Testimonials

Every corporate board member should read this article.

The Conference Board provides trusted insights for business worldwide – and running leading-edge corporate citizenship and sustainability councils and conferences is core to what we do. We have had the privilege of a 20-year relationship with Gib Hedstrom– first at Arthur D. Little , then running our conferences and more recently running three of our councils. Gib brings deep skill and expertise, amazing speakers, great council members, and cutting-edge programs.”

“The Conference Board meetings of my CSO peers that Gib runs are terrific! I attend far too many meetings, yet I always look forward to Gib’s.”

“When our Air Products Board Committee wanted to hear from an outside sustainability expert, we turned to Gib Hedstrom. When one of our business presidents and his leadership team wanted to embed sustainability principles into its growth strategy, we again turned to Gib and his extended team of industry and sustainability experts.”

“During my years as VP EHS at Raytheon – and now here at Sims Metal Management, I have relied on the Hedstrom Associates team for a wide variety of sustainability projects. These include: reviewing and helping with my Board meeting slides; writing the annual sustainability report; doing a materiality assessment; crafting 2020 goals; assisting with DJSI, CDP and other ratings . . . and more.”

As a Fortune 500 company that has undergone considerable transformation, Ashland’s board, CEO and leadership teams are keenly aware of our environmental and societal responsibilities. For the past 20 years, Ashland has turned to Gib Hedstrom and his team for expert advice and counsel. Gib guided our Board of Directors during some challenging times in the 1990s; he re-tooled our “assurance letter process” to provide ongoing input to our Board; and he is helping Ashland embed sustainability into our growth strategy today.”

“At Accenture, we pride ourselves as being the leading strategy consultancy globally working with CEOs and C-suite executives to drive innovation and growth from sustainability. When we decided to strengthen our U.S. team, we reached out to Gib Hedstrom to be a senior advisor. Gib’s deep sustainability expertise, grounding in finance and strategy, and extensive boardroom experience make him a perfect partner for our team.”

In 2015, our Board Chairman had a unique request: he asked me to draft a “sustainability commitment” – a signed declaration by our full board regarding their personal commitment to sustainability. I turned to Gib Hedstrom and his team – as I have for over 20 years – to help me out. Gib tapped into his broad network, drafted our Board Commitment, and has helped Sims on a variety of environment, social and governance tasks before and after.”

During my 30 years at the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), our community has grown from 1,000 to more than 17,000 members. One reason for NACD’s success is our commitment to stay ahead of the curve on vital issues such as sustainability. Gib Hedstrom has been a knowledgeable source of insights on this vital topic since the turn of this new century, and continues to add great value today.”

When our Board of Directors asked to be briefed by an outside sustainability expert at the next Board meeting, I asked my sustainability director, Rafael McRaven, to find the best person he could. Rafael found Gib Hedstrom, whose (then) recently published article “Navigating the Sustainability Transformation” struck a chord with me and with our Board. Gib gave a detailed presentation to our Board, joined us for informal discussion over dinner, and then joined in a half-day scenario planning session. Our Chairman and the full Board greatly appreciated Gib’s insight, guidance and counsel.”

“For 25 years, from World Resources Institute to Wall Street, I have turned to Gib Hedstrom for advice and counsel at the interface of sustainability and strategy. Most recently, Gib helped us design and launch JPMorgan Chase’s first sustainability summit in 2014. To create the best work – or solve the toughest challenges – you need the best partners.”

Curtis Packaging is a small company with big ambitions. We are the first packaging company in North America to be 100% carbon neutral; use 100% renewable electricity and be Forest Stewardship Council certified. When we set our sights on these bold goals some years ago, we turned to Hedstrom Associates (and his partners including The CarbonNeutral Company) for advice. Gib and his team guided us in preparing our first global sustainability report.”

With social and environmental investing moving into the 21st Century, Calvert Social Research Department turned to the Hedstrom Associates team to guide our thinking, strategy, and research methodology. They facilitated strategy sessions, helped with our database redesign, and provided invaluable counsel every step of the way.”

Following a decade of leading Arthur D. Little’s corporate sustainability practice with Gib Hedstrom, I have been pleased to continue the strong partnership to drive responsible carbon management across the globe. Today’s challenges demand thought leadership, attention to customer needs, and a keen eye to the future – and we are pleased to have Hedstrom Associates among our partners.”

While many toil around the more glamorous edges of sustainability, Gib has worked for over 25 years with CEOs, boards and executive teams among the toughest audiences — in carbon-intensive resource, petrochemical and heavy manufacturing industries. And it is in these settings, when the ‘sustainability light bulb’ goes on, that organizational learning can be the most rewarding.”

For over 20 years we at The Conservation Fund – in partnership with leading companies – have turned to Gib Hedstrom and his broad network of global sustainability leaders when we needed the best advice, trusted counsel, and on-time delivery.”

During my 15 years serving on the Board of Directors of Ashland Inc. and International Paper Company, I was constantly seeking the best insight, advice and counsel at the intersection of corporate governance, environment, and strategy. I consistently turned to Gib Hedstrom. Gib is a trusted pair of hands in the boardroom. He answers our tough questions and challenges our thinking. Gib is just what independent directors need.”