The Companies that Care podcast highlights companies and business leaders who are making a difference in the world, like Kim Sundy, senior director of sustainability at the Kellogg Company.
Driven by the legacy of its founder, W.K. Kellogg, the Kellogg Company is the world’s leading producer of cereal and snacks. You might have grown up with Cheez-It®, Coco Pops®, Corn Flakes®, Eggo®, Frosted Flakes®, Mini-Wheats®, Pop-Tarts®, Pringles®, Rice Krispies®, Special K®, and other foods…or Tony the Tiger or Toucan Sam.
Did you know Kellogg’s vision is a good and just world, where people are not just fed but fulfilled?
This cereal and snack company is serious about living out its mission and has set some ambitious goals. These are just a few examples:
Providing Better Days for 3 billion people by the end of 2030 through:
Nourishing 1 billion people by delivering nutrition foods that address common shortfall nutrients and addressing hidden hunger
Feeding 375 million people in need
Supporting 1 million farmers and workers while conserving natural resources
Engaging 1.5 billion people in the issue of global food security
Aspiring to achieve gender equity of 50/50 by the end of 2025
Working toward 100 percent reusable, recyclable, or compostable packaging by the end of 2025
Honoring Black history every month as a call for food justice in Black communities
Committing to source 100% cage-free eggs by 2025, even though most of their products do not contain eggs
Supporting equity for women by identifying parts of their supply chain with the highest prevalence of women and assessing the risks and opportunities they face
Aiming to achieve over 50% renewable energy by the end of 2022
Supporting historically excluded employees through highly active employee networks, mentoring programs, and a Black Chef in Residency program
Expanding paid parental leave for both mothers and fathers to 12 weeks; increasing fertility benefits to $30K for assisted reproductive procedures; and increasing adoption benefits to $10K per eligible adoption
Kim and I talked about having careers in sustainability and the importance of communications.
Kim shared her perspective as a Black woman executive and how Kellogg does a better job than many companies at nurturing equity & inclusion among its workforce.
I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did!
I alternate the Companies That Care podcast with my original podcast, Finding Fertile Ground, which shares personal stories of grit and resilience. On both my podcasts I strive to highlight voices from historically excluded populations, people who don't always get a platform.
Next week on the Finding Fertile Ground podcast, I interview Devin Tomiak. After losing her youngest brother to suicide seven years ago, Devin became driven to understand how to build resilience in kids. She went on to develop The Biggies Cards, an innovative, research-based take on conversation cards designed to spark fun discussions about BIG social emotional concepts with kids.
The Companies That Care podcast is brought to you by Fertile Ground Communications. I alternate the Companies That Care podcast with my original podcast, Finding Fertile Ground, which shares personal stories of grit and resilience. On both my podcasts I strive to highlight voices from historically excluded populations, people who don't always get a platform.
Marie Gettel-Gilmartin, founder and principal of Fertile Ground Communications LLC, is a writer and marketing communications consultant who loves to take the pain and stress out of writing for her clients. She specializes in making the complex clear, using dynamic, accessible language to explain and communicate important issues. She positions her clients as experts in their fields and helps them communicate about pressing issues. Writing communications that boost employee engagement and thought leadership, she also coaches leaders and executives on how to strengthen communications and leadership. She loves to connect people and resources or solve seemingly impossible problems.
As a podcaster for justice, I stand with my sisters from the Women of Color Podcasters Community. We are podcasters united to condemn the tragic murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and many others at the hands of police. This is a continuation of the systemic racism pervasive in our country since its inception and we are committed to standing against racism in all its forms.
Fertile Ground Communications LLC is a certified women-owned business enterprise, disadvantaged business enterprise, and emerging small business.