Biography
Marcela Manubens,
CEO, Roxbury Global LLC
Global senior business executive with over 25 years of experience and demonstrated success in developing and leading sustainable business with an integrated triple bottom line approach. A world class leader on human rights and social impact.
Joined Unilever in 2013 and led the creation of its social sustainability strategy and global goals resulting in the expansion of the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan, incorporating Enhancing Livelihoods three pillars: fairness in the workplace, opportunities for women and inclusive business models. Most recently, led the strategy for the new Social Ambitions 2030, building on the strong USLP foundation, specifically, “Raising Living Standards” and “Opportunities through Inclusivity.”
Created the human rights policy framework for the organization and mainstreamed efforts including the Responsible Sourcing Policy addressing sustainability and human rights in one of the most complex and diverse supply chains in the industry with a progressive approach, touching millions of people, informing industry and certification initiatives. Led transparency efforts by publishing the first Unilever’s Human Rights report under the U.N. Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights Reporting Framework promoting disclosure and influencing peer companies. And have driven the principle of “embedding” sustainability and human rights into the business formulation, working with brands, promoting innovation, responsible practices and accountability. Vast experience in stakeholder engagement and negotiation.
Currently member of the Integrity Board of the food company Sir Kensington; member of the Responsible Investment and Business Advisory Group at Sierra Global Management; member of World Economic Forum Global Future Council on Human Rights 2020-21; member of the Advisory Board of the Geneva Center for Business and Human Rights – Geneva School of Economics and Management and member of the Human Rights Advisory Group to UK Foreign Secretary since 2014.
Prior to Unilever, established one of the first Global Human Rights and Social Responsibility programs in the fashion industry in early 90s, leading this agenda at PVH Corp. and promoting a new school of thought for responsible business in the industry. Gave testimony as an expert witness in US Congress under the invitation of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus; served in both industry and not-for-profit Boards such as the Fair Labor Association, chaired the Global Social Compliance Programme at Consumer Goods Forum, co-chaired the Council on Human Rights at the World Economic Forum and has represented business in various forums such as U.N. (Global Compact, UN Women and UN Business and Human Rights Forum) and I.L.O.
