In this episode, I had a fantastic conversation with Mike Hower, a sustainability communication leader who has spent his career helping companies craft narratives around their social and environmental performance. From Senior Editor at Greenbiz, to Communication Strategist at Edelman, Mike has experience working on sustainability communications as a journalist, within companies, and as a consultant. He recently started his own company, Hower Impact, to continue this work as a fractional executive and leadership coach. Mike also holds regular sustainability career advice “connection sections”. So, he had plenty of relevant thoughts to share during our conversation related to what he’s seen and heard about the challenges sustainability professionals face. Personally, I am inspired by Mike’s entrepreneurial spirit. I learned a lot and I enjoyed his candor. I think you will too.

In this episode, I was honored to speak with career coach, Andy Nelson. In his past, Andy was involved with scaling multiple start-ups and worked in management consulting. He now focuses on helping mid-career professionals transition into the climate, sustainability, and social impact space. Andy has mentored hundreds of people through career changes. He understands the major challenges they face and provides them with essential tools and tactics to be successful. In our conversation, Andy and I uncovered so many actionable strategies for those who want to work on sustainability. Most notably, we covered three of the most common hurdles Andy sees, related to identifying your transferable skills, understanding the sustainability jobs landscape, and developing a clear and confident mindset. Even if you already work on sustainability, I’m confident you’ll take away new perspectives that will help you advance your career. Please enjoy this conversation, with Andy Nelson.

In this episode of the Sustainability Skill Set podcast, I sat down with Stephanie Udler who is a leader at the intersection of public policy and corporate sustainability. After taking her first job fielding calls in a senator’s office, Stephanie spent much of her career supporting the U.S. government’s earliest sustainability programs before transitioning into corporate work. In our conversation, Stephanie describes her current role as a Fractional Sustainability Executive, the tremendous value they inject into organizations, and the relevance of this type of role in today's business landscape. Stephanie also shares instrumental advice for anyone interested in building a career focused on sustainability and the public policy, underscoring the importance of networking, exploring niches, and making savvy career moves.

In the latest episode of the Sustainability Skill Set podcast, I sit down with Shea Jameel, Senior Director of Sustainability at Marsh McLennan, to discuss her impressive career journey and the skills she uses to succeed. Shea shares insights on building meaningful relationships, making the business case for sustainability, and driving change within organizations. Throughout the episode, Shea highlights the importance of strong relationships when implementing sustainability initiatives, regardless of industry. She emphasizes the need for effective communication, project management skills, and the ability to adapt to change. Shea also offers valuable advice on preparing for sustainability interviews, including the importance of storytelling and demonstrating concrete examples of skills and experiences. We wrap up the episode by weighing the benefits of having either a focused or broad approach to sustainability careers. She encourages individuals to follow their passions and interests while also considering the industry landscape and personal flexibility. If you're interested in a career in sustainability or want to enhance your skills in the field, don't miss this enlightening episode with Shea Jameel on the Sustainability Skill Set podcast. Tune in now to gain valuable insights and actionable advice!

In this episode of the Sustainability Skill Set podcast, host Louis DeMaso sits down with Michael Jung, the Executive Director of the ICF Climate Center. During the conversation, Michael provides valuable insights into the groundbreaking work of the ICF Climate Center, including their recent report on "super" solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. He emphasizes the importance of these solutions, combined with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), in helping the country reach its net-zero goals by 2050. Some key takeaways from this episode are: In order to achieve the U.S. net-zero goals by 2050, several key strategies need to be implemented. These include increasing the adoption of electric vehicles, focusing on energy-efficient buildings, transitioning power generation to cleaner energy sources, and exploring the utilization of "green molecules" like hydrogen and renewable natural gas. Asking good questions is a powerful tool for driving progress and sparking innovation. By leveraging the potential of questioning, individuals and organizations can challenge the status quo, foster transparency, and promote sustainability throughout supply chains. "Showing up" with curiosity, a willingness to volunteer, and a focus on building genuine relationships are crucial elements in accelerating one's career in the sustainability field. Actively seeking opportunities, embracing learning in unexpected places, and nurturing authentic connections can lead to personal growth, support, and new opportunities. Tune in to this episode to gain actionable insights and inspiring stories that can further your career and make a positive impact in the field of sustainability.

In this episode of the Sustainability Skill Set podcast, host Louis DeMaso sits down with Rachel Lawton, a freelance copywriter who helps climate-conscious companies tell their stories. Rachel shares her insights on the importance of messaging in sustainability, the transferable skills she utilizes in her work, and the power of simplifying complex ideas. She also discusses her journey into freelance writing and offers advice for aspiring climate writers. Tune in to this engaging conversation to gain valuable tips for effective communication in the sustainability sector and to learn how you can make a difference through your writing. Listen to this episode to discover: The difference between being a writer and being a messenger in sustainability How transferable skills can be leveraged in content creation Strategies for simplifying sustainability jargon and making it more digestible Rachel's personal journey into freelance writing for climate-conscious companies Advice for those looking to pursue a career in climate writing or freelancing If you're passionate about sustainability and want to learn how to effectively communicate your message, this episode is for you. Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain valuable insights from Rachel Lawton and take your sustainability career to the next level.

Do you aspire to make a positive impact on the environment and society through your career? If so, you won't want to miss the latest episode of the Sustainability Skill Set podcast. In this interview, Louis DeMaso sits down with Anmol Vanamali, an accomplished leader in the field of climate and energy policy, international finance, and sustainable infrastructure. Anmol has held multiple director-level positions in global non-profit organizations, such as the Center for Clean Air Policy and Winrock International. Currently, he is an adjunct professor at Georgetown University's Master of Science in Foreign Service program. Anmol brings a unique skill set to the conversation, with expertise in green finance and impact investments. He offers valuable insights into the most crucial sustainability issues of our time, including the challenges of achieving sustainable development goals and how we can make progress in both the private and non-profit sectors. During the interview, Anmol shares his experience and discusses his career path, offering advice to those interested in pursuing a career in sustainability. He emphasizes the importance of finding the right company and manager to work with, charting out a clear plan of focus, and developing a deep understanding of the interrelationships between climate and various parts of the economy or the socioeconomic structures that surround us. Anmol also talks about the role of top-down leadership in driving change and the importance of stakeholder management in addition to shareholder management. He shares his optimism about the future of sustainable development, noting the growing recognition of the urgency of these issues and the increasing opportunities for young professionals to make an impact. Don't miss this chance to learn from Anmol's expertise and gain insights into the career paths available in sustainability. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your career to the next level, this interview provides valuable advice and inspiration for anyone seeking to make a difference in the world. Listen now to the Sustainability Skill Set podcast and get ready to be inspired! In this episode, we cover: [00:01:56] How did Anmol wind up working in jobs at the intersection of public policy, sustainable finance, and climate change? [00:10:19] What is impact investing and how can you start working in the field? [00:23:32] Anmol's favorite framework for bringing businesses together to conserve resources. [00:25:59] How new schools of thought are creating 'the wild west of management theory'. [00:29:18] Where to start if you are young, passionate, and want to have an impact. [00:40:03] The three most important steps for us to take to accelerate our transition to a more sustainable world.

In this episode of the Sustainability Skill Set podcast, host Louis DeMaso speaks with Danielle Norwitz, an account executive at Resource Energy, who shares her experience in energy management and data analytics. She provides a unique perspective on the role of sustainability in the commercial real estate industry, discussing how her team offers services like sustainability benchmarking, ESG reporting, materiality assessments, and metric reporting to cities and states to help clients achieve their sustainability goals and meet regulatory requirements. Danielle also provides valuable career advice for anyone interested in sustainability, emphasizing the importance of building relationships and finding mentors to succeed in any job. She offers tips on how to make sustainability a more significant part of your current role or shift into a sustainability-focused position. The conversation also touched on topics such as the importance of collecting and analyzing energy data, the benefits of having a broad range of experiences across different functions within a company, and how sustainability can be applied to almost any industry. Whether you're interested in learning about energy management, sustainability services, or career development, this episode is filled with useful insights.

In this episode of the Sustainability Skill Set podcast, host Louis DeMaso speaks with Ryan Spies, a passionate executive leader with over a decade of experience building sustainability, decarbonization, and ESG strategies within Fortune 500 companies. Ryan shares insights on how companies can reduce greenhouse gases, what makes a successful sustainability program, and how to integrate sustainability into every aspect of a company. Ryan emphasizes the importance of understanding where a company can have influence and measuring data to put estimates on data that is not available. He also discusses his own career path and how he got to where he is today. Ryan describes how sustainability jobs often evolve over time, requiring an entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and flexibility. He recommends that job candidates demonstrate these characteristics and a passion for sustainability topics, which can be more important than specific skill sets or experiences, especially for entry-level positions. Aspiring sustainability professionals will learn a lot from Ryan's experience and practical advice, making this episode a must-listen. Tune in to discover how you can make a difference in your own company and beyond.

Join me for an exciting conversation with Megan Saunders, the Director of ESG at Kayne Anderson Real Estate, as she shares her insights and best practices on how to advance environmental, social, and governance (ESG) in real estate. With 15 years of experience in sustainability strategy and implementation, Megan has a deep understanding of what it takes to make a building green, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and balance people, planet, and profit. Megan talks about how she sets ESG strategy for the entire real estate firm, collaborates with partners, and leads a team in implementing measures to make their real estate assets and organization more sustainable. She also shares her thoughts on the importance of effective communication and collaboration skills for sustainability professionals to succeed in their work. Don't miss out on this opportunity to peek behind the scenes of Megan’s impactful work and learn how to advance ESG in real estate.