Bruno Sarda

Bruno is a sustainability and ESG executive with 20+ years experience operating at the forefront of social and business transformation, leading through rapid and disruptive change in multiple sectors (Financial Services, Technology, Energy, Climate and Environment).

A recognized leader in the transition to a sustainable economy, he helped establish and scale sector-leading sustainability and ESG programs at two Fortune 500 companies and a global environmental non-profit. Bruno draws upon his unique multi-sector background and strong business and financial acumen to innovate new models, form strategic alliances, and make a strong case for action.

In September 2021 he joined the global consulting and accountancy firm EY (Ernst & Young) as Partner to help lead their fast-growing Climate Change and Sustainability Services practice.

Before that as Executive Director of The HOW Institute for Society, an early-stage social-impact non-profit developing and scaling new leadership and measurement frameworks, Bruno established structures and made strategic hires to accelerate organizational scaling and impact, launched acclaimed new research and programs and secured significant new multi-million dollar partnerships.

As President of CDP North America, the non-profit that runs the global environmental disclosure system for investors, companies, cities & states, he elevated the organization’s activities across the U.S. and Canada, achieved record impact and financial growth, introduced innovative new programs and funding sources.

Prior to that, he served as Chief Sustainability Officer for NRG Energy Inc, a leading US power company and the first to set a science-based climate target in the US energy industry. Bruno led the development and execution of highly integrated, company-wide sustainability strategy and programs that spanned all areas of the business.

Before joining NRG, Bruno was Director of Sustainability and Social Responsibility at Dell, where he was for 11 years and integrated sustainability into sales and business strategy, enhanced human rights and environmental performance throughout Dell's supply chain and operations, and significantly scaled Dell’s ESG disclosures and practices.

Prior to pivoting to Sustainability in 2010, Bruno spent 15 years leading and growing e-commerce P&Ls, driving digital business and marketing product development and customer experience, for 5 years at Dell and prior to that for 10 years at Charles Schwab & Co.  

Recognized for his ability to drive change through inspiration and influence, Bruno has proven success building high-functioning teams and organizations, managing complexity and delivering results in fast-changing environments, with key strengths in integrating environmental, social and governance performance into core business operations and strategy. He is a trusted partner to C-Suite and boards of directors as well as internal and external stakeholders.

Named one of the ‘most influential sustainability voices in America’, a Top 50 Environmental Leader and a Top 100 Global Sustainability Influencer, Bruno is a principled leader and sought-after speaker on sustainability and ESG topics. 

Sarda is a graduate of Arizona State University and is a faculty member in the School of Sustainability and Senior Sustainability Scholar in the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability. He has been partnering in multiple ways with the university since 2011 as an innovator, working with the Walton Sustainability Solutions Initiatives to design and develop a new Executive Master’s for Sustainability Leadership; as a professor in the School of Sustainability teaching classes that prepare students for success in sustainability careers; and as a coach and mentor through his leadership of the groundbreaking sustainability job training program that he helped establish and which has benefited many undergraduate and graduate ASU students. Bruno is a native of Paris, France and is currently based near Princeton, New Jersey.