Ilham Kadri

Dr. Ilham Kadri is the Chair of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. She is a globally respected business leader and sustainability champion, recognized for her ability to drive transformation at the intersection of industrial performance, societal progress, and environmental stewardship. With more than three decades of international experience, including over a decade as CEO of global industrial companies across four continents, she has consistently demonstrated how sustainable strategy can be a powerful engine for long-term value creation.

Dr. Kadri is a senior advisor to global corporations and investment funds and serves on several public and private boards, including L’Oréal and OCP Group in Morocco, representing the latter on the WBCSD Council.

She is Vice-Chair of the European Round Table for Industry and served as President of Cefic (2024–2025), during which time she launched and moderated the Antwerp Summits to promote a more competitive European industry. She has also founded several nonprofit initiatives advancing community resilience and inclusive leadership.

A chemical engineer by training, Dr. Kadri holds a PhD from the University of Strasbourg and has received honorary doctorates from Ewha Womans University and the University of Namur. Her leadership has been widely recognized, including her selection among the Leaders50 and her receipt of the Kavaler Award. In 2021, she was appointed Chevalier of the French Légion d’Honneur for her contributions to global industry and sustainability.