Gary Tong, Problem Solver and Business Consultant, Joins Governing Board of the International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP)

18 April 2023

Salem, Ore.: International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP) is pleased to announce the appointment of Gary Tong to its Governing Board. 

As Senior Vice President at AlixPartners, Tong brings his wide-ranging experience in engineering, manufacturing, sustainable packaging, and operational consulting to ISSP. In his role on the Governing Board, he aims to contribute to sustainability actions and build a network of like-minded individuals. 

“Sustainability is bigger than environment, social, and governance (ESG). For example, making a sustainable business also requires diverse viewpoints, inclusive work culture, efficient operations, and equitable access to all resources,” said Tong. “Being an ISSP Governing Board member, I can play an active role in promoting sustainability and advancing the field of sustainability professionals beyond the environment. I look forward to shaping the direction of the organization and its initiatives to make a positive impact on society.”

ISSP is the leading global membership network of sustainability professionals, providing connection and professional development to individuals, organizations, and communities 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.

“We are delighted to have Gary on the Governing Board,” said Trisha Bauman, M.S., ISSP Governing Board President. “Gary brings valuable experience and insights from across industries, functional expertise, and geographic regions. He is deeply committed to a regenerative future, and particularly through cultivating a diverse and inclusive international community of sustainability professionals."

Gary started his ESG journey in 2008 while working at The Boeing Company, where he joined several diversity teams. He also volunteered in local nonprofit organizations in Seattle and held various leadership positions within the Boeing Asian American Professional Association. In 2018, he began to shift towards the sustainability field and helped develop more sustainable packaging.

Prior to AlixPartners, he was a vice president of engineering, innovation, and manufacturing in Kwik Lok Corporation, a global family-owned packaging company, where he oversaw profit and loss (P&L), manufacturing process improvement, and a five-year product & sustainability roadmap from a global perspective. 

Gary holds his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from UC Berkeley, a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from UW Seattle, and a Master of Science in Technology Management from Columbia University. He is an MBA candidate from Kelley School of Business.

Tong hopes to utilize his experience to grow ISSP as the leading organization for sustainability professionals around the world and to continue to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). His vision includes fostering diversity in the Governing Board, extending leadership opportunities for underrepresented groups, and tackling hidden barriers to equity and inclusion. 

“Ultimately, ISSP should contribute to building a sustainable future for all,” said Tong. “This means working towards a more sustainable economy, society, and environment. The approach must be holistic, scientific, and grounded in ISSP's values and ethics.” 

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 GBCI, 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.