Management Team

James Elsen - President and CEO

James brings together his passion for start-ups, healthy living, and new technology to create SustainLane Media. James has been working with start-ups for over 20 years, 14 of those in Silicon Valley with technology-based ventures. Some of his most important roles have been with Netscape Communications, Wells Fargo Bank, and Ernst & Young Management Consulting, where James worked with several early stage venture-funded companies in E&Y's Technology, Communications, and Entertainment Practice. Before founding SustainLane Media, James was head of operations for a Norwest Venture Partner software company in Silicon Valley. James has been an invited speaker at The World Bank, The US EPA, and The United Nations on the convergence and use of digital media and sustainability. He has presented SustainLane's work for localized projects at the Ministries for the Environment in New Zealand and Japan, and gave an address at the Global Green Cities Conference in Geneva, Switzerland on the state of green cities in America. James has served on advisory boards of NGOs in the environmental, educational, and human potential arenas, including Esalen Institute, the Luther Burbank School, and Investor's Circle. James earned his degree in economics from the University of New York at Stony Brook, and holds his MBA from Yale University.

Elli Albek - Chief Technology Officer

Elli is an accomplished technologist, with a distinguished career spanning over 10 years in all aspects of software design, development, and implementation. A product expert, Elli has created extensive software applications and frameworks for global businesses including IBM, Hewlett Packard, and JPMorgan Chase. Elli is a world-class architect and technology visionary who has been invited to participate in significant industry bodies, such as IBM's Eclipse consortia. Elli has maintained a patent portfolio of 10 patents, and continues to imagine and create innovative technology solutions at SustainLane. Elli is also a passionate kiteboarder, and when the wind is blowing in San Francisco, you can find him in his wetsuit out on the Bay. Elli graduated summa cum laude from Technion, the Israeli Institute of Technology, in Haifa, Israel.

Rob Finley - Vice President, Sales

Rob came to SustainLane to bring his 12 years of internet advertising sales experience to a company with a cause and a mission.

A fearless innovator used to cutting-edge environments, Rob has worked for a variety of early stage start-ups in Silicon Valley including INVESTools.com (bought by Telescan), pioneering social network TheGlobe.com and business to business site CRMGuru.com, elevating their revenues by as much as 400% in one year.

Highly committed to service, Rob has worked with clients and agencies across nearly every industry, and is well versed in the different objectives and goals that each new client brings. He works hard to achieve his client's deliverables and yield a positive return on investment.

Rob has a passion for all things relating to the ocean, from scuba diving, snorkeling, and kayaking, to the consumption of various types of ocean life--sustainably harvested, of course.

Rob graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication.