Natalie Messer Betts is the Vice President of Sustainability & Materials Systems at the Recycled Materials Association, where she leads sustainability education and engagement, youth outreach and workforce programming, and is the association’s liaison for packaging, paper and MRF issues. Natalie previously worked as the Director of Partnerships and Municipal Relations at Balcones Resources, one of the largest independent recycling companies in the U.S. At Balcones, she worked with cities to support their recycling programs, and expanded the company into new markets. Before joining Balcones, Natalie spent 10 years in public service with the City of Austin, including as the City’s Circular Economy Program Manager where she spearheaded numerous reuse, repair, and circular entrepreneurship initiatives. Natalie has a BA in Film Studies and Political Science from Emory University, a Masters in Public Affairs from Indiana University, and was a 2019-2020 Robert Bosch Stiftung fellow focused on circular economy innovation in Berlin.
