The former Mars executive succeeds Michael Kobori and assumes responsibility for implementing the US coffee chain’s sustainability agenda
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Close-up of a moss artwork featuring the Starbucks logo in Downtown Disney, Orlando, Florida. McCauley Sine will work to achieve Starbucks’ goal to become ‘resource positive’ by 2030 | Photo credit: Starbucks
Starbucks has appointed Mars Inc executive Marika McCauley Sine as its new Chief Sustainability Officer, effective immediately.
McCauley Sine, who has served as Global Vice President of Sustainability at Mars since April 2019, will oversee the delivery of Starbucks’ global sustainability, social impact and ESG goals, which include certifying 10,000 Greener Stores globally within the next 12 months and becoming ‘resource positive’ by 2030.
She succeeds Michael Kobori who will retire at the end of 2024 after five years in the role, following a six-week transition period. McCauley Sine will report to Executive Vice President of Global Coffee and Sustainability, Michelle Burns.
“It will be an honour to lead sustainability for such an impactful business and beloved brand, in collaboration with talented partners and community members around the world. I am inspired to help advance Starbucks’ legacy of doing business with humanity and fostering connection, opportunity, and joy through exceptional coffee,” McCauley Sine wrote on LinkedIn.
Seattle-based Starbucks’ resource positive goal, first announced by then CEO Kevin Johnson in 2020, includes reducing carbon emissions from direct operations and supply chains, water consumption, and waste sent to landfill by 50% by the end of the decade.
However, the coffee chain will need to balance its ambitious sustainability goals with plans for global growth as it seeks to open a further 15,000 outlets globally to reach 55,000 stores by 2030.
McCauley Sine began her professional career as International Development Program & Policy Advisor at Oxfam America in 2001 before spending 10 years as Group Director of International Public Affairs at The Coca-Cola Company from 2005. She joined Mars in February 2015 as Director of Human Rights before being promoted to the role of Global Vice President of Sustainability.