Lisa Linnell
Saint Paul,MN
Summary
ESG professional with a passion for working on diverse teams that bring together the right mix of subject matter expertise, experiences, and skill sets to drive results. Professional and board member experience in reputation management, risk analysis and mitigation, governance and policy development, stakeholder engagement, and rapid-response communications. Drives for progress grounded in positive team culture and enterprise goals.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Sustainability Program Manager
Target Corporation
Minneapolis, MN
05.2019 - Current
- Leads initiatives and activities in complex spaces with significant business and reputational risks,, including plastic packaging waste, measurement and external-facing reporting of sustainability progress over time. Responsible for internal and external stakeholder engagement, including annual ESG reporting.
- Collaborates with subject matter experts across Target to deliver sensitive, nuanced messages, cultivate positive view of Target’s work, and develop strong relationships with external stakeholders, vendor partners, and socially responsible investors, seeking to achieve mutual sustainability goals and objectives.
- Represents Target in multi-stakeholder coalitions pursuing sustainability objectives and systems change, including Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy and US Plastics Pact.
- Manages suite of learning activities and tools to develop sustainability acumen in team members across Target in support of Target's sustainability strategy, Target Forward.
Sr Wellness Strategy Consultant
Target Corporation
Minneapolis, MN
08.2015 - 05.2019
- Developed and launched Target’s Wellness Product Standards and associated Wellness Iconography System, providing curated and differentiated experience for Target guests and ensuring credibility and consistency of Wellness product presentation across Target stores and Target.com.
- Created business-relevant content to advance a forward-looking position in wellness merchandising and assert strong, differentiated point-of-view to consumers.
- Collaborated across pyramids to develop company-wide wellness initiatives and key social responsibility objectives. Communicated objectives and activities to internal and external stakeholders to drive a renewed urgency and clear, concise guest-facing messaging.
Food Social Responsibility Specialist II
Target Corporation
Minneapolis, MN
08.2013 - 08.2015
- Helped build first Food Social Responsibility team at Target. Created business-relevant content and communications to develop and advance Target's social responsibility commitments and positioning in Food and Beverage.
- Developed and launched time-bound company-wide commitment to sustainable palm oil in select Owned Brand Food and Essentials, including communication of commitment to internal and external stakeholders, participation in international multi-stakeholder organizations, and launch of measurement tools and processes.
- Identified potential reputational issues with recommended course of action, including proactive and reactive content for stakeholder and rapid response messaging. Created multi-year benchmarking and analysis for key Target competitors and initiatives and presented data and analysis to relevant teams.
Product Standards Specialist
Target Corporation
Minneapolis, MN
01.2011 - 08.2013
- Developed and maintained product specifications for Owned Brand Bakery products and components.
- Researched technical specifications and documented critical quality and safety expectations.
- Created training for Food and Beverage vendor partners.
Product Quality Review Specialist
Target Corporation
Minneapolis, MN
11.2008 - 01.2011
- Developed and launched Product Quality Review program, reviewing Target private-label products against specifications, focusing on critical-to-quality attributes, food safety concerns, and risks to brand and guest.
- Developed reporting processes to provide timely, actionable information to buying and food safety teams.
- Designed and implemented training for quality improvements with strategic vendor partners.
Food Safety and Quality Assurance Associate
Target Corporation
Minneapolis, MN
03.2007 - 11.2008
- Analyzed and reported on food safety and quality trends and emerging issues as reported to Target Guest Relations.
- Screened and alerted key business partners to food safety and quality concerns to minimize risk to business.
- Developed and led training for Target Guest Relations partners to ensure collection of actionable information.
Senior Guest Relationship Specialist
Target Corporation
Minneapolis, MN
09.2005 - 03.2007
- Handled escalated phone and written contacts from Target guests and outside agencies, focusing on media-sensitive inquiries, potential legal issues, and safety concerns; Subject Matter Expert for Food + Beverage.
Legislative Assistant/Research Director
U.S. Senator Kent Conrad
Washington , DC
06.1993 - 02.2002
- Developed rapid-response communication strategies, focusing on clarity and accuracy of message and tone; served as liaison between senator, state and federal officials, and constituents in support of key strategic federal and state priorities; mentored junior staff members and interns.
- Subject matter expert for transportation, Native American Affairs, civil rights, and judiciary matters.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - History
Carleton College
Northfield, MNSkills
- Professional writing
- Project Management
- Program leadership
- Performance monitoring
Volunteer Service
Vice Chair, Twin Cities GErman Immersion School Board of Directors (June 2019 to present)
Governance body of a 600-student German language public charter school in St Paul, MN. Chair of Mission and School Culture Committee, responsible for development and implementation of programs and processes to strengthen and engage the school community, including public policy advocacy, volunteerism, alumni engagement, wellness policy development, and zero waste operations. Serves as the board's Administrative Liaison, responsible for connections and communications between the Board of Directors and school administration.. Member of the board's Finance and Governance Committees.
Timeline
Sustainability Program Manager
Target Corporation
05.2019 - Current
Sr Wellness Strategy Consultant
Target Corporation
08.2015 - 05.2019
Food Social Responsibility Specialist II
Target Corporation
08.2013 - 08.2015
Product Standards Specialist
Target Corporation
01.2011 - 08.2013
Product Quality Review Specialist
Target Corporation
11.2008 - 01.2011
Food Safety and Quality Assurance Associate
Target Corporation
03.2007 - 11.2008
Senior Guest Relationship Specialist
Target Corporation
09.2005 - 03.2007
Legislative Assistant/Research Director
U.S. Senator Kent Conrad
06.1993 - 02.2002
Bachelor of Arts - History
Carleton College
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