John is well known for his leadership in corporate sustainability.  He is a passionate activator of the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan, Unilever’s strategy to grow the business, reduce its environmental footprint and increase its positive contribution to society.  John is Executive Chair of the Board of Canadian Stewardship Services Alliance, Inc. and is a director of Evergreen.  In addition, John is Co-Chair of the Partners in Project Green steering committee, a major environmental initiative of the Toronto Region Conservation Authority.  He is past Chair of the Board of Stewardship Ontario.  John has been recognized for his leadership in corporate sustainability by being named a Clean 50 honouree in 2013 and a Clean 16 honouree in 2018.   In 2015, John was appointed as a member of the Ontario Government’s Climate Action Group advising the Ontario Minister of the Environment on effective climate change actions.  

In 2018, John was honoured to receive the Canadian General Counsel Award for Environmental, Social and Governance Leadership. John is Co-Chair of the Circular Economy Leadership Coalition (CELC) that was launched in 2018 designed to accelerate Canada’s transition to a circular economy.  In addition in 2018, John was appointed to the federal Plastics Advisory group advising Canada’s Minister of the Environment and Climate Change on issues relating to plastics and the implementation of the Ocean Plastics Charter.  

John also works closely with industry groups and other organizations.  He is Chair of the Board of Cosmetics Alliance Canada and is past Chair and director of the Board of the Look Good Feel Better Foundation.  John is also Chair of Unilever Canada’s Pension Committee.