Ron Voglewede, Chair

Term Expires: December 31, 2023
Chair: Board of Directors; Board Executive/Finance Committee

Ron is a sustainability and innovation growth and delivery executive who has built exceptional, diverse, cross functional teams that executed both across internal and external partnerships. Currently, he is founder of Sustainnovation LLC helping companies drive sustainable innovation, where he delivers world class ESG strategies that reduce risks, attracts/retains talent, and delivers real bottom line business value. He employs a pragmatic and forward looking approach to “leapfrog” crisis and prioritize the critical (material) levers to deliver bottom line value and growth to an enterprise. Previously, Ron was the top executive leading Whirlpool Corporation's Global sustainability team for over 15 years. Ron was responsible for developing the strategy and execution plans for sustainability within Whirlpool’s branded portfolio by increasing product performance while lowering our footprint, therefore, creating long term sustainable value. Ron led the change to switch Whirlpool’s product and business sustainability approach from being reactive to proactive and creating positive impacts. 

In Ron’s 26+ year career, he has led teams in various aspects of global product management, advanced development, and product design. In addition to his work at Whirlpool, Ron proudly serves as a board member, currently Chairman, for the Alliance for Water Efficiency and as a member of the Industry Advisory Group for the Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Notre Dame. Ron is a green belt in Operational Excellence (6 Sigma), Certified Innovation Mentor, and recognized inventor and innovator. He is the holder of 40+ US patents with more currently pending. Additionally, Ron is an active volunteer with the Girl Scouts, where he serves on the board, and in local school education programs. Ron received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering From the University of Notre Dame in 1996 and received a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering From the University of Michigan in 1998.