Tell us more about your professional background?
My background, which includes a Masters from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University and a stint in finance, provided a foundation for understanding global challenges by looking at the intersection between business, government and society. I was drawn to Tiffany because it has such a longstanding history in sustainability, and focusing on the value of what happens at the origin of its supply chain. My dual role here has enabled me to bring my multidisciplinary background to a company that values longevity, heritage and beauty.
What does your role as a Chief Sustainability Officer entail?
I lead both corporate sustainability and strategic philanthropy at Tiffany & Co., so I have different strategies to draw from when it comes to identifying solutions and finding partners for progress in each role but overall the two are very synergistic, which allows my teams to drive holistic, collaborative, and complementary solutions. I work closely with our CEO, Alessandro Bogliolo, to elevate Tiffany’s approach to sustainability and fulfill our vision of sustainable luxury to drive meaningful change. At Tiffany, we develop sustainability programs and practices that continue to enhance our brand, improve efficiency, enrich communities and steward natural resources. This is achieved by partnering with NGOs, investors and our employees in setting goals and measuring performance to build alignment across the company.
What are some key measures that Tiffany & Co. have taken towards sustainability?
Tiffany & Co. truly believes it has a responsibility to influence culture and set the standards for excellence—not only in fine jewelry and craftsmanship but also in what it means to be a responsible corporate citizen. Over the years, the focus of Tiffany’s sustainability work has been on responsible mining and the responsible sourcing of our raw materials, ranging from diamonds and gold to the paper in our iconic Blue Boxes and bags. We are committed to not only minimizing our impact as a business, but also using our brand to advocate for important issues that positively affect communities and protect the planet. I’m proud of the way we do business and of the change we seek to inspire across the jewelry sector.
In your opinion, what makes Tiffany & Co. distinguished from other established jewelry houses?As a leader in the luxury industry, Tiffany has recognized the opportunity we have to influence culture and set the standards for excellence—not only in fine jewelry and craftsmanship but also in what it means to be a responsible corporate citizen. Today, we’re more vertically integrated than any other jeweler.
Finally, what are some of your upcoming projects?
We are committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. We set our long-term net-zero emissions goal because we believe it is critical not just for our company but for business at large—and, indeed, for the world - to meet the commitment of the Paris Agreement and limit global warming to less than 2°C. We joined with The B Team and other companies to make this commitment in the lead-up to Paris but given the recent report of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, taking immediate action is more important than ever. There are three key approaches we are already taking to support our net zero commitment: reduce energy use and emissions through operational efficiency; use clean, renewable energy; and offset the emissions we are unable to reduce or avoid.
The brand will continue to use its leadership in the luxury industry to speak out about critical issues. Particularly, about climate change. We’re committed to doing our part to sustain the environment while supporting the global movement to act. We’re dedicated to using the power of the Tiffany brand and our voice to challenge the status quo and set the standard for sustainable luxury.
