Krista O’Brien is a sustainability and climate leader with more than 14 years of experience turning big ideas into real-world action across universities, industry, and the public sector. She currently works at Arizona State University’s Global Futures Laboratory, where she helps build and manage global partnerships focused on climate solutions. Krista leads the New Carbon Economy Consortium, an international collaboration of universities, labs, and nonprofits working together to accelerate the transition to a carbon-conscious economy. Through this work, she has helped connect research, policy, and business to advance practical climate and decarbonization strategies at scale.
Earlier in her career, Krista helped shape sustainability efforts at ASU, contributing to major initiatives such as the university’s Biodiversity Plan, carbon reporting, and reductions in single-use plastics. Before joining ASU, she spent eight years with Aramark, where she led sustainability efforts across the western U.S., advancing zero-waste dining, responsible supply chains, and more sustainable food systems on college campuses.
Krista currently serves on the Salt River Project (SRP) District Board as an at-large member. She also serves on the board of Trees Matter, a Phoenix-based education organization, and was a recipient of the ASU President’s Award for Sustainability in 2017. An Arizona native, Krista remains deeply engaged in local environmental leadership and is always excited by opportunities to build a more sustainable future in the Valley of the Sun and beyond.
SRP website: SRPCleanEnergy.org