Acorn International Expands Team As Global Demand Escalates For Environmental And Social Impact Risk And Solution Analyses

New members bring expertise in green energy development, environmental assessment, sustainability management, community development, and mine waste management

September 21, 2022 – (Houston, TX; Boston, MA) – Acorn International (“AI”), a worldwide environmental and risk management consultancy with offices in Houston and Boston, is pleased to announce that it has brought on five new team members to help meet growing demand in the increasingly critical environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspects of the energy transition.  

AI has become a leader in helping energy and mining industries deliver socially responsible solutions in the fast-moving energy transition to ensure their renewables, green energy and green metals development programs meet rising demands for a just transition.

“Our growing team is comprised of extraordinary professionals whose deep expertise and versatility support our clients to be better positioned to thrive in the energy transition, including the development of critical transition metals, carbon management and renewable/alternative energy solutions,” said President, Dean Slocum. “Our team is dedicated to helping our clients ensure a just transition, one that strikes a balance between environmental justice and human rights, as well as equal distribution of benefits to support local residents in underserved communities.”

Among the new members of AI’s team are:

• Ranay Guifarro – Community development specialist working on a social investment strategy for an energy company in the Middle East, a human rights assessment for a mine in Indonesia and an environmental justice/underserved communities engagement plan for a massive carbon capture and storage program in the US Gulf Coast.
• Valeria Crespo – Environmental analyst helping AI deliver accurate, well-researched analysis to clients for green energy developments in the US, and developing a permitting and grant approval roadmap for a series of carbon capture and storage projects.
• Chris Zeisloft – Seasoned environmental management consultant for energy industry development programs worldwide, leading AI’s international team for an ESIA and engagement program for a $10bn development program offshore Guyana.
• Katia Frade – Project management professional (PMO) managing AI’s international team and workflow for a mine waste management implementation program to help a large Brazilian mine conform with the new Global Industry Standard for Tailings Management.
• Ivonne Cruz, PhD – Sustainability expert bringing social and environmental risk management strength to AI’s team to support social baseline studies for our mega EIA/engagement program in Guyana. Ivonne is also a teaching faculty member at Rice University.

Last month, AI announced that it was selected by ExxonMobil’s affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment and lead the public consultation program for its fifth offshore development project in Guyana. Among other renewable energy, mining and finance clients that look to AI for guidance are RWE Renewables, EDP Renewables, Greencells, Chevron, Hess, Occidental, Shell, Newmont, Freeport McMoRan, and Rio Tinto.

About Acorn International

Acorn International is a professional and social and environmental risk management consultancy based in Houston and Boston with engagements worldwide. Designed to be lean and adaptive, Acorn International is comprised primarily of highly seasoned professionals that partner with experts from its established network of vetted in-country specialists in over 90 countries. The approach enables adaptability with the capacity to expand teams and expertise, and address local challenges and nuances with local solutions. To learn more, please visit https://acornintllc.com/.

Media Contacts

Heidi Boie

Goodwin Consulting

heidi@goodwin-consulting.com

508-846-5307; or

Hannah Kunze

Goodwin Consulting

hannah@goodwin-consulting.com

978-995-1552