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As Head of Sustainability, Riley Nelson built, directs, and champions the NASCAR's first comprehensive environmental sustainability strategy, including oversight of 15 racetracks, seven office locations, 1200+ employees, and 20+ events that draw millions of attendees annually. She was a leading voice behind the sport’s first public-facing sustainability goal – net zero operating emissions by 2035 – and the formation of NASCAR IMPACT, which were jointly announced in April 2023. Since then, she secured the company’s first NASCAR IMPACT partnership in global electrification leader ABB; launched composting, reuse, and expanded recycling across events; removed single-use plastic water bottles from offices (300,000+ bottles avoided annually); and manages the renewable energy strategy for 70+ MW of electricity. In August, she was named to Sports Business Journal’s 2024 class of New Voices Under 30 and was included on SBJ’s Ones to Watch in Sustainability list in 2023. Originally from Boston, Nelson received her MBA in Sustainable Innovation from the University of Vermont and BA in Sport Management from the University of Michigan. Based in New York City, she splits time between the Charlotte and NYC offices.