Sustainability Means Responsible Business Growth Presented by Bank of America

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Sustainability has shifted from what many viewed as "nice to have" to a business imperative. While the need is clear, the vision and framework varies.  In this session, we're inviting expert panelists to help tackle the what, why, business case and regulatory policies that are driving sustainability to the top of the corporate boardroom.  Speakers will navigate today's sustainability landscape from supply chain and data collection to reporting and positioning.    
       
Join us on October 25th at 5:30 p.m. for an engaging interactive panel discussion on this important topic. Carmen Sanchez, Senior Vice President at Bank of America willl moderate our panelists and special guests Erin L. Smith, Bank of America's Sustainability Strategy Executive, Kelly D. Fair, Partner at Dentons, Ellen Leung, VP, Sustainability at E.L.F. Beauty and Aaron Fishleder, VP of Operations at Cakebread Cellars.


PANELISTS:


Carmen Sanchez
SVP and Sr. Relationship Manager, Bank of America Global Commercial Banking 

Carmen is an experienced Senior Sales Leader adept to providing commercial, corporate, and international banking solutions to help companies grow and succeed. She is an SVP and Senior Relationship Manager in Global Commercial Banking at Bank of America.  She leads the Professional Services Industry in the Bay Area and covers general industries as well.  Carmen and her team cover domestic and international companies with revenues ranging from $50 million to $5 Billion.  Prior to joining Bank of America in 2021, Carmen spent 20 years working for several major Financial Institutions in the Bay Area.

Carmen is actively involved with the community and serves as the Board President of La Casa de Las Madres, Director of the British American Business Council for Northern California among other non-profits.

Kelly D. Fair
Partner, Dentons

Erin Smith 
Bank of America Sustainability Strategy Executive

Based in Charlotte, as Sustainability Strategy Executive for Business Banking (BB) and Global Commercial Banking (GCB), Erin works to align BB and GCB Sustainability efforts to the broader Enterprise wide Bank of America ESG goals. In her current role, Erin focuses on banker preparedness and client engagement as it pertains to social impact, net zero engagement and overall ESG strategy. Erin joined the Bank in 2016 and most recently served as Senior Vice President and LIHTC Syndication Senior Relationship Manager for the Community Development Banking group and ESG Co-Chair of the GCB ESG Taskforce. Prior to joining the bank, Erin worked in NYC in real estate finance at JPMorgan Chase and KPMG.
 
Erin earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Accounting, from Fordham University; a Master of Business Administration in real estate, corporate finance and strategy from New York University, Stern Executive MBA Program where she served as Class Representative and Co-Chair of the class council. She also holds several Certificates of Achievement in Sustainable Finance, ESG investing, and Leadership from New York University, Stern Executive Education.
 
Erin was a Women’s Basketball D-1 scholarship point guard, Student Athlete representative and team captain for the Fordham University Lady Rams. She enjoys volunteering, mentoring, travel, fitness and spending time with her family. 
 

Ellen Leung
VP, Sustainability, E.L.F. Beauty

Ellen Leung is Vice President of Sustainability at e.l.f. Beauty, a purpose-led beauty company that builds brands designed to disrupt norms, shape culture and connect communities through positivity, inclusivity and accessibility. With a deep commitment to clean, cruelty free beauty at an incredible value, e.l.f. Beauty makes the best of beauty accessible to every eye, lip, face and skin concern.

With a passion for sustainability and a belief in the power of brands to connect with their communities to create a positive impact in the world around us, Ellen is responsible for establishing and pursuing e.l.f. Beauty’s sustainability strategy and goals. This includes a focus on sustainable packaging, responsible sourcing, climate and environment, and, in 2022, publishing e.l.f. Beauty’s inaugural Impact Report. In her 7 years at e.l.f. Beauty, Ellen has led major initiatives across the company that have driven impactful change. This includes e.l.f. Beauty’s commitment to reducing packaging, having eliminated more than 2.5 million pounds of excess packaging since 2019.

Prior to joining e.l.f. Beauty, Ellen spent over 10 years at Gap Inc., where she held progressive roles in Global Supply Chain, defining and leading implementation of transformational supply chain strategies. She began her career in consulting roles with Arthur Andersen and Mercer Management Consulting. Ellen holds an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a BA in Economics from Haverford College.

 

Aaron Fishleder
VP of Operations, Cakebread

Aaron Fishleder joined Cakebread Cellars in 2020 as the Vice President of Operations. Prior to Cakebread Cellars, Aaron spent more than 20 years with the Far Niente Winery, becoming President of their farming operations and land holding company, across their entire brand portfolio.

Aaron’s passion for wine started at UC Davis where he studied plant science, viticulture, and horticulture. To his role at Cakebread, he brings deep experience building and managing grape growing and wine production teams, which help enhance the integration among viticulture, winemaking, and facilities management. Aaron is supporting and swiftly implementing the company’s newest sustainability efforts, “Sustainability has been part of Cakebread Cellars since its inception, and I am looking forward to incorporating additional green practices in the vineyards and at the winery.”

Aaron lives in Napa with his family and enjoys traveling, landscaping, outdoor activities, playing tennis, and has become an avid golfer. He loves serving Cakebread Cellars’ Vaca Cabernet Sauvignon when entertaining friends and family.