Dr. Sharifa Batts currently serves as the Head of Environment & Sustainability at Ports America, the largest stevedore company in the U.S., operating in 33 ports in over 70 locations. She is an expert in risk mitigation and resiliency planning and oversees the company’s Environment & Sustainability programs. With almost 24 years at Ports America, she is an inspirational leader who is respected as a credible voice as she prepares boardroom material and provides strategic guidance and professional expertise to various levels in the organization. She has extensive experience in project and people management and cross-enterprise collaboration to drive efficiency and compliance with Ports America’s goals and objectives.

Sharifa completed her Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Political Science with a minor in Psychology and Spanish at San Diego State University (SDSU). She later attained an MBA at Pepperdine

Graziadio School of Business & Management in August 2018, and she successfully completed her dissertation for the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, in July 2021. Her research focuses on the significance of diversity on organizational boards and the unique human and social capital minorities and women contribute, which impacts the company’s overall success. Sharifa is an educator and continues research with a Postdoctoral Fellow at Pepperdine to further research on diversity and equity.

Sharifa is a published author in the Group & Organization Management journal and a regular speaker at events that focus on diversity, inequality, systemic racism, and organizational leadership. She was appointed by the previous Mayor of Long Beach and serves on the Equity and Human Relations Commission. She serves as the President of Beta Pi Sigma Sorority, Tau Chapter, which is a nonprofit organization providing aid to the homeless and scholarships to the youth in the community of Long Beach. She is the Vice President of Athletics Fundraising on the Long Beach City College Foundation Executive Committee,

Vice President of Programs on the American Association of University Women (AAUW) board, she is the Programs & Special Events Committee Vice-Chair on the Fairfield Family YMCA Board, in addition to participating on the Long Beach City College Foundation Board

and the St. Mary Medical Center Hospital Community Board. She also sits on the North America Terminal and Stevedoring Services LLC (NATSS) board and is a member of the National Maritime Safety Association (NMSA) Technical Committee.

Sharifa believes the most significant asset for an organization is its people. This conviction springs from her deep corporate experience driving ESG initiatives fostering a safe, diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment. As an All-American Olympic class athlete, Sharifa brings a high level of commitment and discipline to all her endeavors, as well as a dedication to team play.