- Moving from the ‘what’ to the ‘how’ with decarbonization goals
- Discussing steps to make net-zero happen across all industries and sectors
- Sharing strategies for engaging leadership and building a net-zero culture
- How to align your sustainability strategies with the core business purpose
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Chief Sustainability Officer
McCormick & Company
Michael Okoroafor is McCormick’s Chief Sustainability Officer. In his role, he is responsible for the development and execution of an enhanced sustainability strategy, working with commercial and communications teams, and building on our foundation to ensure that our successes in this area continue to be recognized in the global market. His focus is working across the organization, through the Purpose-led Performance (PLP) Governing Council, to develop and drive our strategy both internally and externally.
Dr. Okoroafor joined McCormick in 2015, and most recently served as Vice President, Global Sustainability and Packaging Innovation. Prior to his tenure at McCormick, he was Vice President for Packaging and R&D at H.J. Heinz Company, where he was responsible for setting overall global strategy and direction for the packaging organization and leading external innovation across North America. He has also held key leadership roles at other consumer goods and manufacturing companies, including The Coca-Cola Company and PPG Industries, Inc.
Dr. Okoroafor holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Nigeria, a Master’s degree in Polymer Chemistry from the University of Detroit, and a Ph.D. in Organic Polymer Chemistry from Michigan State University. He is also a graduate of the Executive Development Program at Kellogg Business School at Northwestern University.
Dr. Okoroafor is an inventor with over 40 patents, has been published in over 35 technical publications, and is a contributing author to the “Handbook of Plastic Foams.” He serves on the Board of Directors for AMERIPEN (American Institute for Packaging and the Environment) and as Treasurer on the Board of Directors for the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP). He serves as a member of the Engineering & Science Advisory Board for the University of Detroit – Mercy, the Consumer Brand Association Packaging Sustainability Council, the American Chemical Society, the Institute of Food Technologists and the Society of Plastics Engineers. Dr. Okoroafor was inducted into the Packaging and Processing Hall of Fame in 2018. He is also a 2020 Honoree to the Environment+Energy Leader 100 (E+E100).
Sr. Director for Environment, Health, Safety & Sustainability
Volkswagen Group of America
Rachel Saltzman is Senior Director of Environment, Health, Safety, and Sustainability at Volkswagen Group of America. In this role, she is responsible for driving U.S. sustainability performance and leading EHS compliance efforts. Her work includes supporting the company’s transition to e-mobility and assuring its contribution to Volkswagen’s global environmental mission – GoToZero – which includes goals of becoming net CO2 neutral by 2050 and reducing environmental impacts across the product lifecycle.
Rachel originally joined Volkswagen in 2019 as the Assistant General Counsel, Environment, Health, and Safety. Prior to Volkswagen, Rachel practiced environmental law at two major law firms and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Rachel holds a J.D. and a B.A. from Yale.
Chief Sustainability Officer
Wynn Resorts
Erik Hansen is Wynn Resort’s Chief Sustainability Officer. He oversees the Department for Corporate Energy & Sustainability which leads the development of the global sustainability strategy and energy procurement goals for the company as it continues to make monumental moves towards taking control of its energy future. His experience extends across all facets of environmental protection and government regulation, and his understanding of cutting-edge technologies are shaping the use of a new generation of renewable resources in the hospitality industry.
Originally serving as Director of Energy Procurement for Wynn Resorts since 2016, Hansen is responsible for developing the Company’s global sustainability goals and implementing vital systems that impact the operation of every part of each Wynn resort. Focused on areas including recycling, responsible sourcing, waste reduction, energy procurement, water conservation, and more. He has been instrumental in instituting several large-scale sustainability and renewable energy projects that have moved Wynn Resorts into a leadership position in environmental stewardship. Most notable have been the negotiation, build, and opening of the 160-acre 20 MW Wynn Solar Facility; management of Wynn Las Vegas’ shift to the open energy market; reduction of single-use plastics; and the creation of an energy supply plan that integrates the first micro grid to be implemented at an individual resort at the Encore Boston Harbor property.
Hansen has more than 25 years of experience, is a current Board Member of the Mystic River Watershed Association, currently serves on the Nevada Governor’s Regional Transmission Task Force and previously served as a member of the Nevada Governor’s Committee on Energy Choice. He began his career in the energy industry at NV Energy where he spent more than 10 years in various capacities including power trading, transmission policy and contracts, business development, and project leadership. Before joining Wynn Resorts, Hansen served as Vice President at EnergySource, where he represented a broad base of Nevada’s largest energy customers across industries including municipalities, mining, gaming, data centers, utilities, and technology.
Moderator:
Head of Global Sustainability
Dell Technologies
Page Motes is the Head of Global Sustainability, overseeing Dell Technologies’ strategic vision and goals, as well as stakeholder engagement. This role, and the work of her team, includes deep collaboration with internal business groups to advance sustainability programs with long-term value. Additionally, the team engages in third-party partnerships to accelerate initiatives and position the company as a thought leader, as well as foster innovation and engagement within Dell Technologies’ global enterprise. Although specific sustainability programs within her purview span across the themes of advancing the circular economy, climate change, and social responsibility, Page is a member of the ESG Executive Steering Committee which guides the company’s broader ESG ambitions.
Prior to this role, Page spent 10 years as Sr. Managing Director, Global Ethics & Compliance, overseeing and managing Dell Technologies’ ethics strategy and proactive culture of integrity initiatives, including the Code of Conduct, compliance and ethics-related awareness programs and key operational processes for the company. Both roles have been complimented by an additional 15 years in sales and consulting, much within the ethics, compliance, risk and governance space.
