John Mackey is a revolutionary entrepreneur, Co-founder and former CEO of the Fortune 500 company Whole Foods Market, and a leading pioneer of the Conscious Capitalism movement. His career is a definitive case study in building a successful global business on a foundation of deeply held values. His mission has consistently focused on improving customer lifestyles with quality organic and natural foods while demonstrating that business can be a powerful force for global good.
What began in 1978 as a small grocery store in Texas rapidly expanded under Mackey’s leadership into a Fortune 500 company with over 500 stores across the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, before its acquisition by Amazon in 2017. He is a firm supporter of free-market principles, which he champions in his influential book, Conscious Capitalism: Liberating the Heroic Spirit of Business, co-authored to reimagine and defend capitalism as a morally grounded system.
Beyond commercial success, Mackey has launched several initiatives aimed at societal and environmental improvement. He founded the Whole Planet Foundation to empower developing nations to fight poverty and established the Global Animal Partnership’s rating scale to ensure the humane treatment of farm animals. He also created the Local Producer Loan Program to assist small food producers, illustrating his commitment to a holistic ecosystem of sustainability and entrepreneurship. Recognized by Fortune as one of the "World's 50 Greatest Leaders," Mackey’s philosophy centers on the idea that passion and purpose lead to maximum business potential. His recent focus has been on driving clean eating and health-centric programs for team members and customers, reflecting his core belief in well-being, as detailed in his books, The Whole Foods Cookbook and The Whole Foods Diet. He inspires organizations to build commercial success upon an authentic bedrock of human values.
