Why Ingrid Beutler is a Top Sustainability Executive

Think Beyond’s Ingrid Beutler has been named winner of the Executive of the Year Award at the Global Sustainability Awards 2025, with Sonya Gafsi Oblisk of Whole Foods Market and Tina Arrowood, Ph.D., of DuPont Water Solutions both highly commended. 

The award recognises leaders who drive credible, systemic sustainability outcomes through governance, strategy and cross-sector collaboration.

About Ingrid Beutler and Think Beyond

Ingrid Beutler is Senior Partner for Europe and Governance at Think Beyond, a social impact and sustainability consultancy. 

With more than two decades in international sport, she has shaped law, policy and regulatory frameworks to address core sustainability challenges across governance, human rights and integrity. 

A recognised expert on governance in sport, Ingrid works with organisations and individuals committed to doing good for people and the world, advising the world’s largest sports federations, multiple governmental entities and international and community-based organisations on maximising positive impact and minimising harm.

Across leadership roles at the UN, IOC, SportAccord and now Think Beyond, she has helped embed ESG into decision-making, informed ISO-related standards, advanced safe sport reforms and driven systemic change so that major organisations integrate sustainability with credibility and impact.

Executive of the Year Award

Ingrid secured the Executive of the Year Award for pioneering sustainability in global sport and demonstrating how governance can translate ambition into measurable outcomes. 

Her key achievements include:

• Embedding ESG and human rights into governance, integrity and compliance frameworks across international sport
• Influencing standard-setting, including contributions connected to ISO-related guidance and safe sport reforms
• Advising leading federations and public bodies on policies that reduce harm and amplify social impact
• Building capacity through practical toolkits, training and stakeholder engagement to move from policy to practice
• Aligning strategy, risk and measurement to strengthen accountability and trust.

This integrated approach has improved transparency, safeguarding and social value at scale.

The Executive of the Year Award recognises leaders who excel in four key areas:

• Vision and governance: Clear, values-led strategy that embeds ESG and human rights into core decision-making
• Measurable impact: Evidence of outcomes, rigorous accountability and continuous improvement over time
• Systemic influence: Sector-wide collaboration, standards engagement and policy contributions that catalyse change beyond a single organisation
• Integrity and inclusion: Commitment to safe, ethical, inclusive practice that protects people and strengthens trust.

On each criterion, Ingrid Beutler scored strongly, reflecting exceptional leadership and sector-wide impact.

Sonya Gafsi Oblisk, Whole Foods Market, was recognised for outstanding sustainability leadership and stakeholder engagement within a global retail context.

Tina Arrowood, Ph.D., DuPont Water Solutions, was commended for science-led sustainability leadership and advancing solutions with broad societal benefit.