The WSLA Alumnae Group, which acquired the Women in Sustainability Leadership Awards (WSLA) from gb&d magazine in August 2020, announced the appointment of officers and the board of directors for the newly formed Virginia nonstock corporation. The group is also teaming up with GreenBiz Group to build awareness for the next edition of its awards program.
Composed of previous WSLA award recipients, the alumnae group’s membership includes the most dedicated sustainability professionals in the field who have made significant positive changes to the planet, demonstrating bravery in the workplace and mentoring the next group of women leaders.
Rochelle Routman, president of the WSLA Alumnae Group, said that appointing the board and officers was a significant step in becoming a nonprofit organization. “I’m very excited about working with these new officers and the new board. Each of them brings a diverse perspective and valuable experience necessary to launch this new organization into a truly viable and influential force.,” she said. “We want to take the organization further, particularly by mentoring other equally dedicated women in the field., which will result in greater positive change on a global scale in both the environmental and social realms.”
Routman also announced the group’s new media partner: GreenBiz Group, which is the leading media and events company at the intersection of business, sustainability and innovation.
GreenBiz will develop and execute an editorial and communications plan to increase awareness and traction for the WSLA Alumnae Group and the virtual awards program, taking place in April 2021. The call for entries will be announced in January 2021 with GreenBiz participating in the judging and selection of the 2021 winners. GreenBiz Editorial Director Heather Clancy will also serve on the WSLA Alumnae Group board of directors.
“The mission of WSLA Alumnae Group aligns well with GreenBiz’s values of championing corporate climate action that is informed by diverse communities and recognizes the intersection between climate change and racial justice,” Clancy said. “As more businesses embrace the ‘social’ issues associated with environmental, social and governance strategies, it’s especially important to include, highlight and celebrate successful women and people of color.”
Here is a complete list of WSLA Alumnae Group officers and members of the board of directors. With the exception of Clancy, all are past winners of the WSLA Awards:
PRESIDENT & CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
Rochelle Routman, Chief Sustainability & Quality Officer, HMTX Industries
VICE PRESIDENT
Lisa Colicchio, Sustainability Director, Metrolink
SECRETARY
Heather White, President & CEO, Heather White Strategies, LLC
TREASURER
Sandra Leibowitz, Managing Principal, Sustainable Design Consulting, LLC
BOARD MEMBERS
Ranae Anderson, Global Sustainability Leader, Universal Fibersâ
Jennifer Berthelot-Jelovic, President and CEO, A SustainAble Production, LLC (ASAP)
Heather Clancy, Editorial Director, GreenBiz
Daniele Horton, Founder and President, Verdani Partners
Janice Lao, ESG Director, Helen of Troy
Alicia Silva, Director and Founder, Revitaliza Consultores
Kathleen Smith, Director, Technical Support Services, International Living Future Institute
