24th - Paul Polman - Becoming Net Positive: How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More Than They Take
Stephen M. Ross School of Business
701 Tappan Ave.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Paul Polman is an internationally recognized business leader, philanthropist, investor, speaker and advocate for sustainable development. A co-architect of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, he continues to drive system-wide change by developing industry coalitions, accelerating leadership and advancing sustainable finance through board roles, impact investments and strategic advisory positions.
As CEO of Unilever (2009–2019), he pioneered a more responsible and purpose-driven business model, demonstrating that sustainability delivers superior performance. During his tenure, shareholder returns increased by 290% while the company was consistently ranked as the world’s most sustainable business and one of the world’s best places to work.
He is the co-author of the bestselling book “Net Positive: How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More Than They Take” (2021), which was recognized by The Financial Times and Thinkers50 as one of the top business books of the year.