When Profit Trumps Principle: Ben & Jerry’s Co-Founder Jerry Greenfield Departs Company After 47 Years

By: Cassie Mo

On Tuesday, September 16th, 2025, Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Jerry Greenfield resigned after 47 years. Ben & Jerry’s parent company, Unilever, has restricted the company from speaking on civil rights issues since 2021, something Greenfield could not get on board with. Unilever is focused on risk management, which clashes with Ben & Jerry’s strong sense of activistism. 

Greenfield’s Resignation

Beyond their marketing strategy, Ben & Jerry’s activism is embedded in their business integrity. As quoted in a September 17th PR Daily article by Courtney Blackann, “From the very beginning, Ben and I believed that our values and the pursuit of justice were more important than the company itself. If the company couldn’t stand up for the things we believed, then it wasn’t worth being a company at all,” Greenfield said. 

The Conflict

Unilever prohibited Ben & Jerry’s from standing behind its core values when it comes to social justice. Greenfield felt that remaining part of a company that functions under such pretenses – the suppression of speech and values – is more of a betrayal to the Ben & Jerry’s customers than simply leaving the company altogether. In The Guardian’s article, Ben & Jerry’s co-founder quits, accusing Unilever of silencing social mission, the author explains how tensions between Unilever and Greenfield first began due to a political dispute. Ben & Jerry’s strongly believes that Unilever’s ownership devalues the mission of their company.

The Mission

Greenfield’s resignation is telling of the brand’s dedication to its original mission. He embodies the company’s unwavering integrity to its values – even at the cost of a career like his. When ownership and business missions clash, tensions and distrust can quickly arise. It is up to leaders to display vulnerability and courage to remain faithful to the company’s purpose. In a world where profit often trumps principle, Greenfield’s decision is unexpected yet powerful. After all, Ben & Jerry’s mission statement expresses a “progressive, nonpartisan social mission that seeks to meet human needs and eliminate injustices in our local, national, and international communities.” Jerry Greenfield continues to stay true to his mission in removing himself from the company.