SCWMF 2025 SPRING CONFERENCE & EXHIBIT

Zoe Heller was appointed Director of CalRecycle in May 2024.
Director Heller served as CalRecycle’s first deputy director over the Division of the Circular Economy since May 2023. Prior to that, she helmed CalRecycle’s Division of Mixed Materials and Local Assistance. She previously served as CalRecycle’s deputy director over the Office of Policy.
Earlier in her career, Director Heller worked at the U.S. EPA’s Pacific Southwest Office for more than 10 years. She was manager for the Zero Waste section for three years and served as special assistant to the Regional Administrator from 2012 to 2013, and an environmental protection specialist in the Environmental Justice program from 2006 to 2012. From 2004 to 2006, Director Heller was a research and policy analyst at the Center for Neighborhood Technology in Chicago, Illinois.

Director Heller holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Policy from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, and a Master of Public Administration from Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois.

Heidi Sanborn, Founding Executive Director, National Stewardship Action Council

Heidi has been a leader in the solid waste industry for 34 years, working with industry, government, and the public to reduce waste, improve product design and recyclability, and implement cost-effective projects and policies which protect public health and the environment and support a circular economy.

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Heidi began her career as a consultant working on mandated recycling goals, then became Policy Advisor to the Chair of the California Integrated Waste Management Board, now known as the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle).
 
Heidi was one of the original co-directors of the California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC), a non-profit formed in 2007 to change the way waste management is funded in California. CPSC gained international recognition as a thought leader and driver for producer responsibility programs.

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After eight years of success in California, Heidi formed the National Stewardship Action Council (NSAC).  She soon thereafter formed the Stewardship Action Foundation (SAF) as a 501c3 to educate and support the work of NSAC which is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization that will engage primarily in lobbying and advocacy work for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) anywhere in the U.S. and at any level of government. 
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Philip Mainolfi
HF&H Consultants, LLC

Philip brings over 13 years of prior financial, accounting and process automation experience, as well as seven years of diverse experience in the solid waste industry.  While in the private sector, he spent three years managing solid waste contract compliance for 46 municipalities and government agencies, developing financial models, automating financial reporting processes, designing and developing management reporting tools, and managing external audits.  Mr. Mainolfi received invaluable insight into hauler/processor operations, zero waste planning, and public outreach.  Prior to entering the solid waste industry, Mr. Mainolfi spent four years as a business analyst at Brown Brothers Harriman where he focused on process automation, procedure development, and the implementation of a centralized data ecosystem.

David Davis, CMA

President, MSW Consultants

David Davis – Mr. David Davis is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) with over 30 years of experience in the field of solid waste management. Mr. Davis’s expertise lies in working with municipal managers to maximize the value of the solid waste services provided to their ratepayers. He has held executive management positions in both the private and public sectors and has extensive experience in providing business advisory services to local government in the field of solid waste management.

As a chief financial executive for local hauling and landfill divisions of a national solid waste management company, Mr. Davis was responsible for financial reporting, budgeting, cost analysis, billing, and collections. He also managed the accounting and rate analysis sections of the City of Riverside’s Department of Public Utilities.

Mr. Davis has specific experience in: 1) analysis and design of customer rates for refuse collection, transfer, processing and disposal operations; 2) development and evaluation of competitive proposals for waste collection, recycling, and transfer service; 3) feasibility studies for waste processing, waste transfer, and landfill gas projects; 4) verification of the proper payment of solid waste fees; 5) management reviews of solid waste operations; 6) evaluation of alternative waste diversion programs; 7) solid waste program planning and funding; and, 8) evaluating internal management controls.

Mike Caprio

Director of Government Affairs - CA at Republic Services

In this role, he oversees legislative and regulatory activities throughout the state and provides advocacy on matters related to environmental services, climate initiatives, the circular economy and sustainability. Mike works closely with peers in the industry as well as several non-profit organizations that advocate on common issues. His operations background has provided an in-depth view of the challenges associated with implementation of policy decisions and how initiatives can be developed so that optimal outcomes are achieved.

Jenna Dotson

Municipal Manager at Republic Services

Avecita Jones

Senior Program Manager, Sustainable Materials Management, City of Carlsbad

Avecita Jones serves as the Senior Program Manager for the City of Carlsbad Environmental Sustainability Department. She holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration and Educational Leadership from the University of Texas. Joining the city in 2015 as a Management Analyst, she spearheaded the solid waste program's evolution into the Sustainable Materials Management Division. Avecita played a critical role in crafting Carlsbad's first Sustainable Materials Management Plan in 2019, positioning the city as a leader in environmental stewardship and innovation. Avecita is passionate about implementing programs in the city that holistically benefit the local economy, environment, and San Diego region.