Board of Advisors

Susan Frank

Susan joined The Better World Group – a firm recognized for its background and expertise in policy and communications strategy – in January 2008 as Executive Vice President and is based in the company’s Silicon Valley office in Mountain View, California. She is known statewide for her expertise in public policy development, coalition management, and nonprofit lobbying/advocacy having served as CEO and in several senior-level roles in nonprofit organizations over the last 20 years. From 1999 to 2007, Susan served in a variety of roles for the Bay Area-based Steven and Michele Kirsch Foundation including as President & CEO and Vice President, Public Policy. Prior to joining the Kirsch Foundation, Susan served eight years as President & CEO of the Palo Alto, CA Chamber of Commerce.

Susan has been a member of the Board of Directors for the California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV) since November 2005. Previously, she served on the Board of Directors for the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research and Coalition for Clean Air, as well as serving on a variety of other local, nonprofit boards of directors. In 2009, Susan was recognized by Breathe California for her management of a statewide coalition of environmental, public health and environmental justice advocates that successfully campaigned for a strong diesel truck and bus pollution regulation. She was also the recipient of the YWCA of Silicon Valley’s TWIN (Tribute to Women) Award in 2010.  She is a graduate of Stanford University.

Joshua Levine

Joshua Levine is a member of the SRI Wealth Management Group, a full service financial advisory group that helps individual investors, small businesses, and nonprofits to address their short- and long-term financial needs. In addition to providing a complete range of financial services, the Group develops customized Socially Responsible Investing strategies for all clients to align their ethical belief system with their investments. Previously, Joshua worked in the investment banking division of Bear Stearns and Scotia Capital. He received his Bachelor’s of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from UCLA and his Master’s degree in Environmental Science and Management from the Donald Bren School of Environmental Science & Management at UCSB.  Josh previously served on the Green Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors as the Political Advocacy Co-Chair.

Gil Friend

Gil Friend is founder, president & CEO of Natural Logic Inc, helping companies design, implement and measure profitable sustainability strategies. He is widely considered one of the founders of the sustainability movement, and was recently named a finalist for the ISSP Pinnacle Award. A systems ecologist and business strategist with nearly 40 years experience in business, communications, and environmental innovation, Friend combines broad business experience with unique content experience spanning strategy, systems ecology, economic development, management cybernetics, and public policy.

He was a founding board member of the Sustainable Business Alliance, and currently serves on the boards of directors of Open Data Registry, Inc. and Environmental Building Network, and the advisory boards of CleanFish, WattBot and Green World Campaign. He was a member of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom’s Clean Tech Advisory Council, and was recently named one of the Bay Area’s “top 25 movers and shakers in CleanTech.”

Gil is the author of The Truth About Green Business (FT Press) and the forthcoming Profit on Purpose: Risk, Fiduciary Duty and the Laws of Nature. He holds an M.S. degree in systems ecology from Antioch University, has a black belt in Aikido, and is a seasoned practitioner of “The Natural Step” environmental management system.

Stacie Shepp

Stacie Shepp is a graduate of the Green MBA program at Dominican University of CA. She co-founded Earthsite a Digital Consultancy for Sustainable Brands. Her clients have included natural food, solar, garden and government agencies. Stacie served as the Executive Director for the Green Chamber of Commerce in 2011 and prior to that served on the Board of Director’s as the Marketing Chair. Stacie also served on the board of Sustainable Fairfax (local non-profit) for three years in the Marketing/Policy Chair positions and also served as Vice President. She had a vision a few years back to start a Green Chamber of Commerce. When she found out that there was one she couldn’t resist getting involved!