As Cargill’s Executive Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, Pilar Cruz is responsible for leading the company’s efforts to drive transformational change in delivering sustainable supply chains for customers around the globe, while making agriculture part of how we deliver on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. This aim is core to Cargill’s purpose to nourish the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way. Pilar also leads Cargill’s global Communications and Corporate Responsibility functions, which includes advancing partnerships that accelerate progress on climate, food security, human rights, and women’s economic empowerment. Prior to her current role, Pilar served as Group President of Cargill’s global aqua nutrition business. Under her leadership, Cargill launched its SeaFurther Sustainability initiative, designed to help the company and the seafood industry reduce its carbon footprint. With over two decades of business and operations experience, Pilar brings a global perspective to the Executive Team. Her career with Cargill – including leadership positions across the food and animal nutrition businesses, as well as leading the global Corporate Strategy and Development function – has brought her from the plains of the south-central United States to Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, several European countries and the United Kingdom.
Outside of Cargill, Pilar serves on the Board of Donaldson Company Inc. and the World Food Program USA’s Board of Directors. Originally from Bogotá, she holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the Universidad de Los Andes and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.