A national expert in sustainability, who has led two zero landfill projects, will be the Cabot Executive in Residence on Wednesday, Oct. 24, at UW-Stout.
Denise Coogan is the Environmental Partnerships manager for Subaru of America. She led the company’s zero landfill initiative at its Indiana manufacturing plant. Since 2004 the plant has sent no waste to landfills. It was the first automaker in North America to achieve the distinction.
The factory has 5,600 employees and makes 350,000 cars a year.
Coogan also has been part of a zero landfill project with the National Park Service and has provided advice to more than 800 corporations on the issue.
Coogan, who has a master’s degree in sustainable development and policy, will speak from 10:10 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday in the Crystal Ballrooms of the Memorial Student Center. The address is free and open to the public.
In her keynote address, “Building Momentum for Success in the Face of Adversity,” she will discuss the social and financial benefits of embracing sustainability, women in leadership, cultural sensitivity and the national parks project.
She also will meet with students in classrooms and faculty and staff as part of her residency Oct. 23-25.
UW-Stout’s sustainability efforts, through Sustainable Stout, include composting, recycling, reducing energy use, promoting sustainability in the curriculum and green transportation initiatives. In 2017, the university was named to Princeton Review’s Green Colleges list.
Cabot Executive in Residence program
This is the 34th year of the Cabot Executive in Residence program, which is named in honor of Arthur R. Cabot, a successful pet products manufacturer. His son, Scott Cabot, earned a bachelor’s degree from UW-Stout in 1978 and a master’s in 1979.
Recent Cabot executives have included alumnus Todd Wanek, president and CEO of Ashley Furniture Industries; Stephen Marcus, chairman of Marcus Corp.; and alumna Shelly Ibach, CEO of Sleep Number.
A Cabot Wall of Honor, featuring plaques of previous Cabot presenters, was established in 2014.
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Denise Coogan
