Benno Dorer

About Benno Dorer

I’m a purpose-driven leader with over 30 years of experience building, growing, and guiding global consumer businesses. My career has included executive roles at iconic companies like The Clorox Company—where I served as Chairman and CEO—and VF Corporation, where I stepped in as interim President and CEO to lead through a critical transition.At Clorox, we more than doubled total shareholder return during my CEO tenure, significantly outperforming our peers—while also earning recognition as one of America’s most trusted and sustainable companies, a best place to work, and one of the best-managed companies by The Wall Street Journal. But what I’m most proud of is helping build a culture that valued people, integrity, courage and purpose.Today, I focus on advancing ethical, sustainable, and human-centered leadership—through board service, mentorship, investments and philanthropic work. I believe companies must serve not only shareholders but also the greater good—and that doing well and doing right are not mutually exclusive.My corporate experience also includes board and advisory roles with General Mills, KKR, The Wella Company and Origin Materials, and global management roles at Procter & Gamble. I’ve lived and worked across four countries and called the United States home for over 20 years.I was honored to be named Glassdoor’s Most Popular CEO in the US (2017), one of Forbes’ Most Innovative Leaders (2019), and Out & Equal’s CEO of the Year (2018), an honor also bestowed upon Steve Jobs and Billie Jean King—but I measure success less by awards and more by legacy: the leaders I help shape, the organizations and systems I improve, and the values I stand for.Outside of my corporate work, I’m deeply committed to giving back—through our family foundation, nonprofit board service with the William & Flora Hewlett Foundation and American Academy in Berlin, and supporting the next generation of leaders.Most importantly, I’m a proud husband and dad. That’s the title that matters most to me.

Experience

1. Member Board of Directors

   General Mills

   Jan 2024 — Present · Minneapolis, MN, US

Education

• The University of Freiburg

  Economics

  1985 — 1986

• Universität des Saarlandes

  Business Administration

  1986 — 1990