People moves: L Catterton poaches Ralph Lauren sustainability head, CNH names first CSO

US investment firm L Catterton, as well as global agricultural and construction equipment company CNH, both made top sustainability appointments this week.

L Catterton names Global Head of Sustainability

Connecticut-based L Catterton, an investment firm managing about US$35 billion of equity capital across private equity, credit, and real estate, has appointed Devon Leahy as Global Head of Sustainability.

She joins from Ralph Lauren, where she was Head of Global Sustainability for the past five years. 

An environmental policy expert, Leahy previously held other sustainability leadership roles at Etsy and Walmart.

At L Catterton, she will support portfolio companies – mainly consumer-facing brands – in their sustainability journey.

"Having worked with numerous leading consumer brands across the fashion, retail, and technology sectors to develop and execute impact-oriented sustainability strategies, I am excited to bring my expertise and insight to the L Catterton portfolio, which includes some of the most important and iconic category-leading consumer brands in the world,” she commented.

L Catterton is a signatory of the UN Principles for Responsible Investment. In recent years and based on increasing sustainability expectations from consumers, the firm has sought out more investments in companies offering sustainable alternatives to traditional products, such as plant-based protein and inclusive fashion. 

CNH creates Chief Sustainability Officer role

Also in the US, CNH, a manufacturer of farming and construction equipment and owner of machinery brand New Holland, has named Chun Woytera Chief Quality & Customer Advocacy Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer – a newly created position.

Woytera, who has worked at CNH since 1997, most recently as President, Asia Pacific, will be tasked with advancing product quality and sustainability to ensure future growth.

Sustainability responsibilities were previously under the purview of Kelly Manley as Chief Diversity and Inclusion, Sustainability and Transformation Officer, but she transitioned to the role of Chief Human Resources Officer in January 2024.

CNH currently has more than 40,000 employees around the world, and posted revenues of US$24.7 billion in 2023. The company is targeting a 50% reduction in CO2 intensity at manufacturing plants and 90% renewable electricity consumption by 2030. 

The firm’s Scope 3 emissions from off-road vehicle use by its customers stood at 48.8 million tonnes last year, representing more than 90% of total estimated carbon footprint. As such, CNH is exploring a range of low-carbon solutions for new products, including more efficient powertrains, biofuels and electrification.