Sustainability Foundation Board profiles

Julie Ketchum began her career in microbiology, but she quickly realized lab work wasn’t her calling. Determined to find the right fit, she dove into a variety of roles, at one point even driving many miles to collect ground water samples.  

Her path led her to positions at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the former Office of Environmental Assistance. For the past 23 years, she has enjoyed being in government affairs and communication roles with Waste Management. Today, she is the Area Director of Government Affairs for Waste Management covering a six-state region.

“There are such diverse issues to work on – city and state. It is ever-changing,” she shares. Julie clearly thrives in this fast-paced environment. She confesses to being ‘a little bit competitive.’

She approaches each project armed with as much information as possible. She believes it is crucial to look very closely at every issue to study all potential impacts and implications. "You need to understand the positions of the various stakeholders, especially your direct competitors." This requires her to always be go-go-go, but she certainly isn’t complaining.  

Julie is serving on the Minnesota Chamber Environmental Sustainability Foundation Board for the second time, this time as Board Chair.  

“I wholeheartedly support the Sustainability Foundation’s mission,” she says. Her favorite part of each Board meeting? Hearing the program highlights and status updates. She also values the opportunity to hear the perspectives and understand the positions of her fellow talented Board members.  

Julie’s advice for professionals in sustainability is to stay curious. “You have to want to learn it. Check in with the state environmental committees, follow the issues, look for the opportunities.”

We’re grateful to Julie for her dedication, insight and board leadership. Her work continues to shape the direction of Sustainability Foundation and we are proud to have her guiding the way! 

As the Sustainability Manager for GF Building Flow Solutions Americas, Chrissie Walsh leverages her climate-focused skillset as an Atmospheric Scientist to help further the company’s vision of global leadership and tangible contributions in sustainable water systems. 

Chrissie holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management from the University of Minnesota; a master’s degree in Atmospheric Sciences and Biogeochemical Cycles from Lund University in Sweden; and worked with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on her thesis development in Boulder, Colorado. 

Prior to GF BFS, Chrissie worked nearly 10 years with 3M’s corporate Energy Management department. In her personal life, she enjoys playing with her two young daughters, running, mountain biking, Minnesota Twins baseball, and is an avid reader.