AccountAbility has appointed Dr Gaia Pretner, Head of Sustainability at the European Club Association (ECA), and Hanya Gartner, Associate Director of ESG at Carrier, as Co-Chairs of the AA1000 Stakeholder Engagement Standard (AA1000SES) v3 Working Group.
The appointment brings together two leaders with extensive experience at the intersection of sustainability and stakeholder engagement. The working group will oversee the review and update of the AA1000SES, a globally recognised framework for responsible and inclusive stakeholder engagement.
Dr Pretner has played a central role in embedding stakeholder dialogue within the ECA’s sustainability strategy. Under her leadership, the ECA launched its first formal sustainability strategy following robust stakeholder consultations, ensuring that policies and targets reflect the priorities of its diverse membership. As the representative body for Europe’s professional football clubs, the ECA engages regularly with member clubs and football institutions, making stakeholder input a core element of its operational model.
Gartner, meanwhile, has led the development of data-informed ESG reporting strategies aligned with international standards at Carrier and previously held positions. She brings significant experience in engaging varied stakeholder groups, delivering sustainability training, and navigating complex sectoral priorities.
In a LinkedIn post, Dr Pretner expressed her enthusiasm for the new role: “I am honoured to announce that I have been named Co-Chair of the AccountAbility AA1000SES v3 Working Group with Hanya Gartner. Working for a representative organisation like ECA, daily stakeholder consultation is vital, and I am really looking forward to learning from this incredible group of experienced professionals from around the world.”
AccountAbility welcomed the appointment, highlighting the depth of practical expertise both leaders bring to the initiative. Their leadership is expected to shape the evolution of the AA1000SES in line with emerging sustainability challenges and stakeholder expectations.
The AA1000SES is part of AccountAbility’s broader AA1000 Series of Standards, which guide organisations in building accountable, sustainable business practices.
