Kathy Varol is a sought-after speaker, Purpose Strategy Expert, and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) consultant who has led workshops around the globe.
Kathy built the global purpose strategy for adidas, a 22-billion dollar company. Now she shares her knowledge with audiences on how to embed a purpose into their company in order to transform their culture, their business, and the world.
Kathy Varol is a sought-after speaker, Purpose Strategy Expert, and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) consultant who has led workshops around the globe.
Kathy built the global purpose strategy for adidas, a 22-billion dollar company. Now she shares her knowledge with audiences on how to embed a purpose into their company in order to transform their culture, their business, and the world.
Using her hands-on expertise to accelerate the purpose-led business movement
Crafting a compelling company vision that moves hearts and inspires minds
Synthesizing complex data into an actionable framework that rallies a workforce, consumers, and strategic partners
I started my career as a bright-eyed idealist, joining the Peace Corps straight out of college. Ever since that flight to Morocco the idealist in me sees the opportunity of purpose in every challenge.
I now have 20 years of experience in brand marketing, strategy, and impact, working at established brands like adidas, MillerCoors, and Microsoft.
Along my journey, the idealist combined with the strategist in me, creating a catalyst for good.
I created the Global Purpose strategy for adidas, a 22-billion-dollar global company, encompassing everything adidas does to positively impact people and the planet.
1. A holistic sustainability strategy that further established adidas as a leader in retail sustainability, and inspired an army of loyal brand advocates to join a movement to end plastic waste.
2. Impactful social equality strategy that provided access to sports for girls around the globe, developed new products, and initiated bold corporate actions to stand against inequality (including equal bonus pay for Women’s World Cup winners, and supporting the fight for racial justice in the USA).
3. Progressive Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) strategy that fostered a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and continuous improvement with internal processes, metrics, and accountability.
A thorough assessment by S&P in 2021 awarded adidas an ESG score of 85, placing the company among the top 10% ever rated by S&P Global Ratings.
Now I help other companies (and the humans who work there) transform their businesses into purpose-led organizations through inspiring keynotes, breakthrough workshops, and in-depth consulting.