Maria McDonald

Maria is the Founder and Principal of Footprint Sustainability, a boutique sustainability consultancy for the private sector, focusing on sustainability portfolio development, impact reporting & green communications, certifications, and fractional sustainability leadership. Maria has spent her career dedicated to the intersection of sustainability and business, and champions the “business as a force for good” mantra from the B Corp community. Prior to launching her consultancy, Maria led the sustainability portfolio and one-for-one business model at B Corp brand United By Blue, and consulted for Fortune 500 corporations at the Anthesis Group. With roots in consumer brands and the outdoor industry, Maria is experienced in crafting sustainability initiatives backed by solid business cases, balancing planet, people, and profit.

Maria has dedicated her career to the pursuit and study of sustainable business tactics, and is skilled in reporting frameworks such as B Corp, The Change Climate Project, GRI, 1% for the Planet, and other certifications and frameworks. Her consulting and professional work spans impact improvement for outdoor industry brands (product development, supply chain, carbon measurement, packaging/waste, circularity), corporate CPG, built environment/real estate sustainability, corporate philanthropy and environmental stewardship projects, impact reporting, and sustainability communications.

She holds a Bachelor of Science from Georgetown University and a Masters in Sustainability Planning and Management University of Colorado Boulder (MENV alum). Maria resides in Lyons, CO and enjoys the beauty of living in small-town Boulder County, frequenting hiking trails, camping, and live music