(NYSE: GM) announced today that Kristen Siemen is named vice president of Sustainable Workplaces and chief sustainability officer, replacing Dane Parker, who has decided to retire effective May 1, 2021.
“Dane has helped the company strengthen our work to address climate change and efforts to realize a future with zero emissions, and we wish him every success,” said GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra. “I look forward to Kristen’s leadership in driving our ongoing actions to create a safer, more sustainable world.”
Siemen is currently the executive director of Global Energy Strategy, Certification & Compliance and Test Labs and is well-positioned for her new role as GM continues to take bold actions to combat climate change, including GM’s commitment to become carbon neutral in its global products and operations by 2040. She worked closely with Parker to commit to setting science-based targets for a net-zero carbon future and led a cross-functional leadership team responsible for setting corporate energy strategies.
“As one of the world’s largest automakers, we aim to set an example of responsible leadership,” Siemen said. “I am honored and humbled to have the opportunity to help lead GM in our plan to reach a zero-emissions future and am excited for all we plan to accomplish in the coming years.”
Parker is retiring after six years with General Motors, most recently as chief sustainability officer. Parker accelerated GM’s renewable energy goals by 15 years and signed the Business Ambition Pledge for 1.5⁰C. Recently, Parker announced GM’s plan to become carbon neutral by 2040 and its aspiration to eliminate tailpipe emissions in new light-duty vehicles by 2035. Parker also led the transformation of GM’s workplaces in his role as the vice president of Sustainable Workplaces, leading major construction projects and modernizing GM’s office space to encourage and enable collaborative work.
“The chief sustainability officer plays a vital role in navigating our company on the path toward a future with zero emissions,” said Parker. “Thanks to the leadership of so many passionate team members and leaders within GM we have been able to outline a clear roadmap for GM’s net-zero carbon future. I’m incredibly proud of the team here and look forward to cheering Kristen and GM on as I transition into the next phase of my own journey.”
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