CDP, the renowned global non-profit organization responsible for managing the world’s environmental disclosure system for companies, cities, states, and regions, has named Sherry Madera as its new Chief Executive Officer. Ms. Madera, currently serving as the Senior Vice President of Public Policy at Mastercard and Chair of the Future of Sustainable Data Alliance (FoSDA), will assume her new role as CEO on October 1, 2023.
CDP has been a leader in using capital markets to encourage voluntary environmental disclosure by companies, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, safeguard water resources, and protect forests. This initiative resulted in the establishment of the first global system for environmental disclosure. The data collected by CDP plays a pivotal role in facilitating climate action, enabling companies, governments, and regulators worldwide to set and meet climate commitments effectively.
In the previous year, CDP received disclosures from over 18,700 companies, representing approximately 50% of the global market capitalization, and more than 1,100 cities, states, and regions. These entities voluntarily shared information on climate change, deforestation, and water security, in response to the requests of over 740 financial institutions and 280 major purchasers. The 2023 disclosure period is scheduled to close at the end of July for scoring.
Katherine Garrett-Cox, Chair of CDP Trustees, expressed her enthusiasm for Ms. Madera’s appointment, recognizing her diverse experience in business, policy-making, and diplomacy, and her understanding of the importance of data in driving climate action. The search for a new CEO was conducted in partnership with Executive Search company Odgers Berndtson, resulting in a global and diverse shortlist of highly qualified candidates, reaffirming CDP’s status as an attractive employer in the market.
In her statement, Sherry Madera expressed her honor at joining CDP, emphasizing the critical importance of data in measuring and managing climate actions. As the climate and nature crises escalate, CDP’s work has become more urgent than ever, and its role as a data-driven enabler of climate action has become essential for stakeholders, governments, and regulators. Ms. Madera looks forward to working with CDP’s global team to strengthen the organization’s position in the climate data ecosystem, shaping global policies, and driving corporate action on climate change.
Paul Dickinson, Founder and Chair of CDP, also expressed his delight at Ms. Madera’s appointment, emphasizing the organization’s data as the foundation of climate action worldwide. With her exceptional skill set, CDP is poised to lead the fight against climate change into a new era of environmental leadership, particularly at this critical juncture.
Ms. Madera will succeed Paul Simpson, former CEO and co-founder of CDP, who served as CEO until June 2022. She will take over from interim CEO Jamie Neil, who successfully implemented a significant operational improvement program within CDP over the past year. Jamie is set to step down on September 29, 2023.