Diverse STEM Professionals: Fireside Chat with Heidi Sanborn

Sustainable Horizons: New Innovations & Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Circular Economy Fireside Chat with Heidi Sanborn, the nation’s foremost expert on producer responsibility and product stewardship.

Heidi Sanborn is the founding Director of both the California Product Stewardship Council and the National Stewardship Action Council. With over 32 years experience being a leader in the solid waste industry, Heidi is the nation’s foremost expert on producer responsibility and product stewardship.

Heidi has worked as a consultant helping California local governments comply with waste management laws, as a regulator at CalRecycle where she was promoted to be the Policy Advisor to the Chair and led the charge to get the goal of zero waste using product stewardship into the strategic plan, and as an advocate. She has led the way organizing local governments to advance for making the producers have a fair share of the responsibility for the end of life impacts and costs of their products which pushed the California legislature to pass more Extended Producer Responsibility legislation than in any other state including paint, mercury thermostats, pharmaceuticals and sharps, and packaging with SB 54 in 2022. She is not only an expert in policy, but in program implementation and regularly keynotes at national and international conferences.

SMUD

In her personal time, Heidi is an elected Board Member representing Ward 7 on the Sacramento Municipal Utility District Board. She served as SMUD Board President in 2023. Ms Sanborn is a self-described “utility geek”.

APPOINTMENTS​

• California’s Statewide Commission on Recycling Markets and Curbside Recycling, Chair
• Solid Waste Association of North American Advisory Board, Materials Recovery Representative
• California Department of Consumer Affairs Bureau of Household Goods and Services Advisory Council
• California Green Bond Market Development Committee​​

AWARDS

• Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award, National Recycling Coalition (2023)
• Outstanding Public Agency Award, Solid Waste Association of North America (2022)
• Lawrence Lecturer, Solid Waste Association of North America (2020)
• Women Who Means Business, Sacramento Business Journal (2020)
• Outstanding Policy & Legislative Advancement Award, CalRecycle (2020)
• Friend of Pharmacy, California Pharmacists Association (2018)
• Environmental Excellence Award, Industrial Environmental Association (2016)
• Outstanding Policy Achievement, North American Hazardous Materials Management Association (2015)
• Distinguished Individual Achievement Award, Solid Waste Association of America (2015)
• Outstanding Environmental Stewardship Award, Sacramento Environmental Commission (2015)
• Unsung Hero Award, Solid Waste Association of America (2014)
• Pollution Prevention Award of the Year, Nonprofit- Sacramento Area Business Council (2014)
• Outstanding Policy/Legislative Advancement Award, CalRecycle (2012)
• Climate Changer, Sacramento News and Review (2012)
• Rick Best Environmental Advocacy Award, California Resource Recovery Association (2010)
• Recycler of the Year, California Resource Recovery Association (2002)
• Award of Appreciation, Regional Council of Rural Counties (1999)

EDUCATION

• Master of Public Administration, Non-Profit and Government Management, University of Southern California (2004)
• Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, University of California, Davis (1992)

This event is part of our “INSPIRING CHANGE: Diverse Voices in Sustainability, Innovation & Entrepreneurship” event series. Our mission is simple but profound: to create a supportive ecosystem for underrepresented STEM professionals where diversity thrives and innovative ideas flourish. Get ready to be inspired by a stellar lineup of accomplished speakers, all hailing from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM. Dive headfirst into discussions with your fellow STEM professionals on cross-sector topics involving mobility, the clean economy, food & beverage manufacturing, and ag tech in a welcoming, encouraging environment. Join us on this remarkable journey of empowerment, collaboration, and change.