Schneider Electric, the world’s most sustainable company, announced that Chris Leong will become its Chief Sustainability Officer, reporting to the CEO, starting January 2025. Leong has been Schneider Electric’s Chief Marketing Officer for the past decade and has over 13 years of leadership experience at Schneider Electric, with a proven track record in driving digital transformation and brand excellence.
In her new role, Leong will lead Schneider’s global sustainability strategy, overseeing corporate sustainability performance, institutional affairs, and the company’s ambitious Net-Zero goals. Her responsibilities will also encompass corporate citizenship initiatives and environmental impact efforts, reinforcing Schneider’s position as a global leader in sustainability.
Reflecting on her appointment, Leong expressed her enthusiasm and gratitude on social media: “I am honored to take on a new responsibility as the Chief Sustainability Officer for Schneider Electric, the #1 Most Sustainable Company in the World! What a way to celebrate my 13-year anniversary at Schneider Electric.”. It’s an incredible privilege to be given this opportunity to take this amazing foundation built on Sustainability for over 20 years at Schneider to the next level and to learn from the incredibly talented and passionate Schneider Sustainability team and community around the world.
Leong joined Schneider Electric in 2012 as EVP of Digital Customer Experience. In 2015, she was elected to the company’s Executive Committee and took on the role of CMO. During her tenure, Leong played a pivotal role in enhancing Schneider’s global brand, advancing its digital engagement, and steering the company’s marketing strategies to align with its sustainability-driven mission.
Prior to Schneider, Leong held senior leadership positions in the most significant organizations, such as Nokia and WPP Group, where she led global brands such as Procter & Gamble, Ford, and Heineken across Asia and Europe. Her marketing and customer experience expertise have been broadened to encompass a singular perspective on innovation, sustainability, and business growth.
An ardent advocate for ESG principles and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), Leong has emphasized for years that purpose-driven enterprises will shape the sustainable future of the world. “Sustainability is our guiding north star that drives us to innovate and pursue decarbonization through energy efficiency, automation, and digitization,” she stated.
Leong’s leadership in this new role signifies a strategic step for Schneider Electric as it advances its Net-Zero ambitions. Her vision aligns with the company’s longstanding commitment to sustainability that spans over two decades. Schneider Electric has shown its dedication toward tackling global environmental challenges through innovative solutions in energy management and industrial automation.
Expressing gratitude to her former marketing team, Leong said, “Thank you for your courage, creativity, and partnership over the past decade. It’s been my privilege to serve as CMO.” This heartfelt acknowledgment reflects her leadership style and her ability to inspire teams toward shared goals.
Under Leong’s mentorship, Schneider Electric’s sustainability strategy will further advance by embracing all emerging trends and facilitating collaborative efforts to address some of the gravest global challenges. Her appointment betrays the company’s conviction that sustainability is not only compatible with, but also reinforcing of, business success.
As Chief Sustainability Officer, Leong will be in an excellent position to leverage her expertise and leadership to help propel the company forward to a more sustainable and equitable future.