Salem Afeworki

About Salem Afeworki

Award-winning sustainability executive with 16 years of proven success building climate-resilient communities and driving organizational transformation across public and private sectors.As the first Energy and Sustainability Services Manager for Costa Mesa, I established citywide sustainability frameworks that serve as models for municipalities nationwide. Previously led a 12-person sustainability and engagement team at City of Burbank and Value Sustainability, where I developed innovative public-private partnerships that accelerated clean energy adoption.My global perspective—shaped by work across North America, Europe, Latin America, and Africa—enables me to design inclusive, scalable solutions that address complex sustainability challenges. Recognition as Global 40 Under 40, Top 100 Environment + Energy Leader, and 2025 Orange Coast Magazine 40 Under 40 reflects my commitment to driving measurable climate impact.I specialize in: → Sustainability strategy and climate resilience planning → ESG implementation and stakeholder engagement → Public-private partnership development → Team leadership and organizational transformation → Community outreach and inclusive program design.Best qualified to serve as Chief/ Director of Sustainability, Innovation & Resilience Officer for organizations committed to building a sustainable future.Certifications: LEED GA | ENV SP | EcoDistricts AP | GRI Reporting & Verification Affiliations: RSA Fellow | One Young World Ambassador | American Society of Civil Engineers | USGBC California | UN SDG Cities Network | UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction

Experience

1. Energy and Sustainability Services - Division Manager

   City of Costa Mesa

   Jan 2020 — Present · Costa Mesa, CA, US

   New Department Launch & Strategic Leadership: Led comprehensive citywide sustainability department from inception, developing policy frameworks, strategic planning, and operational programs across environmental services, fleet operations, and procurement while tracking GHG emissions per project, City\'s sustainability commitments, and transportation electrification initiatives- Project Development & Implementation Excellence: Successfully developed and implemented City\'s SB1383 compliance ordinance to minimize methane emissions, negotiated formal franchise agreements with seven waste haulers, and managed full project lifecycle from design and planning through construction and O&M phases- Community Engagement & Capacity Building: Led comprehensive community outreach and environmental education programs including Earth Day festivals, developed City\'s official sustainability website and first annual sustainability report, while providing internal sustainability training to up-skill staff for green jobs and career advancement- Strategic Partnerships & Financial Impact: Built strategic partnerships securing in grant funding and in energy cost savings, achieving LEED Gold City certification within two years and receiving awards from ASCE-OC and USGBC-LA while creating Costa Mesa Green Team for cross-functional sustainability collaboration

Education

• Universidad de Chile

  Graduate diploma, Political Analysis

• Stanford University

  Senior Executive Leadership Program, Political Science and Government

• University of Asmara

  BA, Journalism and Mass Communication

• Central European University

  Green Industry, Pathway to the Future, Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Law

  2013 — 2013

• Universidad Complutense de Madrid

  Graduate Diploma, Strategy and Indicators of Sustainable Urban Development

  2010 — 2010

• Universidad de León

  MSc, Environmental Management and Auditing

  2009 — 2011

• University of California, Berkeley

  Beahrs Environment Leadership Program, Environmental Science

  2014 — 2014

• University of Southern California

  Business Administration and Management, General

  2015 — 2016

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology

  Executive Program, Climate Change Science and Solutions

  2016 — 2016