Jill Kolling

A sustainability trailblazer and thought leader, Jill brings extensive experience in corporate ESG. She is a sought-out speaker and media spokesperson on strategies for creating competitive advantage through sustainability. She was recognized by GreenBiz in 2021 as one of 25 women making a noteworthy contribution to the cause of corporate climate action.

Background

Until August, 2021 Jill served as Vice President of Global Sustainability at Cargill, a Minneapolis-based company with annual revenues of over $130B and a diversified product portfolio including food, agriculture, industrial, energy, beauty and financial. During her tenure, Cargill set science-based targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and established an industry-leading, context-based program to protect water resources.

Jill has a background spanning agriculture, tech, diversified manufacturing, consumer packaged goods, and healthcare. With more than 13 years of experience in sustainability, Jill has advised more than 30 public and private companies in ESG strategy, design of sustainability governance frameworks, and ESG reporting and benchmarking. She began her career as a New Product Engineer at HP.

Expertise

• ESG strategy

• Global supply chains

• Agriculture, food and tech sectors

• ESG communications, reporting and disclosures

Board and Advisory Board Appointments

Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2): Food, Energy, Water Nexus Advisory Board (2019-2021)

Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (2016-2017) 

Perspectives

Working with Farmers to Advance Regenerative Agriculture Practices, FFA National Convention, January 2021

How GPS Mapping and Satellite Technology Help Reduce Deforestation, GreenBiz, March 2020

Perspectives: Agriculture is How, Cargill.com, October 2019

Degrees

University of Minnesota–Twin Cities, Master of Science, Computer Science

University of Minnesota–Twin Cities, Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering