ChemFORWARD Appoints Libby Sommer as Principal of Safer Chemistry Activation
Durham, NC — ChemFORWARD, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending toxic chemical exposure and illuminating safer alternatives, has named strategic environmental scientist Libby Sommer as its new Principal of Safer Chemistry Activation.
In this newly created executive role, Sommer will lead ChemFORWARD's efforts to translate chemical hazard data into actionable corporate decision-making across global supply chains. Her work leverages chemical hazard data, yet centers on "activation"—scaling the practical adoption of safer chemistry metrics, embedding verified hazard data directly into third-party chemical management platforms, and establishing year-over-year reporting mechanisms that track measurable company and industry progress.
Sommer will also strengthen and grow ChemFORWARD’s pre-competitive sector collaboratives—including Apparel, Electronics, Beauty, and Household Formulated Products—bringing brands, retailers, and suppliers together to align on shared hazard characterization and safer alternatives. A key priority will be overseeing the growth of the Apparel & Footwear Collaborative and initiating a household formulated working group.
"Libby is an exceptional addition to round out our executive leadership team at a pivotal moment in ChemFORWARD's growth," said Stacy Glass, Co-Founder and CEO of ChemFORWARD. "Her rare combination of rigorous scientific authority, federal policy experience, and deep corporate implementation background bridges the gap between hazard data and real-world market transformation. As we expand our pre-competitive collaboratives and embed safer chemistry metrics across global supply chains, Libby’s leadership will be instrumental in turning shared intelligence into lasting industry impact."
Sommer brings more than two decades of scientific and strategic experience bridging rigorous environmental research with corporate execution. Her deep technical background includes over eight years as an Environmental Scientist for the U.S. EPA’s Design for the Environment (DfE) program, where she authored foundational hazard evaluation criteria and chaired an international OECD working group on chemical alternatives assessment. In the private sector, she served as Director of Corporate Responsibility at bio-materials innovator Bolt Threads, Director of Chemistry at lululemon, and Conflict Minerals & Chemistry Manager at Nike Inc., leading supply chain transparency and sustainable chemistry initiatives. Most recently, as principal of her own independent sustainability consultancy, she advised leading brands and organizations on creating actionable, science-backed strategies in response to complex data and business requirements.
Sommer currently serves on the California Department of Toxic Substances Control Green Ribbon Science Panel (GRSP) and holds a Master of Arts in Energy & Environmental Analysis from Boston University.
