Chris Wirth, Vice President of Market Development

He/Him/His

Chris has held commercial leadership roles in various venture-backed climate tech startups in the sustainability, circularity, and renewable energy sectors. Before that, his focus was on business-to-business (B2B) expertise leading go-to-market strategies for a diverse portfolio of international companies across various industrial and government supply chains. Most recently, he served as the Vice President of Corporate Affairs for AMP Robotics, a pioneer in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and infrastructure for the waste and recycling industry, overseeing corporate communications, government and regulatory affairs, as well as originating strategic industry partnerships for market development.

Why I Care About Recycling and a Circular Economy

“I believe that recycling and a circular economy are essential for protecting our environment, conserving resources, reducing waste, saving energy, stimulating economic growth, and safeguarding public health. These systems also play a key role in the conservation of biodiversity by reducing habitat destruction, pollution, and pressure on ecosystems.”

Personal Passions and Interests

Chris serves on the Advisory Board for Mycocyle, a startup applying the natural functions of fungi to transform construction waste into low-carbon raw materials for the built environment. Additionally, he mentors startups for the Cleantech Open and the Sustainable Ocean Alliance. Lastly, Chris serves as a Board Member for The Recycle Right Coalition, an advocacy group of leading innovative startups in the recycling industry, and Sea Hugger, a nonprofit dedicated to marine conservation with a focus on protecting marine ecosystems and wildlife. A San Francisco Bay Area native, Chris resides in Montara on the NorCal coast, where he enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with his family, especially by the ocean.

Highlights

As a frequent conference speaker, he has addressed various circular economy topics, including artificial intelligence (AI), infrastructure modernization, data measurement and collection, and the impact of policy on recycling. Chris holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing with a minor in environmental studies from San Jose State University and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of North Florida.