Elizabeth Balkan

Elizabeth Balkan has extensive expertise in zero waste policy and implementation. She most recently served as Executive Director of Reloop North America. There, she built a circularity in packaging program comprised of leading decision-makers across the value chain and the most influential government and non-profit stakeholders, delivering tangible, data-oriented solutions. She previously led the Food Waste program at the Natural Resources Defense Council, growing the Food Matters initiative to comprise more than 40 cities nationwide. Before that, Balkan developed and oversaw implementation of New York City’s zero waste plan, working first in the Mayor’s Office and then at the NYC Department of Sanitation. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and her Masters from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.