General Motors taps Dell sustainability head to become new CSO

The General Motors logo is displayed at a Chevrolet dealership on August 4, 2021 in Burbank, California. GM Financial is expected to refile its application for an industrial loan company charter after President-elect Donald Trump takes office next year and ushers in a change in mindset among regulatory agencies with respect to banking charters for fintechs and nonbanks. · ESG Dive · Mario Tama / Staff via Getty Images

Zoya Mirza

Thu, Apr 17, 2025, 6:44 AM 2 min read

General Motors has hired Dell Technologies’ sustainability head, Cassandra Garber, as its new chief sustainability officer, the automotive giant confirmed to ESG Dive Thursday.
Garber will officially start her new role at GM on April 22, which coincides with Earth Day. She began her time at Dell as its vice president of sustainability in 2021, before graduating to CSO at the tech company in 2024.
“Sustainable business is smart business,” Garber said in a LinkedIn post announcing her appointment. “Reducing risk, seizing innovation and growth opportunity while delivering real and meaningful impact is where it’s at. It’s hard, but when done, and done well, it’s transformative for both business and our world.”

Dive Insight:

Garber will be taking over for GM’s former sustainability chief Kristen Siemen, who retired on Oct. 31 after serving at the car manufacturing company for nearly 30 years.

During Siemen’s tenure, GM set several green targets. Among these are goals to achieve carbon neutrality in global products and operations by 2040; reduce scope 1 and 2 emissions by 72% by 2035, compared to a 2018 baseline; cut scope 3 emissions from the use of sold products by 51% per vehicle kilometer by 2035, compared to a 2018 baseline; and source 100% renewable electricity for all its U.S. sites and facilities by the end of 2025 and globally by 2035.

GM’s incoming CSO has extensive experience in the corporate ESG space. While at Dell, Garber spearheaded its social innovation programs in addition to her work leading the tech company’s global sustainability strategy and operations, according to her LinkedIn page. Prior to Dell, Garber held sustainability leadership positions at McKesson, 3M and The Coca-Cola Company.

Garber said the new role will allow her to help GM “accelerate a zero-emissions future and drive circular-economy solutions that reduce costs and material waste,” in her post Tuesday. She added that the automaker is already helping boost the transition to electric vehicles and encouraging the adoption of renewable energy.

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