Leaving McKinsey to Save the World

In this episode, we speak with Madhu Marasini, Secretary at Nepal’s National Planning Commission, about his work to support Nepal's path to economic and climate security.Through our conversation, Madhu explains how, as one of the world's most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, Nepal seeks to integrate Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), climate change policies, and international partnerships into its planning and budgeting processes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we speak with Martina Igini, Editor-in-Chief of Earth.org, about her journey into a career in climate journalism, the unique volunteer-based model at Earth.org, and the challenges of covering climate and environmental news. Martina sheds light on how she coordinates a global network of more than 400 contributors, balances editorial quality and content variety, and navigates fundraising in an era where journalism itself faces financial hurdles.She also offers practical tips for aspiring environmental journalists, emphasizing the importance of storytelling, networking, and staying hopeful amidst the complexity of climate reporting. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Sustainable Ambassador Podcast, we speaks with Sanushka Mudlair, Director of the Red Cross Red Crescent Global Migration Lab, about the work they are doing to better align policies and programs to support safer pathways for migrants.As part of our conversation, we speak about the complexities of global migration, the importance of understanding migrants’ lived experiences, and the ways in which humanitarian organizations like the Red Cross can better align programs and policies. Sanushka shares insights on how qualitative data collection reveals deeper human stories behind migration statistics, underscores the need for humanitarian neutrality amid politicized migration debates, and illustrates how climate change acts as a multiplier of existing inequalities. She also reflects on her own journey—from childhood experiences shaped by social justice movements to her current work leading cutting-edge research in one of the world’s largest humanitarian networks. Finally, she offers practical career advice for students and aspiring professionals looking to enter her space, emphasizing relationship-building, adaptability, and a willingness to learn from the people and communities directly affected.Timestamps:00:00 – Opening & Introduction01:22 – The Scale & Nature of Global Migration03:49 – Climate Change & Systemic Gaps08:01 – Inside the Global Migration Lab12:26 – Research Methodology & Field Engagement16:07 – Sanushka’s Personal Journey & Career Path19:54 – Field vs. Policy Realities24:27 – Being a “Scrappy Startup” in a Large Institution29:00 – Advice for Aspiring ProfessionalsAbout SanushkaSanushka Mudaliar has over 20 years of experience in working in Australia, China, Singapore and the U.K on policy advocacy, research and global program management related to migration. Sanushka has worked for Oxfam Australia, the Association for Women's Rights in Development and the Lien Centre for Social Innovation at Singapore Management University, and as a specialist consultant on labour migration and human rights advising United Nations bodies (ILO, IOM, UN Women), and regional intergovernmental bodies (African Union, ASEAN) amongst others. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we speak with Christine Goulay, a sustainable innovation expert, about her recent report on next-generation materials and sustainable fashion.It is a report, and conversation, that brings to light some of the key challenges of scaling sustainable solutions and provides practical advice for how innovators can learn to pitch better, corporates can learn to better align with innovators, and through new models of collaboration, scale can be achieved.If you’ve ever wondered how new materials move from idea to mainstream—or how to champion sustainability inside a brand—this episode is packed with practical tips and real-world lessons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we speak with Ellen Weinreb, founder of the Weinreb Group about the rise of fractional chief sustainability officers (CSOs) that are growing in number as firms seek to better develop and deploy their sustainability strategies.At times, it is at the behest of an investor, who wants to build capacity within a portfolio company, but multinational firms with large / complex supply chains are also finding value bringing in co-pilots who are able to support existing teams on acute challenges.LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1eTyAfaKphSdyiSNZFcKSmApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/dk/podcast/sustainable-ambassador-podcast/id1705344128Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Sustainable-Ambassador-Podcast/dp/B0CGWXG2ZVacast: https://shows.acast.com/sustainable-ambassador-podcastiHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-sustainable-ambassador-pod-160211015/TIMESTAMPS:00:00:00 – Opening & “Try Before You Buy” Concept00:00:25 – Introducing Ellen Weinreb & Weinreb Group00:01:01 – The Rise of Fractional CSOs00:02:02 – Regulatory & Supply Chain Drivers00:03:07 – Fractional vs. Full-Time & Consultant Differences00:05:23 – Why Companies Opt for Fractional CSOs00:06:55 – Practical Realities for Fractional CSOs00:09:00 – Career Implications & Future of Fractional CSOs00:10:59 – Global Perspectives & Regional Differences00:14:06 – Regulatory Pressures & ESG Reporting00:17:00 – Compensation & Contract Structures00:20:00 – Making the Hire: Fractional vs. Full-Time00:25:00 – Pathways into Fractional Sustainability Leadership00:27:00 – Final Thoughts & AdviceAbout Ellen:Ellen has worked at the intersection of sustainability and human resources as a recruiter and consultant for 20+ years. A super connector, Ellen’s passion for sustainability and ESG was sparked while obtaining her MBA from Yale and interning at L.L.Bean. Ellen is a regular speaker at industry events, as well as a contributor to Forbes, Huffington Post, and has her own column with GreenBiz entitled “Talent Show.”Follow Ellen:Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/weinrebgroup/Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellenweinreb/Twitter: https://twitter.com/sustainablejobsAbout Collective ResponsibilityBased in Shanghai, Collective Responsibility is a strategic advisory firm founded by Richard Brubaker, one of Asia’s most recognized authorities on sustainability, innovation and responsible leadership.Founded with the fundamental belief that a sustainable world can only be achieved through awareness of issues, finding tangibility in business cases, and development of cross-sector collaboration, Collective Responsibility acts as a knowledge base, catalyst, and facilitator between stakeholders.Our mission is to:– Create a knowledge base and catalyze discussion of issues related to the development of civil society, business sustainability and social development in Asia.– Develop tangible interests, engagement, and action on issues of sustainability (economic, environmental and societal).– Develop organizational capacity with the aim to help create stable and profitable enterprises.Follow Us:Website: http://www.coresponsibility.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/collective-responsibilityWeChat: http://www.coresponsibility.com/wechat/Podcast: https://shows.acast.com/sustainable-ambassador-podcastContact Us:[email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Sustainable Ambassador Podcast, I am joined by Hiroko Muraki Gottlieb, an accomplished environmental lawyer whose career spans global business, nonprofits, intergovernmental organizations, and academia. Hiroko shares her journey from practicing corporate environmental law to becoming deeply involved in international policy making, including her critical role in shaping the High Seas Treaty. Together, we explore the role of legal professionals in sustainability, the challenges of aligning diverse interests, and her insights into building impactful careers in environmental law and policy. Whether you're a legal professional, policymaker, or sustainability enthusiast, this episode is packed with wisdom and inspiration.Timestamps:00:00 – Welcome to episode01:08 – Hiroko Introduction02:12 – Role of Lawyers in Policy03:48 – Challenges in Advocacy05:11 – Science and Policy Integration07:21 – High Seas Treaty Overview09:22 – Ratification Process11:30 – Country-Specific Dynamics13:19 – Balancing Speed and Consensus15:18 – Lessons from Negotiations18:23 – Passion and Professionalism20:24 – Personal Takeaways22:45 – Future Focus25:20 – Advice for Aspiring Environmental Lawyers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Sustainable Ambassador Podcast, we speak with Stacy Williams, Executive Director of ISER Caribe, about her journey as a marine biologist focused on coral reef conservation and adaptation.Based in Puerto Rico, Stacy discusses the challenges coral reefs face, from rising ocean temperatures to invasive algae and diseases, and she highlights innovative restoration techniques, such as introducing herbivorous species like sea urchins and crabs, and breeding resilient corals.Stacy also provides insight into the importance of adapting restoration practices, the role of partnerships and funding, and her advice for aspiring marine biologists.LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1eTyAfaKphSdyiSNZFcKSmApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/dk/podcast/sustainable-ambassador-podcast/id1705344128Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Sustainable-Ambassador-Podcast/dp/B0CGWXG2ZVacast: https://shows.acast.com/sustainable-ambassador-podcastiHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-sustainable-ambassador-pod-160211015/TIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Introduction01:19 - Stacy’s Journey into Marine Biology02:43 - Early Career and Fieldwork04:03 - Challenges Facing Coral Reefs07:27 - The Importance of Coral Reefs08:23 - Adaptive Coral Restoration Techniques10:20 - Natural vs. Human Intervention in Coral Recovery12:22 - Holistic Restoration Approaches15:42 - Scientific Methodology and Experiments18:21 - Measuring Success in Restoration20:17 - Overcoming Challenges and Scaling Efforts26:35 - Passion and Perseverance28:07 - Advice for Aspiring Marine BiologistsAbout Stacey:Stacey M. Williams is a marine scientist and the co-founder of the Institute for Socio-Ecological Research (ISER Caribe), based in Puerto Rico. She received her PhD in Biological Oceanography at the Department of Marine Science at the University of Puerto Rico. Williams and her team at ISER focus on innovative ecological methods, such as outplanting coral fragments and reintroducing sea urchins and crabs to help manage coral-smothering algae. Her efforts are crucial in combating the devastating effects of climate change and disease on Caribbean coral reefs.In addition to her work with ISER Caribe, Williams is committed to advancing restorative aquaculture projects that integrate sustainability with community engagement. She has been instrumental in securing significant funding, including a $10.6 million NOAA grant, to expand reef restoration efforts across Puerto Rico. Her contributions have not only bolstered environmental conservation but also created job opportunities and supported young scientists in the region. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Sustainable Ambassador Podcast, we speak with Dr. Martin Frick, Director of the World Food Program in Berlin about his 25+ year U.N. career and impacting the lives of millions through global initiatives in food security and climate action. Through our discussion, Martin shares his perspective on the UN’s unique role in addressing some of the world’s most pressing issues, the importance of local action, the power of youth in shaping global agendas, and the challenges faced in uniting global stakeholders for meaningful impact. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Sustainable Ambassador Podcast, we speak with Isabel Felandro, Head of Programmes at Cool Earth, about their recent pilot program testing the potential of Universal Basic Income to prevent deforestation in the Amazon.Through our conversation, Isabel shares insights on the program’s design, the role of Indigenous communities in conservation, and how they approached trust and unconditional funding, and we speak to how they approached the unique challenges, risks, and philosophical shifts involved in empowering communities to manage resources independently,. Towards the end of the conversation Isabel also reflects on the professional lessons she has taken away from this program and offers some career advice for those interested in working in the environmental sector. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Sustainable Ambassador Podcast, we speak with Laurie Goering, the Extreme Heat Editor for Climate Resilience for All. about the challenges of reporting on extreme heat and the importance of telling human-centric stories.Through our conversation, Laurie speaks to the nuances of effective communication in climate journalism, the need to balance alarming facts with actionable solutions, and she wraps the conversation with valuable career advice to aspiring climate journalists. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.