Leveraging sustainable development

Edda Dankmeyer joined Boehringer Ingelheim in 2021 to lead Sustainable Development Communications, a newly created role. She tells us where her passion for sustainability comes from, why she joined us, and how sustainable development can be a key differentiator for the company. 

I'm originally from Southern California. It’s an incredible place, but it also faces tremendous sustainability challenges, such as water scarcity and an increasing population which has an impact on governance, integration, resource use and infrastructure, to name just a few. This has really shaped the way I view our world and the global sustainability challenges of today. I also spent two summers in Alaska, working my way through college, which added a deeper understanding of how healthy communities depend on a healthy environment.  

A passion for strategy and communications 

Professionally, I started working in sustainability in 2005 and consider myself fortunate to have worked since then not only on the corporate side, but also in consulting — and in every relevant area, from strategy to initiatives to communications to measurement. My passion, though, is strategy and communications: understanding how and where sustainability is relevant for the company and communicating it in a way that's understandable and enables more action. 

Walking the talk 

Most people know that companies are expected to ‘walk the talk’, meaning they deliver concrete actions. Yet so many organizations still face accusations of 'greenwashing’, i.e. delivering pretty PR campaigns, rather than tangible progress for society. Boehringer Ingelheim is an exception. When I was first approached, I’d never heard of the company and had a lot of questions. But after doing my homework, I was impressed: family owned, a long-term perspective, the intersection of animals and humans, the thoughtful communications approach, a strong focus on collaboration and a tangible sustainability program – it all enables Boehringer Ingelheim to make a unique contribution to real solutions to global sustainability challenges.

A new focus... 

The pandemic has put the pharma industry in the spotlight, and it coincides with a skyrocketing awareness of — and interest in — sustainability. For me, this meant a unique opportunity to help leverage the power of communications to position Boehringer Ingelheim in the sustainability landscape. Smart, strategic communications is crucial to creating internal understanding and external awareness. The general public doesn’t necessarily expect perfect solutions from us today but wants to be reassured that we are aware of the challenges and are working on them. 

...and new connections 

One of the key lessons from the pandemic is that everything is interconnected. We are one of only a few companies that can credibly and legitimately address the intersecting health needs of humans, animals and the environment. Our SD4G framework gives us the capabilities and expertise to drive a holistic sustainability approach and deliver innovative solutions that help tackle societal, environmental and healthcare challenges – and thus have a positive impact on our reputation.  

Sustainability for generations to come 

Sustainability has become one of the top 3 factors that influence corporate reputation, making it more relevant than ever before. It’s not just about the brand, but also risk management and driving innovation, which subsequently can create new business opportunities. It’s about minimizing the company’s environmental footprint, doing more with fewer resources and, in the process, making operations more resilient. Communications is key to creating awareness for all our colleagues around the globe and an understanding of how each and every one of us can help make Boehringer Ingelheim an even more sustainable company for today, tomorrow, and generations to come.