CHEP Appoints Sandra Leyva As Head Of Sustainability

CHEP, a Brambles company and the world leader in circular supply chain solutions, today announced Sandra Elizabeth Leyva Martinez as its Head of Sustainability for the Americas. The company was named one of the world's four most sustainable companies for 2024 by TIME Magazine. With a network covering 60 countries and managing over 347 million reusable pallets, crates, and containers, CHEP is the best example of commitment to reducing waste and optimizing resource reuse.

Sandra Leyva, an experienced sustainability leader, brings a pool of expertise to her new position. She has experience in the development and implementation of worldwide sustainability strategies, including decarbonization initiatives and reporting frameworks dealing with Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. She aligns seamlessly with CHEP's mission in creating innovative and sustainable solutions for customers while driving growth by reducing their environmental impact.

Speaking on her new assignment, Leyva said: "CHEP is not an average company. The customers of the company reduce their waste and make resources reusable; when they gain success, then we do," she said. Her passion is to drive impactful change that makes a difference—something the company is built for, emphasizing its commitment to circular economy and change in industry best practices.

Eduational Qualifications and Professsional Achievements.

Leyva's education qualification and professional accomplishments provide a fitting leadership profile. She has a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León and an Executive Sustainability Leadership certificate from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Recently, she was selected as one of over 20 women worldwide to join the 2024 cohort of the WiSER (Women in Sustainability, Environment, and Renewable Energy) Pioneer program. This exclusive initiative will train and mentor the selected participants on solving critical global issues related to sustainability and empower them to lead successfully with innovations and expertise.

Leyva views the appointment as the most critical juncture of her career-to-date, merging technical know-how with passion for environmental leadership. "This role feels tailor-made for me," she said. "I look forward to embracing the challenges and opportunities in store." She further emphasized collaboration between CHEP's leadership team and the industry as a whole in redefining traditional practices while delivering massive environmental benefits.

Leyva reflected on her professional journey, expressing her gratitude to colleagues and mentors who supported her during the transition. She mentioned Bree T. for instrumental guidance and contributions from industry leaders such as Juan Jose Freijo, Vishal Patell, and Frank Bozzo, who have inspired her work in sustainability.

The leadership at CHEP is confident that Leyva will help the company enhance its sustainability initiatives and strengthen its position as a pioneer in the circular economy. Her appointment comes at a time when the company continues to garner recognition for its environmental achievements, further solidifying its reputation as a trailblazer in sustainable logistics.

As CHEP seeks to infuse sustainability into profitability, Leyva's vision focuses on the congruence of corporate success and planetary health. "The challenges ahead are huge, but so is our potential for impact," she said. Her approach reinforces the belief that profitability and sustainability are not enemies but complementary forces that can spur change.

Leyva's approach to leadership not only shows great technical expertise but also innovation and collaboration. As a leader of CHEP, she will initiate projects that open up new areas of supply chain practice, enabling a more sustainable future. Her vision is for other organizations to follow the same approach, illustrating the possibility of harmonizing environmental accountability and business success.

Through her work, Leyva strives to challenge the status quo and promote transformative practices that benefit both the environment and the economy. "Here's to transforming industries by challenging the status quo," she said. "Together, we can redefine what's possible."

CHEP’s circular supply chain model, which emphasizes resource efficiency and waste minimization, serves as a foundation for Leyva’s vision. Her appointment represents a strategic step forward in the company’s sustainability journey, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and leadership in the circular economy.

With Sandra Leyva at the helm of its sustainability efforts in the Americas, CHEP is poised to achieve even greater impact in the years to come. Her expertise and passion for environmental stewardship promise to advance the company’s mission and inspire others to prioritize sustainability in their operations.