Beth Wytiaz
Nominated for: 30 Over 30 Award
Title: Net Zero Strategy Executive
Company: Bank of America
Years in Profession: 17
Nominator: Kerri Sprague, ESG Sr. Marketing Manager, TD Bank, former colleague and peer of Beth.
Tell us why this person deserves recognition for making a difference in the practice of EHS & Sustainability management. (500 words max.)*
Beth has been doing environmental work for 17 years and nearly 14 at Bank of America. During her time at the bank she developed an award winning employee engagement program, My Environment which has 25,000 members in 30 countries. She led the bank to reach emission reduction goals, 100% renewable sourcing and carbon neutrality. She is now focused on helping the bank reach Net Zero and along the way all of the 2030 targets covering operations, supply chain and financing activities.
Describe a situation or initiative where the nominee was directly responsible for a significant achievement and/or advancement in the practice of EHS & Sustainability management. Include metrics and KPIs if available. (500 words max.)*
Beth has participated in a variety of initiatives over the years but most recently helped in the development of the financial institution guidance and best practices for emissions and targets associated with financing activities. This included contributions to the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials Standard and the Net Zero Banking Alliance. These organizations now represent a majority of financial institutions.
In your opinion, what are the predominant skills and attributes that directly contribute to the nominee’s effectiveness and success? (500 words max.)*
Beth is a hard worker and very productive but what really set her apart was her ability to envision and understand the long-term impact of her work and to strategize appropriately to steadily steer her area of responsibility toward the desired end state. She is also solution oriented. Beth takes challenges and comes up with ideas for solving the problem. While she is pragmatic, she is also sincerely committed to addressing climate change. The solutions she proposes usually included an aspirational element that would move the work or effort further forward.
In terms of her work style Beth is collegial and highly collaborative. Everyone enjoyed working with her, she has the ability to balance patience and drive, to inspire others to do their best work, and to never rest on her laurels. It is Beth’s nature to continuously learn and grow which has allowed her to expand her career and impact.
Share the ways this nominee has positively influenced you, both personally and professionally. You may also include reflections and quotes from others including executives, direct reports, colleagues, suppliers, and clients. (500 words max.)*
I met Beth while I worked at BofA at a volunteer event she arranged and from there we became friends. Over time I became more engaged in her direct work I was impressed by her knowledge and dedication. Over the years she has been a great resource for information as I moved my career into the ESG space.
Her previous manager for many years at BofA shared this:
"Everyone enjoyed working with her and I can’t recall anyone I managed over my 40 year career who inspired so many of their colleagues to send me notes praising their performance and partnership.
"Every year when I wrote her annual review, in the notes I shared with my manager, I included the phrases: “high performer”, “high potential”, and “should be tapped for senior role”. A year or two after my retirement I was having dinner with my former manager and she reminded me of these notes. She also told me my assessment of Beth, was spot on. Beth is a rare and remarkable colleague and a pleasure to work alongside. You know you can count on her to do a job and to do it as well as it could possibly be done."
Provide one or more examples of nominee’s commitment to environmental stewardship within their organization and/or the community. (500 words max.)*
Here is a recent paper that Beth wrote in her current role that captures the tremendous work and responsibility she is leading for the bank. She developed the Approach to Zero framework and pillars and all the work outlined in this paper.
https://about.bankofamerica.com/content/dam/about/pdfs/approach-to-zero-2022.pdf