Bob Langert
Former VP of Sustainability, McDonald's
Bob Langert has engaged in social responsibility issues since the late 1980s. Bob joined McDonald’s system in 1983 with management positions in logistics, packaging and purchasing. In the 1990s, he had responsibilities for the environment, energy management, animal welfare and Ronald McDonald Children’s Charities’ grants. He was appointed McDonald’s first VP to lead sustainability in 2006. Bob led the development of McDonald’s 2020 Sustainability Vision and Framework, including McDonald’s commitment to the environment, supply chain sustainability and balanced menu choices. He retired from McDonald’s in 2015 and joined GreenBiz, writing a regular column titled "The Inside View" and helping with the GreenBiz Executive Network. Bob has an MBA from Northwestern University and a bachelors degree from Lewis University.
Francesca DeBiase: McDonald's sustainability in a business turnaround
Sustainable beef and "aha" moments? A reflection on one year of leading sustainability and supply chain at one of America's iconic brands. Read More
One year later: McDonald's supply chain, sustainability chief Francesca DeBiase
Is the role of sustainability and supply chain at the Golden Arches still a dream job? Read More
My NGO hall of fame: What I learned from the best of the nonprofits
Here's the knowledge I would package and reuse if I had to start my sustainability career all over again. Read More
Should we abandon the language of sustainability?
Talking sustainability isn't easy, is it? Read More
If science is good for climate change, why not for GMOs?
If we want potatoes and oranges on grocery shelves 10 years from now, we're going to have to dig in to some inconvenient science. Read More
How Jim Cannon is scaling Sustainable Fisheries Partnership
The nonprofit's CEO and founder won over the "crusty" fish sector by clicking with tough suppliers and knowing his stuff. Read More
Climate Corps: Leading change starts with knowing 'why'
What are the traits true change-makers possess? Maybe they're not what you would expect. Read More
Smithfield Foods: Anatomy of a sustainability turnaround
A mild-mannered regulator takes a job at the world's largest pork processor and finds a full plate of environmental challenges. Can he bring home the bacon? Read More
'Fast 10' sustainability leadership tips
Showing the way can be simple. A former McDonald's exec dishes out easily digestible nuggets of advice. Read More
Introducing the Sustainability Truth-O-Meter
Environmental and social impacts are nuanced, which doesn't always come through in splashy public reports. Here's a way to better vet the information we consume. Read More
