World Environment Center Elects New Emeritus Directors

October 23, 2020 /3BL Media/ - As part of an ongoing commitment to expand its thought leadership, diversity and effectiveness as a global sustainability organization, the World Environment Center’s Board of Directors has elected the following individuals as Emeritus Directors:

• Francisco Suárez Hernández, General Director of AdeS for Latin America

  Francisco served as the WEC Board Chair till 2015 - 2018. Francisco Suárez began working at Coca-Cola FEMSA in 2014 as Corporate Affairs Officer. In August 2016 Mr. Suarez was appointed Director of the New Business Projects Office for Coca-Cola FEMSA. Francisco Suárez Hernández joined FEMSA in 1996. Before becoming Sustainability Director of FEMSA in 2011, Mr. Suárez served as the Chief of Staff of the Chairman of the Board and CEO FEMSA. He also held positions in FEMSA’s Packaging Division in the commercial area based in Mexico City and manufacturing plants in Baja California and in other states in Mexico.

  He is currently a member of the Board of PLEI (International Student Leadership Program) of Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey; Global Institute for Sustainability in Arizona State and Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey; Mexican Fund for the Conservation of Nature; CIAM (California Institute of Advanced Management) in USA; CESPEDES (Business Council for Sustainable Development-México), Member of the Global Agenda Council on the Future of Consumer Industries, of the World Economic Forum (WEF).
   

• Dr. Martin Hostalek, formerly with Merck Group

  Martin Hostalek was a member of the WEC Board between 2008 and 2014 he was a member of the Board of WEC. In 2013, he served as Chair of the WEC Europe's Supervisory Board. Martin retired from Merck Group as the Senior Vice President, Environment, Health, Safety, Security & Quality. Martin received his Master of Science in chemistry (RWTH Aachen) in 1984. After his PhD in chemistry (Organometallic Chemistry) he joint Merck in 1987 as Head of R&D Laboratory for CVD chemicals.

  In 1990 he became Group Leader for R&D Electronic Chemicals. In 1992 he was promoted Head of R&D Department for Electronic Chemicals. From 1995 until 1997 he was Head of the Department for Business Development for Electronic Chemicals (R&D and Product Management). In 1998 he became the Head of Laboratory & Reagents production (Vice President). From 2001 until September 2004 he was Managing Director of all companies of the Merck Group in Singapore and Malaysia.

  From September 2004 until end of 2005 he was supporting the advocacy activities regarding REACH in the VCI (Association of the Chemical Industry) office in Brussels. Since 2006 he has been designated to the Head of Environment, Health, Safety, Security, Quality of the Merck Group. In addition, he is active in VCI, Cefic (European Chemical Industry Council), Efpia (European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations), and BDI (Federation of German Industry).
   

• Kelly Semrau, formerly with SC Johnson

  ​Kelly served on the WEC Board from 2016 to 2020. Kelly assumed the role of WEC Board Chair 2019 with over 25 years of experience in sustainability, public and governmental policy, public affairs, and overall corporate social responsibility.  Kelly was Senior Vice President - Global Corporate Affairs, Communications & Sustainability at SC Johnson.  She also served on the Board of Trustees as the Vice Chairman and President of SC Johnson Giving, Inc., on the board of Directors of American Cleaning Institute, and on the Board of Household & Commercial Products Association.  Kelly earned her undergraduate degree in journalism from Bradley University.

WEC thanks them for their service and outstanding contributions to WEC.  WEC is truly delighted to have access to such a well-respected group of leaders to help support our efforts as we work to advance sustainable development.

About the World Environment Center

WEC is an independent, global non-profit, non-advocacy organization that advances sustainable development through the business practices and operations of its member companies and in partnership with governments, multi-lateral organizations, non-governmental organizations, universities and other stakeholders.  WEC’s mission is to accelerate sustainability solutions through innovation, thought leadership and public-private collaboration.  It manages projects for companies across their global operations, builds executive-level learning and competency in applying sustainable development across a number of business sectors, and recognizes performance excellence through an annual awards program.  WEC is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with regional offices in El Salvador and Germany.

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