MESM 2026
Bio
Karina Kays is dedicated to aligning business objectives with consumer needs to help advance sustainability initiatives that reduce corporations' environmental impact. Karina's interest in the role of consumers and producers in the plastic waste crisis led her to earn a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Toxicology from the University of California, Davis in 2019. She went on to work with the American Sustainable Business Council in Washington, D.C. where she led the creation of the Circular Economy Working Group, focused on working with policymakers, businesses and other stakeholders to identify policy options for addressing plastic waste pollution. Bringing together industry experts from the likes of LEGO, Clif Bar, Seventh Generation and the Biodegradable Products Institute, Karina facilitated the cross-collaborative efforts of the group as they advocated for proposed legislation that supported a circular economy while keeping people and the planet in mind.
Karina comes to the Bren School to build on her understanding of how the demand of consumers and government entities can drive businesses to implement sustainable practices, and what barriers they face. She is excited to leverage her background in the nonprofit sector to advance sustainable business practices while staying true to a business' values.