Kathy Rostkowski Appointed CSO at McCormick & Company
McCormick & Company, a global leader in flavour, has announced the appointment of Dr. Kathy Rostkowski as its new Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO).
“I am truly honored to assume the role of Chief Sustainability Officer for McCormick & Company,” Kathy says.
“I would like to congratulate and thank Michael Okoroafor, Ph.D. for an amazing career and for his mentorship. He has been instrumental in setting a strong foundation of Purpose-led Performance and I'm excited about the future.
“I look forward to partnering with the leadership team to elevate our sustainability leadership for business resilience as well as value creation and protection.”
Kathy steps into the role following the retirement of Dr. Michael Okoroafor, who leaves behind a legacy of progress in sustainability.
Kathy Rostkowski’s career
Dr. Kathy Rostkowski brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to sustainability.
She joined McCormick in 2021 as Vice President of Global Sustainability, where she led the company’s long-term, results-oriented sustainability strategy known as Purpose-led Performance. This initiative emphasises delivering strong financial results while prioritising positive impacts on people, communities and the planet.
Kathy spent more than eight years at the US Agency for International Development (USAID), where she managed strategic corporate partnerships, designed large-scale development programmes and led research to advance sustainable development outcomes.
She holds a BS in Environmental Engineering from Yale University and both an MS and PhD in Environmental Engineering from Stanford University, with a focus on innovative sustainable packaging solutions.
Kathy also recently completed the Strategic Chief Sustainability Officer Program at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business and the Doerr School of Sustainability.
Her collaborative approach and expertise in both corporate and international development settings position her to drive McCormick’s sustainability agenda forward.
Sustainability at McCormick & Company
McCormick & Company has established itself as a frontrunner in corporate sustainability, guided by its Purpose-led Performance framework. The company’s strategy is built around ambitious, science-based targets and a holistic approach to ESG.
Key sustainability initiatives include:
- Climate action: McCormick is committed to reducing Scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 43% by 2030 (from a 2020 baseline) and achieving net zero by 2050. These targets have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative. As of 2023, the company reported a 40% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions and an 11% reduction in Scope 3 emissions.
- Sustainable sourcing: The Grown for Good standard is a third-party verified programme that ensures ethical, resilient, and regenerative sourcing of herbs and spices. It focuses on farmer resilience, women’s empowerment, biodiversity and traceability, setting a new benchmark for the industry.
- Community impact: McCormick partners with organisations like USAID to promote sustainable agriculture, improve farmer livelihoods and protect the environment in key sourcing regions such as India, China and Madagascar.
- Water and waste: The company is working to reduce water use and waste across its global operations, with innovative projects in facilities such as its Springfield, MO factory.
These efforts are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and reflect McCormick’s commitment to creating lasting value for all stakeholders.
Michael Okoroafor’s legacy
Dr. Michael Okoroafor retires as McCormick’s first-ever Chief Sustainability Officer after a decade of transformative leadership, having previously served at companies including The Coca-Cola Company and PPG Industries.
He joined McCormick in 2015, initially serving as Vice President of Global Sustainability and Packaging Innovation and later as the company’s first CSO.
Michael oversaw the adoption of science-based climate targets and significant progress in reducing the company’s carbon footprint. He championed sustainable packaging, including the move to 100% recycled PET for certain product lines, resulting in substantial CO₂ reductions.
Michael holds more than 40 patents and has served on several boards, including the United Nations Global Compact USA and AMERIPEN. He was recognised with the Maryland International Business Leadership award in 2023.
His leadership fostered a culture of innovation and accountability, positioning McCormick as a role model in the food industry’s sustainability movement.
Michael’s vision and dedication have laid a strong foundation for Kathy to build upon as McCormick continues its sustainability journey.
“After 10 rewarding years at McCormick, I am pleased to share that I will be retiring on July 1, 2025,” Michael said.
“This esteemed company, McCormick, has been a great place to work and enabled me to make lasting impact in our business.
“I had the opportunity to work with and learn from the most talented colleagues in the CPG industry. Thank you my friends!”
