Oil, Gas, and Mining
Farming, Ranching, Forestry
Professional Services
Manufacturing
Education
Construction
Active

Ross Mitchell

Fractional Chief Sustainability Officer | ESG Strategy, Risk, and Governance | Turning Sustainability into Measurable Business Value

About Me

I’m a sustainability and ESG executive with over 25 years of global experience leading environmental, social, and HSSE strategy across energy, mining, forestry, and carbon portfolios. As Founder of Verdensure Inc., I help organizations design credible ESG systems that connect governance, performance, and impact. My work bridges strategy and implementation, from due diligence and disclosure readiness to risk management and stakeholder trust. Previously, I led Shell’s global HSSE framework for Nature-Based Solutions and served as VP HSSE & Community Engagement at Imperative Global. I’m passionate about turning sustainability ambition into measurable business value.

Jurisdiction

Canada | South Africa | Peru | Mexico | United States | Brazil | Netherlands | Spain | Ghana | Indonesia | Philippines | Australia | Panama | Paraguay

Notable Employer

  • Founder & Principal Consultant at Verdensure Inc.
  • Vice President, HSSE & Community Engagement at Imperative Global Inc.
  • Global HSSE Manager, Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) at Shell International
  • Senior HSSE & Social Performance Lead at Shell International

Experience

Seniority LevelExecutive
Years of Experience20+ years
Current StatusActive
Founder & Principal ConsultantNotable
2025 - Present

Provide strategic ESG, sustainability, and HSSE advisory to corporates, investors, and financial institutions. Lead due diligence and risk assessments aligned with IFC Performance Standards and Equator Principles. Develop frameworks for disclosure, stakeholder engagement, and climate governance.

Vice President, HSSE & Community EngagementNotable
2023 - 2025

Developed and implemented ESG and HSSE frameworks for a $200M carbon and agriculture investment portfolio. Oversaw regional teams in Peru, India, and South Africa. Aligned Verra CCB safeguards and benefit-sharing mechanisms with investor performance metrics.

Global HSSE Manager, Nature-Based Solutions (NBS)Notable
2019 - 2023

Established Shell’s global ESG and HSSE systems for 30+ nature-based sites, achieving zero major incidents. Oversaw high-risk operations and assurance reviews across Canada, Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Managed a global team delivering resilience programs and leadership training.

Senior HSSE & Social Performance LeadNotable
2014 - 2019

Directed ESG and social due diligence for multi-billion-dollar transactions in renewables and upstream portfolios. Led assurance audits and developed engagement strategies that improved social trust and governance.

Principal Consultant
2011 - 2013

Led Environmental and Social Impact Assessments for mining and infrastructure investments in Canada, Peru, Nicaragua, Suriname, Alaska, Panama, and Poland.

Senior Consultant
2008 - 2011

Led Environmental and Social Impact Assessments for mining and infrastructure investments in Canada, Peru, and Panama.

Senior Environmental Sociologist
2006 - 2008

Directed large-scale socio-environmental assessments, managing multi-disciplinary teams of 20+ specialists across biology, agriculture, and land use, significantly enhancing client satisfaction with quality of deliverables. Led federal and provincial EIAs across Alberta and Ontario, including a high-profile energy infrastructure project for Hydro One—a 180 km transmission corridor expansion from Bruce Nuclear to Milton, ensuring compliance and mitigating risks.

Environmental Sociologist
2003 - 2006

• Co-led a landmark Canadian-funded environmental governance initiative in Paraguay’s Mbaracayú UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, benefiting 30k+ residents through participatory land use planning. • Led a groundbreaking study on Rural Sociological Barriers to Adopting Best Management Practices in Alberta, managing a cross-cultural team and presenting results across Canada. (first study of its kind in Alberta) • Developed innovative land use modelling using socio-economic indicators, forming strategic collaborations with academia, Indigenous groups, industry, and government stakeholders

Education

Doctorate of Environmental SociologyUniversity of Alberta
2000 - 2005
Masters of Rural Planning & Development (International)University of Guelph
Present
Degree of Forestry (Distinction)University of Alberta
Present

Certification

Total Certifications1

ESG & Sustainable Finance Masterclass, Ghana (2025) NEBOSH Health & Safety Leadership Excellence (in progress)

Skills

Core skills10
Languages2

Skills

ESG Strategy
Sustainability Governance
Risk Management
Climate & Carbon Finance
Sustainable Investment
HSSE Leadership
Impact Assessment
Nature-Based Solutions
Corporate Strategy
Social Performance

Languages

Spanish
English

Services