Hill+Knowlton Strategies (H+K), one of the world’s leading public relations and consultancy firms, has appointed an ESG expert, Cathy Resler as Senior Vice President and lead of the firm’s citizenship + sustainability consultancy practice, Better ImpactTM for the U.S. market.
“More than ever, we are seeing an enhanced need for organizations to take action to create positive environmental and social impact from addressing the climate crisis to human rights. Companies need to take on a deeper sense of purpose that reflects the growing expectation from society and to be grounded in shared value creation,” said Resler. “I am excited to join H+K to help our clients build more impactful strategies and programs to drive meaningful change.”
Resler was previously Vice President of Purpose, Strategy, and Sustainability at Porter Novelli, where she served as the in-house sustainability expert creating sustainability programs, policies, goals, and frameworks for clients. She brings extensive experience as a sustainability, environmental, and social responsibility technical leader, improving the footprint across a range of sectors including retail, finance, academia, healthcare, apparel and footwear, food and beverage, and agriculture. Prior to Porter Novelli, Resler was Head of Global Sustainability and Social Impact at Ocean Spray Cranberries. In this role, she led the commitment and strategy to adopt sustainable packaging with How2Recycle® labeling for products, a factory social compliance program, and achieved 100% verified sustainable cranberries through a farm sustainability best practices assessment and engagement initiative for suppliers.
Richard Millar, H+K’s Global President and CEO of the Americas, says, “Adding Cathy to our U.S. leadership team will strengthen our ability to create long-term, sustainable and shared business value for our clients. Cathy’s appointment comes at a time when expectations are on the rise for brands to address their impact on people and the planet in order to build reputation and deliver growth.”
Throughout her career, Resler has built and improved upon the sustainability programs and footprints of many clients and organizations, created climate impact, forestry, sustainable agriculture and responsible sourcing strategies, address water and waste efficiencies, aided in product development, supported diversity and inclusion programs, and communicated best sustainable practices and climate commitments across a multitude of sectors.
The addition of Resler follows a series of recent local Better Impact TM leadership appointments within the agency including Chris Pratt, the new Better Impact Lead for H+K UK, as H+K accelerates its Global citizenship + sustainability consultancy capabilities.