Noeleen Tillman
Noeleen Tillman is the Executive Director for the International Institute for Sustainable Seaports (I2S2). I2S2’s mission is to supply port-specific sustainability-related tools, information, data, network and best practices that members of the maritime industry can integrate into their strategic planning and business operations. As Executive Director of I2S2, Ms. Tillman provides the strategic direction and management of the Institute to include technical design and execution of projects and initiatives on “GreenPort”, sustainable design and construction, and environmental management systems. Ms. Tillman has developed research papers on the state of port sustainability worldwide; sustainable design and construction guidelines; and serves as a technical expert for the US Trade and Development Agency on port sustainability.
Prior to her leadership at I2S2, Ms. Tillman was the Executive Vice President of the Global Environment & Technology Foundation (GETF) where she developed and directed numerous complex projects involving multiple agencies, community stakeholders and organizations to include port authorities, DoD, US EPA, DOE, NASA, state regulatory agencies, and industry associations. Ms. Tillman was lead architect for the GETF/American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) Environmental management program (EMS) that supported over twenty ports develop an EMS.
Early in her career, Ms. Tillman was the Chief of Compliance at Peterson Air Force Base with responsibility for environmental activities at 32 geographically separated units (GSUs) located worldwide. She was also an environmental engineer with the USA EPA in Philadelphia where she was responsible for developing and implementing State Air Quality Implementation Plans under the Clean Air Act.
In addition to her career in sustainability, Ms. Tillman also devotes her time to supporting military families. As the wife of a recently retired Air Force Officer, Ms. Tillman applies her professional and personal experience by serving as a principal with Blue Star Families, a military family support organization with over 50 chapters located around the country. Ms. Tillman develops programs to provide resources to military families addressing issues such as family re-integration, suicide prevention and family wellness.
Ms. Tillman is an expert on sustainable practices, specifically in the maritime sector. She has authored papers and presented at a number of conferences on sustainability. Throughout her career she has received achievement awards including the DoD’s Thomas D. Wright Environmal Excellence Award and USAF Civilian of the Year. Ms. Tillman has been interviewed by CNN, MSNC, NBC, NPR and the Washington Post. She has been a keynote speaker at a Congressional event and testified before Congress. Ms. Tillman was also a White House candidate for Deputy Undersecretary of Defense (I&E) and Deputy Assistant Secretary Army (Energy and Sustainability).