Leisha John

Leisha John specializes in helping companies, especially in the climate-tech space, to step up their ESG-related efforts and scale their operations in order to make a meaningful impact on curbing climate change. Prior to her 2021 retirement from EY, a global professional services firm, she served as the organization’s Americas Director of Environmental Sustainability for over a decade. In her role, Leisha worked with the firm’s executive board to develop strategies to reduce EY’s impact on the environment, become 100% renewable energy and set a global ambition to be Net Zero carbon by 2025. She also conceived and implemented EY’s two signature Corporate Responsibility programs to engage its employees: EY-Earthwatch Ambassadors (launched in 2009) engages EY’s people in scientific field research and education in sustainable environments, providing pro bono consulting and environmental research throughout Latin America. In 2020, she co-created “Operation Health Air” with Earthwatch as a global EY program which addresses environmental racism through virtual, just-in-time volunteering and the application of data science.

Leisha has been acknowledged for her work by being named one of "The 10 Most Powerful Women in Sustainability" (gb&d magazine) and one of the “Top Women in Sustainability” (PINK magazine). She has been profiled in various publications including GreenBiz “How She Leads” series and Journal of Accountancy’s “The Last Word.” She speaks locally and on the national stage on corporate sustainability topics. She delivered a TEDx Talk “White Roofs for Green Schools.”

Leisha is a CPA and a LEED AP. She is also a Climate Reality Leader, a member of Citizens’ Climate Lobby, and participates in climate education and resiliency efforts across South Florida. She lives part-time in Aspen where she is active with the Aspen Institute, working to spur climate action.