The Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF) as appointed Jonquil Hackenberg its new CEO, taking over from its decade-long CEO Andrew Morlet on Nov. 4.
Hackenberg is an experienced leader with a proven track record of over 20 years in business transformation, sustainability and the circular economy, EMF said. She was previously CEO of Eunomia Research & Consulting, a social-environmental consultancy and research house. In this capacity, she set the company’s strategic direction, focused on circular, natural, and carbon economies, rooted in deep-seated policy and scientifically-sound expertise.
She has also acted as global head of sustainability and climate response at PA Consulting, where she led the COP26 campaign on the nexus between water and carbon emissions. Prior to that she held various roles at Infosys, an India-based technology company over a 13-year period, most recently as global head of sustainable business.
“I am absolutely thrilled to be stepping into the role of CEO at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, an organization I’ve long admired for its ground-breaking work in the circular economy,” Hackenberg said. “I have spent the best part of my career working to ensure circularity, climate response, and sustainability are at the forefront of business strategy. I couldn’t be more excited to lead the foundation at such a critical moment.”
The EMF said it was moving to a "new era" when Morlet announced he was stepping down as CEO. It has set itself ambitious goals for 2030 to further expand its network, deepen its impact, and empower the next generation of change makers. Appointing Hackenberg as the next CEO is supposed to give the organization a "runway" to deliver these goals.
In 2018, EMF and the United Nations Environment Programme launched a global commitment towards a future without plastic waste or pollution. The initiative has mobilized over 1,000 organizations behind a common vision and aligned 2025 targets. Last October, the EMF acknowledged in a progress report that the initiative is unlikely to meet key 2025 goals.