Meet Our New Chairwoman, Sara Eve Fuentes
We are proud to announce our new Chairwoman, Sara Eve Fuentes! In this position, Sara will focus on WCS’ continued expansion and influence in sustainability and circular economy. After 13 years as Chairwoman, WCS Founder Lisa Ann Pinkerton will assume the role of Vice Chairwoman to facilitate a smooth transition of leadership and support the organization’s continued growth and evolution.
Sara started volunteering with WCS and joined the board in 2012, serving on the Career Development Committee. In 2015 she was appointed Vice Chairwoman of the entire organization. Sara is the Founder and President of Smart Waste, a women-owned and operated start-up with a focus on waste technologies, waste systems, and vendor management for zero-waste programs. She is also the co-host of Trash Magic!, a podcast about the circular economy for the everyday person.
“From volunteering for Women in Cleantech and Sustainability at 29 to being promoted to Chairwoman, my journey is focused on turning the seemingly unrealistic into reality,” said Sara Eve Fuentes, Chairwoman of WCS, “Leading alongside dynamic and passionate individuals, our mission focuses on realizing gender parity, fostering a diverse network, engaging local communities, and strengthening thought leadership in cleantech and sustainability. Together, we commit to breaking barriers, fostering inclusivity, empowering communities, and inspiring positive change in our industries.”
Sara is known for her grassroots approach and inspirational leadership, with a deep-rooted passion for sustainability. As she prepares to lead WCS into a new chapter, Sara will use her passion, skills, and innate ability to unite people behind a common goal to expand WCS’s impact in empowering women in cleantech and sustainability. Sara’s leadership approach lends itself to community and inclusivity, with plans to extend WCS’s reach to under-represented communities.
“Whenever Sara speaks, the world lights up and people feel more confident and inspired. She’s a tremendous leader and I’m excited to watch her take the lead for WCS,” said Lisa Ann Pinkerton, founder and now Vice Chairwoman of WCS and Founder, CEO of Technica Communications, and host of the Earthlings 2.0 Podcast, “We’re excited to watch Sara enact her vision for the organization, making it stronger and more expansive, especially in under-represented areas.”
WCS fosters an influential network of professionals to further the roles of women in growing the green economy and making a positive impact on the environment. Lisa Ann Pinkerton founded Women in Cleantech & Sustainability in 2011 with the goal of creating a local community in the Bay Area to give women a sense of sisterhood and highlight the remarkable women (and men) whose work is building our future green society. Today, WCS is home to over 13,000 community members internationally, with official chapters in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Europe. Members consist of all genders and range from students and entry-level professionals to founders, C-Suite executives, and investors.
