Denise Osterhues leads sustainability and social impact for The Kroger Co., based in Cincinnati. She is responsible for the company’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy – Thriving Together – and its Zero Hunger | Zero Waste social and environmental impact plan.

She focuses on advancing progress toward long-term ESG commitments; developing policies, best practices and partnerships; improving reporting and disclosure; and engaging stakeholders. Osterhues leads efforts to integrate ESG commitments into the company’s business operations, including connecting associates, customers and communities with Kroger’s Zero Hunger | Zero Waste mission, its commitment to help create communities free of hunger and waste.

Osterhues also serves as president of The Kroger Co. Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation, a public charity established in 2018 to align philanthropic grant-making with this mission and catalyze innovation to address the complex issues of food insecurity, food access and food waste. A signature program of the foundation is the Innovation Fund, which directs funding to entrepreneurs and others helping build a more sustainable and equitable food system for all.

Osterhues joined Kroger in 2007 and assumed her current role in 2017. Her previous experience includes community development and public affairs at First Union National Bank in Charlotte, NC, and roles in public affairs for The Dow Chemical Company, including media relations, financial communications, and environment, health and safety communications and reporting.

Sustainability, Conservation Business Ethics, Corporate Governance, Philanthropy, Social Issues, Food & Beverage, Food industry, Environmental Policy, Women in Leadership, Community Improvement, SXSW, Business, Business Leadership, Business Growth, Environment,