Jeffrey Hollender - Speaker

Jeffrey Hollender is an American entrepreneur, author, and environmental activist. He co-founded Seventh Generation, a brand of natural household and personal care products, which became a significant player in the industry before its acquisition by Unilever in 2016.
Hollender began his career in education and publishing, founding the Skills Exchange in Toronto and the Network for Learning in New York City. After selling the latter to Warner Publishing in 1985, he became president of Warner Audio Publishing.
In 1988, he co-founded Seventh Generation with Alan Newman, focusing on environmentally friendly products. Despite early challenges, Hollender's dedication to sustainability established the brand as an industry leader. Following the suicide of his brother Peter, who was integral to the company, Hollender stepped down as CEO in 2009 but remained on the board after the acquisition by Unilever.
Hollender advocates for corporate responsibility, social equity, and environmental sustainability. He co-founded the American Sustainable Business Council in 2009, a coalition of over 200,000 business leaders committed to progressive public policy. He also serves on the boards of Greenpeace US and Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility.
Currently, he is an adjunct professor at NYU Stern School of Business, where he teaches corporate responsibility, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. He also mentors business school students as an Executive in Residence.
Hollender has authored seven books on corporate responsibility and sustainability, including "The Responsibility Revolution" and "Planet Home." He has received several awards for his contributions to sustainability, including being named a Distinguished Fellow by NYU Stern's Citi Leadership & Ethics Program in 2012.
In addition to his teaching and advocacy, Hollender founded Hollender Sustainable Brands, focusing on sustainable reproductive healthcare products, and is involved with Sustain Natural, which produces fair trade, non-toxic condoms. His career reflects a commitment to responsible and equitable business practices, inspiring future leaders to prioritise environmental and social responsibility.