Beam Suntory Names Key Leaders to Drive Progress Towards Long-Term Sustainability Ambitions
Kim Marotta named VP – Global Environmental Sustainability, Rachel Roberts becomes Global VP – Consumer & Society Sustainability
Beam Suntory, a world leader in premium spirits, has named Kim Marotta as its first Vice President – Global Environmental sustainability, and Rachel Roberts as its first Global Vice President –Consumer & Society Sustainability. These experienced leaders will each spearhead pillars of Proof Positive, Beam Suntory’s sustainability strategy, with long-term commitments to leave a positive impact.
Beam Suntory
“Proof Positive is our set of bold ambitions to secure a more sustainable and equitable future for our environment, our consumers and our communities,” said Beam Suntory President & CEO Albert Baladi. “We are proud of our commitments, and I am very pleased to have such strong leaders in place to advance this agenda, which is critical to our legacy and the future of our industry.”
Marotta Leads Nature Positive Commitments
Marotta joins Beam Suntory after 17 years with Molson Coors Beverage Company, ultimately serving as Global Senior Director Sustainability and Enterprise Risk Management. She was an architect and leader of Molson Coors’ sustainability strategy across 14 countries, 29 breweries and 18,000 employees. She previously served for 13 years with the Wisconsin State Public Defender’s Office, handling a variety of legal defense matters, including those relating to racial inequalities, and ultimately served as a Deputy State Public Defender.
In this new role, Marotta will lead the ‘Nature Positive’ pillar of Beam Suntory’s sustainability strategy, which includes efforts to reduce greenhouse gasses by 50 percent across direct operations by 2030, support the ambition to remove more carbon than is emitted across the entire value chain by 2040, reduce water usage for every unit of production by 50 percent by 2030 and replenish more water than is used in direct operations to water sources by 2040. The company has also set ambitious goals to replenish forests, develop sustainable packaging, and more.
“Beam Suntory’s commitment to taking tangible and measurable action to support the environment underscores that this work isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s critical for both business and the planet,” Marotta said. “I look forward to collaborating with my new colleagues around the world to achieve our collective Proof Positive goals, and help to create a more sustainable industry from seed to sip.”
Roberts Leads Consumer Positive Agenda
In her role as Global VP – Consumer & Society Sustainability, Rachel Roberts will lead Beam Suntory’s ‘Consumer Positive’ commitments, including a $500 million investment in responsibility-led brand messaging, elevating the company’s Drink Smart platform, supporting evidence-based partner programs, providing consumer information on labels or online for all products, introducing new low- and no-alcohol products, and ultimately engaging more than 300 million consumers by 2030 with messages and tools to promote responsible consumption and reduce harmful drinking.
Roberts brings more than 20 years of brand building, marketing, sales and innovation experience in the beverage, spirits, and wine industries to this role. She has held roles of increasing responsibility since joining Beam Suntory in 2006, including Vice President – Brand & Market Excellence, Vice President – Global Marketing Operations, and most recently, as General Manager – North America Marketing. In that role, Roberts led the North America marketing organization, driving Beam Suntory’s brand building and marketing agenda across the region. Prior to Beam Suntory, Roberts held brand roles with Pepsi in Europe, and sales and marketing positions with Allied Domecq.
“I am so proud of the leadership role that Beam Suntory has played in responsible consumption, and the fact that it is absolutely fundamental to everything we do,” Roberts said. “It’s incredibly exciting to elevate our commitment to providing consumers with tools and information to enable them to make the right choices for their own personal wellbeing.”
As previously announced, Victoria Russell joined Beam Suntory in January as the company’s first Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer and leads the diversity, equity and inclusion agenda central to Community Positive, the third pillar of Proof Positive.
Other news from the department people
Get the food & beverage industry in your inbox
From now on, don't miss a thing: Our newsletter for the food & beverage sector brings you up to date every Tuesday and Thursday. The latest industry news, product highlights and innovations - compact and easy to understand in your inbox. Researched by us so you don't have to.
