Value Creation and Risk Management: Sustainability Thought Leader Interview with Rebecca Ott, J.M. Smucker

March 2023

Learn how The J.M. Smucker Company calculates the return on investment for their sustainability initiatives, balancing value creation and risk management. Rebecca Ott, Director, Sustainability, shares their approach to sustainability metrics, navigating the regulatory environment, and mitigating risk in the supply chain.

Rebecca Ott, Director, Corporate Sustainability, brings extensive international supply chain expertise, a passion for driving continued progress and a proven track record in building and maintaining strategic relationships that deliver sustainable outcomes. In her role, Rebecca is charged with overseeing the execution of the Company’s social responsibility and environmental sustainability strategies: delivering a more sustainable approach to operations and value chain through a focus on climate action, natural resource stewardship and responsible sourcing & packaging. Rebecca and team have realized important achievements under her leadership including exceeding the Company’s 2020 environmental impact goals, expanding the organization’s commitment to renewable energy and strengthening public and private partnerships to drive resilient supply chains. Underlying this work is Rebecca’s unwavering commitment to continuously raising the bar on the Company’s ambitions and impacts and her collaborative approach to deliver results. Rebecca drove the extensive work to establish the Company’s new environmental sustainability goals – including setting 2030 science-based emissions targets. Rebecca and team have inspired a culture where sustainability is a critical business consideration across the organization. Along with internal collaboration, Rebecca also engages the many external stakeholders who share in the Company’s commitment to support a healthier planet and have provided critical insights shaping how Smucker evaluates relevant issues. Prior to taking on her current role Rebecca was Director of Green Coffee Trading at Smucker, responsible for the green coffee sourcing team. Before joining Smucker, Rebecca held consulting roles and various purchasing leadership positions at Procter & Gamble. Along with her leadership of environmental sustainability at Smucker, Rebecca has also served on the Green Coffee Association Board of Directors and participated on committees with the National Coffee Association Coffee & Climate initiative, American Peanut Council, Pet Food Institute and Consumer Brands Association to drive impacts supporting the greater industry. She currently serves on the Johnson Charitable Gift Fund and SonLight Power boards.