Jon Johnson

University of Arkansas Professor, Walton College of Business, University of Arkansas | Chairman of the Board, The Sustainability Consortium

Jonathan Johnson is the Walton College Professor of Sustainability in the Sam M. Walton College of Business, University of Arkansas, where he has been on the faculty since 1996. He graduated with a BS in zoology and an MBA from the University of Arkansas before earning a Ph.D. from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. His research?which has appeared in numerous academic journals?focuses on corporate governance, social networks theory, and corporate sustainability, and he has served on the editorial review board of the Academy of Management Journal. Jon teaches strategy, organization theory, sustainability and ethics. Jon has led several sustainability initiatives at the University of Arkansas, including establishing the Applied Sustainability Center in 2007, and co-founding The Sustainability Consortium in 2009.

Rob Anson

 Henkel Director of Business Development, Wal-Mart Worldwide at Henkel Corporation

 Rob is a Director of Business Development for Henkel and has provided sustainability leadership and support to Henkel’s North America sales organization as well as to Henkel international sales teams. Rob has been the liaison between Henkel’s sustainability leadership team, R&D team, sales teams and customers since 2008. His primary objective in this capacity is to align Henkel corporate sustainability strategies with key customers and stakeholders to include:

 Building strategic internal and external partnerships for joint sustainability initiatives

 Training and educating Henkel Sustainability Ambassadors

 Perpetuating adherence, cooperation and alignment with product and packaging indexes

 Driving cross functional participation in sustainability driven initiatives

 Engagement and participation in internal and external sustainability leadership forums

 Rob worked closely with other Henkel leaders in R&D and Sales in support of co-development for the foundation of TSC in 2008. In 2010, Rob received a Quest for Excellence in Sustainability award by Henkel North America.

 In conjunction with his responsibility for sustainable business development, Rob leads an International Sales team across 14 countries responsible for sales of Adhesives, Laundry and Beauty Care for Henkel. Rob has been with Henkel for 16 years. Prior to his experience at Henkel, Rob worked for Coca-Cola Enterprises and he is a graduate of Arizona State University.

Patrick Beary

Bruce H. Bailey Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships

Patrick Beary is an accomplished leader in cross-sector partnerships and collaborations for impact. He joined the Atkinson Center in February 2019 and serves as the Bruce H. Bailey Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships. Beary actively engages with Cornell researchers and external private- and public-sector entities—such as NGOs, corporations, and government agencies—in order to create partnerships and consortia that take sustainability ideas from the academy and turn them into real-world impact. While supporting and deepening the center’s current strategic partnerships, he builds and maintains new relationships with organizations committed to joining Cornell in co-creating large-scale, long-term sustainability initiatives.

Sheila Bonini

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) SVP Private Sector Engagement at WWF

Sheila Bonini has joined WWF as our new senior vice president of Private Sector Engagement (PSE).

Most recently, Sheila served as the chief executive officer of The Sustainability Consortium, a global organization focused on making consumer products more sustainable. In that capacity, she helped develop more sustainable consumer products across the full product lifecycle.

Prior to joining TSC, Sheila spent more than 15 years with the global consulting firm McKinsey & Company in Europe, South America, and the US. Sheila served as senior expert consultant and co-leader of McKinsey’s Sustainability Transformation Service, and her work at the company focused on the link between social and environmental impact and financial value creation. Prior experience includes investment banking at Merrill Lynch and Goldman Sachs, as well as positions with the Hewlett Foundation and Stanford’s Center for Social Innovation.

Sheila has a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics from Harvard University and an MBA from Stanford University. She’s a frequent speaker and writer on sustainability, and has a strong network of corporate leaders in this field.

Jane Ewing

Walmart Senior Vice President, Sustainability

Jane Ewing leads Walmart’s Sustainability team and the company’s efforts to source responsibly, sell sustainable products, restore natural resources and reduce waste and emissions.

Jane joined Walmart in 2012 as a Senior Vice President for the International division. In 2013, she transitioned to the Walmart U.S. Merchandising business before being asked to lead the U.S. Business Development team responsible for initiatives such as In-Store General Merchandise Pickup and Supercenter Reinvention.

Prior to her current role, Jane led the People Group for Walmart International, supporting approximately 700,000 associates in 27 countries. She and her team were responsible for ensuring Walmart International attracts, develops and retains top retail talent around the world. She also previously led the U.S. Digital Acceleration team where she was charged with developing strategy and solutions to provide a seamless shopping experience for customers by integrating Walmart’s growing digital presence with the company’s U.S. stores.

Before joining Walmart, Jane spent 20 years with Diageo PLC, where she held various leadership roles including leading in the Middle East, South Africa and Global Travel Business.

Jane is passionate about inclusion, developing talent, advancing sustainability and supporting our next generation of leaders. In 2016, she served as the Chair of the President’s Global Council for Women Leaders and as the co-chair for the President’s Inclusion Council in 2017.

A British national, Jane earned her undergraduate degree in International Business and Modern Languages from Aston University in Birmingham, England. She also holds an Erasmus Diploma in International Business from the École de Management Européen in Strasbourg, France.

Tom Langan

Unilever North America Director – Communications, Corporate Affairs & Sustainable Business

Tom Langan is head of North America Communications, Corporate Affairs and Sustainable Business for Unilever. Tom joined Unilever in 1995. He is a member of the Unilever Global Communications Leadership Team and an adjunct member of the Unilever U.S. Leadership Team, supporting the President of Unilever North America. In his role, Tom leads the North America Communications group to drive delivery of the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan in North America, including external affairs, advocacy, partnerships, corporate media relations, and internal communications.

Tom is a public spokesman and leader of the company’s engagement with industry associations, customers, external stakeholders and key opinion formers. He serves on the board of directors of The Sustainability Coalition (TSC) and the advisory board of Sustainable Brands. He is a member of the board of directors of the Sustainable Food Policy Alliance (SFPA), which he helped create and launch in 2018, has held several committee leadership positions in the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC), and served on the board of directors for the Organization for International Investment (OFII).

Prior to joining Unilever, Tom held positions in state government affairs and communications at the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA). He served six years in the United States Naval Reserve. Tom earned a master’s degree in public administration from George Mason University in 1993 and a B.A. from Old Dominion University in 1990.

Rob Melnick

Arizona State University Director, International Programs, ASU School of Sustainability

Dr. Melnick was appointed Executive Dean of the Global Institute of Sustainability by Arizona State University (ASU) President Michael Crow in 2008. Prior to this position, he served ASU as Director of the Morrison Institute for Public Policy from 1987-2008 and also as Associate Vice President for Economic Affairs from 2002-2008. Dr. Melnick holds academic appointments as research scientist in GIOS and as Presidential Professor of Practice in the School of Sustainability. In addition to his administrative responsibilities, Dr. Melnick conducts research on urban growth and economic development. He has co-authored three books and numerous public policy research studies.

Peter Schlosser

Arizona State University Vice President and Vice Provost of Global Futures and Director of the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute for Sustainability

Peter Schlosser is the University Global Futures Professor in the Schools of Sustainability, Earth and Space Exploration, and Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment at Arizona State University. He also serves as Vice President and Vice Provost of Global Futures and Director of the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute for Sustainability. Schlosser’s research focuses on the hydrosphere, primarily the circulation of water in the oceans and groundwater including studies of problems caused by human impact. He is co-chair of the Earth League, Chair of the Steering Group of the International Study of Arctic Change, and member of the Board of the Sustaining Arctic Observing Network. He is a member of the German National Academy of Science, and Fellow of the American Geophysical Union, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the Explorers Club. He has served on numerous national and international science steering and advisory committees.

Elizabeth Sturcken

Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) Managing Director, EDF+Business

Elizabeth Sturcken directs the work of our Supply Chain Corporate Partnerships team, which develops and implements joint projects with leading companies to create environmental change.

Leading our team of people working with Walmart to create broad environmental change in areas including climate change, agriculture, toxics in products and renewable energy.

Led our FedEx project to develop environmentally advanced medium-duty delivery vehicles.

Led our project with UPS to create innovative change in their express delivery packaging, resulting in environmental, business and customer benefits.

Background

Environmental Consultant for the EPA, through Harvard University, on global climate change (1996); Systems Consultant, Bank of Boston (1993-1994); Policy Analyst, Office of Management and Budget (1995); Computer Consultant, Alliance Computer Group (1989-1992).

Surfrider Foundation Board of Directors (1998-2001), President (2000); Founder and former Chair, Surfrider Foundation Massachusetts’ chapter; Board of Directors, Environmental League of Massachusetts (1999-2002); Board of Directors, The Sustainability Consortium (2014).

Degrees

Masters in Public Policy, Environment and Natural Resources Policy, Harvard Kennedy School (1996). Bachelors in Political Science and Communication, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, University of Minnesota.

Jack van der Vorst

Wageningen UR Member Board of Directors Wageningen University & Research General Director Social Sciences Group (SSG)

Professor Jack G.A.J. van der Vorst is member of the Board of Directors of Wageningen University & Research and General Director of the Social Sciences Group comprising about 800 fte in three institutes: the Department of Social Sciences of Wageningen University, Wageningen Economic Research, and Wageningen Center for Development Innovation. Jack is Chair of the Steering Board of Wageningen Data Competence Center and is member of multiple national and international Advisory Boards, e.g. Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions (AMS), Cocoa Horizons Foundation, The Sustainability Consortium, Platform Multi-functionele Landbouw, Netherlands Food Partnership, and Supervisory Board of Florensis BV. Jack is Professor in AgriFood Supply Chain Logistics at Wageningen University, supervised over 20 PhD students and published 200+ academic and business papers. His research focuses on the development of innovative logistics concepts in AgriFood Supply Chain Networks.

Matt Waller

Dean of the Sam M. Walton College of Business, Sam M. Walton Leadership Chair, and Professor of Supply Chain Management.

Matthew A. Waller is the Dean of the Sam M. Walton College of Business, Sam M. Walton Leadership Chair, and Professor of Supply Chain Management. He is an inventor on the following patent: Waller, M.A. and Dulaney, E.F. System, Method and Article of Manufacture to Optimize Inventory and Merchandising Shelf Space Utilization, Patent No. US 6,341,269 B1. Date of Patent: January 22, 2002. His opinion pieces have appeared in Wall Street Journal Asia and Financial Times. Dr. Waller is an SEC Academic Leadership Fellow. He is coauthor of “The Definitive Guide to Inventory Management: Principles and Strategies for the Efficient Flow of Inventory across the Supply Chain” published by Pearson Education; “Integrating Blockchain into Supply Chain Management: A Toolkit for Practical Implementation,” published by Kogan Page; and “Purple on the Inside: How J.B. Hunt Transport Set Itself Apart in a Field Full of Brown Cows,” published by Epic Books. He received a B.S.B.A. summa cum laude from the University of Missouri, and a M.S. and Ph.D. from The Pennsylvania State University. He is the former Co-Editor-In-Chief of Journal of Business Logistics.