Jonah Smith (M.S. '04) has had a love for the environment for as long as he can remember, but it wasn’t until he arrived at the University of Michigan that he realized he could combine his love of nature and his career aspirations. After one of his professors at SEAS noticed his passion, he suggested that Jonah pursue a dual degree in business and the environment. This path has brought Jonah to where he works today and has helped him lead “sustainable efforts throughout the value chain, to optimize people, planet, and profit.”

Smith currently serves as the Global Lead on Environmental Social Governance at Kraft Heinz, where he is motivated to better the planet by creating sustainable and noticeable change within one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world. At Kraft Heinz, he has helped to implement various climate, water, and energy goals, as well as waste and packaging improvements, such as creating a recyclable packaging plan, and supporting the company’s movement to use primarily renewable energy sources by 2025. Smith states that his engagement within the company is fueled by his belief that collaboration and integration can lead to sustainable improvements within large corporations.

Throughout his professional career, Smith has always worked to have a “positive impact on the environment as a central purpose” in his career.” He believes that through the integration of people, profit, and the planet, that environmentally sustainable solutions can be achieved, even within some of the largest global companies. Smith is proud that his education at Michigan has allowed him to stay true to his passions and created opportunities for him to enact change that is felt in communities everywhere.