CEO Today Global Awards

29 www.ceotodaymagazine.com CEO Today Global Awards 2019 switzerland With our visionary investments in these areas, we are committed to being a partner of choice to make healthy diets delicious! What motivates you to achieve the best you can every day? Across my entire career and life I have been driven by a very clear sense of purpose. It is to “make a positive difference to my family, friends, communities and society at large. It is no surprise that it is fully aligned with Firmenich’s purpose and values! It’s about leading inclusive growth. An example of our work is our commitment to sanitation around the world as 4.5 billion people do not have access to safely managed sanitation facilities today. This lack of hygiene causes serious epidemics and a child mortality rate of 500,000 children under the age of 5 every year. When we realized that smell was the greatest barrier preventing people from using toilets, we decided to become part of thesolution.Weengaged in a research partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to reinvent toilets from an odor perspective. This led us to develop a range of breakthrough malodor control technologies to make clean toilets smell good in an affordable and sustainable way. I am proud that our solutions are currently reaching populations in need through toilet cleaning products in South Africa and Bangladesh. And this is just the beginning! Another example is our globally recognized leadership in environmental management to preserve nature for generations to come. A recent confirmation of our positive impact is our straight ‘A’s ranking with CDP this year, cutting across climate, water and forest management. This is an incredible testament to the passion and dedication of our teams, raising the bar every day in sustainability and a great encouragement for us to go even further. What advice do you have for today’s youth searching for employment? I spend a lot of time personally coaching many young people, from my children’s friends all the way to young professionals starting out in their careers. My words of advice can be summarized in three key messages. First, take charge. Everyone’s future is in their own hands. It’s up to each and every one of us to make our future as big as we want it to be! That’s why I love the saying: “Your attitude dictates your altitude in life”. Second, think legacy. Think about what impact you want to have on others. You may surprise yourself in how big a difference you can make! Third, don’t look for a job, look for a challenge. That’s how you ensure you enjoy your journey, making it full of excitement, fun and fulfillment! From Left to Right: Gilbert Ghostine, Firmenich, CEO; Patrick Firmenich, Firmenich, Chairman of the Board and Bill Gates exchanging on their joint commitment to solving today’s sanitation crisis at Firmenich Headquarters, Geneva. “Only two companies in the world reached CDP triple ‘A’ status this year, and we are one of them.” “I deeply believe in inclusive capitalism. No company can thrive in the long run if it leaves the planet or society behind.”