Christy Slay

CEO and VP, Science & Impact

Dr. Christy Slay is Chief Executive Officer of The Sustainability Consortium (TSC) and Senior Global Futures Scientist in the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory at Arizona State University. She leads TSC in advancing its strategic priorities, including THESIS (The Sustainability Insight System), a global, science-based measurement and reporting platform used by leading retailers and consumer goods companies to drive product sustainability.

Since joining TSC at its inception in 2009, Dr. Slay has held key leadership roles and forged many of the organization’s strategic partnerships and grants. She has been instrumental in developing TSC’s signature analytical tools, including Commodity Map and the original methodology for THESIS.

With expertise in conservation ecology, corporate sustainability, and stakeholder engagement, Dr. Slay has published in leading scientific journals including Nature Climate Change and Science on the drivers of global forest loss, sustainable agriculture metrics, and climate resilience in supply chains. Her insights have been featured on CNBC, where she was recognized as an expert on supply chains and climate change.

Dr. Slay brings 27 years of experience as an educator in both collegiate and environmental education settings. She earned her doctorate in biological sciences from the University of Arkansas, focusing on songbird conservation in agricultural settings, and holds a B.A. in biology from Hendrix College, with additional studies at Birkbeck College, University of London. Prior to her graduate work, she led curriculum development and strategic planning with the National Audubon Society in Connecticut.

Dr. Slay continues active field research through the HICAVES Project in Hawaii, where her team’s discoveries of new species in lava tubes have been featured in Nature PBS documentaries. She serves on the board of the Ozark Natural Science Center. Together with an international team and global partners, Dr. Slay leads TSC to advance its mission: “all products sustainable.” She is based in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Erin Killeen

Director, Science and Impact

I believe in the inherent goodness of people and that we share more commonalities than differences. I strive to bridge gaps while celebrating diversity, and I ground my work in science, ethics, and an unwavering commitment to sustainability. 

Since joining TSC in 2009, I currently serve as the Director of Science and Impact, where I lead teams focused on supply chain sustainability through rigorous research and technical projects. One of my core responsibilities is overseeing THE Sustainability Insight System (THESIS), helping to translate complex science into business-friendly tools that enhance communication between retailers and suppliers. This work draws on data analytics to track and measure progress on critical sustainability issues. 

Before my current role, I contributed to TSC as Coordinator for Technical Development and as a Research Associate in the Food, Beverage, and Agriculture sector, where I developed science-based content across various tools. My expertise also extends to the issue of food waste across supply chains, having led research that emphasizes predictive models, communication, and adaptability as key drivers for waste reduction. 

I am based in Northwest Arkansas and hold two Master’s degrees—one in Agricultural Economics from the University of Arkansas and another in International Rural Development from the University of Gent. I also have undergraduate degrees in Economics, Soil and Water Science, and Anthropology. Long before sustainability became a formal field of study, I combined these disciplines to build a foundation for addressing complex environmental and social challenges, with a focus on responsible resource management and conservation. 

A career highlight has been conducting life cycle assessments (LCAs) for the beef, dairy, and poultry sectors, illustrating the intricate complexities of agricultural supply chains. Additionally, I co-founded a non-profit in Bolivia to engage local communities in conservation work, promoting education and raising funds for environmental initiatives. 

Fun Fact: I’m an avid adventure cyclist and completed a yearlong unassisted expedition spanning 13,000 kilometers through seven countries. I crossed the Andean Mountain range six times, pushing the limits of both my mental and physical resilience. When not cycling, I love exploring nature, floating rivers, and bike-packing with my family. I was born and raised in Bolivia, where I grew up as the sidekick to two field biologists—my parents. 

Elisa Leehan

Senior Manager, Retail

Elisa joined TSC in 2024 and currently serves as Senior Program Manager, Retail. She leads initiatives like THESIS, a system that helps retailers and suppliers measure and improve sustainability within their supply chains. With a focus on fostering collaboration across the supply chain, Elisa works to tackle environmental and social challenges, driving measurable progress in sustainability.

Based in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area, Elisa thrives on the opportunity to support retailers and suppliers as they navigate the complexities of sustainable sourcing and reporting. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from James Madison University and an MBA from HEC Paris, where she specialized in sustainable and disruptive innovation.

Elisa’s background includes consulting and project management in the cyber sector, where she focused on government-regulated compliance for both public and private clients. Elisa’s passion for sustainability began with her journey as a mindful consumer, but it quickly expanded into a mission to drive systemic change in global supply chains. When she’s not working, you can find Elisa listening to true crime podcasts, planning her next travel adventure, or diving into a good book. 

Jennifer Park

Manager, Collective Action

Jennifer Park joined TSC in February 2019 where she serves as Manager of Collective Action. In this role she brings TSC members and partners together to engage in pre-competitive collaboration and drive impact on sustainability hotspots. Her project-based work covers topics ranging from circularity to climate and regenerative agriculture. Jennifer also leads TSC’s Sustainability Leadership Institute, equipping participants with models and methods for navigating uncertainty and moving from systems thinking to systems action. She is a certified Human Systems Dynamics practitioner and is passionate about helping others work through their most complex sustainability challenges.

Jennifer earned her bachelors in geosciences and sustainability from the University of Arkansas where she also completed her master’s in public administration and non-profit studies. She is a proud AmeriCorps VISTA program alumna and has extensive experience supporting local food systems through service work in the US and abroad.

Outside of work, she enjoys live music, yoga, and curling up with a good book. Additionally, she loves exploring the scenic landscapes of Northwest Arkansas and discovering new adventures wherever her travels take her.

Yuliya Lapatkova

Project Manager, Marketing and Communications

Yuliya is a web designer and developer with over 10 years of experience creating user-friendly websites and simplifying complex scientific concepts into clear, visually appealing designs. With a strong background in project management, she leads projects from start to finish, ensuring the successful delivery of digital solutions that are functional,  accessible and visually engaging.