Reniera O’Donnell, Higher Education Lead, Ellen MacArthur Foundation

Reniera is the Higher Education Lead, working with Universities and Higher Education Institutions as part of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Learning Team. Reniera’s work focuses on growing the Foundation’s University network and leveraging the value of taking a whole campus approach across teaching, research, student-led activities, and campus management to support the transition to a circular economy. Reniera’s work also seeks to understand and maximise the influential role universities play within their local context and seek ways to better integrate higher education activity across the Foundations key programme areas such as Cities and Governments and the Systemic Initiatives.

Ilma Stankeviciute, Learning Designer, Ellen MacArthur Foundation

Ilma is part of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Learning team and focuses on creating digital business oriented circular economy content as well as designing face to face learning experiences for circular economy professionals. She has also been managing the work stream to develop the learning resources to support circular economy implementation in specific business functions, such as procurement.

Johanna Anderson, Member Success Manager, Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council

As Member Success Manager, Johanna works directly with SPLC members to develop and implement strategic sustainable purchasing programs designed to create a more sustainable world. She also collaborates on the development of resources to support SPLC members in achieving their goals. Prior to joining SPLC, Johanna coordinated the State of Minnesota’s Sustainable Procurement Program for 10 years, assisting the state with making purchases that demonstrated the highest level of environmental, social, and economic responsibility. During her time with the State, she led the development of a charter for the State’s program, increasing the State’s commitment to and accountability for sustainable procurement. She also successfully advocated for including sustainable purchasing in an Executive Order on state agency sustainability. Johanna holds degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and San Francisco State University.

Van Sullivan, Executive Director for the Faculty Student Association, Stony Brook University

In his role, Van serves as the Chief Operating Officer of the not-for-profit Faculty Student Association (FSA) which provides auxiliary services to enhance campus life for Stony Brook students and faculty. He provides strategic vision and leadership with an emphasis on the continued development, refinement and implementation of ‘best-in-class’ services. He is responsible for understanding and advocating for the concerns and needs of the students and other campus partners and, in consultation with the FSA Board, will lead the planning processes for short and long term strategic goals, including fiscal prudence, sustainability, and inclusive practices.

Debra Rowe, Disciplinary Association Network for Sustainability, Higher Education Associations Sustainability Consortium

Dr. Rowe is the President of the U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development (www.uspartnership.org). The U.S. Partnership convenes members of the business, education, communities, government, and faith sectors of the U.S. and catalyzes national sustainability initiatives. Dr. Rowe is also co-founder/program director of the Higher Education Associations Sustainability Consortium, founder/facilitator of the Disciplinary Associations’ Network for Sustainability, and Senior Advisor to AASHE. She helps higher education faculty and staff, K-12 associations and other private and public institutions integrate sustainability into mission, curricula and training, research, policy, culture, purchasing and investments, facilities and operations, and community partnerships.

Dr. Rowe has been staff consultant for a U.S. Department of Education funded project “Sustainability Improves Student Learning”. Debra has also been professor of energy management and renewable energies for over 35 years at Oakland Community College.
Debra Rowe is often a keynote speaker at national and international education conferences. She is the author or editor of numerous publications, including the newly released encyclopedia, Achieving Sustainability: Vision, Principles and Practices