Skip to Content

Secretariat

.

The Secretariat, also known as the RSB Team, is responsible for the day-to-day management of RSB activities. It ensures the ongoing development of RSB’s sustainability framework, as well as its promotion and implementation through certification and policy.

RSB is headquartered at the International Environment House 2 in Geneva, Switzerland, with staff from five continents.

Meet the team below.

Elena Schmidt

Executive Director

Elena is RSB’s Executive Director. Elena Schmidt joined the RSB in 2015 and served as the RSB Standards Director until taking over as Executive Director. Prior to joining the RSB, she was Head of the TÜV SÜD Certification Body for Climate and Energy. Elena has extensive experience with sustainability programmes and a strong record of […]

read more

Arianna Baldo

Programme Director

Arianna is based in Cape Town, South Africa and is RSB’s Programme Director, as well as leading our work in the aviation sector. She coordinates RSB’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) projects and partnerships, and engages stakeholders globally to support the industry’s sustainability and decarbonisation goals through RSB membership, certification and advisory services. She has 15 […]

read more

Alex Ehrenhaus

Projects Director

Alex is RSB’s Projects Director, working closely with the Executive Director and the wider Leadership Team to review and design strategies, goals and milestones that are instrumental to developing RSB’s Advisory Services. Alex first joined RSB as our Sustainable Feedstock Expert, and was then promoted to the Leadership Team as Projects Director, starting January 2024. […]

read more

Nicola Noponen

Technical Director

Nicola is responsible for the development of new RSB standards and procedures, and the continuous improvement of existing ones. This involves interaction with RSB’s membership, scientific experts, and stakeholder community to ensure that the RSB standards rely on solid science and state-of-the-art practices in standards development. Nicola also leads RSB’s engagement with the chemicals and […]

read more

Hannah Walker

Outreach & Engagement Director

As Outreach & Engagement Director, Hannah is responsible for all outreach and engagement activities at the RSB, as well as a member of the leadership team. She oversees the development of RSB’s membership community, the creation of events throughout the year and the roll out of RSB’s communication and marketing activities. She also leads RSB’s […]

read more

Gill Alker

Book & Claim Manager

Gill is RSB’s Book & Claim Manager and is responsible for the implementation and expansion of RSB’s innovative Book & Claim Programme, which aims to expand the outreach of sustainable biomaterials and accelerate the decarbonisation of hard to abate sectors, such as shipping and aviation. With over two decades of experience in the bioeconomy field, […]

read more

Alba Cánovas

Sustainability Manager

Alba is one of RSB’s two Sustainability Managers. She is a Chemical Engineer, completing her MsC in Environmental Engineering and PhD in Production Engineering, with a focus on food waste. Alba has dedicated her career to becoming an expert in the circular economy, and LCA tools and metrics. She has achieved many exciting milestones already […]

read more

Rose Craft

Finance & Administration Officer

Rose is RSB’s Finance & Administration Officer, working across general administration and financial monitoring for the team. Prior to joining RSB, Rose worked for the European Leadership Network and The Pankhurst Trust (Inc. Manchester Women’s Aid), supporting on operational development, grants management and finances. They are currently based in Manchester.

read more

Blanca de Ulibarri

EU LCA Project Manager

Blanca is RSB’s EU LCA Project Manager where she will focus on the funding and implementation of EU projects, and developing the RSB EU RED certification system. With over 12 years of professional experience, she is also an experienced researcher in the fields of bioenergy, renewable energy, climatic change, sustainable development and environmental sciences. Previously […]

read more

George Deslandes

Certification Lead

George leads the RSB certification team processing certifications, conducting due-diligence on certification applicants and helping companies through their certification journey. He has experience working for standards setting organisations through his time at the Responsible Jewellery Council and ResponsibleSteel where he worked in operations and membership. George has an MSc in Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability at […]

read more

Max Eichelbaum

Digital Solutions Manager

Max is RSB’s Digital Solutions Manager, leading the development and implementation of our new and refined digital services and platform initiatives. Based in Montreal, Canada, he also supports RSB’s engagement with stakeholders in North America. Prior to joining RSB, Max worked as an aviation stress engineer sizing lightweight composite airplane structures in Germany and France. […]

read more

Beatriz García Navarro

Standards Manager

Beatriz is RSB’s Standards Manager. A civil engineer by background, she has experience working in major infrastructure programmes across the United Kingdom, working as an engineer and consultant for Thames Estuary Asset Management 2100, Jacobs and High Speed Two Ltd. Passionate about the environmental and social aspects of projects, she became an expert in sustainability […]

read more
Load more

Back to top