Desta A. Raines, Sustainability Leader, Joins Governing Board of the International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP)

14 November 2023

Salem, Ore.: International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP) is pleased to announce the appointment of Desta A. Raines, Director of Sustainability at SEPHORA, to its Governing Board. 

A proven sustainability leader, Raines holds an impressive career as an entrepreneurial, innovative executive. With her extensive global experience, she brings expertise in steering cross-functional teams, creating policies and procedures that focus on sustainability, and driving impactful strategies for scalable change.

“ISSP is an organization that can serve the needs of individual sustainability practitioners as well as teams at global corporations. As ISSP grows, it will have to make choices as to what serves the members best,” said Raines. “My experience is both broad and deep, and I will contribute my knowledge and expertise to ensuring ISSP remains a strong and valuable organization for its members.” 

As the leading global membership network of sustainability professionals, ISSP provides community, tools, and training to individuals and organizations around the globe. ISSP Governing Board members are sustainability leaders from the public, private, nonprofit, and academic sectors committed to creating a future where sustainability is standard practice.

“ISSP is an organization that can serve as a bridge between practitioners. This includes personal development as well as professional networking and other opportunities,” said Raines. “I am hoping to contribute my expertise in programs, leadership in membership organizations and impactful collaborations to support ISSP’s continuing growth and trajectory.”

Raines’ previous roles reveal a dynamic career trajectory and a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. As a First Mover Fellow at The Aspen Institute, Desta worked at the intersection of minority-owned business certification and sustainability to try to expedite the process for companies to select and onboard diverse sustainable suppliers. At Fair Trade USA, she restructured the global Apparel & Home Goods Program and led the Factory Support Services function across 11 countries. During her tenure at Apple, Raines was instrumental in positioning the company as a global leader in labor rights and the ethical sourcing of materials.

“We are excited and thrilled to welcome Desta as an ISSP Governing Board Member. Her adeptness in fostering a collaborative work culture and driving impactful, global sustainability initiatives aligns perfectly with our mission,” said Nitesh Dullabh, ISSP Governing Board President. “In addition, we look forward to learning from her industry experience at SEPHORA, Fair Trade USA, and Apple. Her unique blend of operational excellence and innovative strategy in supply chain and recycling will greatly contribute to ISSP’s mission." 

About ISSP

The International Society of Sustainability Professionals is the world’s leading professional association of sustainability practitioners. A member-driven organization, ISSP moves the sustainability profession forward by empowering each other and defining professional excellence. ISSP launched the Sustainability Excellence Associate (SEA) and Sustainability Excellence Professional (SEP) credentials (formerly the ISSP Sustainability Associate and ISSP Certified Sustainability Professional credentials) in 2016 to define and recognize competency in the field of sustainability. ISSP has since partnered with Green Business Certification Inc., which formally acquired the credentials in 2019, to enhance, scale and promote the credentials in order to drive positive environmental, social and economic outcomes in organizations and communities worldwide.