Debra Vernon Email Address

Senior Director, Corporate Social Responsibility

California American Water provides high-quality and reliable water.

I believe doing business responsibly is the best way to grow the bottom line. Dynamic, versatile, and passionate, I am a strategic leader with 20+ years experience building and driving comprehensive systems and programs for world-class organizations. I possess deep expertise in corporate responsibility and sustainability. Doing good for its own sake isn’t enough; strong organizations address the intersection of key social, economic, and environmental factors to generate optimal business and brand value. American Water’s achievements under my leadership: ➤ Selection as the first (and only) U.S. water company in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index North America. ➤ Became the first U.S. water company to report on ESG performance against the Global Reporting Index (GRI) guidelines. ➤ Named runner-up in the CR Reporting Awards 2012, recognized for its 1st corporate responsibility report in the "Best First Time Report" category. ➤ Inclusion in CRO Magazine’s 2014 list of 100 Best Corporate Citizens. ➤ Grown socially-responsible investor (SRI) ownership from 70 firms in 2010 to 100 in 2014, including the company's 5th largest shareholder, Deutsche Asset Management. With a Master’s in Organizational Development and a background in Public Relations, Communications, and Marketing, I have diverse skills I capitalize on to build engagement and momentum for progressive organizations. As a Change Catalyst, I negotiate, influence, and partner with key decision makers to execute initiatives across matrixed organizations. I collaborate with our business units to deliver value and enhance performance across Corporate Responsibility focus areas including Customers, Community, Environment and Workplace. ✭ Core Competencies ✭ CSR & Citizenship Environmental Sustainability Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Change Management Strategic Planning Risk / Reputation Management Organizational Development Foundation Leadership Employee Engagement Stakeholder Management Communications