Aris Vrettos, as Director of International Programmes, leads the strategy, development and delivery of executive education programmes in CISL’s international markets and oversees regional projects and partnerships including the Middle East, China & South East Asia and Australia. He speaks on global trends and business leadership and works with companies on the opportunity of the Sustainable Development Goals and Rewiring the Economy, CISL’s 10 year plan to create the foundations for a sustainable economy. Since 2012 he has been the Global Director for The Prince of Wales’s Business & Sustainability Programme which trains approximately 150 business and finance leaders on global sustainability trends every year, with regular seminars in Cambridge, Cape Town, Melbourne and Zapallar. Previously he was a Senior Advisor at the think-tank AccountAbility focusing on strategy, engagement and governance. Since 2005, he has worked on leadership and sustainable business with retail, health, technology, industry and finance sectors in Europe, the US, India and South America. He contributes regularly to events and panels, sits on the advisory board of the Ethical Corporation and is non-executive director at Global Sustain, a European sustainability organisation. He is a trained economist and journalist and began his career writing for international news and reporting on social tensions in Greece.
Jacqueline Jackson is an Account Director for EMEA & ROW for Trucost, part of S&P Global. Trucost assesses and prices risks relating to climate change, natural resource constraints and broader ESG risks and opportunities, enabling companies and financial institutions to understand exposure to ESG factors, inform resilience and identify the transformative solutions of tomorrow. Jacqueline is experienced in sustainability and over the last five years has advised pioneering brands, governments, NGOs and member associations globally on how to integrate environmental and social data analytics and insights into their decision making. She specialises in SDG integration, shadow pricing and total value contribution across the five capitals. Jacqueline has supported the development of new products and tools which help organisations and investors unlock business value from the SDGs, communicate positive value creation and mitigate risk from growing resource constraints. Prior to joining Trucost, Jacqueline founded an ecommerce website for designers who upcycled and worked on global brands’ business and marketing strategies. She is a trustee of WAVE (Women Against Violence and Extremism) and a public artist working with disadvantaged communities. Jacqueline holds a 1st class (hons) Bachelors and an MFA from the University of Oxford.
Anthony Abbotts has broad global experience within sustainability in business and the public sector working within this area for over 20 years. He currently is heading up and driving the Sustainability agenda in the ROCKWOOL Group, a company where sustainability is an integral part of the business, not least within the areas of energy efficiency/climate change, circular business, health, safety and welfare, and water management. Anthony holds a BA(Hons) in Urban Planning from University of West of England and a MSc in Environmental Planning from Roskilde University. He is an External Lecturer at Copenhagen Business School and External examiner at Roskilde University. He has had various positions in Coloplast, COWI, where he was House consultant for Intel EMEA and Biogen Idec for a number of years and now Rockwool International.
Recent speaker events: • COP 16, Marrakech and related interviews on Danish TV and radio November 2016 • Sustainable Brands, Copenhagen October 2016, 2017 • Engaging Stakeholders Network, SustainAbility, London November 2017 • HQE Annual Summit, Paris December 2017
Marientina Laina is a Sustainability Consultant. She has been working in sustainability consultancy and energy policy for more than 7 years in both the private sector and international organisations. Marientina focusses on helping organisations interested in aligning their targets with climate science for staying below the 2 degrees threshold, strategies for meeting science-based targets and the implementation of supply chain engagement programmes for reducing Scope 3 emissions. She has experience in providing advice to companies from different industries including the pharmaceutical, apparel, energy and IT sector. She holds a Masters (MSc) from the Technical University of Vienna and the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna in Environmental Technology and International Affairs, focussing on environmental diplomacy and the impact of climate change negotiations on energy policy and a University Degree in International and European Economics from Athens University for Economics and Business.
Michael Spanos is the Founder & Managing Director of Global Sustain, an Expert Advisor to the European Commission on the Sustainable Development Goals, an AHC Group Senior Associate (USA), a member of the secretariat of the United Nations Global Compact Network and of the Advisory Board of the CEO Clubs in Greece and a member of the Stakeholder Advisory Council of FMC Corp (USA). Michael leads projects in sustainability strategy, non-financial reporting, sustainability activities, performance and recognition through indices, awards and initiatives. He presents in international events and produces global publications on responsible investments, sustainable leadership and innovation, collaborating with organisations such as the UN Principles for Responsible Investment, Global Compact, GRI, European Commission and Parliament. He has held senior positions in a venture capital firm, an investment fund and in ICAP Group, the largest business information and consulting firm in South-East Europe. Michael is also a visiting lecturer at the International MBA program of the Athens University of Economics and Business and the Cyprus International Institute of Management. He holds an MBA and a diploma in Production Engineering and Management and speaks English, French and Greek.
Andrea Nance is the Sustainability Lead for Global Safety, Health, and Environment (SHE) at AstraZeneca. She is responsible for leading sustainability strategy integration and development for the Global SHE function and collaborates with broader teams to drive sustainability excellence across the enterprise. AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of diseases in three therapy areas – oncology, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, and respiratory. Andrea has over a decade experience in public health, sustainability management, and healthcare delivery, having worked previously in research hospitals, local and federal government, as well as in collaboration with non-governmental organizations. She holds a Master of Public Health degree in Environmental Health Science and Policy from The George Washington University as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and Health Science from San Jose State University. Andrea is a Registered Nurse and certified Public Health Nurse.
Linda Froelich is the Director of Global Sustainability at FMC. She leads the specialty chemical company’s corporate sustainability program, which is an integral component of FMC’s Vision goals and long-term growth strategy. Linda Froelich has held a number of leadership and management roles in research and development, regulatory affairs and sustainability during her more than 35 years at FMC. Most recently, she served as Global Stewardship manager, overseeing Agricultural Solutions’ product stewardship programs. FMC Corporation (NYSE: FMC) is a diversified chemical company serving agricultural, industrial, environmental, and consumer markets globally for more than a century with innovative solutions, applications and quality products. In 2017, FMC had annual sales of approximately $4 billion. The company employs approximately 7,000 people throughout the world, and operates its businesses in two segments (agricultural solutions and lithium). For more information, visit www.FMC.com.
Dr. Bruce Piasecki is the president and founder of AHC Group, Inc., a management consulting firm specializing in energy, materials, and environmental corporate matters, whose clients range from Suncor Energy, Hess, FMC, the Warren Buffet firm Shaw Industries, Toyota and other global companies in his Corporate Affiliates training workshops. Piasecki is the author of several seminal books on business strategy, valuation, and corporate change, including the Nature Society’s book of the year, In Search of Environmental Excellence: Moving Beyond the Blame as well as recent New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestseller Doing More With Less. Since 1981, he has advised companies about the critical areas of corporate governance, energy, environmental strategy, product innovation, and sustainability strategy with his teams of Senior Associates. See www.ahcgroup.com for more details.
Sune Skadegaard Thorsen is Board member at Osiris Labs, and recognised as a leading sustainability consultant advising corporations, governments, multilateral organisations and non-governmental organisations on how to implement CR with an International Principles-Based Approach. Mr Thorsen has extensive experience working with policy and strategic advice, implementation, training, issues management, project management, communication and reporting. Mr Thorsen has pioneered the field of Business and Human Rights since 1996. He based his ground-breaking work on 10 years’ experience as a corporate lawyer and director. Mr Thorsen is internationally acknowledged for his contribution to CSR/Business & Human Rights. He was expert advisor to the Global Business Initiative on Human Rights, as he was for the Business Leaders Initiative on Human Rights from inception. A range of GLOBAL CSRs customers are recognised leaders in the field of business and human rights. The global minimum standard for responsible business conduct, the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights (2011), to a large degree reflects the practical implementation of respect for human rights that Mr Thorsen spearheaded with corporations and investors. Customers continue to demonstrate best practice in meeting the standard. Mr. Thorsen has written extensively on business and human rights. He teaches and participates in numerous CSR initiatives internationally. Some of his academic positions included associate Professor at the Copenhagen Law Faculty; visiting professor at Columbia University, NYC; Soros Law Faculty, Riga; Monash University, Melbourne; China University of Political Science & Law, Beijing, and Copenhagen Business School. He has chaired a number of organisations actively promoting human rights as the core of social
Louis E. Tosi is a partner in the environmental practice group in the Toledo, Ohio office of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP. His principal areas of practice are environmental law, administrative law and litigation. Mr. Tosi has extensive experience in representing companies in matters before the United States and Ohio Environmental Protection Agencies. He also regularly represents a number of industry groups in a variety of rulemaking settings and CERCLA matters. He has substantial experience in Clean Air Act, CERCLA and RCRA matters. In the environmental law category, Mr. Tosi has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® and in Ohio Super Lawyers®. Mr. Tosi has also been selected by Chambers USA® as one of Americas Leading Lawyers for Business in the Natural Resources & Environment practice area. Additionally, Mr. Tosi is a recipient of the Toledo Business Journal’s “Who’s Who in Area Law” recognition.
Matthew Patsky is CEO, Managing Partner, and a Portfolio Manager at Trillium Asset Management, leading Trillium’s Sustainable Opportunities strategy. Matt joined Trillium in 2009 and has over three decades of experience in investment research and investment management. Matt began his career at Lehman Brothers in 1984 as a Technology Analyst. In 1989, while covering emerging growth companies for Lehman, he began to incorporate environmental, social, and governance factors into his research, becoming the first Sell-side Analyst in the United States to publish on the topic of socially responsible investing in 1994. As Director of Equity Research for Adams, Harkness & Hill, he built that firm’s powerful research capabilities in socially and environmentally responsible areas such as renewable energy, resource optimization, and organic and natural products. Prior to joining Trillium, Matt was at Winslow Management Company in Boston, where he served as Director of Research, Chairman of the Investment Committee, and Portfolio Manager for the Green Solutions Strategy and the Winslow Green Solutions Fund. Matt currently serves on the Boards of the Environmental League of Massachusetts and Shared Interest. He has also served on the Boards of Pro Mujer, US SIF, and Root Capital. He is a member of the Social Venture Network (SVN) and member of CFA Society Boston as well as a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Giulia Ferrati is CSR Manager at Walgreens Boots Alliance and is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the CSR agenda at global level. She also leads the embedding of governance and development of CSR insights and strategy for the company. Walgreens Boots Alliance is the first global pharmacy-led, health and wellbeing enterprise, whose purpose is to help people across the world lead healthier and happier lives. The company was created through the combination of Walgreens and Alliance Boots in December 2014. This transaction brought together two leading companies with iconic brands, complementary geographic footprints, shared values and a heritage of trusted healthcare services through pharmaceutical wholesaling and community pharmacy care, dating back more than 100 years. Prior to joining Walgreens Boots Alliance, Giulia worked in the communications sector in the Wine industry. Giulia graduated from the University of Padua (Italy) in Politics, International Relations and Human Rights.
Francesca Palamidessi, as Corporate and Stakeholder Engagement Senior Coordinator at GRI, is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with the GOLD Community members, GRI’s core global supporters. Francesca is also project manager of the Corporate Action Group on the SDGs, a business engagement and peer learning forum created together with UN Global Compact to accelerate business reporting on the SDGs. Previously, Francesca worked at Fairfood International as a Project Analyst and Advocacy Manager. In this role, she supported the implementation of projects in Central America and Morocco and conducted research on supply chains and social sustainability. Francesca holds a degree in Sociology from the University of Florence and she studied at the University of Madrid. She also holds a Master’s degree in Urban Sociology from the University of Amsterdam.