Colgate-Palmolive is committed to its purpose to reimagine a healthier future for all people, their pets and our planet. Ann Tracy, Chief Sustainability Officer at Colgate-Palmolive, has shaped the company’s 2025 Sustainability & Social Impact strategy, integrating compliance, growth, and long-term value creation. Ann focuses on managing risk, strengthening resilience, and unlocking business value through sustainability. Beyond her corporate leadership, she has served on both public and nonprofit boards, championing systemic change in an evolving regulatory and stakeholder landscape.
We spoke with Ann just after Climate Week NYC 2025 to capture her reflections on the week’s themes and her perspective on the role of business in driving collective action.
Ann, Climate Week NYC 2025 was said to be the biggest yet. What stood out most for you?
This year was extraordinary! There were over 1,000 events across the city in support of Climate Week. What really struck me was the shift in tone from previous years: discussions were smaller, more authentic, and action-oriented. The theme of collective action kept coming up, not just in theory but in practice: co-investment strategies, cross-sector partnerships, and companies working together to solve systemic challenges. For me, that’s where real progress happens.
You highlighted the water crisis during the week. Why is water such a critical issue?
Water is fundamental to health, dignity, and resilience, yet nearly 2 billion people still lack access to clean water. At the Water Resilience Coalition, I heard inspiring plans to unlock finance mechanisms and drive innovation in priority basins. Water security is also deeply tied to climate resilience and equity. Clean water means better health outcomes and stronger communities, so if we solve for water, we unlock a ripple effect of positive change.
Colgate hosted an event celebrating Bright Smiles, Bright Futures. Can you share more about that milestone?
Yes, it was such a special moment for us. We celebrated reaching 2 billion children and families since 1991 through Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures – our global oral health education program. Oral care should be a right, not a privilege. Yet underserved communities often lack access to care and are disproportionately exposed to climate challenges like unsafe water. By combining education, partnerships, and preventive care, we’re working to close those gaps and empower healthier futures.
You also moderated a fireside chat with the UN Global Compact. What were your key takeaways?
It was an honor to moderate a conversation with Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary General of the UN and CEO of the UN Global Compact, as it celebrated its 25th anniversary. We discussed the strategy to 2030 and the critical role of U.S. business in driving global sustainability. What stood out to me was how much private sector leadership matters – we can and must align with the mission of the UN to build long-term resilience and shared prosperity.
Colgate focused on value creation during Climate Week. How do you see sustainability driving value?
We attended an event which featured Andrew Winston interviewing 3 cross-sector CFOs.. The takeaway is clear: sustainability drives long-term growth and resilience. In today’s volatile world, companies that integrate sustainability into their core business model aren’t just mitigating risk, they’re creating value for stakeholders, from customers to investors to communities. At Colgate, we see sustainability not as an add-on, but as a value driver.
Amidst all the events, you shared that you took time for family and nature. Why is that balance important for you?
My youngest daughter turned 23 that weekend, and celebrating as a family was a non-negotiable. I also spent time in nature, which was the perfect reminder of why this work matters: protecting the beauty and resources we often take for granted. Sustainability is about systems change, but it’s also deeply personal. Those quiet moments recharge me and reinforce why collective solutions are so urgent and so worth pursuing.
Closing Thoughts
For Ann Tracy, sustainability is not just a corporate strategy – it’s a way to build long-term resilience, unlock value, and create healthier futures for people and the planet. Her reflections from Climate Week NYC 2025 highlight a clear direction of travel: authentic action, co-investment, and collective solutions. Whether tackling the global water crisis, advancing oral health equity, or shaping systemic partnerships, Ann makes the case that business has both the responsibility and the opportunity to lead the way.
