Titles

• Project Engagement Manager, Global Sustainability Solutions Services, Walton Sustainability Solutions Initiatives

Biography

Mara serves as the program engagement manager for the Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Initiatives, specifically aligned to the Resource Innovation and Solutions Network (RISN), a partnership with the city of Phoenix that is operated by the Walton Global Sustainability Solutions Service and focuses on multi-stakeholder circular economy solutions. Mara also spearheads a series of Economic Impact Reports assessing the business case for implementation of circular economy solutions in the greater Phoenix region based on waste streams. She has also worked with partners to develop the RISN Regional Collaborative, which brings together regional leaders to discuss solutions related to circular economy. Mara assisted with the RISN Incubator launch, hosted a national circular economy tour in partnership with the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation, co-developed an Ethical Circular Economy professional certification and workshop (conducted in Lagos, Nigeria, Phoenix, AZ and Washington DC), and directed the outreach that resulted in over 20 local, national and international public speaking engagements.

Previously, Mara worked with the Energize Phoenix project at the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability at ASU. She is the founder of The Green Chamber: Greater Phoenix and was appointed CEO of the organization in 2008. The Green Chamber is the reflection of her vision of a more responsible and far-reaching sustainable economy.

Mara has a track record of championing sustainable economic solutions, children’s and women’s causes. She has started many successful organizations and committees in the non-profit sector and is a small business owner. She is currently pursuing a master’s in ethical leadership at Claremont Lincoln University.

Education

• BA, Accounting, Arizona State University