New VP-level position for airline

JetBlue Airways has announced several new executive positions, among them the newly created position of Vice President Sustainability & Environmental Social Governance. The airline has named Sophia Mendelsohn to the position.

Mendelsohn has been with JetBlue since 2013, most recently serving as head of Sustainability and Environmental Social Governance. She also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Harvard University, where she teaches a graduate-level class on ESG. Prior to joining JetBlue, she was Head of Sustainability, Asia Pacific, Latin America & Middle East at furniture company Haworth in Hong Kong.

As climate change concerns have been growing in public consciousness, airlines have been coming under increasing scrutiny, as aviation already accounts for approximately 2% of global greenhouse gas emissions, while air traffic is doubling roughly every 15-20 years. Most recently, climate activists have begun using practices such as “flight shaming” in attempts to deter passengers from using air travel.

According to JetBlue, Mendelsohn has been leading the company’s efforts to offset carbon dioxide emissions for all domestic flights, and has been active in designing and implementing policies and practices to reduce the airline’s environmental impact. In her new role, she will also be responsible for JetBlue’s diversity and inclusion efforts.

Commenting on the new appointments, JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes said:

“For twenty years, JetBlue has been a force for good in our industry. As we look to the future, I’m delighted that today’s appointments place proven leaders in roles that will help us to succeed in the decades to come. I look forward to working with each of them as we continue on this incredible journey together.”