Jeffrey Hollender
Jeffrey Hollender co-founded Seventh Generation. He led the brand as CEO from 1988 to 2010, growing it into a leading authentic natural products brand. He now runs Hollender Sustainable Brands, teaches as an NYU Stern adjunct professor, and has launched four social enterprises over 40 years.
Jeffrey Hollender's Bio
Jeffrey Hollender co-founded Seventh Generation and served as its CEO for over two decades, building the brand into a leading authentic natural products company. He is now an adjunct professor at NYU Stern, a speaker, and the founder of Hollender Sustainable Brands.
Born in 1954, Hollender entered entrepreneurship without a traditional business background but with a clear commitment to environmental responsibility. In 1988 he acquired Renew America, a mail-order green-products catalog, and transformed it into Seventh Generation, naming the company after an Iroquois principle that decisions should protect the interests of the next seven generations.
Under Hollender’s leadership, Seventh Generation faced early battles to gain shelf space and investor confidence at a time when most consumers and retailers were unwilling to pay for sustainable household products. The company survived near-collapse in the early 2000s when rapid growth ran ahead of operational discipline; rather than compromise its environmental commitments, Hollender and his team pulled back, restructured, and refocused on what made the brand distinct.
He stepped down as CEO in 2010 after more than two decades in the role, a decision he has described as recognizing when new leadership better fits a company’s next phase. Seventh Generation was acquired by Unilever in 2016 for an estimated $600 million to $700 million. Hollender later published Built for a Better World, a memoir on the founding story and the lessons of mission-driven business, and continues to teach and advise on corporate responsibility and sustainability.
Career Timeline
1954 — Born
Jeffrey Hollender was born.
1988 — Co-founded Seventh Generation
Acquired Renew America mail-order catalog and transformed it into Seventh Generation, named after the Iroquois principle of protecting seven future generations.
1989 — Launched Seventh Generation products
Began selling biodegradable household cleaning products through catalog and retail.
1991 — First retail partnerships at Seventh Generation
Secured shelf space at major retailers including Walmart and Target.
2000 — Near-collapse restructuring at Seventh Generation
Company survived near-collapse due to rapid growth running ahead of operational discipline; Hollender led a pullback and refocus on environmental commitments.
2004 — Published 'What Matters Most'
Released his first book on corporate responsibility and values-driven leadership.
2010 — Stepped down as CEO at Seventh Generation
Transitioned from CEO role after more than two decades, recognizing need for new leadership for the next company phase.
2012 — Published 'The Responsibility Revolution'
Co-authored book on corporate responsibility and sustainability with Bill Breen.
2013 — Launched Hollender Sustainable Brands
Founded consulting and advisory firm focused on corporate responsibility and sustainable brand strategy.
2016 — Seventh Generation acquired by Unilever
Unilever acquired Seventh Generation for an estimated $600 million to $700 million.
2019 — Published 'Built for a Better World'
Released memoir on founding Seventh Generation and lessons of mission-driven business with co-author Stephen Martin.
2020 — Adjunct professor at NYU Stern at NYU Stern School of Business
Began teaching corporate responsibility and sustainable business at NYU Stern as adjunct professor.
