Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s, steps down after 47 years, citing the clash between activism and corporate constraints under Unilever (Photo: Pinterest)
Jerry Greenfield is co-founder of the iconic ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s, has recently announced his resignation after a long and illustrious career of 47 years. The man who altered the path of business with activism was under Unilever said to have lost his independence and therefore had to leave.
Jerry Greenfield is best known as one-half of the dynamic duo behind the iconic ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s. In 1978 Greenfield and his longtime friend Ben Cohen founded the company in Burlington, Vermont.
Their partnership began much earlier they met in seventh grade in Merrick, New York over the years Greenfield has become not just a successful businessman but also an outspoken activist for social justice and human rights values deeply entrenched in the brand name of Ben & Jerry's.
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On Wednesday, Jerry Greenfield publicly announced the decision to step away from Ben & Jerry's a company in a heartfelt message on social media described his exit as one of the hardest decisions he has had to make. The reason for his exit in his view was diminished capability to sustain the founding principles of peace, justice and human rights under Unilever management.
He loved the people and the culture within the company but felt the framework of the corporation constrained him such that remaining an employee was against his conscience.
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His net worth has been approximated between $145 to $150 million, a figure not definitely to him in public discourse. The co-founding of Ben & Jerry's, sold to Unilever in 2000 for $326 million is the primary source of those riches.
Today, Ben & Jerry's remains the flagship brand in Unilever's ice cream division, a sprawling category that generates billions in revenue worldwide. His net worth reflects not only the economic successes of the brand but also his continuous efficacy on the global industry.
Jerry Greenfield's career can be characterized by one entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to ethical business practices. From a converted gas station, Ben & Jerry's grew into an international fame for its amusing flavors and progressive social views. The off-ice cream, Greenfield has gained notoriety due to political activism and often used the platform for social justice and human rights.
His resignation is a gateway to many more conversations about the difficulty of upholding activist values that occur within a corporate giant when the company itself is a major player in political and humanitarian concerns.
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