The University of California San Francisco (UCSF) has appointed Kira Stoll as its first Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) and Executive Director of the Office of Sustainability. Stoll, with 25 years of experience at UC Berkeley and UC Santa Cruz in sustainability and transportation management, is tasked with advancing UCSF’s sustainability initiatives and reducing its environmental footprint.
In her new role, Stoll will work in close collaboration with UCSF’s leadership, various sustainability committees, and teams across the campus. She aims to leverage her expertise to provide strategic guidance on new construction, renovations, renewable energy systems design, as well as energy and water efficiency projects.
Stoll will report to Jon Giacomi, associate vice chancellor of Campus Life Services, and dedicated to improving UCSF’s resilience to climate change impacts and advocating for environmental justice. “Creating a more sustainable and resilient campus includes a commitment to equitable outcomes for people,” she remarked. “It’s great how engaged the community is and I’m ready to collaborate on inclusive processes that lead to comprehensive environmental improvements.”
Stoll is excited about the opportunity to work on a healthcare campus, emphasising her passion for projects that enhance environmental health, especially in areas like women’s health. Her upcoming initiatives will focus on reducing on-site energy carbon emissions cost-effectively, increasing the use of clean energy, saving water, meeting zero waste policy targets, purchasing sustainable foods and products, and developing greener labs and buildings.
Erin Gore, Senior Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration expressed her enthusiasm for Stoll’s appointment, stating, “After an extensive search, we are delighted that Kira Stoll will lead UCSF’s ongoing efforts in sustainability and help us to reduce our environmental footprint. Advancing health worldwide begins here at home to ensure we combat climate change, which is a serious public health problem.”
Jon Giacomi, Associate Vice Chancellor of Campus Life Services, highlighted Stoll’s capabilities, saying, “With Kira’s know-how and passion for sustainability, we are confident that UCSF will continue to make significant strides in our commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility. We look forward to Kira’s leadership and vision in advancing initiatives and our distinction in sustainability across the campus and beyond.”
Stoll holds a master’s degree in social sciences, Adult Learning & Global Change from Linköping University in Sweden. She is a LEED Green Associate and certified planner from the American Planning Association. Stoll has chaired campuswide advisory committees and served on University of California councils and working groups and represented campus sustainability interests in national and international settings.