Juan Garibaldi: Profit and Purpose at Danone South Cone

Since joining Danone in 2018, Garibaldi has championed the company’s long-standing “Dual Project” philosophy, which mandates that commercial success must align with social and environmental progress. This approach is exemplified by the company’s commitment to recycled PET plastics, even when they present higher operational costs than virgin alternatives. By focusing on scientific evidence and nutrition, Garibaldi aims to differentiate Danone in a crowded FMCG market, leveraging recent B Corp certification as a benchmark for its regional strategy.

Garibaldi’s leadership relies heavily on listening to consumers and integrating digital tools like AI, though he remains cautious about how these technologies augment rather than replace human expertise. Through key partnerships, such as the Bagley Latinoamérica venture with Grupo Arcor, he continues to expand the company’s footprint in dairy, plant-based products, and specialized nutrition. For Garibaldi, the ultimate objective is to maintain a business model that treats corporate purpose as a non-negotiable asset, ensuring that the drive for results never compromises the health-focused mission established by founder Isaac Carasso in 1919.