CELINE RUBEN-SALAMA

A business strategist with 18 years of experience focused on long-term value creation through innovation, risk reduction, efficiency, and long-term oriented sustainability planning, and implementation, Celine Ruben-Salama leads our network of consulting advisors. As American Express’ first Director of Sustainability/CSR, Celine was responsible for environmental affairs including strategy setting, implementation, and communications for the enterprise globally. Past advisory clients include Fortune 100 companies, global financial services companies, public sector institutions (NYSERDA, U.S. EPA), non-profit organizations/NGOs (SASB and the UN).

 

Celine teaches two classes in the MS Sustainability Management program at Columbia University: “Corporate Sustainability Reporting & Strategy” and “Consumerism & Sustainability.” To date, over 80 of her articles have appeared in publications such as: Consilience, the Journal of Sustainable Development; Yahoo Green; treehugger.com; Inhabitat.com; Ecogeek.org; and CSR Now!. She holds a Masters of Public Administration with a focus on Environmental Science and Policy (MPA ESP) from Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), an MBA in Marketing, and a BBA in Entrepreneurial Management from the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College, CUNY, and is a Wallenberg Fellow.

 

ALEXANDER AMERMAN

Alex is an energy and environmental policy professional with 15+ years of experience in the electric utility sector where he served as consultant and project manager, providing technical assistance to foreign governments and multinational corporations. He has extensive topical experience in federal renewable energy R&D programs, legislative and regulatory processes, renewable energy market forecasting, and carbon accounting. Alex also has experience in sustainable agriculture and as an ecological trail guide. He holds a Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) and a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs from The George Washington University.

           

DEBASMITA SARKAR

Debasmita is a sustainability professional focused on clean technology, carbon accounting, and energy management. Her experience ranges from technology development at one of the Big Four, to environmental impact assessments, metric measurement and reporting for a publishing house, and a wildlife conservation organization. Debasmita also has extensive program and project management experience through her work for an IoT and energy management firm where she worked very closely with utilities and residential customers. She holds a Master of Science degree in Sustainability Management from Columbia University and a Bachelor's degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Manipal University.

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LIZZIE SIBONI

Lizzie is a sustainability professional with expertise helping publicly traded companies with corporate sustainability strategy and reporting, with expertise in the WRI/WBCSD GHG Protocol, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), CDP, and the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). Expert in leveraging these to help clients navigate increasing stakeholder demands for ESG accountability on platforms such as ISS Environment & Social Quality Scores (ESQS) as well as facilitate sustainability-centered investment by enabling eligibility in indexes such as the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI). She is currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in Sustainability Management from Columbia University and a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Vanderbilt University.

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KEITH WONG

A corporate responsibility and sustainability professional with extensive experience in the apparel and pharmaceutical industries. Keith’s experience is varied and most recently he has been responsible for the development and management of systems used to support Corporate Responsibility operations across Environmental Sustainability and Human Rights subject areas and the analysis of sustainability and human rights performance of suppliers in the value chain for reporting and strategy development. Additionally, he has advised clients on their environmental performance for sustainability reporting.

Previously, Keith served as an adjunct lecturer at Bronx Community College where he taught Sustainability, Energy, and Green Economics to undergraduates. He is published in the Journal of College Science Teaching as a co-author of an article highlighting the teaching methodology used in this course. He holds an MS in Sustainability Management from Columbia University, an MBA in Finance and Management from Fordham University and a BS in Chemistry from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

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LUCY LU

Lucy is a finance professional that combines economic, social, and environmental impact in corporate strategy. She is also an operations expert with a special interest in corporate sustainability, ESG, and technology. Her specialties include project management, in depth knowledge of the blockchain industry and the  sustainable food industry, and GRI sustainability reporting. She holds a Master of Science degree in Sustainability Management from Columbia University and a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from San Jose State University.