Nine outstanding leaders from CEF member companies have been chosen from a highly competitive field of applicants from around the world to join wildlife ecologist Arthur Middleton and CEF Leadership Council Member Jean Sweeney, for a trip to Cody, WY and Yellowstone National Park to explore the connections between wildlife, conservation, development and business. In this week-long journey, participants will experience the Wyoming wilderness where Buffalo Bill camped and hunted over 100 years ago. The winners were deemed to be at an inflection point in their lives or careers with regard to sustainability—ready and eager to take their sustainability leadership to the next level within their communities and/or organizations—as well as being strong team players accomplished in setting ambitious goals and getting results.
Congratulations to the winners!
Michael Brewer, Senior Software Engineer, Salesforce
Former gunslinger, current codeslinger, Michael Brewer has performed a broad range of roles. Enlisting with the United States Marine Corps after high school, Michael served in Southwest Asia and was forward deployed in the Mediterranean Sea as part of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit. After the Corps, he first enrolled as a studio art major at the University of Southern Indiana but eventually graduated from the digital storytelling track of the Media Arts & Science program at Indiana University. Shortly before graduating, he obtained his first programming job with a local retailer and is now a senior software engineer with Salesforce. When not writing code, Michael spends much of his free time with his family enjoying the wilderness that surrounds their home in northwest Montana. Michael is engaged with scouting with his daughter to help instill a bond and appreciation of our natural resources.
Patrick Browne, Director, Global Sustainability, UPS
Patrick Browne serves as Director of Global Sustainability for UPS, a global leader in logistics, offering a broad range of solutions including the transportation of packages and freight. He is responsible for managing various sustainability initiatives and strategies’ working with cross-functional teams from various business units within the company. Patrick has been managing UPS’s sustainability programs since 2007, which includes calculating and reporting UPS’s global GHG inventory and reductions. Patrick joined UPS 27 years ago and has held various assignments throughout the company. His previous assignment leading up to his current position in Sustainability was Corporate Environmental Affairs Program Manager. Patrick is active with many agencies and organizations focused on advancing sustainability practices around the world. He resides in Atlanta Georgia with his wife.
Greg Hintler, Senior Strategy Analyst, NRG Energy
Greg Hintler lives in the Silicon Valley and is a Senior Analyst at NRG Energy. As part of a new strategy group, he develops growth strategies based on market feedback, with the goal of accelerating the transition to a clean energy future.
Prior to joining NRG, he worked for Meister Consultants Group (MCG), focusing on innovation in renewable energy technology and finance. He has worked with a rage of governments, international organizations, and companies to identify market trends and financing tools that catalyze market growth. Before MCG, Mr. Hintler received his Masters in Environmental Management from Yale, where he focused his studies on renewable energy policy and distributed energy technology. He has presented at numerous international conferences and published reports and scientific papers, including in Brockhaus and Nature. Gregor speaks English, Spanish and German, plays competitive soccer, and loves to cook all things he grows in his garden.
Laura Keenan, Corporate Sustainability Officer and VP, Fidelity Real Estate Company
Laura Keenan is the Corporate Sustainability Officer and a Vice President at Fidelity Real Estate Company, a division of Fidelity Investments. Her responsibilities are diverse and include: leadership of Fidelity’s Sustainability Program and of its Corporate Art Group; as well oversight for the project management of Fidelity’s real estate projects in the Northeastern U.S. Laura is a registered architect, holding degrees in architecture and business administration.
Mary Alice Kurtz, Global Outreach and Dealer Program Manager, General Motors
Mary Alice has worked for General Motors since graduating from Michigan State in 1983 with a BSME. Early focus included Powerhouse and Waste Treatment operations while earning her Professional Engineer license, Energy Manager Certification and Masters of Business Administration. After several assignments ranging from Utility Regulatory Affairs, Corporate Strategic Program development and Energy Conservation initiatives, she became Director of Energy & Utility Operations in North America, eventually accepting an international assignment in Europe managing facilities in seven countries. Currently, Mary Alice is leading the Global Environmental Outreach programs engaging employees with students in project based learning and mentoring. The GM Green Dealer Recognition program is her most recent accomplishment launched less than two years ago recognizing dealers for their sustainable practices and providing opportunities for sharing best practices with local community and customers.
Ann Lott, Director, Corporate Social Responsibility Marketing, Dell
Ann Lott serves as Director of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Marketing for Dell. In this role, she is responsible for strategy, design and implementation of integrated CSR campaigns that drive brand affinity and positively impact the perception of Dell. Ann has 12 years of marketing experience ranging from brand management of a $500M line of business to managing broadcast and online advertising to leading the development of a go-to-market strategy for Dell’s first-ever global brand campaign. Prior to her marketing roles, Ann joined Dell as a financial analyst handling the forecasting and close process for the Consumer Marcom team. She holds a Master of Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan. She and her husband reside in Grand Rapids, Michigan where their two young children keep them busy outside of the workplace.
Lauren Sutkowski, Supply Chain Sustainability Specialist, Dow Chemical
Lauren Sutkowski is a Supply Chain Sustainability Specialist at Dow Chemical where she focuses on environmental impact, social governance and risk management within the company’s global supply chain. In this role, Lauren works with various functions and businesses to drive the implementation of the company’s new Supply Chain Sustainability Strategy. Recent accomplishments include the creation of Supply Chain’s Multi-Generational Plan for Sustainability, development of a metrics dashboard to track environmental traits of global packaging materials, and updated approaches to communications and employee engagement within Supply Chain. Previously, Lauren was in Dow’s Supply Chain Rotation Program where she started as a Road Logistics Specialist responsible for package truck shipments across North America. Lauren received her Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain and Information Systems from Penn State in 2013. She co-leads Dow’s North American Sustainability Network and sits on the Board of Directors for Personal Assistance Options, a Mid-Michigan nonprofit organization.
Heather Tansey, Head of Sustainability Business Development, 3M
Heather Tansey is the Head of Sustainability Business Development at 3M. Heather has over 15 years of experience in the sustainability field. Currently, she serves a central role in 3M’s business group and regional sustainability network to develop and implement a company-wide business development strategy. Her objectives include growing sales through sustainability customer engagement and the development of regional and market focused strategic plans that address relevant sustainability micro-trends. Prior to 3M, Heather was an analyst at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency where she co-developed the EPA’s Climate Leaders program. Heather has a degree in Biology from Lawrence University and a Masters in Environmental Management from Duke University.
Chelsea Wulff, Sustainability Specialist, BASF
Chelsea is a communications focused sustainability specialist within the North American Sustainability team at BASF. She is fortunate to interact with colleagues across many businesses and sites across North America through BASF strategic partnerships, employee engagement activities, external conferences and event planning, and online platforms. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in General Biology from the University of Tampa where she first was introduced to sustainability as Sodexo’s Sustainability Student Promotions Coordinator. This unique role positioned her to interact with different stakeholders and fueled her passion for community conversation, education, and engagement for sustainability. Upon graduating, Chelsea joined the Office of Global Sustainability at Becton Dickinson as a Sustainability Project Associate, redesigning and launching their internal engagement campaign for sustainability and developing global sustainability communications materials. After working hours, she enjoys being involved in her community: she is a member of her town’s Sustainable Jersey Chapter and sings with two renowned local choirs.