Our Story

When Rainforest Action Network targeted Mitsubishi over deforestation in its supply chain, Future 500 CEO Bill Shireman was called in to help.

Future 500 traces its roots to a pioneering 1996 agreement between the Mitsubishi companies and Rainforest Action Network. When RAN targeted the Mitsubishi companies over deforestation in their supply chain, the conglomerate turned to Bill Shireman, a seasoned negotiator who had recently helped pass California’s “Bottle Bill” (AB 2020).

Through a series of meetings and discussions with other environmental thought leaders – and after one critical fly-fishing trip – Shireman helped Mitsubishi executives work with RAN to craft a bold new forestry stewardship strategy. The resulting framework was ultimately adopted by nearly 400 companies, instigating a global transformation in forest conservation practices.

Inspired by the successful engagement, Shireman and Mitsubishi Electric chairman Tachi Kiuchi founded Future 500, a global organization dedicated to finding common ground for the common good. In the 20+ years since, we’ve helped countless companies, NGOs, and other organizations collaboratively tackle complex sustainability challenges.