Karen Cusmano serves as Senior Vice President, Head of Sustainability & Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG). In this role, Karen works to continually advance Veris Residential’s recognition as a responsible and sustainability-focused company – with an emphasis on Properties, People and Planet through Embrace by Veris Residential. She collaborates closely with the CEO, COO, and various department heads to expand environmental sustainability initiatives, diversity, equity & inclusion programs, and philanthropy efforts. 

Furthermore, Karen stays apprised of the ever-evolving expectations of corporate responsibility and sustainability among various stakeholders such as shareholders, ESG rating firms, governments and non-government organizations. Internally, Karen acts as Veris Residential’s program liaison with the National Minority Supplier Development Council and is a member of the DE&I Council’s executive committee. Karen also is a founding member of the company’s ESG Committee along with Board members of the company. 

Along with these responsibilities, Karen is responsible for annual assurance audits, annual CSR Report, CDP, GRESB and other reporting submissions, as well as renewable energy plans and employee/supplier engagement.

Ms. Cusmano began her career with Veris Residential in 2001. Prior to joining the company, she was an accounting manager at The Gale Company in Florham Park, New Jersey, asset manager at DRA Advisors Inc., in New York City and financial services auditor at Kenneth Leventhal & Company in New York City.

Ms. Cusmano is a certified public accountant and received her degree of Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the State University of New York at Binghamton.