As part of the fourth generation Kohler family leadership, Laura Kohler began her career in high school working part-time in various aspects of the business from hospitality to public affairs to strategy. After obtaining her MFA and working in the theatre and for Chicago education non-profits, she began her full-time Kohler career as executive director of the Kohler Foundation.
Eventually, Kohler became the director of public affairs and was on the front lines as Kohler launched its brand in China and throughout Europe. She eventually became the first Chief Sustainability and DEI Officer where she currently oversees a team of 40+ influential leaders and is responsible for integrating the company’s environmental sustainability, circularity, water strategies, DEI and social impact goals into all business operations.
Kohler Co. is a global leader in design and innovation, dedicated to providing gracious living through kitchen and bath products; luxury cabinetry, tile and lighting; distributed energy solutions and home energy, industrial power systems, and powertrain technologies and luxury hospitality experiences.
“As a global company with operations around the world, I expect the company and myself to leave the world a better place than we found it, because without that, what does business success really mean or matter?” said Kohler. “It means that a better world is better for business and it matters because associates, customers, consumers and partners have great expectations of companies like Kohler today.”
Kohler said that early in her career, she realized the power of the associates and how important it was to capture the hearts and minds of all teams to drive change and impact. “The focus on fostering talent, culture and leadership at all levels remains center stage for me and Kohler,” she said.
With a leadership style that is rooted in her unique ability to connect people with a meaningful mission that leads to tangible business outcomes and a better world for all, Kohler drives progress toward increased transparency through the company’s “Believing in Better” impact reports. Her vision is ambitious, according to her staff, as she applies design for environment methodology to help reduce the impact of the manufacturing process on the planet and fosters a culture of inclusion and belonging among the associates.
“What I have learned through 30+ years as an executive leader is that you must find a mission that matters and know your ‘why’ to continually evolve it,” said Kohler. “Your North Star is what will guide you and keep you focused on challenging times, while inspiring you.”
For following her personal and professional mission with compassion, Kohler has been named a titan.
