Amy Mika '15

Outstanding Young Alumni Award Winner

• Global sustainability engineering manager, Ecolab; Naperville, Illinois

• Major: Environmental Health and Business Sustainability

Amy Mika is a seasoned sustainability and safety leader with over a decade of experience driving impactful environmental initiatives across global supply chains. Currently serving as the global sustainability engineering manager at Ecolab, Mika leads a team of engineers dedicated to advancing corporate sustainability goals and implementing innovative programs that shape the future of environmental stewardship. Mika oversees critical initiatives aimed at reducing utility consumption and improving operational efficiency worldwide. She played a pivotal role in expanding Ecolab’s Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) certification portfolio, successfully leading the first multi-site AWS audit in the United States. She also contributes to key sustainability reporting efforts, including the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and the American Chemistry Council, ensuring transparency and accountability in environmental performance.

Before transitioning to sustainability leadership, Mika managed environmental health and safety compliance assessments for 150 global manufacturing plants. She led multi-year audit planning, trained auditors, and presented detailed analysis of compliance trends to senior management. Her expertise in environmental matters positioned her as a technical authority within the organization.

Academically, Mika holds a Bachelor of Science in environmental health and business sustainability from Illinois State University and a Master of Liberal Arts in extension studies in the field of sustainability from Harvard University. She has obtained her Certified Safety Professional and is a 2023 Rising Stars of Safety Award Winner from the National Safety Council,  underscoring her technical proficiency and commitment to workplace safety.

Beyond her professional achievements, Mika is passionate about mentoring and community engagement. She actively participates in programs that inspire future leaders in environmental and chemical engineering, sharing her expertise in environmental compliance and sustainability practices. She is also an active volunteer within her community, participating in events focused on youth engagement and public safety. Her leadership style emphasizes collaboration, positivity, and building strong global networks, which she considers the most rewarding aspect of her role.

Mika’s career exemplifies the intersection of technical expertise, strategic vision, and a deep commitment to sustainability. Through her work, she continues to set industry benchmarks and inspire others to pursue a more sustainable future.