Stephen Roberts

Stephen Roberts

512-653-5475
stephenmroberts5@gmail.com
Austin, TX 78759

LinkedIn.com/in/esteban4env

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Senior sustainability director with extensive experience leading organizations on their sustainability journey. Known for developing and executing sustainability strategies aligned with business objectives. Applies deep ESG knowledge and problem-solving skills to achieve corporate goals and build award-winning programs. Expert at storytelling, building core messaging that distills complex concepts into approachable narratives. Proven ability leading teams and building cross-functional partnerships to create a culture of sustainability.

EXPERIENCE

Head of Sustainability, National Instruments                                      January 2022 - present

• Launched NI’s first sustainability program, creating first climate strategy and goals while crafting the company’s first human rights policy
• Managed external consultants and cross-company stakeholders to produce company’s first-ever ESG report
• Achieved 215% increase in ESG ratings with S&P Global and Bronze Medal with EcoVadis
• Led development of site-based green teams and company-wide internal sustainability education
• Served as company’s sustainability spokesperson externally
• Established $1m partnership with Ocean and Climate Innovation Accelerator to drive climate action
• Named one of America’s Greenest Companies (2024) and Most Responsible Companies (2022-2023)

Sustainability Marketing Manager, Dell Technologies               June 2011 – December 2021

• Led company’s circular economy strategy, establishing goals and rallying product, supply chain, environmental affairs, and sales teams; served as external spokesperson and author
• Drove branding and messaging of corporate “Legacy of Good” (2020) and “Progress Made Real” (2030) campaigns
• Guided 10 ESG reports working cross functionally with brand and creative teams, comms and sales to develop the report, talking points, events and enablement materials
• As president of Planet ERG, grew the resource group from 800 individuals at 12 sites to approximately 25,000 employees at 72 sites across the globe
• Provided analysis, in-depth talking points, and presentations to various customer and executive audiences on multiple sustainability topics
• Helped establish NextWave Plastics – a consortium of corporate entities committed to keeping plastics out of the ocean and in the economy, in partnership with nonprofit Lonely Whale

Vice President, EnviroMedia Social Marketing                                  (June 2007 – June 2010)

• Grew client billings by 30% after taking over as Vice President
• Oversaw all aspects of day-to-day agency efforts with direct management of multiple accounts plus the media planning/buying department and market research team
• Created Green Canary Sustainability Consulting arm of the agency, serving clients looking to grow sustainability as part of their overall brand presence; clients included Alberto Culver, Freescale, CPS Energy, Holcim and others

EDUCATION

University of Texas at Austin

MA, Latin American History

Northwestern University

BA Double Major in History and Spanish Literature

SKILLS

• Advanced knowledge and experience with sustainability concepts and ESG frameworks across multiple industries and stakeholders
• Strategic mindset, drawing on data and materiality to analyze issues and drive decisions
• Expert verbal and written communicator, adept at molding messages to audiences and simplifying complex concepts
• Influential collaborator, working cross-functionally to solve problems, build relationships, and drive goals
• Caring leader, building teams around a shared vision while setting high standards for performance and personal growth
• Effective program developer and implementer, comfortable working across business units and delivering on time and under budget

AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS/VOLUNTEER WORK

• Author: “The Business Case for a Sustainable Supply Chain” chapter in Putting Purpose into Practice (Oxford University Press, 2021)
• Climate Reality Leadership Corps Presenter (since 2017)
• Volunteer Coach for University of Texas Women’s Water Polo Team