THE ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY IS IRELAND'S LEADING BODY OF EXPERTS IN THE SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

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Geraldine Ann Cusack

Ardagh Group (Glass & Metals)

Geraldine A. Cusack is a chartered engineer and a chartered water and environmental manager: BSc Geology (engineering), MSc Energy (economics & enviro legislation). Geraldine's technical background (geological engineering, mineral resources, environmental hydrogeology, energy management) project work previously focused in environmental engineering consulting in the peat energy sector in Irl and oil and gas upstream/downstream, pharmaceutical, and mining industries throughout the US, in Irl & UK, Azerbaijan (Baku), Chile (Antofagasta). Geraldine joined Ardagh Group (Glass & Metals) in 2021 in Ireland as Sustainability Director Global Glass and helps to drive and ensure sustainability is weaved into the business culture and strategy. Geraldine's work area addresses key environmental, economic, and societal sustainability challenges such as climate change, water stewardship and responsible sourcing. Her work aims to implement circular economy principles across inherently sustainable glass and metal packaging products.

Geraldine is an active member of the Royal Irish Academy's Climate Change & Environmental Sciences Committee (2014-present; Vice-Chair 2018-2022) and the Future Earth Ireland Committee (2015-present) and was nominated by the RIA to serve on the European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC) on the Circular Economy Working Group 2015/16. Geraldine has contributed to Engineers Ireland State of Ireland 2017 report & participated in the Royal Academy of Engineering (UK) 2018 Symposium: Frontiers of Engineering for Development programme-Circular Economy. Geraldine previously participated in IBEC's Environmental Policy Committee and Resource Efficiency Working Group, and Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) Circularity Steering Group and has been member of Sustainable Nation Ireland's 40for30 Sustainable Business Leaders Network.

In Ireland Geraldine has worked with Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) as Senior Research Project Manager for Sustainable Manufacturing & Circular Economy (2020). She led research engagement with industry through the Sustainable Manufacturing division. Her project work aimed to enable zero net carbon manufacturing through developing environmentally focused low-carbon, resource efficient and intelligent water & energy management solutions for industry. From 2011 -2019 she was with Siemens Ltd (Digital Industries) Ireland where she set up and managed the Siemens Ltd Sustainability Programme internally while working with Siemens AG Headquarters to promote sustainable and circular economy thinking and solutions for industry clients through mechanisms of electrification, automation, and digitalization for decarbonization and a Circular Economy. And from 2002 -2011 she worked as Executive Engineer in Meath County Council Infrastructure and Environmental departments and established and ran the Meath Energy Management Agency (MEMA). Her programme of work covered EPA licenses, water infrastructure, renewable energy pilot projects, energy management, and Climate Change strategy.

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