The United Nations Global Compact and Russell Reynolds Associates set out on a collaboration to answer an important question: how can organizations make sustainability core to the DNA of their leadership teams? To answer this, we conducted in-depth interviews and did background analysis on a group of 55 sustainability pioneers—chief executive officers (CEO) and board members from across continents and industries with a notable track record of focusing on and making progress towards sustainability goals in tandem with commercial results.

The analysis provides unique insight into the characteristics and actions needed to be a sustainable leader and how that can
help us identify, enable and develop the sustainable leaders of tomorrow.