Who Is Renae Kezar, Baxter’s New Chief Sustainability Officer?

Healthcare giant Baxter International has announced Renae Kezar as its new Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO). The news comes shortly after Andrew Hider took over as the company’s Chief Executive Officer on July 7, 2025.

Leading Baxter’s Sustainability Vision

Renae Kezar now leads Baxter’s global environmental and social responsibility strategies. In a LinkedIn post, Renae shared her excitement: “This role is deeply meaningful to me. It’s a chance to lead with purpose and help drive change. At Baxter, I’ll be working with brilliant minds to protect the planet and support healthcare innovations.”

She also thanked mentors and peers who supported her career journey.

Renae Kezar: Education and Career Highlights

Renae holds multiple degrees from Purdue University, including:

• A BS in Industrial Engineering

• An MS in Industrial Engineering with a focus on nano-structured materials

She also earned an Executive MBA from Case Western Reserve University.

Kezar has held senior roles at major firms:

• At Avery Dennison, she worked as Global Marketing Director and Senior Director of Sustainability.

• At Johnson Controls, she served as Global VP, Head of Sustainability Strategy and Deployment.

• She was also active at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, becoming Co-Chair for the Built Environment.

Today, she also serves on the board of the Midwest Sustainability Network.

About Baxter International

Founded in 1931, Baxter is a US-based multinational healthcare company. It is headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois and has around 38,000 employees. Baxter produces medical products, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare technologies.

Baxter’s Green Mission

Baxter has been reporting on sustainability since 1997. That year, it showed environmental improvements could also save money.

By 2009, Baxter met its 2010 greenhouse gas goals early, cutting emissions by 20%. Now, the company aims for carbon neutrality by 2040 for all direct operations.

In 2024, Baxter:

• Cut operational greenhouse gas emissions by 18.8% (to 501,000 tCO₂e from 2020 levels)

• Invested $12 million in 175 energy-saving projects

• Completed four on-site solar installations

• Installed a biomass steam generator in Ahmedabad, India

• Reached 36% renewable energy usage

• Bought 5.4 GW of certified renewable electricity

Why Renae Kezar’s Role Matters

Renae Kezar is stepping into a critical role at a time when Baxter is pushing hard for sustainability. Her experience and leadership will help drive the company toward its long-term climate goals.