Ben Packard
Vice President, Global Responsibility | Starbucks Coffee Company
Ben Packard joined Starbucks Coffee Company in April 1998 as the Environmental Affairs Manager after receiving his MBA and Certificate in Environmental Management from the University of Washington in Seattle. Prior to Starbucks, Ben worked for six years in the environmental field for a non-profit, a governmental policy agency, and then privately with a start-up in the recycling industry.
Now the Vice President of Global Responsibility for Starbucks, Ben is responsible for designing the strategy and developing programs in support of the Company’s commitment to environmental leadership. He was responsible for completing an environmental footprint analysis for the Company using the Natural Step Framework. From the footprint, Starbucks has established focus areas and performance metrics that are woven into the strategic planning process. Ben was part of the initial team of Starbucks partners in the Corporate Social Responsibility department that was established in November 2000.
In January 2000 Ben received a Fellowship from the Environmental Leadership Program, an organization seeking to transform public understanding of environmental issues by training and supporting a network of visionary, action-oriented emerging leaders.
Ben was named Starbucks “Leader of the Year” for 2002 for his work on the Environmental Footprint Project.
Ben also serves on the Mayor of Seattle’s Urban Sustainability Advisory Panel and on the Advisory Board of the Net Impact chapter at the University of Washington MBA Program.
Through the dedication of our passionate partners (employees), Starbucks Coffee Company has transformed the way people in 37 countries enjoy their coffee, one cup at a time. Starbucks is the premier purveyor of the finest coffee in the world, with more than 11,000 retail locations in North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and the Pacific Rim. The Company is committed to offering its customers the highest quality coffee and human connection through the Starbucks Experience, while striving to improve the social, environmental and economic well being of its partners, coffee farmers, countries of coffee origin, and the communities which it serves. Through Ethos Water, Starbucks demonstrates its long history of integrating a social conscience into all aspects of its business.
The Company surprises and delights its customers by producing and selling bottled Starbucks Frappuccino® coffee drinks, Starbucks DoubleShot® espresso drinks and Starbucks® superpremium ice creams through its joint-venture partnerships, and Starbucks™ Coffee and Cream Liqueurs through a marketing and distribution agreement, in other convenient locations outside its retail operations. The Company’s brand portfolio includes superpremium Tazo® teas, Starbucks Hear Music™ compact discs, Seattle’s Best Coffee and Torrefazione Italia. These brands’ unique and innovative personalities allow Starbucks to appeal to a broad consumer base.
