Suggestions
Deborah Breisblatt
Global Sustainability - Communities Lead
Professional Background
Deborah (Breisblatt) Lizt is a notable energy and sustainability professional whose career spans several influential roles that have shaped her expertise in creating environmentally sustainable and financially viable business solutions. Throughout her career, she has gained extensive experience in the energy and sustainability sector, focusing on strategic planning, project management, and process improvement, among other key areas. Deborah currently serves as the Global Sustainability Communities Lead at Intuit, where she drives innovative initiatives aimed at integrating sustainability into the corporate culture. Her approach emphasizes the nexus between business and environmental considerations, enabling organizations to operate more sustainably while still meeting financial goals.
Previously, Deborah held significant positions at JLL, where she spent a total of several years advancing the company’s energy and sustainability strategies. Starting as the Senior Manager of Energy & Sustainability, she later advanced to the role of Director. Under her leadership, JLL developed and implemented pioneering energy strategies that not only reduced costs but also made substantial strides toward environmental sustainability.
In the earlier stages of her career, Deborah honed her expertise as the Director of Sales Operations at Socore Energy, which provided her with unique insights into the intersection of sales and sustainable energy operations. Her tenure as the Energy and Greenhouse Gas Coordinator at Northwestern University allowed her to engage with academic research on sustainability initiatives while fostering a culture of environmental responsibility on campus.
Education and Achievements
Deborah’s educational background laid a strong foundation for her career in energy and sustainability. She graduated from Duke University with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, which equipped her with the technical skills necessary to navigate and innovate within the infrastructure of sustainable development. Furthering her academic pursuits, she completed dual master’s degrees, an MBA in Energy and the Environment from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and a Master of Environmental Management from the Nicholas School of the Environment. This combination of business acumen and environmental expertise has made her an effective leader in the sustainability field.
Throughout her career, Deborah has not only developed and implemented transformative strategies but also contributed to building educational frameworks and policies that encourage sustainable practices. Her passion for training and development is evident in her mentoring roles and workshops, where she engages with emerging professionals in the field, sharing her knowledge and insights on energy management and sustainability practices.
Achievements
Deborah’s career includes numerous accolades and recognition for her contributions to sustainability. She has played a critical role in successful renewable energy development projects, which not only contributed to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions but also enhanced the overall sustainability profiles of the organizations she has worked with.
Her responsibilities often include implementing green building certification processes, where her thorough understanding of compliance and environmental impact assessment comes into play. At Abercrombie & Fitch, for example, her efforts helped the organization align its business operations with sustainable practices, leading to a positive impact on the brand's environmental footprint. With her vast experience working with organizations, from large multinationals to educational institutions, Deborah understands the complexities of implementing effective sustainability programs that resonate with diverse stakeholders.
Deborah's innovation-driven approach emphasizes collaboration, and she is known for her ability to bring together cross-functional teams to identify and solve sustainability challenges effectively. Her work with the Climate Corps Fellowship at the Environmental Defense Fund and as an InStep Sustainability Consulting Intern at Infosys reflect her commitment to shaping the future leaders in sustainability.
Deborah continues to be an architect of positive change in her field by integrating sustainable business practices that support environmental goals, demonstrating her belief that the future of business is intricately tied to the principles of sustainability. Her forward-thinking mindset and exceptional problem-solving skills make her an asset to any organization aiming to improve its environmental and operational standards.
