Nine outstanding leaders from CEF member companies have been chosen from a highly competitive field of applicants from around the world to embark on a life-changing leadership development journey along the Idaho Salmon River led by corporate sustainability expert and CEF Advisory Board member Jib Ellison. The winners were deemed by the selection jury 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!
David Bennett, Green Team Operations & Innovations Lead, Google
David Bennett has been working across multiple disciplines to affect environmental and social change for over 10 years. Currently, David works at Google as the company’s Real Estate Green Team Operations & Innovations Lead where he focuses on driving green building practices and next generation cleantech solutions into a portfolio that spans more than 40 countries around the globe. Prior to joining Google, David partnered with NOAA to develop web-based information tools to support the agency’s recovery planning efforts for Northern California’s threatened and endangered salmon species. Additionally, David has worked on environmental conservation initiatives with The Smithsonian Institute, USDA, USGS and The School for Field Studies in Puerto San Carlos, Mexico. David holds a B.S. in Geographic Information Sciences from James Madison University, an M.A. in International Development & Social Change from Clark University and an MBA in Sustainable Business Management from Presidio Graduate School
Tamara “TJ” DiCaprio, Sr. Director, Environmental Sustainability, Microsoft Corporation
Twitter: @TJDICAPRIO
TJ is responsible for designing and managing Microsoft’s new carbon neutral policy with internal carbon fee model that drives accountability while supporting efficiency, renewable energy, and carbon offset projects. Recently TJ won the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Individual Leadership award for her efforts in establishing bold mitigation efforts to climate change at Microsoft and sharing best practices. TJ has worked for Microsoft for over 15 years, and has over 25 years of experience designing innovative global business models for corporations such as Intel, Merrill Lynch, and Microsoft. She brings an educational background of Environmental Studies and Energy from the University of California at Santa Barbara and graduate work in Sustainable Business and Government Policy Administration from Marylhurst University. TJ is a member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Climate Change Officers, helping to develop the profession of climate change professionals. TJ is a member of the Board of Directors of Forterra Land Conservation Organization; Steering Committee member of the Environmental Studies Department at UCSB; Keystone member of the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum; and an active member of the Explorer’s Club.
Scott M. Holub, Ph.D., Silviculture Research Scientist, Weyerhaeuser NR Company
Scott Holub, based in Springfield, Oregon, leads studies on forest soil nutrition and carbon management in Weyerhaeuser’s ownership in the Pacific Northwest to provide data needed to address important silvicultural and sustainability questions. Scott has led the Fall River Long Term Soil Productivity (LTSP) project since 2009, looking at the effects of residual biomass removal and compaction on tree growth. Weyerhaeuser is party to a USDA grant that is aimed at the sustainable production of jet fuel from woody residual biomass, and as a part of that grant, Scott is leading an effort to install another LTSP site near Springfield, Oregon in collaboration with researchers at Washington State University, U. Washington, and Oregon State University. He has also installed and is managing a long term study of the effects of conventional timber harvest on soil carbon sequestration. A recognized authority in Pacific Northwest forest soils, Scott recently completed his term as president of the Northwest Forest Soils Council, and remains an active member. Prior to working for Weyerhaeuser, Scott’s graduate and post-doctoral work has focused on nitrogen and carbon cycling in forest and grassland/savanna ecosystems. Scott earned his Ph.D. in Botany and Plant Pathology (with an ecology emphasis) from Oregon State University and a B.S. double majoring in Chemistry and Biology from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon.
Lucinda Jackson, General Manager, Health, Environment & Safety Technology, Chevron
Dr. Lucinda Jackson is General Manager of Health, Environment, and Safety (HES) for Chevron Energy Technology Company. She manages a department of subject matter experts providing advanced HES technical expertise and new HES technology to Chevron operations globally, and works with government agencies, universities, and non-profit organizations worldwide. Dr. Jackson has held positions in the Chemicals, Pipe Line, Marketing and Environmental Management operating companies of Chevron. Previously she worked in environmental biology for the California Agricultural Extension Service, FMC Corporation, Monsanto Company, and Dow Chemical Company. Dr. Jackson serves on the Board of Directors of non-profit environmental education and habitat preservation organizations.
Rich Kroes, Director of Product Strategy, Oracle
Rich Kroes is Director of Product Strategy in Oracle’s Applications division. Kroes joined Oracle’s Supply Chain Management applications strategy team in 2001 and since 2008 has been a leader in Oracle’s initiatives to develop practices and products that help protect the environment. He leads a global team spanning multiple Oracle solutions and lines of business to guide Oracle’s product strategy with respect to environmental sustainability working with leading corporations, partners, NGOs and regulatory bodies worldwide. Kroes is also a member of Oracle’s Environmental Steering Committee.
Tish Lascelle, Sr. Director, Strategy & Governance , Johnson & Johnson
Tish Lascelle has been doing environmental and sustainability work at J&J for 13 years. She currently oversees the Company’s EHS and sustainability strategies, compliance assurance programs, training and EHS/sustainability communications. She leads the enterprise sustainability goals & performance reporting process as well as company environmental partnership programs. Prior to joining J&J, Tish spent 19 years with Allied-Signal and Honeywell, in EHS, quality and sustainability roles for the chemicals, aerospace and automotive businesses. She holds a bachelors degree in chemistry from Elmira College in NY and a Master of Science in Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In her free time, Tish’s interests range from gardening, biking, and quilting to amateur photography and film-making. She also volunteers with the Hunterdon County Land Trust in Flemington, NJ.
Atlanta McIlwraith, Senior Manager of Community Engagement, Timberland
Atlanta McIlwraith is responsible for managing the company’s Path of ServiceTM employee volunteer program, strategic community investments, and the Global Stewards program to ensure the company’s service and CSR agendas play out with consistency and impact worldwide. She started her professional life as a political organizer – first for an electoral campaign and then for Public Citizen’s CongressWatch, a national consumer advocacy organization based in Washington D.C.. She then took her organizing skills to the for profit world as National Public Affairs Manager for The Body Shop. In that role she managed the company’s public awareness and action campaigns that launched in stores nationwide. After business school, Atlanta served as an Associate Program Manager for Population Services International’s AIDS prevention programs in West Africa. She then worked as an independent consultant for Maine Businesses for Social Responsibility and for a number of micro enterprises in mid-coast Maine. Atlanta holds a Bachelor of Art in Political Science from Duke University and an MBA from Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina where she concentrated her studies in Marketing and Sustainable Enterprise.
Rich Powell, Engagement Manager, Sustainability and Resource Productivity Practice, McKinsey & Co.
Rich Powell is currently based in Washington, D.C., but is soon to transfer to Indonesia on a global rotation, and will continue to focus on sustainability issues there, largely around biosystems and renewables. His work at McKinsey in sustainability has included renewable energy strategy, ecosystem conservation through resource productivity, residential energy efficiency, climate adaptation, and water access through financial innovation. He serves clients across the private, public, and social sectors. Rich comes to McKinsey from environmental advocacy, focused on Arctic conservation and climate change, by way of an ill-advised detour through law. He served as technical representative for Commissioner Sheila Watt-Cloutier, O.C., at the Aspen Institute Commission on Arctic Climate Change. He was previously with the Inuit Circumpolar Council, focusing on the links between climate change and human rights, and the Circumpolar Conservation Union (CCU), a DC-based NGO focusing on artic human and ecological conservation. He holds a B.A. from Harvard College in Environmental Science and Public Policy, and a J.D. from NYU School of Law. Rich now keeps in touch with the Arctic as a Board Member of CCU. Rich is originally from, and enjoys flying his family hot air balloon over, the beautiful Endless Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Russ Wilkenloh, Manager, Asset Recovery & Recycling, Duke Energy
Russ began his career at Duke Energy in 1986 at McGuire Nuclear Station as a budget analyst, and has enjoyed a 27-year career in various roles of increasing responsibility. He is currently serving as Manager of Asset Recovery & Recycling where he leads the recycling measurement and improvement efforts for Enterprise Duke Energy. Russ and teams’ accomplishments to date include: developed a Duke Energy Enterprise Sustainability measure for reduction of solid waste and recycling improvements; developed recycling charters, teams, initiatives and measures for all major Duke Energy Business Units; created an on-line measurement tool for recycling and solid waste; developed outlet for waste wood (treated and untreated) that has become an industry best practice; established a Corporate Duke Energy Recycling Portal. In 2012, Russ was awarded Duke Energy’s highest employee honor for service to company and community, the James B. Duke Award, for his leadership in championing recycling efforts at Duke Energy. Russ feels privileged to be able to combine his love of nature with a career where he can make a positive difference on our environment. He holds Business Administration and MBA degrees from the University of North Carolina – Charlotte.