Raphaël Deberdt

Minerals Program Researcher

Raphael is a recognized consultant on mineral supply chains sustainability, having worked with UNDP, the European Commission as well as private companies including RCS Global Group, SCS Global Services, and the Responsible Minerals Initiative. He is now a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Colorado School of Mines. Prior to joining Responsible Sourcing Network (RSN) as the lead author of Mining the Disclosures 2017 and 2018, Raphael worked for Global Witness in Washington D.C. focusing on Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act. He completed a PhD at the University of British Columbia in 2023, focusing on the integration of artisanal cobalt miners in global supply chains. He is now exploring broader issues of injustice and inequalities within the energy transition as well as the development of new mining frontiers, including deep sea mining. 

Raphael holds an MA in International Relations from Sciences Po Lyon, an MA in African Studies from Stanford University, and LLM in African Legal Studies from Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and an MA in Anthropology from the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS), and a PhD in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia.

 

Aidan Kelly

Intern

Aidan Kelly is a senior at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo studying Financial Management who is working with RSN as an intern. He has a strong interest in fashion and the fashion industry, with a particular focus on how financial strategies can drive sustainable innovation in clothing production. Aidan is passionate about exploring the intersection of business and environmental responsibility, and he has recently been researching ethical sourcing practices. Originally from Ventura, California, Aidan enjoys surfing, snowboarding, and being outside.

 

Chloe Molins

Service Learning Intern

Chloe Molins is a sophomore at Stanford University intending to study International Relations who was working with RSN on their YESS initiative as a service learning intern. She has a passion for sustainability and social justice. Some of her experiences include working with Planned Parenthood Generation Action, writing and performing in a children’s theater company, and taking classes about Human Trafficking and Community Engaged Learning at Stanford. Chloe is from a suburb of Chicago and enjoys performing in musicals, playing guitar, and going on camping trips.

 

Hayley Yancey

PROGRAMS INTERN

Hayley Yancey was an Online Learning, Content, and Development intern who is currently pursuing a master's degree in Instructional Psychology & Technology at Brigham Young University. Hayley has previous experience in instructional design for higher education, where she developed skills in elearning design and development.

Outside of her academic and professional endeavors, Hayley enjoys reading, music, and going on adventures with her husband, Beau. Through this internship, she aimed to gain experience working with non-profits and leveraging the power of education to make a positive change.

 

Emilie Switzer Jakobsen

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR

Emilie was the Stakeholder Engagement Coordinator for RSN and the YESS initiative, where her focus was on sponsor relationships, marketing, and communications for the YESS initiative.

Emilie is from Denmark, which is also where she got her degree in design and business. Shortly after, she moved to LA to obtain a certificate in Sustainability at UCLA. For several years, she has been working to implement sustainable practices in the fashion industry.

 

Liz Muller

Consultant

Liz is currently assisting in developing RSN's YESS program. Liz helps companies and industries develop sourcing strategies and protocols, implement standards and audit programs, and train supply chain actors and brand sourcing teams. She has worked extensively in the cotton and minerals industries. On behalf as Gap Inc., she acted as the first chairperson of the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI). As a consultant, Liz helped BCI design the Better Cotton supply chain system to support the production of—and demand for—Better Cotton.

Liz has evaluated climate change risks and resilience-building opportunities in the cotton apparel supply chain for Oxfam America. She has supported cotton merchants’ by advising on the development of their sustainability strategies and exploring vertical sourcing partnerships with global brands. Liz’s expertise extends to other commodities as well. She has evaluated market drivers in African agriculture supply chains. Liz also led a team that conducted smelter audits under the Conflict-free Smelter Program (CFSP) for over five years.

 

Stefanie Spear

Consultant

Stefanie Spear is a communications and marketing consultant at RSN. She has been working to educate and motivate people to care about human health and the environment for nearly 30 years. Stefanie has founded several companies, including EcoWatch, Expedite Renewable Energy and Stellar Consulting. She continues to fight the good fight through her consulting business by working with people and organizations who are leading the charge for change.

When Stefanie is not in front of her computer, she is likely paddleboarding Lake Erie.