2023 Annual Report
Dear Participant,
We are delighted to share the 2023 Annual Report of UN Global Compact Network USA (Network USA). This report provides an overview of our organization’s 2023 growth, programs, events, and activities representing the United States in the private sector initiative of the United Nations.
While we invite you to take a look at the report in its entirety, here’s a snapshot of what we accomplished last year:
- Reached a growth milestone with more than 1,000 American companies and organizations committing to upholding the Ten Principles and advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Elevated our programming by launching our inaugural thought leadership report, spurring collective action through our fully subscribed events, and providing unique opportunities for dialogue between the public and private sectors.
- Set an ambitious strategic plan to further support companies operating in the U.S. as they navigate the dynamic world of corporate responsibility and the SDGs.
As we look ahead, we are excited to announce engagement opportunities at upcoming UN events, including the High-Level Political Forum, the UN General Assembly, and COP29. Our agenda also includes more offerings of thought leadership reports and innovative programming through our accelerators and introduction of peer learning groups. All these initiatives will address critical issues such as reporting standards, sustainable finance, business and human rights, gender equality, climate & the environment, and the SDGs.
Your participation underscores American businesses’ pivotal role in advancing global efforts toward sustainability, equality, and prosperity – goals that cannot be achieved without the U.S. market's leadership, solutions, and innovation. For this, we thank you for your support and commitment to our shared endeavor.
We look forward to a successful 2024 with you.
Your participation underscores American businesses’ pivotal role in advancing global efforts toward sustainability, equality, and prosperity – goals that cannot be achieved without the U.S. market's leadership, solutions, and innovation. For this, we thank you for your support and commitment to our shared endeavor.
We look forward to a successful 2024 with you.
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Daniella Foster
Board Chair
ABOUT
UN GLOBAL COMPACT NETWORK USA
UN Global Compact Network USA is the US Chapter of the United Nations Global Compact, the largest corporate sustainability initiative in the world. We are a powerful network of companies and stakeholders dedicated to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By connecting our partners with the resources of the greater UN, we support companies that are committed to fully integrating our principles of human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption into their business strategies and operations.
THE UNGC MISSION
To accelerate and scale the global collective impact of business by upholding the Ten Principles and delivering the SDGs through accountable companies and ecosystems that enable change.
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OUR STRATEGIC PLAN
We are investing in our organization and programming to become better partners with the U.S. private sector. See where we’re going by reading Network USA’s new strategic plan.
2023 BY THE NUMBERS
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United Nations Global Compact
23,000
PARTICIPANTS
167
COUNTRIES
62
COUNTRY NETWORKS
UN Global Compact Network USA
4
TH
LARGEST COUNTRY NETWORK
in the United Nations Global Compact
REPRESENTING
18
%
OF US GDP
46
STATES WITH PARTICIPANTS
our network
1127
participants
in 2023
in 2023
30%
α
30%
β
40%
γ
Corporate
591
SME (<$50M)
389
Non-Business
147
OUR GROWTH
1127
participants
in 2023
in 2023
2023
1127 participants
2022
939 participants
2021
742 participants
2020
611 participants
2019
498 participants
2018
399 participants
2017
331 participants
2023
PROGRAMS
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Signatories accessed insights and valuable information through our Accelerator programs, events, thought leadership pieces, and special initiatives. These programs allowed participants to delve into various topics, spanning from climate change to gender equality to the SDGs.
80
+
US CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVES
participated in our Accelerator programs and other special initiatives
Accelerators
SDG AMBITION
Helps companies set ambitious corporate targets and accelerate the integration of the 17 SDGs into core business management.
28
PARTICIPANTS
14
COMPANIES
SDG INNOVATION
Trains future business leaders and changemakers to develop innovative solutions using new technologies, initiatives, and business models, achieving their company's sustainability goals.
33
PARTICIPANTS
11
COMPANIES
CLIMATE AMBITION
Enables companies to set science-based emissions reduction targets aligned with the 1.5° C pathway, advancing towards net-zero emissions by 2050.
58
PARTICIPANTS
29
COMPANIES
target gender equality
Aids companies in setting and achieving ambitious corporate targets for women's representation and leadership, beginning with the Board and Executive Management levels.
26
PARTICIPANTS
13
COMPANIES
U.S. SDG Pioneers
Every year, we recognize business leaders championing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and inspiring others to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
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Cristina Villalón
Co-Founder and Managing Principal, Álvarez-Díaz & Villalón
Raven Adams
Sustainability Manager, Granite Construction
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RESOURCES AND TOOLS
SDG Innovation Report
A guide for U.S. companies on how to leverage innovation for the United Nations Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. The report, a first for Network USA, was launched at a special event on the sidelines of the GreenBiz 23 conference.
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SDG Stocktake Report
An appraisal of the private sector contributions to the SDGs thus far.
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CEO SURVEY
An extensive CEO study on sustainability, drawing from more than 2,600 CEOs across 128 countries, 18 industries, and over 130 in-depth interviews.
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Greenhouse Gas Reduction Tool for Meat Sector (partnership)
A tool published by the North American Meat Institute that aids meat companies of all sizes in measuring greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
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2023
CONVENINGS
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Bridging the public and private sectors
As a convener of leaders and stakeholders, we cultivate opportunities for cross-sectoral dialogues.
Detroit Business Roundtable with UN Mission
We facilitated a roundtable with senior leadership of the U.S. Mission to the UN and regional business leaders that explored Detroit businesses' success and best practices. We also discussed how the UN can support their sustainability efforts more.
High-Level Dinner at COP 28 in Dubai
Attended by corporate representatives and senior government officials from the White House and the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Energy, Health and Human Services, and State, among others, this special event fostered conversations that centered on positioning the U.S. as a trailblazer towards a more promising future.
Convening leaders and change makers
Acting as a conduit for impactful dialogue and collaboration among senior business leaders, we organized events that attracted nearly 700 representatives from over 300 companies.
NEARLY
700
representatives
300
+
companies
2023 SDG Summit USA
Our flagship event, held during the UN General Assembly, convened 200+ private and public sector leaders and promoted practical business action within the US.
COP28
UN Global Compact Network USA (Network USA) was at COP28 in Dubai to leverage the voices and actions of the US private sector in developing a roadmap for a livable planet.
Climate Week
"Engaging with the UN on Climate Ambition," held during Climate Week in New York, focused on how the UN Global Compact can support companies navigating the world’s urgent climate challenges.
GreenBiz 23
Network USA hosted two focus groups at GreenBiz 23 to understand and strengthen how companies in the United States engage with the UN Global Compact.
networking EVENTS
Our in-person networking receptions in Denver, Detroit, Minneapolis, New York City, and Washington, DC, brought together regional business leaders who share a mission for promoting sustainable business.
The Power of Collective Action
Your voice is part of a larger movement that calls for progress for long-lasting equity and prosperity.
500
+
businesses worldwide appealed to Governments to intensify governance and anti-corruption efforts
US Companies invested nearly
$
140
M
into the Water Access Fund, a fund launched by the Water Resilience Coalition (WRC), a CEO-led initiative committed to reducing global water stress by 2050
50
+
companies united with the CEO Water Mandate's Water Resilience Coalition on an appeal for private sector action to help solve the global water crisis and advance progress on SDG 6
See how you can help the world move
Forward, Faster.
This past year, we challenged you and all UN Global Compact participants to unite with the global business community in embracing our new ForwardFaster initiative. This initiative aims to accelerate private sector action to meet the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fulfill the 2030 Agenda.
With 144 America companies already onboard with ForwardFaster, the U.S. has the highest level of participants of any country in the world. We encourage more of you to join us in taking meaningful steps forward, reinforcing American private sector leadership in delivering the SDGs.
With 144 America companies already onboard with ForwardFaster, the U.S. has the highest level of participants of any country in the world. We encourage more of you to join us in taking meaningful steps forward, reinforcing American private sector leadership in delivering the SDGs.
KEY
HIGHLIGHTS
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2023 was a pivotal year for Network USA. With increased investment in staff and operations, the organization is poised to deliver more programming and engagement opportunities to our Network.
Highlights
- Hired 11 staff members, expanding our Programming, Engagement, Communications, and Operations functions to elevate our work
- Hosted the Annual Local Network Forum in 2023, bringing together leaders from the UN Global Compact and UN Global Compact Local Networks from around the world. This positioned Network USA as a prominent local network within the broader UN community
- We are pleased to report that Network USA is in good financial standing. For our most recent audit, see our 2022 financial report by visiting our website. Our 2023 audit will be available in Q4 2024
Board of Directors
Daniella Foster
Board Chair; Executive Board Member, SVP & Global Head, Public Affairs, Science & Sustainability, Consumer Health, Bayer
Paul Francisco
SVP & Chief Diversity Officer, State Street Corporation
David Hackett
Ex-Officio Director; Partner, Baker & McKenzie LLPz
Eunice Heath
SVP and Chief Sustainability Officer, CRH
Sanjeev Khagram
Ex-Officio Director; Director General and Dean, Thunderbird School of Global Management
Jennifer Leitsch
Managing Director, Climate Change and Sustainability Services, Ernst & Young
Shobha Meera
Interim Treasurer; Chief Corporate Social Responsibility Officer, Capgemini
Michael Okoroafor
Chief Sustainability Officer, McCormick & Company
Gavin Power
Chief of Sustainable Development and International Affairs, PIMCO
Guly Sabahi
Senior Advisor, Climate Finance, NDC Partnership
Gayle Schueller
Board Vice Chair; Chief Sustainability Officer, 3M
Kristen Siemen
Vice President - Chief Sustainability Officer, General Motors
Brian Tippens
Senior Vice President and Chief Social Impact Officer, Cisco
Ann Tracy
Board Secretary, Chief Sustainability Officer, Colgate-Palmolive Company
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Staff
Rick Pearl
Acting Executive Director
Claudia Herbert Colfer
Head of Programming
Jessica Tuquero
Head of Communications & Operations
Christine Cavallo
Engagement Manager
Noah A. Smith
Program Coordinator, Human Rights
Lena Maria Lee
Engagement Coordinator
Mallory Cannon
Program Coordinator, Climate & Environment
Jessi Feoli
Program Associate, Events
Natalie Tasci Srour
Operations Associate
Caitlin McGinnis
Program Associate, SDGs
Jacy Chan
Communications Associate, Digital
Alyssa Cortez Peralta
Engagement Associate
Pamela Hemann
Finance Administrator
Contact
For questions or more information, contact communications@globalcompactusa.org
