Pia Heidenmark Cook

Pia Heidenmark Cook is one of the world’s leading voices in corporate sustainability. Known for transforming IKEA’s environmental strategy during her time as Chief Sustainability Officer at Ingka Group, Pia led the brand’s shift to responsible sourcing, clean energy and circular business models. Under her leadership, IKEA became a sustainability benchmark, achieving global recognition while decoupling emissions from growth. Today, Pia speaks to international audiences on how organisations can take practical, profitable steps toward becoming people and planet positive.

Pia started her career in environmental consulting, having studied environmental management and policy. She went on to shape CSR strategy as Vice President of Responsible Business at The Rezidor Hotel Group, before stepping into global leadership roles. She served as Chairman of the International Tourism Partnership and Co-Chair of the Retailers’ Environmental Action Programme, where she influenced major players across industries. In 2008, Pia joined IKEA, rising from Head of Communications to Global Head of Sustainability and eventually Chief Sustainability Officer. Over 13 years, she helped roll out solar energy across markets, improved ethical sourcing of cotton and wood, and introduced leasing and second-hand services that brought circular thinking to millions of customers.

Pia’s work has received major recognition. IKEA was named one of the top three most sustainable brands globally, and won the Circular Economy Award from the World Economic Forum as well as the Sustainable Leaders Award in 2020. Pia was named one of the Top 20 Sustainability Voices by The CEO Magazine, listed in the Global 50 Women in Sustainability by SustainabilityX®, and ranked among the Top 5 influencers on climate change by The Climate Group. In 2024, she co-authored Embedding Sustainability: How to Drive Organisational Transformation, a practical guide to turning environmental targets into everyday actions.

Today, Pia continues to shape sustainability across industries as a board member at Bupa and Decathlon, Chair of the Advisory Board at The DO Group, and Senior Advisor to Eurazeo’s Planetary Boundaries Impact Fund. Her TED Talk, “How IKEA is Growing Business Whilst Shrinking Emissions,” has been widely praised for its clarity and impact. As a speaker, Pia is known for blending boardroom insight with hands-on experience, offering audiences real-world advice on integrating ESG into strategy and operations. She speaks regularly at INSEAD, Lund University and Cambridge Institute for Sustainable Leadership, and is frequently booked by global businesses looking to accelerate sustainable transformation.