Vice President, Society / ESG, Diageo North America
Jayant “Jay” Kairam is Vice President, Society (ESG) for Diageo North America. He is responsible for delivery of corporate targets that promote responsibility, inclusion and diversity, and sustainability and advances trust with local stakeholders, elected officials and national NGOs and associations.
Under Jay’s stewardship, Diageo has accelerated programs in North America to reach millions of consumers with a message “drink better, not more” and to tackle the harms associated with impaired driving.
As an expert on ESG issues and politics, he provides counsel and strategic vision to North American and global leadership. Prior to Diageo, Jay led environmental policy and strategy for Walmart. Before moving to the private sector, Jay served in leadership roles in local government and for national environmental nonprofits.
He is a graduate of Vassar College and the Harvard Kennedy School and is a returned Peace Corps Volunteer. He lives in Washington DC with his wife and daughter.