
853: Kate Williams: CEO, 1% for the Planet
From This Sustainable Life by Joshua Spodek: Author, Speaker, Professor
June 11, 2026 · 1h 21m · Episode 853
About this episode
Kate Williams, CEO of 1% for the Planet, discusses the organization's mission and her leadership experience.
I'd seen the "1% for the Planet" logo many times and figured it was an organization that helped, but I didn't think of how. The businessman in me wondered, shouldn't companies just lower prices 1% and let people donate what they want? Does one percent make much difference? Kate was passing through New York so we got to meet in person. In this recording, she answers these questions and more. She describes the organization more comprehensively, but briefly, 1% for the Planet organizes other organizations, some to donate, others to receive, and vets them. What interested me most was their long-term goal, which is cultural change, which fits with mine. Kate didn't found the organization, but as CEO has scaled the network to 110 countries and 65 industries, driving close to $1 billion in certified giving. She also shares her personal background that motivates her, which also interested me, since from the start of the conversation, her leadership experience and style emerge. Anyone who knows me knows I consider effective leadership one of the most important needs in reducing pollution and depletion. Kate's home page 1% for the Planet Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more…
People in this episode
Host: Joshua Spodek
Guest: Kate Williams
Topics covered
- sustainability
- leadership
- philanthropy
- cultural change
- environmental organizations
Keywords
- 1% for the Planet
- Kate Williams
- sustainability
- philanthropy
- cultural change
- environmental impact
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: 1% for the Planet
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