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Since February 1 2022, Ole Rosgaard has led Greif, a Fortune 1000 global leader in industrial packaging, through a period of transformative growth and operational excellence. His management approach – rooted in sustainability, inclusivity, innovation, and leadership development – has elevated Greif’s market position while creating long-term value for customers, employees, and shareholders. Ole’s ability to navigate complex challenges, invest in the company’s future growth, and foster a culture of continuous improvement has positioned Greif as a pioneer in circular economy solutions and responsible business practices.
Entrepreneurial Vision: Reinventing Industrial Packaging
Ole’s leadership is characterized by a forward-thinking, entrepreneurial mindset that has transformed Greif from a traditional packaging provider into an industry leader in circular economy solutions. Recognizing the opportunity to reshape Greif’s role in the industry, Ole led the advancement of the company’s sustainable packaging innovations and closed-loop recycling systems. In 2023, Greif achieved zero-waste-to-landfill status at 49 facilities – an important milestone in the company’s goal to divert 90% of waste from landfills by 2025. His commitment to sustainability extends beyond operational improvements, aligning Greif’s environmental goals with those of key clients, including Cargill, Coca-Cola, and BASF, thereby strengthening customer partnerships and driving market growth.
Purpose-Driven Leadership: Embedding Sustainability and Inclusivity
Ole has embedded sustainability and inclusivity into Greif’s core business strategy, ensuring that the company’s operations, products, and partnerships create lasting value. Greif’s 2025 and 2030 ESG targets, including achieving carbon neutrality and designing 100% recyclable products, demonstrate his commitment to driving sustainable growth. Under Ole’s leadership, Greif also achieved global gender pay parity in 2023 and set an ambitious goal to increase women in management by 25% by 2025. His focus on building an equitable and inclusive workforce has earned Greif a place among Gallup’s Top 25% Employers and Newsweek’s Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces, reflecting a culture where employees thrive and contribute to the company’s long-term success.
Operational Excellence and Digital Transformation
Ole has driven operational excellence by integrating technology and innovation into Greif’s processes. In 2023, he led Greif’s investment in AI, automation, and predictive analytics, enhancing supply chain resilience and operational efficiency. He also championed the Greif Business System and introduced the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt training program, empowering employees to implement hundreds of projects that delivered both cost savings and sustainability benefits. These initiatives have strengthened Greif’s manufacturing capabilities and positioned the company for long-term competitiveness in a dynamic global market.
Mentorship and Leadership Development
A firm believer that “leadership is a practice, not a position,” Ole has prioritized the development of future leaders within Greif. He has fostered a high-accountability, high-trust culture where employees feel empowered to take action, make mistakes, innovate and grow. His mentorship philosophy, emphasizing servant leadership and continuous learning, has been exemplified through initiatives such as Greif University, which provides over 6,000 employees access to more than 20,000 learning modules.
Driving Market Expansion and Financial Growth
Ole’s leadership has driven Greif’s expansion into new markets, product categories, and sustainable solutions, generating strong financial performance while advancing environmental goals. Greif’s sustainability-focused product revenue has grown to $822 million, reflecting increasing demand for recyclable and reusable packaging. The company’s strategic acquisitions and focus on operational efficiency, during Ole’s tenure, have strengthened Greif’s market presence and long-term resilience, demonstrating that a commitment to sustainability can drive both business growth and positive environmental impact.
Nomination Title: Ole Rosgaard
