GC Influencers
Most Influential GCs - Global-wide
Hilary Dessouky of Patagonia, Inc.
Few companies take their corporate social responsibilities as seriously as Patagonia, and few embody that dedication better than the publishing, food and retail company’s general counsel, Hilary Dessouky. She and the legal department have committed significant resources into litigation seeking to block efforts by President Trump to reduce the size of the Bears Ears National Monument in southern Utah by up to 85 percent, after playing a key role in the establishment of the 1.9 million acre region under the Obama administration. Her and the company’s actions draw praise from the wider market, with one source reporting: “It’s a bold stance for a US company to take a position against the federal government in connection with preserving public lands, it’s a rare commodity. Patagonia has been instrumental, and Hilary has been a leader.” Dessouky is also dedicated environmentalist outside of her professional role, demonstrated by her position on the board of 1% For The Planet – a non-profit which encourages businesses to give one percent of their sales and individuals to give one percent of their salaries to environmental groups. Dessouky joined the company in 2012 after prior in-house positions with Levi Strauss & Co and Razorfish, having previously practiced within the corporate teams at King & Spalding and Alston & Bird.