Sara Risley
Certification Officer
"I am passionate about sustainability because we have a responsibility to create a future where people, businesses, and the planet can thrive together. The opportunity to drive positive change and help organizations make decisions that not only benefit their bottom line but also contribute to the well-being of the environment and society is deeply fulfilling. Every step toward sustainability is a step toward a better, more resilient world, and I want to be part of that transformation."
Sara brings more than 15 years of experience in product certification, standards development, and regulatory compliance. Before joining GreenCircle Certified, she served as Vice President of Certification at Green Seal, where she led the organization’s certification department.
Previously, Sara led NSF International’s food product certification division, overseeing independent verification of food labels and packaging claims, including Organic and Non-GMO certifications. She also spent five years leading technical operations for ANSI-accredited standards covering commercial food equipment, food-contact materials, and water filtration systems.
Based in Michigan, Sara holds a Master of Science in Human Physiology from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Southeastern Louisiana University. She also completed the High-Performance Leadership executive education program at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.