Kathy Varol

Kathy Varol is a Purpose Strategy Expert. She created the Global Purpose strategy for adidas, a 22-billion-dollar global company, encompassing everything the brand does to positively impact people and planet, including:

• A holistic sustainability strategy that further established adidas as a leader in retail sustainability and inspired an army of loyal brand advocates to join a movement to end plastic waste.
• An impactful social equality strategy that provided access to sport for girls around the globe, developed new products, and initiated bold corporate actions to stand against inequality.
• And a progressive Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) strategy that fostered a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

This Global Purpose strategy created impact. A thorough assessment by S&P in 2021 awarded adidas an ESG score of 85, placing the company among the top 10% ever rated by S&P Global Ratings.

Varol started her career as a bright-eyed idealist, joining the Peace Corps straight out of college. Along her journey, the idealist combined with her inner strategist, creating a catalyst for good. Now Varol has 20 years of experience in brand marketing, strategy, and impact, working at established brands like adidas, MillerCoors, and Microsoft.

Varol is a sought-after speaker, Purpose Strategy Expert, and CSR & ESG consultant who has spoken and led workshops around the globe. She shares her knowledge with audiences on how to embed a purpose into their company in order to transform their culture, their business, and impact the world.