Pia Heidenmark Cook

Pia Heidenmark Cook is an influential keynote speaker and leading voice in corporate sustainability, business transformation and responsible leadership. With over two decades of experience in the field, she is best known for her role as Chief Sustainability Officer at IKEA/Ingka Group, where she shaped and led the company’s ambitious sustainability strategy. Pia played a pivotal role in developing the People and Planet Positive strategy, helping IKEA become one of the world’s top three most sustainable brands during her tenure. She is a highly regarded board member, advisor and author, and in 2023 was recognised as one of the Top 20 Sustainability Voices by CEO Magazine and received the Global 50 Women in Sustainability Award from SustainabilityX® Magazine.

Pia’s commitment to sustainability began early in her career, after completing her education in environmental management. Her first professional role was as an Environmental Consultant at Tellus Miljömanagement, where she built a strong foundation in sustainability practices and corporate responsibility. She went on to become Vice President of Responsible Business at The Rezidor Hotel Group, where she developed and delivered CSR strategies across the organisation. Her leadership in these formative years helped sharpen her ability to embed sustainability into core business operations. Pia has also lived and worked across Europe, adding international perspective to her approach - an asset she brings into all her speaking engagements and advisory work.

Her most significant contributions came during her 13 years at IKEA/Ingka Group, where she spent the final five years as Chief Sustainability Officer. Under her leadership, the company decoupled its CO₂ emissions from business growth across the entire value chain, and strengthened its global reputation for sustainable retail. Pia also served as Head of Communications for the IKEA Foundation, driving strategic partnerships with global organisations including UNICEF and Save the Children. She has held prominent roles such as Co-Chair of the Retailers’ Environmental Action Programme, Chairman of the International Tourism Partnership, and has been named among the Top 10 Female Leaders in Sustainability by the WBCSD and a Top 5 Influencer on the Climate Change Agenda by the Climate Group. Today, Pia enjoys a portfolio career, serving as Non-Executive Director on the boards of Bupa, Origin Materials and MAX Burgers, and as Chair of the Advisory Board at The DO Group. She also acts as Senior Advisor to Eurazeo’s Planetary Boundaries Impact Fund and Teneo. In 2024, she published her first book, 'Embedding Sustainability', further cementing her reputation as a thought leader.

Pia is a compelling choice for events that aim to explore how businesses can create long-term value through sustainability. She speaks on topics including corporate sustainability, climate leadership, responsible business strategy and organisational change, offering insight that’s practical, data-driven and grounded in experience. A confident and engaging speaker, Pia has lectured at Lund University, INSEAD, the Cambridge Institute for Sustainable Leadership and Boards Impact Forum, among others. Her TED Talk, How IKEA is Growing Business Whilst Shrinking Emissions, has been widely recognised for its impact. With a global outlook and proven leadership across sectors, Pia Heidenmark Cook delivers clarity, credibility and inspiration to every audience.