Human Rights Working Group

Supporting companies around the world to implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights

Mission

Develop a safe space for companies across all sectors to openly share best practices, challenges, questions, and experiences implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Video produced by The Maersk Group, a member of the Human Rights Working Group, during a 2022 convening.

Outcomes and Impacts

Continuously assisting our 60+ global member companies with the integration of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights so that they can effectively manage, mitigate, and remedy their human rights impacts and maximize their human rights opportunities.

How Human Rights Working Group Can Help

Adding Value to Your Business and Society

Knowledge Exchange

Take Action

Make the Case

Network

Sustainability Insights

Insights+

EU CSDDD Finalized: Key Due Diligence Expectations Remain Intact

The amended EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive is now finalized, and while its scope has narrowed, companies are still required to conduct risk-based human rights and environmental due diligence across their value chains. Explore key areas for strategic adjustment and practical steps companies can take now to prepare for implementation by 2029.

Insights+

Taking a Responsible Approach to AI: A Guide for Business

Reports

Advancing People-Centered Climate Action in Private Capital Markets

Blog

Community Engagement: A Cornerstone of Effective Stakeholder Engagement

Blog

Effective Stakeholder Engagement: Ensuring Internal Company Alignment

See All Insights

Our Experts

Depth of Experience and Knowledge

Our team consists of global experts across multiple focus areas and industries, bringing a depth of experience in developing sustainable business strategies and solutions.

Kayla Winarsky McKenzie

Associate Director, Human Rights and Inclusive Business, BSR

New York

Associate Director, Human Rights and Inclusive Business, BSR

New York

Kayla collaborates with BSR member companies on projects centering on the corporate responsibility to respect human rights, focusing on companies within the consumer sectors industry cluster. Her areas of expertise include energy transition, anti-corruption, and gender.

Prior to joining BSR, Kayla spent several years advising multinational companies and investors on human rights as an Adviser at the Danish Institute for Human Rights, during which she also served as a Lecturer in Law at the University of Amsterdam, focusing on Business and Human Rights (BHR), international human rights, anti-corruption, and EU law. Previously, she worked on global anti-corruption investigations and cross-border white collar litigations as an Associate Attorney at the international law firm King & Spalding LLP, where she was the founding member of the firm's BHR initiative.

Kayla holds a JD and a Certificate in Global Human Rights from the University of Pennsylvania School of Law, which included course work at the Institut de hautes études internationales et du développement, and a BA, Phi Beta Kappa, Summa Cum Laude from Tulane University.

Recent Insights From Kayla Winarsky McKenzie

Full Bio

Margot Thompson-Wells

Associate, BSR

New York

Associate, BSR

New York

Margot supports BSR member companies across industries in advancing human rights and sustainability management throughout their value chains. She also works on BSR’s Human Rights Working Group team, helping companies around the world implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and navigate emerging trends and best practices to strengthen their human rights strategies.

Before joining BSR, Margot worked in partnerships and public affairs at the United Nations Foundation, where she managed relationships with civil society, corporate partners, and UN agencies to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Her work included managing Global Goals Week, leading private sector engagement for the award-winning #EqualEverywhere gender equality campaign, and coordinating a U.S. Youth Climate Consultation for UN Climate Strategy alongside youth activists and UN bodies. Before this, Margot worked at a Colombian foundation in Bogotá and at a Geneva-based NGO focused on children's rights.

Margot holds a BA in International Relations from the University of Exeter and is fluent in English, French, and Spanish.

Recent Insights From Margot Thompson-Wells

Full Bio

Jenny Vaughan

Managing Director, Human Rights and Inclusive Business, BSR

San Francisco

Managing Director, Human Rights and Inclusive Business, BSR

San Francisco

Jenny leads BSR’s human rights team and portfolio across consulting and collaboration. In addition to directing BSR’s Human Rights Working Group, Jenny leads human rights assessments and partners with companies to develop human rights strategies and stakeholder engagement plans. She works across industries with a focus on energy, technology, and conflict-affected and high-risk contexts.

Prior to joining BSR, Jenny worked at Mercy Corps for over a decade in field management and advisory roles to prevent and mitigate conflict, promote inclusive economic development, and build civil society capacity. As the organization’s first Peace and Governance Director in Myanmar and later as the Director of the Peace and Conflict technical advisory team, she designed and implemented programs to reduce violence, promote peace and development, and address critical and emerging threats like climate change, disruptive technology, and poor governance. She has experience in context analysis, stakeholder engagement, negotiation, project design and implementation, and strategic planning. Jenny has lived and worked in countries including Myanmar, Indonesia, Nepal, Israel/Occupied Palestinian Territories, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Central African Republic, and Cameroon.

Jenny holds a MA in International Relations from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and a BA in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

Recent Insights From Jenny Vaughan

Full Bio

Resilient business strategies for a complex world.

We Can Help

Collaborative Initiatives

Mission

Our Strategy for Impact

How We Work

Outcomes and Impacts

How Human Rights Working Group Can Help

Adding Value to Your Business and Society

Knowledge Exchange

Take Action

Make the Case

Network

Sustainability Insights

Insights+

EU CSDDD Finalized: Key Due Diligence Expectations Remain Intact

Insights+

Taking a Responsible Approach to AI: A Guide for Business

Reports

Advancing People-Centered Climate Action in Private Capital Markets

Blog

Community Engagement: A Cornerstone of Effective Stakeholder Engagement

Blog

Effective Stakeholder Engagement: Ensuring Internal Company Alignment

Our Experts

Depth of Experience and Knowledge

Kayla Winarsky McKenzie

Associate Director, Human Rights and Inclusive Business, BSR

Margot Thompson-Wells

Associate, BSR

Jenny Vaughan

Managing Director, Human Rights and Inclusive Business, BSR

Sustainability Insights

Advisory Services

Collaboration

Membership

Events

Focus Areas

About Us