When you think of the word CEO, you may associate it with a selfish, greedy, money-seeking person. What if I told you there are CEOs who want to use their powers and resources not for their own benefit but for the profit of humanity?
Having a hard time believing me? Below, we highlight seven famous ethical business leaders.
Tim Cook – Apple
Cook’s vision extends well beyond just running a successful tech company. He wants a world where every power source is renewable. When Cook became the CEO of Apple, he made the company 100% green-powered and aims to be carbon neutral by 2030.
Cook is also an advocate for human rights. More specifically, he works towards enhancing labor conditions across Apple’s supply chain and ensuring fair treatment and better working environments for workers around the world. He also advocates for user privacy protection by being open about government data requests.
Elon Musk – Tesla & SpaceX
Despite being one of the richest men on Earth, Elon Musk works to reduce our environmental impact and explore new frontiers. Through Tesla, he is helping the world move away from fossil fuel while at the same time providing clean energy solutions from solar panels for homes and businesses.
But his dreams don’t stop here on Earth. With SpaceX – one of his other ventures – Musk is working towards making space exploration sustainable while ensuring the survival of humanity beyond Earth.
Mary Barra – General Motors
Mary Barra is leading a big change in the automotive industry. She announced that by 2035, General Motors will stop manufacturing vehicles powered by gasoline or diesel engines entirely. The company will make a complete switch to produce electric vehicles exclusively. This alone could significantly reduce global warming and greenhouse gas emissions, promoting cleaner air quality worldwide.
Barra is also committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring fair treatment for everyone at her company and equal opportunities for all her employees regardless of their backgrounds.
Satya Nadella – Microsoft
Since Satya Nadella became the CEO of Microsoft, the company has become more sustainable and environmentally friendly. In 2030, the company plans to be carbon-negative, meaning that it will remove more carbon from the atmosphere than it emits through its operations.
Nadella also works on bridging the digital divide around the world. To close this divide, the company partners with local service providers, telecom equipment makers, and nonprofits to make sure that underserved communities have access to equal opportunities, like education and employment.
In addition to all of this, Microsoft heavily invests in AI and technology that have the potential to change the world for the better, especially in healthcare and climate change.
Yvon Chouinard – Patagonia
Yvon Chouinard has made Patagonia a model for eco-friendly businesses and a leader in environmental activism. Since 2002, the company has donated 1% of all sales to environmental organizations, supporting various causes worldwide. To put it into perspective, that is more than $140 million making a difference.
Chouinard also ensures that each step along Patagonia’s supply chain remains ethically conscious and sustainable throughout the manufacturing process. For instance, it uses recycled materials, advocates for the preservation of public lands, and makes sure its products are produced under safe, fair, legal, and humane working conditions.
Marc Benioff – Salesforce
Marc Benioff is committed to giving back to local communities and sets a high standard for corporate responsibility. He is a prominent figure in corporate philanthropy and social impact. He created the 1-1-1 model, in which Salesforce donates 1% of its equity, 1% of its product, and 1% of employees’ time to charitable causes.
His initiative has had huge benefits on communities worldwide, supporting education, healthcare, and disaster relief efforts. Benioff is also a vocal advocate for social justice, using his platform to address issues such as homelessness and equal pay.
Larry Fink – BlackRock
Fink is pushing for sustainability in the financial sector as the CEO of one of the largest investment management companies in the world. He is using his influence to encourage company executives to incorporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) aspects into their operations to prioritize long-term sustainable growth over short-term profits.
For instance, BlackRock urges other companies to reduce their carbon footprint and improve labor conditions. Fink has also called for companies to disclose their climate risks and sustainability plans. In addition, he has voted against companies for failing to make progress on tackling the climate crisis.
Conclusion
These seven CEOs who are changing the world can inspire us all. Through their innovative approaches to sustainability, philanthropy, and corporate social responsibility, they are changing how we see leadership in the 21st century. Their actions serve as a powerful reminder that business leaders can make positive change not only within their organizations but also across borders.