Virginie Helias: How P&G Champions Healthcare Sustainability

Virginie Helias, Chief Sustainability Officer at Procter & Gamble, has secured sixth place in Sustainability Magazine's Top 250 Sustainability Leaders 2026.

The recognition highlights her dedication to integrating sustainability throughout the company's operations, with a dual focus on minimising environmental impact and supporting communities through health and hygiene initiatives.

Virginie's journey at P&G

Virginie has dedicated her entire 37-year career to Procter & Gamble, joining the organisation in 1988 after completing a degree in marketing.

Between 1988 and 2011, she held numerous positions within the company, serving as Brand Manager and Marketing Director for brands including Ariel, Pampers and its Feminine Care and Fabric Care divisions.

She progressed through the company to become Vice President, Global Sustainability in 2016, before assuming her current role in 2019.

With over three decades of experience in brand management and innovation, Virginie brings extensive knowledge of the company's sectors into her CSO position.

Her career has taken her across France, the UK, Switzerland and the US, building significant international experience.

In her role as CSO, Virginie collaborates with leaders across P&G's business units and brands, while working with external partners to integrate sustainability throughout the entire organisation.

Alongside her team, she identifies ways to address business challenges through sustainable innovations.

"When I stepped into my role as CSO, I did not have a background in sustainability," Virginie says on LinkedIn. "What I did have was a conviction: that sustainability could be a driver for innovation and brand building.

"Over the years, that belief has evolved into a business strategy – one that is deeply embedded across P&G. We don't treat sustainability as a separate path.

"It is how we design better products, build stronger partnerships and create long-term value – showing that sustainability can amplify performance, not compromise it."

Virginie will be speaking at Sustainability LIVE: The Net Zero Summit on 5 March 2026.

Secure your tickets now.

Procter & Gamble's approach to sustainability

Procter & Gamble's sustainability strategy concentrates on addressing environmental impact across three levels: reducing its own impact, helping customers reduce their impact and scaling industry-wide solutions.

For example, the company's Tide pods have been designed to work in cold water, potentially reducing energy consumption by up to 50% for consumers.

The company is also focusing on reducing water usage in its own operations, particularly in facilities exposed to high water risks.

It aims to protect local water resources and address the key challenges impacting its operations and the local communities where it operates.

Beyond environmental impact, P&G prioritises efforts to build its community impact.

The company is using its global brands to support hygiene education, provide clean water and deliver essentials to families impacted by disasters.

P&G is working on helping communities with their healthcare and hygiene needs, including period poverty, oral hygiene and access to basic food and water.

Marc Pritchard, Chief Brand Officer at Procter & Gamble, says: "P&G brands help daily household and personal care essentials to people during times of crisis and are uniquely positioned to help meet the needs of those in underserved communities who are disproportionately impacted.

"Improving the daily lives of people and helping the communities in which we live and work to prosper is a core to who we are as a company."

Virginie's Fireside Chat at The Net Zero Summit

Virginie will be speaking at The Next-Gen CSO Fireside Chat at Sustainability LIVE: The Net Zero Summit.

She will share a candid perspective on what it takes to be an effective, next-generation CSO inside a global organisation.

The discussion will explore how the role of CSO is evolving rapidly – from steward of reporting and commitments to architect of enterprise-wide value creation.

Join Virginie at this Fireside Chat on 5 March 2026 at Sustainability LIVE: The Net Zero Summit in London.

Secure your tickets now.