Press Release
Sustainable Brands Marks New Chapter with Leadership Transition

SAN FRANCISCO, April 15, 2024 – Sustainable Brands® (SB), the premier global community of brand innovators who are reshaping the future of commerce worldwide, today announces an important leadership change to position the organization for ongoing success. Founder & CEO KoAnn Vikoren Skrzyniarz has transitioned from her role as CEO to focus on serving Sustainable Brands’ mission in an exciting new capacity. Mike Dupee, the organization’s COO, has stepped into the role of CEO, effective immediately.

Skrzyniarz will remain an integral part of Sustainable Brands in the newly created role of Chief Catalyst and Community Builder, while retaining her ongoing roles as board chair, lead investor, pro-tem Editorial Director, advisory board member and coach and mentor to the team.

“Mike’s thoughtful approach, powerful blend of strategic and operational expertise and passion for our organization and mission made him the obvious choice when looking for the right person to lead our organization into a new chapter,” says Skrzyniarz. “He has already had an enormous impact on Sustainable Brands as our COO and I look forward to continuing to work alongside him to deliver against SB’s ambitions for both impact and healthy growth.”

With more than 25 years of experience, Dupee is a corporate sustainability and innovation expert, educator, and entrepreneur. A founding member of Sustainable Brands, Dupee holds graduate degrees in business, law and biomimicry. He has served in various senior leadership roles at Green Mountain Coffee/Keurig Dr. Pepper and Goldman Sachs. The co-founder of an eco-tourism company, Dupee is also a graduate professor of Sustainable Business at the University of Vermont.

“As I step into this new role, I’m excited about what the future holds for Sustainable Brands and our mission to lead the way to the future we want for all people, for all time,” says Dupee. “I want to thank KoAnn for trusting me with this important responsibility to lead the organization into its next chapter. We’re grateful for her vision, inspired leadership, and her many contributions to Sustainable Brands, and I look forward to continuing her legacy.”

About Sustainable Brands Sustainable Brands®, a female-founded Public Benefit Corporation, is the premier global community of brand innovators who are reshaping the future of commerce worldwide. Since 2006, our mission has been to inspire, engage and equip today’s business and brand leaders to prosper for the near and long term by leading the way to the future we want for all people for all time. Digitally published news articles and issues-focused conversations, a robust e-learning library and internationally known conferences and regional events, along with peer-to-peer membership groups, unique market intelligence, tools and services all facilitate community education and transformative action throughout the year.