In this panel discussion, we delve into the crucial realm of imparting sustainable practices to staff, exploring the profound impact they can wield in healthcare and education environments, in particular.
Our expert lineup for this free virtual panel discussion features leaders in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), pioneers in employee engagement programs within healthcare and education, and a thought leader introducing an innovative and sustainable cleaning technology for these and other commercial spaces. Together, we aim to illuminate the transformative power of education and engagement, empowering our teams to become sustainability champions in their crucial roles.
Let’s unlock the potential for positive change in our communities through informed and committed staff.
Monica L. Nakielski is a strategic advisor on ESG and Sustainability with over 15 years of experience guiding Fortune 500 firms, governments, and nonprofits.
Previously, Monica led sustainability at Advocate Aurora Health, was the NA Healthcare Practice Lead at Anthesis, a global sustainability consultancy, managed the sustainability program at MassGeneral Brigham (formerly Partners HealthCare), and served as the head of sustainability at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.
Monica’s influence extends beyond her executive roles, as evidenced by her commitment to transformative change. She chairs the board of Healthy Building Network, sits on the steering committee for The Chemical Footprint Project, and is a strategic advisor to SION60 a decarbonization software start up emphasizing her dedication to catalyzing positive impact.
Monica’s contributions garnered industry recognition, notably as a recipient of the prestigious 2022 Women in Sustainability Leadership Award. Monica is a published author on the topics of ESG, sustainability, communications, and driving actionable results. Monica holds an MBA from Simmons School of Management, BS from University of Wisconsin, Madison and Executive Education for Sustainability Leadership Certificate from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Sara Porter has worked with HSC for 15 years. Her current area of focus is serving as director of Healthy Green Schools & Colleges, a program launched in 2022 that helps K12 and higher education institutions identify and implement low- and no-cost measures that improve indoor air quality. Sara led the stakeholder engagement process to design and develop the program which features the first standard for healthy, sustainable school facility management programs. Sara supports school facility directors across the country who are working towards earning their Healthy Green Schools & Colleges certification. Sara also oversees HSC’s school food advocacy work and develops and maintains relationships with HSC’s partners, external stakeholders, corporate sponsors and individual donors across a number of topics and program areas. Sara serves on HSC’s management team and also leads the IT and event teams. Sara holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from DePaul University.
Erika Ninos serves as a Sustainability Manager for Advocate Health. As a member of the Advocate Environmental Sustainability team, Erika’s portfolio includes teammate engagement, waste diversion, clinical transformation initiatives and climate resiliency. She holds a Master of Science in Sustainable Systems from Slippery Rock University and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Sociology from the University of Pittsburgh.
Throughout her more than 20-year sustainability career, Erika has served in number of practitioner and leadership roles in the higher education and non-profit sectors. Her work has primarily focused on the strategic and operational initiatives that organizations employ to advance their social, environmental, and economic sustainability goals while positively impacting the communities they serve.
Her hobbies and interests include Yoga with Adriene and kayaking on Pennsylvania’s many rivers, lakes, and streams. Her favorite places for retreat and recharge are the mountains of Appalachia.
Daniel Lawson spent over a decade in the medical device industry, earning unparalleled insight into the intricacies of our health care environment and some of the biggest needs yet to be addressed. Daniel partnered with Viking Pure’s co-executive team to introduce a disruptive, patent protected, and environmentally-conscious technology to transform cleaning and infection control in commercial facilities across a wide range of industries. He is dedicated to creating a movement to remove TOXIC CHEMICALS from the environment and to challenge the status-quo of what it means to truly clean and disinfect safely, sustainably and effectively.