Growing up in small northwestern Ontario town nestled between Canada’s boreal forest and Lake Superior, our family was so incredibly fortunate for the natural abundance all around us.  From fishing for a meal of pickerel (that’s Canadian for “walleye”) to enjoying the peace and tranquility of a hike in the bush (that’s Canadian for “forest”) to working various jobs in the forest products industry, our experiences engrained a true love and appreciation for nature and its role in our health and well-being, not to mention our survival.  

After moving away and having children of our own, we had an important realization:  How the constant din of traffic and the pace of set by our calendars can diminish our connections!  Without a healthy planet, there aren’t healthy people – and giving our kids the experiences that help them to establish their own appreciation not only inspires them to protect the cultural, environmental and economic values that nature provides – it reminds us all!  

Working for a company whose unifying vision is to lead the world in essentials for a better life has also provided many opportunities to stay connected and help protect these values.   A strong and enduring focus on safeguarding the natural systems that we all depend on underpins a culture of caring at Kimberly-Clark– caring for people and the planet – which makes our work in sustainability core to the company’s vision and values.  It is also why we have expanded our commitment to sustainability with an ambition to enhance the lives and wellbeing of one billion people in underserved communities with the smallest environmental footprint.    

I hope that you find a moment to nourish your own connections to nature.

Lisa M. - Vice President, Safety, Sustainability, and Occupational Health