Kevin O'donnell
About Kevin O'donnell
Kevin O'Donnell is the Global Director of Sourcing and Operations Sustainability at General Mills with over 25 years of experience in environmental sustainability and business development.
Title at General Mills
Kevin O'Donnell currently holds the position of Global Director, Sourcing and Operations Sustainability within the Corporate Sustainability Team at General Mills. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, Kevin leverages his extensive experience to guide the company's efforts in sustainability and sourcing. His role involves ensuring that General Mills meets its sustainability targets while optimizing sourcing operations across its global supply chain.
Education and Expertise
Kevin O'Donnell holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of St. Thomas and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hamline University. He also attended American University. With over 25 years of experience in environmental sustainability and business development, Kevin has developed a deep understanding of corporate and governmental sustainability practices. His expertise includes environmental engineering, sustainability strategy development, and technology integration for improved sustainability.
Previous Roles at Nike
Before joining General Mills, Kevin O'Donnell held multiple roles at Nike. From 2013 to 2015, he served as the Global Director of Manufacturing Waste Stream Optimization in the Sustainable Manufacturing and Sourcing Group. Prior to this, from 2009 to 2013, he was the Global Environmental Sustainability Director. He initially joined Nike as Regional Manager of Environmental Engineering within the Footwear Division in 2004. During his tenure at Nike, he led initiatives that significantly reduced manufacturing waste and contributed to the company's overall sustainability goals.
Experience at Minnesota Technology, Inc.
Kevin O'Donnell has a long history of roles at Minnesota Technology, Inc., spanning from 1995 to 2003. These roles included Director of Business Development, Industry Advisor for Emerging Technology Services, Director of the Thailand-Minnesota Environmental Initiative, and Manager of Environmental Integration Services. Each of these positions involved fostering sustainable practices and integrating new technologies to improve environmental outcomes. His work on the Thailand-Minnesota Environmental Initiative, in particular, emphasized international collaboration on environmental issues.
Sustainability Leadership and Business Development
Kevin O'Donnell has held numerous leadership roles in both corporate and government sectors focused on sustainability. At the Chicago Manufacturing Center and Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance, his responsibilities ranged from business development executive to principal environmental planner. Through these positions, he has a proven track record of developing and implementing sustainability strategies for large multinational corporations, effectively balancing business development with environmental goals.