2024 Annual
Report
This report reflects our past year’s work in expanding our network and, through our programmatic offerings, reinforcing our commitment to advancing corporate sustainability and responsible business practices in the U.S. and beyond.
2025 marks the 25th Anniversary of the United Nations Global Compact. What began as a bold experiment in corporate responsibility has since evolved into the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, encompassing over 25,000 participants in the network across more than 160 countries.
This milestone is more than a reflection of the progress we have made. It is also a reminder of how, regardless of the world's challenges, the United Nations Global Compact has remained at the forefront, working in alignment with the Ten Principles to navigate an ever-evolving environment and help to build resilience for its participating companies and the world at large.
As 2025 progresses, we remain committed to supporting U.S. businesses in their sustainability journeys. Our focus continues to include advancing thought leadership, providing innovative programming and mobilizing companies across the country to tackle critical topics such as environment and climate, human rights, anti-corruption, and Sustainable Development Goals integration.
Your participation underscores the pivotal role that participating U.S. companies play in advancing global efforts toward sustainability, equality, and prosperity–goals that cannot be achieved without U.S. market leadership, solutions, and innovation.
Thank you for your continued commitment to shaping a more sustainable and equitable future.
We look forward to a successful 2025 with you.
Sincerely,
Director
About UN Global Compact Network USA
The UN Global Compact Mission
Our Strategic Plan
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2024 Highlights
Amplified U.S. Private Sector Leadership at All Major UN Conferences
Including the United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLFP), the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), and the United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights.
Successfully Expanded our Programming and Enhanced our Offerings
Introduced Peer Learning Groups and Business and Human Rights-focused programs, both proven to be well received by participants.
Published a Thought-Leadership Piece on the U.S. Water Crisis
Produced the white paper "From Ripples to Waves: The Value of Corporate Water Stewardship," highlighting the critical role businesses play in addressing the U.S. water crisis. This report showcases real-world examples from leading companies and provides thought leadership to inspire corporate action in support of SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation for All.
Strengthened Governance and Staff of our Organization
Appointed a new executive committee for our Board of Directors and expanded management staff.
2024 By the Numbers
UN Global Compact
UN Global Compact Network USA
Our Network
Our Growth
2024 Programming
Accelerators
SDG Ambition
Helps companies set ambitious corporate targets and accelerate the integration of the 17 SDGs into core business management.
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.
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.
Business & Human Rights
Designed to help businesses shift from policy to action by implementing ongoing human rights due diligence and setting concrete targets to address key human rights issues.
Peer Learning Groups
Corporate Sustainability
Climate Action
Business & Human Rights
U.S. SDG Pioneers
Andrea Brown
As the winner of the Large National and Multinational Companies category, Andrea's leadership at LyondellBasell has been pivotal in advancing the company’s circular economy initiatives and promoting recycling and sustainable materials management.
Andrea went on to win global recognition as the 2024 SDG Pioneer of the Large National and Multinational company in Western Europe and North America category and was recognized at the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit.
Wincy Cheng
As the winner of the Small and Medium-Sized Companies Category, Wincy has shown outstanding leadership in advancing Knoll Printing & Packaging’s sustainability efforts, notably in monitoring and decreasing overall gas emissions by 33%.
Resources and Tools
Corporate Water Stewardship Report
"From Ripples to Waves: The Value of Corporate Water Stewardship” discusses the value of water and serves as a call to action for businesses to address water challenges proactively.
Gen AI for the Global Goals
Developed by the UN Global Compact in collaboration with Accenture, this report equips leaders with the tools needed to develop and deploy Gen AI responsibly while delivering significant business value.
Amplifying U.S. Private Sector Leadership in National and Global Forums
UN Events
2024 SDG Summit USA
Our flagship event, held during the UN General Assembly, brought together over 200 private and public sector leaders to drive practical business action in the U.S. As the only gathering focused on the U.S. private sector during the General Assembly, it featured influential leaders discussing corporate collaboration, sustainability, and innovation.
This year marks the first occasion we introduced industry-specific roundtable discussions. Attendees heard from keynote speaker Mindy Lubber, CEO and President of Ceres Inc., who emphasized the private sector’s role in advancing the 2030 Agenda. Senior representatives from companies such as 3M, BASF, Bank of America, Gotham Greens, and Mastercard explored key topics, including corporate sustainability reporting and regulation, DEI, sustainable finance, and corporate water stewardship.
COP29
At COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, we hosted senior leaders from multinational corporations and the U.S. government at our U.S. Climate Leaders Salon Dinner. By connecting key members of both the public and private sectors, we aimed to amplify the United States’ role in leading transformative solutions for the climate crisis.
Our Blue Zone panel, Driving Progress: Sustainable Finance for the Advancement of the Global Climate Agenda, drew a strong audience, showcasing diverse approaches to sustainable finance. The discussion featured insights from senior leaders at Citi, International Motors, and S&P Global.
United Nations High-Level Political Forum
We facilitated “Bridging Business & Human Rights: The American Private Sector's Role in Addressing Poverty,” attracting over 60 attendees and top industry experts. Our event explored ethical supply chain management, inclusive business strategies, and the corporate role in achieving SDG 1: No Poverty.
UN Forum on Business & Human Rights
We convened U.S. government, private sector, and UN Global Compact representatives for a roundtable event to discuss the evolving landscape of Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD). Key themes included regulatory impacts, supply chain transparency, and the strategic benefits of proactive human rights practices, offering actionable insights for businesses to integrate human rights into their operations.
National Events
GreenBiz 24
At a special event during the GreenBiz 24 conference in Arizona, we unveiled our report, "From Ripples to Waves: The Value of Corporate Water Stewardship," and explored corporate water stewardship around the U.S.'s most vulnerable basins.
NYC Climate Week
Our NYC Climate Week event, “Enhancing Your Company’s Climate Impact with the United Nations Global Compact," provided companies with a better understanding of how they can engage with our offerings to scale their climate action strategies.
VERGE 24
We hosted the Sustainability Leadership Reception at VERGE. With over 105 attendees, this event empowered organizations with a wealth of resources and opportunities that facilitate and significantly accelerate their sustainability efforts.
SDGs in Puerto Rico – Sustainable Business Forum
In collaboration with the United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA) Puerto Rico Chapter, we convened more than 40 leaders from diverse industries in Puerto Rico to showcase successful projects, share innovative strategies, and foster collaboration toward sustainable development.
The Power of Collective Action
Forward Faster
Over the past year, we called on you—and all UN Global Compact participants—to join the global business community in driving impact through our Forward Faster initiative. With 172 U.S. companies onboard—the highest participation of any country—the U.S. is leading the charge. We invite more businesses to step forward, take action, and reinforce American private sector leadership in delivering the SDGs.
CEO Water Mandate
Companies joined forces with the CEO Water Mandate's Water Resilience Coalition, calling for private sector leadership in tackling the global water crisis and driving progress on SDG 6. The U.S. is the highest-represented country, with 63 participating companies of all sizes and industries.
Financials
Dare to Lead
Board of Directors
Ann Tracy
Board Chair
Chief Sustainability Officer
Colgate-Palmolive Company
Gayle Schueller
Board Vice Chair
Chief Sustainability Officer
3M
Michael Okoroafor
Board Treasurer
Chief Sustainability Officer
McCormick & Company
Jennifer Leitsch
Board Secretary
Managing Director, Climate Change and Sustainability Services
Ernst & Young
Paul Francisco
SVP & Chief Diversity Officer
State Street Corporation
David Hackett
Ex-Officio Director; Partner
Baker & McKenzie LLP
Eunice Heath
SVP and Chief Sustainability Officer
CRH
Shobha Meera
Chief Corporate Social Responsibility Officer
Capgemini
Gavin Power
Chief of Sustainable Development and International Affairs
PIMCO
Guly Sabahi
Senior Advisor, Climate Finance
NDC Partnership
Kristen Siemen
Former Vice President - Chief Sustainability Officer
General Motors
Brian Tippens
Senior Vice President and Chief Social Impact Officer
Cisco
Staff
Richard Pearl
Acting Executive Director
Claudia Herbert Colfer
Head of Programming
Noah A. Smith
Program Coordinator, Human Rights
Mallory Cannon
Program Coordinator, Climate & Environment
Caitlin McGinnis
Program Associate, SDGs
Haddy Bayo
Program Content Associate
Jessica Tuquero
Head of Communications & Operations
Natalie Tasci Srour
Operations Coordinator
Jacy Chan
Brand & Marketing Coordinator
Lebaron Fields
Communications Associate
Lucy Barry
Head of Engagement
Christine Cavallo
Senior Engagement Manager
Lena Maria Lee
Engagement Coordinator
Alyssa Cortez Peralta
Engagement Coordinator
Makeda Daniel
Community Growth Coordinator
