy and other critical initiatives , including its Sustainable Finance Goal of US $ 1tn . Disclosure is a major part of her current role , which sees her managing the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures ( TCFD ) in charge of reporting and governance .

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She portrays the environmental commitments of Walmart through her entire operations under the Walmart Foundation . McLaughlin upholds her climate commitment both personally and professionally , as an advocate of ESG , and resilience in the agriculture sector .

She graduated from the University of Oxford , where she studied politics , philosophy , economics , providing her strong business and policy-focused acumen .

Prior to this , McLaughlin studied at Boston University when her interests were focused towards electrical engineering , earning her a Bachelor of Science in 1987 .

Previously a Director at McKinsey & company , McLaughlin is well-positioned professionally to promote the sustainability of the food sector and foster more efficient supply chain principles across the consumer goods industry , including apparel and merchandise .

She played a pivotal role in supporting the Walmart Foundation ’ s gifting of US $ 1.4bn globally , of which US $ 1bn was supplied in food donations .

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