Discover the inspiring journey of Paul Polman, former CEO of Unilever and a visionary leader in sustainability and business innovation. From his humble beginnings to becoming a global advocate for change, Polman’s story is a testament to impactful leadership.
Born into a family of six in the Netherlands, Paul Polman was instilled with the values of hard work, dignity, respect, equity, and compassion from an early age. His parents, a teacher and an administrative worker in a tyre factory, were his early inspirations. These foundational values later became the bedrock of his leadership philosophy.
Paul Polman’s academic journey led him to the United States, where he earned dual degrees in economics and business studies from the University of Cincinnati. This period was not only significant for his academic achievements but also for meeting Kim, his future wife and partner in both life and philanthropy. Polman’s career commenced with roles at three of the world’s leading companies: Procter & Gamble, Nestlé, and Unilever. These experiences taught him the importance of value creation through diverse business models and the essence of serving a broad range of stakeholders.
As the CEO of Unilever from 2009 to 2019, Paul Polman transformed the company into a model of sustainability and ethical business. Under his leadership, Unilever saw a 290% increase in shareholder returns, top- and bottom-line growth, and received global recognition for its sustainability efforts and as a preferred workplace. Polman demonstrated that responsibility and performance could go hand in hand, setting new standards for business leadership.
Post-Unilever, Paul Polman has not slowed down. He actively works at the nexus of global business, government, and civil society to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges, such as climate change and inequality. His contributions to the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals underscore his commitment to a sustainable and inclusive global economy.
Polman’s book, “Net Positive: How courageous companies thrive by giving more than they take”, co-written to…
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Arancha González Laya
Arancha González Laya has served as Dean of the Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA) at Sciences Po since March 2022. With extensive experience in global economics and political affairs, she has held notable positions such as Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and United Nations Assistant Secretary-General.