Shaping Greener Communities: The Role of Local Sustainability Committees Register

Date and Time:
Thu, Feb 5, 2026; 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM  (Eastern)

Organized By: Southeast Michigan Group

Location: Virtual

Local government sustainability committees play a pivotal role in shaping environmentally responsible policies, programs, and long-term community goals. This presentation provides a clear overview of what these commissions are, how they function within municipal decision-making, and the impact they have on issues such as climate action planning, waste reduction, transportation, energy efficiency, and community education. Attendees will gain insight into typical commission structures, responsibilities, and areas of influence, as well as the process by which residents can engage, volunteer, or apply for commission seats. Whether you’re a community member interested in contributing to local sustainability efforts or a public official looking to strengthen civic participation, this session will offer practical guidance on getting involved and making a meaningful difference at the local level.  

The program will run approximately ninety minutes and include introductions, the speaker presentation, and questions from the audience. Details for this online meeting will be emailed to all registered participants the day before the event. A link to the Zoom session will be sent the day before the presentation.

Speaker Bio

Jess Newman, former Chair of the City of Birmingham’s Environmental Sustainability Commission, is the Senior Director of Agriculture & Sustainability at McCain Foods, the world’s largest manufacturer of frozen French fries and appetizers. Her team of agronomists and field representatives manage McCain’s relationships with 350+ American and Canadian farmers across seven U.S. states and Canadian provinces. They also lead implementation of McCain’s 2025 agriculture sustainability goals: 100% of farmers adopting regenerative practices, a 25% reduction in scope 3 emissions from potato production and storage, and the launch of three Farms of the Future. Jess works remotely from her home state of Michigan and travels frequently to support her teams.

Jess has previously worked at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Ecologic Institute, the New York City Mayor’s Office of Sustainability, Booz & Company, CGIAR, and Anheuser-Busch. She holds a B.A. from Harvard, an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management (with a Sustainability Certificate).