Member Spotlight: Kristen Siemen, Fmr. Chief Sustainability Officer, General Motors

What did you want to be when you grew up?

In 9th grade, we took a career interest survey, and my top job recommendation was... mortician. As a teenage girl, you can imagine how mortified I was! I asked my teacher how that could possibly be right, and he said, "Well, you really like working with people." I replied, "Yes, but live ones!" Thankfully, engineering was my second highest match. Looking back, he wasn't completely wrong. I still love working with people. Engineering simply gave me the opportunity to solve meaningful problems while doing it.
‍

Who has shaped you most as a leader?

I've been fortunate to work for incredible leaders throughout my career, but no one shaped me more than my parents.
‍

My dad spent 49 years in a Tool & Die shop, often working 14-hour days, seven days a week. He taught me the value of hard work, commitment, and showing up every day. Yet no matter how exhausted he was, when he walked through the front door, our family became his priority.
‍

My mom taught me something equally important: character matters more than anything. Many of the lessons that shaped my leadership came from simple things she said over the years.
‍

• "Always be proud of the person you see in the mirror." Integrity is your compass. Lead in a way that makes you proud, even when no one is watching. Your legacy is built one decision at a time.
• "You never have to be sorry for being nice." Kindness isn't weakness. Respect builds trust, especially during difficult moments.
• "Everything happens for a reason, even if you don't understand it at the time." Not every setback feels like growth in the moment, but perspective often comes later.
• "Presume positive intent." Lead with curiosity before judgment. Trust is the foundation of collaboration. Trust is built by giving people the benefit of the doubt, even when it’s hard. 
  ‍

What leadership lesson did you learn the hard way?

Early in my career, I assumed everyone valued leadership the same way I did. I eventually learned that some people prioritize results over behaviors. The best organizations and the best leaders understand that you don't have to choose. Sustainable results come from creating a culture where people feel respected, challenged, and inspired to do their best work.
‍

What's the biggest misconception companies have about sustainability right now?

That sustainability is primarily a cost.
‍

In reality, many of the most impactful sustainability initiatives also improve business performance. Energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction, and circularity often lower operating costs while making companies more resilient and competitive. The strongest sustainability strategies aren't separate from the business. They're integrated into how the business creates value.
‍

What signals are you most optimistic about in 2026?

I'm encouraged to see sustainability becoming less of a standalone function and more of a business capability.
‍

The conversation is shifting toward resilience, operational excellence, innovation, and long-term value creation. That's exactly where it belongs. I often say sustainability should be treated like Safety and Quality. It's not owned by one department but embedded in everyone's job.
‍

What is your 2026 focus?

As we move through the second half of 2026, I'm focused on helping organizations shift the conversation from ideology to execution.
‍

Regardless of why different stakeholders care about sustainability, the work to be done is the same: strengthening energy resilience, securing critical mineral supply chains, advancing circularity, investing in nature-based solutions, and building businesses better prepared for the future. Those are business challenges, AND business opportunities.
‍
Why did you decide to become a Terras member?

Terras brings together an exceptional community of thoughtful, curious, and generous leaders.
‍

What drew me in wasn't just the expertise. It was the willingness to openly share ideas, successes, and, perhaps most importantly, failures. That's how real progress happens.
When we learn from each other, we move faster than any one organization can alone.
‍

What kinds of conversations or collaborations are you most hoping to find here?

I'm looking for honest conversations between practitioners. The kind where people are willing to share what's working, what isn't, and what they're still figuring out.
‍

The diversity of backgrounds within the Terras community creates an opportunity to connect ideas across industries and disciplines. That's often where the most innovative solutions emerge.
‍

A book, podcast, or idea you can't stop thinking about?

Rather than a single book or podcast, it's an idea I keep coming back to:
‍
Sustainability isn't a function. It's a capability.

The organizations that will thrive are those that embed sustainability across strategy, engineering, operations, finance, and culture, rather than treating it as a separate initiative. When sustainability becomes simply "how we do business," that's when lasting impact happens.