Elizabeth Romano
Leadership-in-Action Award NomineeNominated for: Empowering Systems - Leadership-in-Action
Title: Principal, National Client Manager
Company: Partner Engineering and Science Inc.
Years in Profession: 23+
Nominator: Meg Faulkner, Senior Manager, Marketing Strategy; Partner Engineering and Science Inc. - Peer
Title: Principal, National Client Manager
Company: Partner Engineering and Science Inc.
Years in Profession: 23+
Nominator: Meg Faulkner, Senior Manager, Marketing Strategy; Partner Engineering and Science Inc. - Peer
Describe a situation in which the Nominee exhibited effective influence within your organization. Further define any technical expertise, business acumen, and/or emotional intelligence that contributed to the Nominee's effectiveness. (500 word max.)*
Elizabeth Romano has an exceptional ability to influence organizations by connecting diverse stakeholders around common environmental compliance and risk management objectives. This ability was particularly apparent during the development and implementation of Bank of America's Governance Program, an internal EHS audit system to validate regulatory compliance, which Elizabeth supported first as a BofA vice president, then as an external consultant.
The Governance Program comprised a portfolio of more than 5,000 banking centers, administrative offices, and data centers. Elizabeth developed a risk-based methodology to utilize information from BofA’s environmental database to rank all 5,000+ sites. She then developed a site-selection process to audit the highest risk locations periodically. In addition to site audits, she implemented systematic evaluation of the highest risk documents being delivered to regulatory agencies on a monthly basis. These processes and programs have resulted in a significant reduction in notices of violation and are used to drive continuous improvement annually.
Environmental compliance for a portfolio of this size requires coordination among facilities management, environmental consultants, technology teams, legal stakeholders, and senior business leaders. Elizabeth successfully bridged these groups by combining deep technical knowledge with strong business acumen and relationship-building skills. She understood not only the environmental regulations and compliance risks involved, but also the operational realities facing facility managers and business leaders responsible for maintaining thousands of locations.
Elizabeth continues to provide EHS consulting services to BofA in her current role at Partner Engineering and Science.
The Governance Program comprised a portfolio of more than 5,000 banking centers, administrative offices, and data centers. Elizabeth developed a risk-based methodology to utilize information from BofA’s environmental database to rank all 5,000+ sites. She then developed a site-selection process to audit the highest risk locations periodically. In addition to site audits, she implemented systematic evaluation of the highest risk documents being delivered to regulatory agencies on a monthly basis. These processes and programs have resulted in a significant reduction in notices of violation and are used to drive continuous improvement annually.
Environmental compliance for a portfolio of this size requires coordination among facilities management, environmental consultants, technology teams, legal stakeholders, and senior business leaders. Elizabeth successfully bridged these groups by combining deep technical knowledge with strong business acumen and relationship-building skills. She understood not only the environmental regulations and compliance risks involved, but also the operational realities facing facility managers and business leaders responsible for maintaining thousands of locations.
Elizabeth continues to provide EHS consulting services to BofA in her current role at Partner Engineering and Science.
Explain a situation where the Nominee achieved exceptional results within their area of responsibility. Include relevant metrics or KPIs as proof of impact. (500 word max.)*
Elizabeth was tasked with developing Trip Reduction Ordinance program at Bank of America. Trip Reduction Ordinances are regulations to incentivize employees to use public transportation or carpooling to reduce single occupancy vehicle trips. They are notoriously difficult to comply with due to their cross-functional nature, requiring input from human resources, facilities management, and sustainability teams. Elizabeth’s technical skill in understanding the regulatory requirements, combined with her ability to engage people from diverse settings, allowed her to aggregate the knowledge required to comply with these complex regulations. She is equally comfortable talking to an HR executive and a site engineer, which allowed her to skillfully bring together information from a broad spectrum of stakeholders to demonstrate compliance. The outcome of her efforts brought BofA into compliance, the systems she built have allowed the bank to maintain compliance for more than decade. This sustainability initiative eliminated more than 400,000 single-occupancy vehicle trips and approximately 4.8 million miles of travel on regional roadways. In a related initiative, she also helped develop Bank of America's first methodology for calculating employee commuter carbon emissions, enabling the company to report commuter emissions to the Carbon Disclosure Project for the first time.
These accomplishments demonstrate Elizabeth's unique ability to build systems that generate measurable, long-lasting outcomes. Rather than focusing solely on individual projects, she creates scalable management frameworks that improve environmental performance, strengthen governance, reduce business risk, and help organizations achieve their sustainability goals over the long term.
These accomplishments demonstrate Elizabeth's unique ability to build systems that generate measurable, long-lasting outcomes. Rather than focusing solely on individual projects, she creates scalable management frameworks that improve environmental performance, strengthen governance, reduce business risk, and help organizations achieve their sustainability goals over the long term.
Provide an example of how the Nominee's decision-making skills and/or problem-solving approach supported a positive outcome. (500 word max.)*
Elizabeth approaches problem solving through a combination of data analysis, systems thinking, and stakeholder engagement. Her work in support of BofA’s Governance Program, described above, offers a compelling example of this approach.
The challenge with the Governance Program was determining how to effectively monitor environmental compliance across a vast portfolio without overextending resources. Rather than relying on random audits or reactive investigations, Elizabeth analyzed environmental data and developed a risk-based methodology to identify locations with the highest potential compliance risk. This data-driven approach allowed resources to be concentrated where they would deliver the greatest value and risk reduction. In addition to selecting facilities for review, Elizabeth expanded the scope of the program to evaluate environmental documents being submitted to regulators. This decision helped the organization identify potential compliance gaps before they became enforcement issues. By focusing on both facility performance and document quality, she created a more comprehensive system for identifying risks and driving corrective actions.
Galina Chadwick, former Senior Vice President, Environmental Manager of BofA credits Elizabeth with developing the organization's internal EHS audit procedures, checklists, corrective action planning, measurement systems, and continuous improvement processes. These elements created accountability throughout the program and ensured that audit findings translated into meaningful operational improvements rather than isolated corrective actions.
The outcome was a stronger environmental management system, more consistent compliance performance, and a measurable reduction in notices of violation. Elizabeth's decision-making demonstrates a hallmark of effective EHS leadership: identifying underlying system weaknesses and creating practical, scalable solutions that prevent problems before they occur. Her ability to combine technical rigor with sound business judgment has consistently produced positive and sustainable outcomes for her clients.
The challenge with the Governance Program was determining how to effectively monitor environmental compliance across a vast portfolio without overextending resources. Rather than relying on random audits or reactive investigations, Elizabeth analyzed environmental data and developed a risk-based methodology to identify locations with the highest potential compliance risk. This data-driven approach allowed resources to be concentrated where they would deliver the greatest value and risk reduction. In addition to selecting facilities for review, Elizabeth expanded the scope of the program to evaluate environmental documents being submitted to regulators. This decision helped the organization identify potential compliance gaps before they became enforcement issues. By focusing on both facility performance and document quality, she created a more comprehensive system for identifying risks and driving corrective actions.
Galina Chadwick, former Senior Vice President, Environmental Manager of BofA credits Elizabeth with developing the organization's internal EHS audit procedures, checklists, corrective action planning, measurement systems, and continuous improvement processes. These elements created accountability throughout the program and ensured that audit findings translated into meaningful operational improvements rather than isolated corrective actions.
The outcome was a stronger environmental management system, more consistent compliance performance, and a measurable reduction in notices of violation. Elizabeth's decision-making demonstrates a hallmark of effective EHS leadership: identifying underlying system weaknesses and creating practical, scalable solutions that prevent problems before they occur. Her ability to combine technical rigor with sound business judgment has consistently produced positive and sustainable outcomes for her clients.
Offer examples to illustrate the Nominee's dedication to lifelong learning and professional development. (500 word max.)*
Throughout her career, Elizabeth has demonstrated a strong commitment to professional growth, continuous learning, and the advancement of environmental management practices. Her educational foundation includes a Master of Business Administration from Wake Forest University and a Bachelor of Business degree from the University of Georgia. She has further strengthened her expertise through specialized professional training, including Design for Six Sigma Green Belt certification, Environmental Compliance Bootcamp training, and ASTM Environmental Due Diligence training.
Her commitment to learning is also reflected in the breadth of expertise she has developed over a more than twenty-year career spanning environmental compliance, corporate sustainability, environmental management systems, portfolio risk management, transportation demand management, auditing, environmental due diligence, and governance. She has consistently expanded her capabilities to address emerging client needs, evolving regulations, and changing business priorities.
In addition, Elizabeth actively engages with industry peers to share knowledge and stay informed about emerging trends and best practices. Her involvement in leadership and industry organizations such as EFMR demonstrates a commitment not only to her own professional development but also to helping advance the profession as a whole. Through mentoring, collaboration, and industry engagement, she continuously enhances her ability to deliver innovative environmental solutions and lead complex programs.
Elizabeth's career reflects the mindset of a lifelong learner: continually seeking opportunities to strengthen her technical, business, and leadership capabilities while applying that knowledge to create meaningful value for her clients.
Her commitment to learning is also reflected in the breadth of expertise she has developed over a more than twenty-year career spanning environmental compliance, corporate sustainability, environmental management systems, portfolio risk management, transportation demand management, auditing, environmental due diligence, and governance. She has consistently expanded her capabilities to address emerging client needs, evolving regulations, and changing business priorities.
In addition, Elizabeth actively engages with industry peers to share knowledge and stay informed about emerging trends and best practices. Her involvement in leadership and industry organizations such as EFMR demonstrates a commitment not only to her own professional development but also to helping advance the profession as a whole. Through mentoring, collaboration, and industry engagement, she continuously enhances her ability to deliver innovative environmental solutions and lead complex programs.
Elizabeth's career reflects the mindset of a lifelong learner: continually seeking opportunities to strengthen her technical, business, and leadership capabilities while applying that knowledge to create meaningful value for her clients.
Provide evidence of the Nominee's commitment to the fields of EHS&S. Examples may include: serving on the organization's safety committee, volunteering for environmental / sustainable causes, or writing for industry publications. In addition, share any professional impressions of the Nominee's commitment to EHS&S. (500 word max.)*
Elizabeth's commitment to the EHS&S profession has been evident throughout her career and extends well beyond her day-to-day responsibilities. For more than twenty years, she has helped organizations improve environmental compliance, strengthen governance systems, reduce environmental risk, and advance sustainability objectives. Her work has supported environmental management functions across thousands of facilities and has consistently focused on creating systems that drive long-term environmental stewardship and workplace safety.
One of the most significant demonstrations of her commitment to the profession is her role in helping establish and grow the Environmental Facilities Management Roundtable (EFMR). As an EFMR active board member, Elizabeth is instrumental in building connections among environmental professionals, encouraging collaboration, and ensuring that the organization is a valuable resource for facilities environmental managers. Through EFMR, practitioners exchange ideas, benchmark performance, discuss emerging environmental issues, and strengthen professional knowledge across the industry.
Elizabeth has also served on the boards of directors for CoreNet Carolinas and CREW Charlotte. These roles demonstrate her dedication to advancing industry dialogue and supporting the development of fellow professionals.
As a Principal and National Client Manager at Partner, Elizabeth is recognized as a trusted leader who genuinely cares about advancing EHS&S performance and helping others succeed. Colleagues consistently describe her ability to unite people around complex environmental challenges, foster collaboration, and create systems that deliver lasting value. Her dedication to improving both organizational outcomes and the broader EHS&S profession makes her a highly deserving candidate for the NAEM NexGen Leader Award in the Empowering Systems category.
One of the most significant demonstrations of her commitment to the profession is her role in helping establish and grow the Environmental Facilities Management Roundtable (EFMR). As an EFMR active board member, Elizabeth is instrumental in building connections among environmental professionals, encouraging collaboration, and ensuring that the organization is a valuable resource for facilities environmental managers. Through EFMR, practitioners exchange ideas, benchmark performance, discuss emerging environmental issues, and strengthen professional knowledge across the industry.
Elizabeth has also served on the boards of directors for CoreNet Carolinas and CREW Charlotte. These roles demonstrate her dedication to advancing industry dialogue and supporting the development of fellow professionals.
As a Principal and National Client Manager at Partner, Elizabeth is recognized as a trusted leader who genuinely cares about advancing EHS&S performance and helping others succeed. Colleagues consistently describe her ability to unite people around complex environmental challenges, foster collaboration, and create systems that deliver lasting value. Her dedication to improving both organizational outcomes and the broader EHS&S profession makes her a highly deserving candidate for the NAEM NexGen Leader Award in the Empowering Systems category.