Christian Smith: equity in fashion

Who are you?

A work in progress. Have been in the field of sustainability for over ten years with my preconceived ideas and notions always being challenged. Having started of on the environmental side of things, I now focus on social but what I really want to see is a more integrated approach where organizations work on the two aspects together. That's the direction I am heading now personally and trying to drag whomever I can to join me. I am frustrated but hopeful that we can find some ways to handle the range of issues that we are about to face before the collateral damage is overwhelming.

What made you realize that you should be in the field of sustainability?

“Growing up in Sierra Leone, I never realized what an incredible place it is. In terms of geography, the historical significance of such a place, as well as it’s natural properties (gift and curse). I found that as a Sierra Leonean, we always spoke about how everything outside of Sierra Leone was better. In 2018, I lived in Brazil for just under a year and it was there I started to understand various topics. The beauty that people marveled about in Brazil, we also have in Sierra Leone; The beaches, the hills, the soil, the joie de vivre. But through my Brazil experience, I also started to fully comprehend the position of black and brown people in society as well as the resulting damage from the exploitation of both people and natural resources. ”

It got to me. I have lived across Europe, in the USA and in Japan but Brazil brought it all together. So I dove into sustainability head first.

What was your first job working on sustainability topics? What did you learn from that experience?

This was in online retail. My focus was on operational sustainability - GHG's, energy source, packaging. I learned that no matter how big, or fast moving, or innovative a company might be, there are always oversights, things that can be improved when seen from a different lens.

I also learned that I know nothing. I spent my time there feeling like a fraud and that imposter syndrome has never really left me.

You’ve spent a lot of your career in the fashion and apparel sector. Do you get the sense that there has been an about-face on racial justice, and do you think it can/will be sustained?

I don't know. I don't think we can definitively say one way or another.

Let's see what landscape looks like in two or three years. The evidence right now, points to multiple directions. On the one hand it is clear that some organizations have not really learned. Vogue has promoted Anna Wintour (who has admitted to her wrongdoings) but the Kamala Harris front cover surfaced the same debates (lightening of a black/brown woman).

On the other side, Reebok have hired Pyer Moss founder, Kerby Jean-Raymond, who is unashamedly pro-black, as their Creative Director.

That can be seen as a bold move especially when you consider that Reebok is owned by the more conservative Adidas Group. I have also noticed more D&I roles coming up but let's see what representation looks like and produces in the next few years before deciding whether fashion has taken a step forward.

You’ve also toggled between the private sector and the non-profit sector. What differences have you found between working in these two environments?

The dynamic is different and as weird as it is to say, so are the people. Pace in the private sector is faster but you are closer to the results you want to achieve in the supply chain. From the NGO perspective, we get to engage with a lot of stakeholders from so many different sides of the argument but we don't get our hands dirty in the same way - but each NGO is different and my two NGO roles have been with multi-stakeholder initiatives. In both cases, I love the international aspects of the work. That we are trying to impact the lives of people in so many different places at a time when certain groups of people want to focus on putting up barriers - it's much too late for that.

In terms of the people, the goals of the two types of organizations are different so it's natural that different types of people are attracted to different sectors. But this is a major failing, there needs to be more switching between sectors to bring the two sides closer together.

Why do you think diversity in sustainability is important?

“Since my work is in the apparel and footwear industry, I’d use that as the basis of my response. Between 70-85% of workers in the industry are women, of those, about 80% of those are black or brown women (and I include countries like China/Vietnam in this definition). Looking at the other side of the industry, CEO’s, C-suite in general, marketers, designers, in fact most of the industry is white. On top of that, when looking at the ways in which fashion is inspired, it takes so much from street (black) culture, from Native Americans, from so many non-white places. That gap in representation, that gap in power and ownership needs to be addressed. But more importantly, the voices of those who are directly linked to supply chains need to be heard at the top. ”

A more diverse sustainability landscapes enables more voices to be heard and acted on. Especially as we try to address climate change and all its associated issues. Across the globe, minorities are exploited or face the brunt of decisions made by people not aware of or dismissing their concerns. We need to address that and diversity is a way to begin that process.

Do you have a mentor? How have they helped you in your career or personal growth?

Professionally, I don't really. I want one so if anyone is interested, let me know. I am fortunate to have met some really incredible people during my journey. They have inspired me to learn, to grow and to be open. I get the most energy and growth from my peers though. Being able to sit, discuss, analyze, share books and podcasts. That's the kind of mentorship I have had so far. Personally, I have two uncles that have been amazing. They are both professors and have supported my growth and development in ways they probably do not even understand.

Of the different projects you’ve worked on, what have you been most proud of?

Usually when I complete something, I have more of a quiet sense of satisfaction and then the next thing comes. Having said that, I did a global roadshow for a company, it involved a lot of training and massive bouts of imposter syndrome. However, it was my first time really connecting with the supply chain - seeing first hand the way clothes are made, the massive investment that goes into it and the passion, expertise and dedication of the people working in the factories.

Is there a quote or mantra that you live by, and why?

Being at the forefront of issues something I find exciting, where questions are abundant and answers lack clarity so I choose this one:

"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect." — Mark Twain

What issues in sustainability are you most concerned about?

Climate justice and living wages. These two topics deserve an essay each.

What development(s) have excited you most in the field?

Regenerative agriculture - there is a big focus on circularity right now, but I love the idea that whatever we do going forward needs to be regenerative.

Are you optimistic or pessimistic about the future, and why?

This really depends on the day. I believe that we are too late in addressing key issues. However, there is a growing (generational) movement that makes me optimistic that in addressing the impacts of climate change, we will do so justly. Post-Covid, post-Trump, post-BLM, we have a decision to make on what kind of future we want - many find what we have seen in the last year distasteful, disheartening but awakening. We can do better. We must do better.

Tyrone Hall: Communicator of Climate Complexity

Who are you?  

My name is Tyrone Hall. I’m a generalist with a real passion for strategic planning and action around sustainability issues – from climate change and food security to health and wellness. I’ve been at the forefront of sustainability messaging for regional and multilateral entities throughout my career. On the personal side, I am pursuing an earth conscious lifestyle, from my primarily plant-based food experimentation and pairing to my ethical choices for consumer goods. I am enthusiastic about running, yoga and cross-cultural meditation techniques.

Can you tell us more about what you do at NDC Partnership?  What is the most exciting/rewarding part of it for you? 

I’m the Head of Communications at NDC Partnership, , a global coalition of 181 countries and international institutions at the forefront of climate and development action. I joined at an exciting time. The brand needed strategic leadership to showcase its global successes in coordinating resources (about a billion dollars thus far and a raft of technical support) to drive climate and development action around the world. I’ve had the opportunity to shape green recovery messages as part of COVID-19 responses, better package what this means for various audiences, streamline story-generation processes, prep and position key ministerial representatives to articulate their climate and development successes in the media, including Time, Reuters, DevEx and Inter Press Service.

I really enjoy mapping our communications back to strategic elements I outlined for the Partnership around communicating the brand identity and voice, finding the right people and messages for the right audiences, and monitoring and evaluating our progress. For me, it is important that ESG, SDGs and all forms of climate and development actions be guided by purpose, a logic, and carefully primed messages. It is critical for coherence. Otherwise, we risk treating reporting and messaging around these issues as add-ons – staid and ineffective processes.

What made you realize that you should be in this field?

I am an islander. I grew up in Jamaica. I’ve been to most islands in the Caribbean – a real privilege – and I am from four generations of men and women who engaged in resource dependent livelihoods, including jippy-jappers, who are weavers of the famed tourist hats associated with treks to Central America and the Caribbean, and farmers on my maternal side.

“I know what sustainability failures mean in real terms. For me, the risks are related to culture, including bonds across communities, livelihoods, existence! This is not just a job, a curiosity, a fad or trend.”

Undergrad courses in development communications and exposure to development economics really helped me to close the circle on sustainability issues being a passion and a career path. I dedicated my whole masters research to directly tackling sustainability questions and carve out a niche. Many years later, I spent four years of my life running around the globe, dashing through dozens of villages across India, Fiji and Belize studying this thing.

What was your first job working on sustainability topics? What did you learn from that experience?

I moved to Belize on a one-way ticket in the Summer of 2012 to run communications for a suite of climate change projects across Belize, Suriname, Guyana and a dozen Caribbean islands. It was a whirlwind. I had incredible bosses and colleagues who were keen on problem-solving. I had an opportunity to evolve into knowledge management, identifying lesson learning, truly probe critical questions and recognized that sustainability reporting needed guiding principles to be relevant for distinct audiences, especially indigenous and other resource dependent communities. I transitioned and sought to probe and directly answer some of those core questions.

Tyrone in Victoria.

You’ve worked in so many different sectors – you’ve worked with governments, multilaterals, and you’ve also been a doctoral student. What advice do you have for people that want to toggle between these different worlds?

It’s exciting to traverse so many spaces and places. I’ve also been eager to fully explore avenues to drive change. I highly encourage it. It’s important to still stake out one to three core competencies because we still live in a world where siloed thinking is dominant. It’s also key to routinely think about and clearly articulate how your varied experiences can be linked. How does this web of experiences and crossing of worlds connect? Of what value is it to you, the advancement of your ultimate goals and core values? In answering these questions, you will be able to shape your value proposition.

Why do you think diversity in sustainability is important?

Diversity in sustainability matters as a matter of principle and common-sense!

On principle, we are all affected by sustainability failures and racialized peoples are disproportionately impacted. You simply can’t fully address the issues without a wider range of ideas and approaches being fully articulated and considered.

It’s common sense. Diversity in all forms helps to evolve and strengthen ideas and decision-making processes around sustainability. Improved sustainability management is a risk management ethic. It’s good for the bottom-line or core business. It’s an obvious win-win. Again, it’s common-sense.

Do you have a mentor? How have they helped you in your career or personal growth?

I’ve had mentors since my childhood. They have served me extraordinarily well. But, what I need, and have been fortunate to have in recent years, is sponsorship. There’s just a point when what you need is not necessarily counsel but sponsorship – or mentorship that also offers a substantial level of sponsorship. I’ve had some form of this for about a decade. It is this sponsorship or mentor-sponsor support that really cleared or eased my path. This is really what racialized professionals need more so than traditional mentorship.

What has been your proudest moment in your professional career?

It’s tough to pinpoint one. I feel compelled to say the Placencia Ambition Forum. This is an initiative to bring together major actors in the climate change negotiations around a central theme of increasing ambition and a focus on safeguarding the Paris Agreement. I really had the confidence of my team to turn that event into a real showcase of messaging excellence, and demonstrate the power of strategic pivoting, messaging and creativity just as the pandemic struck. It has been recognized as a trendsetting showcase by many.

What quote do you most live by and why?

Not so much a quote, but a principle: How do we evolve or clarify? I am keen on problem-solving. If an idea is offered or an issue is presented, I am keen on asking the why and how questions to ensure we can identify a specific issue and/or area to act on. It’s important that we do not undermine collaboration and ingenuity with generalities.

What issues in sustainability are you most concerned about?

My core concern is the messaging. We really need to invest in making this relevant to broader audiences. This is the niche I am working in.

“ESG Reporting, in particular, needs to be disaggregated or segmented and reframed to be relevant to shareholders, distinct industries, the media, policymakers and their advisors, and various elements of the public. The current formulation isn’t just challenged conceptually, it’s not articulated in the most efficient, effective and relevant way even for investors.”

What development(s) have excited you most in the field? 

I am thrilled by the emergence of sustainability focused podcasts such as the Refinitiv Sustainability Perspectives Podcast. The podcasts have really, really amazed me. We need more of this. They are helping to make the space more accessible to a wider audience. It’s really helping to spotlight a wider range of voices and could help build community.

Are you optimistic or pessimistic about the future, and why?

I am very optimistic about the future. I am deeply encouraged by the technological progress around renewable energy, the shifts in investment focus, and robust pro-climate youth movements around the world. The economic imperatives and associated options, and the ethical or existential facts are finally aligning. I know we must act with a great deal more urgency, but I see so many key players working tirelessly to make it happen.

Find out more about Tyrone at tyronehall.com.

Meet your Co-Founders: Heather Mak

Who are you?

I’m Heather Mak, an entrepreneur, volunteer, daughter, mom, wife, and sister. In my day-to-day life, I work in the field of sustainability consulting, mostly with consumer facing companies, and I was also one of the co-founders of Diversity in Sustainability. 

What made you realize that you should be in the field?

Earlier on in my life, I remember doing projects on rainforest destruction in the Amazon, acid rain and the Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska- it seemed insane to me at that young age the destructive impact that humans had on the Earth.  In university, I remember taking a course at McGill called the Social Context of Business with Prof. Louis Chauvin that really formed the basis of my knowledge, and that same summer I had an internship at a major consumer packaged goods company. We had an internal conference with hundreds of people in attendance, and I remember walking over to the microphone and asking the president of the company a question that I had struggled with – “how are we supposed to be sustainable if we rely on pushing people to consume more?” He was so shocked by the question, and really had to think about the answer. It drove home for me how much more needed to be done by business.

However, it still didn’t occur to me that I could work on sustainability in business or for a consumer goods company – until at my first full-time job for a German candy company. Walmart was one of our big customers, and they had announced their 100% renewable energy, zero waste goals.  It then made me realize that I could combine my interest in business and sustainability, and that business had a role to play –  and I haven’t looked back since.  

What was your first job in sustainability? What did you learn from that experience?

My first job in sustainability was at Canadian Business for Social Responsibility, which I obtained after I finished my MBA in Business and Sustainability at Schulich. Amazingly, it was a completely speculative application at the height of the financial crisis, so I wasn’t expecting a reply. I hadn’t been a consultant before, but I had previously worked in consumer goods, and I think they liked that I had that practical experience. I credit my boss at the time, Andrea Baldwin, for building up my consulting skills. I also enjoyed learning from all my colleagues who each had a different experience and expertise to bear – it was a great place to learn and meet others in the industry.  I’m still quite close with many of my colleagues and members - including Marie, who is one of the co-founders of Diversity in Sustainability.

Why do you think diversity in sustainability is important?

I think it’s important for several reasons. I think for the longest time, sustainability has been approached from a colonial perspective, and I’ve come to realize that incorporating more diverse perspectives will help us come up with more equitable solutions. It is no secret that people of colour are also disproportionately affected by the consequences of environmental problems.

This past year, in addition to books about anti-racism, I’ve been digging deep into books about the history and traditional knowledge of Indigenous peoples, as well as books about my own Chinese heritage, and of minorities in China. There is so much wisdom in traditional knowledge, which has been discounted for so long.

I’m also seeing a generational shift occurring among people of colour as well in relation to societal systems and institutions. Where I would say that people in my parents’ generation and before would have been excluded from participating in them, people in my generation (the late millennial, almost Gen X crowd) have been trying to exact change within systems that were designed by a homogeneous group. And now younger people have declared that these systems are no longer working, and we must redesign from the ground up.  If we are redesigning from the ground up, we have to make sure it is as inclusive as possible. 

Why did you want to get involved in Diversity in Sustainability?

George Floyd’s murder really shook me to the core. I began to think about the tangible things we could do to combat systemic racism beyond reading and speaking up and donating to different causes. And I thought about this pocket of the universe in sustainability – and started initiating discussions with other BIPOC people, and came to the conclusion that we could and should do something really impactful.

What advice would you give to students, young professionals or mid-career professionals that want to get into the field?

My advice to them would be to meet as many people as you can in the field and learn from them, and also to find your niche.  This is a quickly emerging field with new developments every day. There is more than enough work to go around - we absolutely need all hands on deck.

“I would actually say that we don’t have enough people working on these issues– and these are huge, intractable problems that urgently need to be solved. ”

Do you have a mentor? How have they helped you in your career or personal growth?

I don’t have a formal mentor per se, but I have many people that I often speak to for guidance and I am someone who naturally likes to keep in touch with people. One of my friends in the field, Lara Kortizke, once gave me the advice that it’s important to have someone that you go to for advice who is 10 years older than you and another who is 10 years younger than you. I’ve found this to be true - it helps to anticipate what’s to come, but to also help out the people directly behind you, who more often than not, have a fresh way to approach things that you probably didn’t think of. This principle underlies the reason why we have built a co-mentorship program for Diversity in Sustainability.

When did you first realize that your diversity made you different from your counterparts in the field?

When I grew up, I felt as though I had to hide or minimize my Chinese heritage, as I grew up in a particularly homogenous part of Toronto. As I get older, I’ve come to realize how important it is to embrace your heritage and I’ve been spending a lot of time reading up about Chinese history, politics, and current events and reconciling it with my own family history and how it all relates to sustainability. The past few years, I’ve been working on a few projects that touched on issues related to China and I’ve been able to offer up a lot of nuance to others. More broadly, I think being a person of colour in general – you know what it feels like as an outsider, and I think it makes you more sensitive to cues that other might miss.

 What was your proudest moment as a sustainability professional?

My proudest moment was working on solutions for the Canadian apparel industry after the Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh. It was completely devastating how many lives were lost. But working together with the industry, the government, NGOs and multilateral institutions to come up with workable, systemic solutions was a huge learning experience for me, and it gave me new insight into how institutions work, the political maneuvering of different constituents, and collaborating with unlikely partners. There is, of course, still a lot of work to be done, particularly as it relates to fundamental business models.

What quote do you most live by and why?

One of my favourite quotes comes from one of my heroes, Quincy Jones – “Make decisions out of love, and not fear.” I’ve thought back to my own life and what I’ve realized that whenever I have ever done things out of fear, status or ego reasons, it never works out. However, if you do something you love, things always seem to work out somehow, sometimes in unexpected ways. If I apply that to climate change – how do we work towards a future that we want to see, instead of a future that we’re afraid of – it’s a subtle shift in mindset, but effective in rallying people around your vision.

Heather and her daughter.

What issues in sustainability are you most concerned about?

Since having a daughter, I’ve been increasingly thinking through what world she will grow up in. I was born at a time when the atmospheric CO2 levels were at 341ppm, in the safe threshold. We are now at 415 ppm - and without major changes in how we live, life is going to only be more volatile. I think in general the things I’m most concerned about are:

• Climate change – without a doubt the biggest issue of our time. This will affect everyone and will disproportionately hurt those who don’t have the means to protect themselves. The idea of equity is very important and often overlooked and our intention with Diversity in Sustainability is to shift that lens.

• Unfettered consumption – in the Western world people with means seem to consume their way out of every problem. I think it is insanity that we are now at a place where people are buying a monthly subscription box of random things and then putting all these random things into the garbage. I find it insane that there’s an industry of professional “stuff” organizers. We as a society have become extremely wasteful and we are losing our ability to be self-sufficient and to make do with little.

• Cancel culture – I think social media has created this mob mentality – instead of reasoned and open dialogue, we’ve moved towards justice with hashtags and memes. This way of approaching complex issues like racism, equity, and climate change, will not be solved in this way.

What development(s) have excited you most in the field?

I’m excited by companies setting carbon negative or restorative targets. It’s not enough to just do our part,  but also the idea of giving back more than you take is powerful.

I’m also excited by learning from our ancestors on how to protect the environment. The more I dig into different solutions from the past in how to protect soil and water - the more and more I realize how much wisdom there is in history.

Read more about Heather here: http://www.heathermakconsulting.com.

Jarami Bond: Sustainability renaissance man

Jarami Bond at Pacifica. Photo by Christine.

Who are you?

I am Chief Storyteller at Bond Studio, a visual storytelling company helping purpose-driven companies, non-profits, and entrepreneurs build their brands, engage their audiences, and unlock the power of their stories. We are a nimble collective of creatives specializing in video production, brand strategy, and web development. We exist to help our clients effectively amplify their stories of social and environmental impact with intent to build awareness, shift behavior, and inspire change. Our vision was birthed out of the realization that visual stories have the potential to humanize sustainability, going beyond metrics to drive culture toward real change. 

What made you realize that you should be in the field?

Since childhood, I always had a deep connection to the environment. I immersed myself in encyclopedias, atlases, and books, devouring as much information as I could about the natural world. I developed an affinity for the built environment throughout middle school and high mschool, leading me to enroll at Civil Engineering at North Carolina State University. During a civil engineering internship with the NCDOT during the summer after my freshman year, I supported infrastructural testing on roadway projects. On this projects, I recognized that I cared more about the creeks and wetlands than the bridges and roadways I was supposed to be analyzing. Up until this point, I had no idea that I could actually turn my childhood passion for the environment into a meaningful career. I changed my major to Environmental Engineering and then eventually Environmental Science with a minor in Sustainable Materials & Technology. 

What was your first job in sustainability? What did you learn from that experience?

My first job in the field was Sustainability Coordinator at Interface. Within this role, I was exposed to what it looks like for a company to truly do well by doing good. I was exposed to what it looks like for a company to holistically embed sustainability into its cultural fabric, manufacturing operations, and sales process.

Why do you think diversity in sustainability is important?

“Diversifying the sustainability field will inject the movement with new perspectives/approaches, help increase focus on environmental/social justice, bring the level of cultural sensitivity required to graciously engage with and serve vulnerable populations, and help influence broader demographics toward greater environmental/social mindfulness.”

Why did you want to get involved in Diversity in Sustainability?

Because this is what I live and breathe. My focus in the sustainability space centers around diversity, inclusion, equity, and justice. I appreciate the fact that Diversity in Sustainability is creating a comprehensive database that can help organizations easily identify qualified, talented, BIPOC sustainability leaders for meaningful opportunities.

What advice would you give to students that want to get into the field?

I wrote about this topic for GreenBiz several years ago, but I think the key things are to first, add value – go beyond just being passionate and provide clear, relevant examples from your experience and then demonstrate that these abilities are transferrable and leverageable to plug into meeting the company’s specific need. Secondly, it’s important to be strategic – you have to not only understand, embrace and be adept in sustainable business, but also capable of contributing to a core business function. Internships, externships, special projects and volunteer opportunities will be helpful there. Lastly, it’s important to build early. Build relationships with professors and advisers who can provide you with advice, industry connections and a listening ear as you process your interests. Network with professionals at career fairs and company mixers – and don’t forget your business cards!

Which sustainability leaders do you look up to?

People who inspire me: Van Jones, Majora Carter, Robyn Eason, Jasmine Lomax, Kimberly Lewis, George Bandy, and Lindsay James. I know many of them personally (except Van and Majora) and have watched them break barriers and overcome obstacles, carving out space in the sustainability movement for their unique voices and perspectives. Each of them are fearless trailblazers.

Photo: Jarami Bond

Do you have a mentor? How have they helped you in your career or personal growth? Yes, I have several mentors who have not only shared wisdom with me, but also opened doors through introductions to key players in my field, recommended me for thought leadership opportunities, etc.

How did you find them and convince them to be your mentor?

I didn't exactly convince anyone to be my mentor. Several offered mentorship. A few relationships just evolved organically. I kept asking questions, they kept answering, and here we are.

What was your proudest moment as a sustainability professional?

Being recognized as a 2017 GreenBiz 30 Under 30.

What quote do you most live by and why?

"To whom much is given, much is required." From my mother who homeschooled me from K-12 to various mentors who have taken me under their wing, I recognize that so many people have poured into me, helping me get to where I am today. Thus, I embrace the responsibility to invest in others to help them reach their goals.

What issues in sustainability are you most concerned about?

Environmental injustice within socioeconomically disadvantaged communities of color, the lack of diversity in our field, and of course climate change.

Check out more from Jarami at his website, including his writing. You can also see him speaking at Greenbiz ‘21 from February 9-11, 2021.

Meet our Co-founders: Rida Bilgrami

Who are you?

I’m Rida Bilgrami, a sustainability strategist and one of the co-founders of Diversity in Sustainability based in London. For the last decade I have worked as a strategy consultant focused on corporate sustainability and reporting. I also work as a food and culture journalist. My writing spans reported features, profiles, and essays with a focus on food culture and its intersection with history, identity and migration.

What made you realize that you should be in the field?

I have an inter-disciplinary academic background in Economics, Anthropology and Development Studies. Soon after completing graduate studies in London, I started working at a cross-sector think tank that was focused on providing foresight to INGOs to facilitate collaboration with the private sector. I began to realise that many of the issues I was interested in – human rights, gender equality, water security – could also be seen from the lens of how business can play a role in tackling these. I grew interested in how corporates could leverage their expertise in logistics, supply chains, and technological innovation in expanding the possibilities for sustainable development. I wanted to work with companies on shifting business models and strategies that addressed exploitative working conditions and improved resource stewardship.

What was your first job in sustainability? What did you learn from that experience?

My first job in sustainability was working as an Analyst in the London office of SustainAbility, a hybrid strategy consultancy and think tank. I eventually progressed to a Project Manager and from the get-go I had the opportunity to work with some of the world’s largest corporations on sustainability strategy development, stakeholder engagement and reporting. Working with a geographically dispersed but dedicated team of colleagues who had such varied professional and academic backgrounds really honed my analytical and problem solving skills. It was a great place to learn and also meet other thinkers and practitioners in the industry. I’m still quite close with many of my colleagues and members including two who are co-founders at Diversity in Sustainability!

Why do you think diversity in sustainability is important?

In my view many sustainability focused organisation are still consciously or unconsciously quite colonial, patriarchal, and non-inclusive in their outlook. Intergenerational equity is a central concept within sustainability, and to achieve that it is important to pay attention to how we cultivate more inclusive workplaces that honour the differences that people bring to the table. I also think we need to do a better job of embedding and integrating perspectives of marginalised groups in decision-making.

Why did you want to get involved in Diversity in Sustainability? 

I have observed the lack of racial and ethnic diversity in the industry since I started working in this sector a decade ago. People of colour – and especially women of colour – are not visible in this industry.

 At the beginning of my career I was hesitant to initiate discussions or initiatives on how to cultivate a more diverse and inclusive workplace as I felt I needed to expand my knowledge and understanding on what the solutions look like. The world looks very different in 2020. We are living through a zeitgeist of cultural change where conversations regarding equity and inclusion beyond window dressing are percolating across sectors. Diversity needs to be more than just a tick box exercise to increase representation. For me the question now is what type of change needs to be catalytic for meaningful transformation? At Diversity in Sustainability we are at the beginning of a journey to explore how we drive forward change and achieve impact.

“The world looks very different in 2020. We are living through a zeitgeist of cultural change where conversations regarding equity and inclusion beyond window dressing are percolating across sectors. Diversity needs to be more than just a tick box exercise to increase representation. For me the question now is what type of change needs to be catalytic for meaningful transformation? At Diversity in Sustainability we are at the beginning of a journey to explore how we drive forward change and achieve impact.”

What advice would you give to students, young professionals or mid-career professionals that want to get into the field?

I think the sweet spot as a sustainability practitioner is combining curiosity with purpose and impact. Be open to learning and unlearning and thinking systemically. I have found great value both professionally and personally in challenging myself to observe and listen beyond the echo chamber of sustainability discourse as framed by large institutions. Seek out writers and thinkers who are interrogating systemic issues in food sovereignty, listen to indigenous communities talking about climate change, faith leaders building a moral case for tackling inequality.

What are some good examples of good sustainability practice that you're impressed with? Are there any sustainability leaders that come to mind?

I am enthused about new business models in ingredient sourcing such as the work being undertaken by Diaspora Co – a company focused on equity and quality that is disrupting an outdated and unjust spice trading model by sourcing single-origin turmeric, chili, coriander, pepper directly from family farms in India. They operate on the philosophy that decolonizing the spice trade means redistributing power that previously rested with traders and middlemen to farmers who are paid much above market price.

 When did you first realize that your diversity made you different from your counterparts in the field?

“I think we all bring some element of diversity of thought and experiences to the table in our unique ways. I spent my formative years in Pakistan, where being a woman and from a sectarian minority shaped my early views on how I understood difference at a societal level and the reality of being on the margins of a majoritarian group struggling to see if you will ever get a seat at the table.”

 For a large part of my adult life living in the U.S and UK I grappled with how my identity markers – woman of colour, Muslim, first-generation immigrant could potentially hinder my access to professional opportunities and progression. However, being able-bodied and having a post-graduate degree also gave me privileges that eventually facilitated my entry into organisations that I worked for. Having lived and studied in different countries and being multi-lingual afforded me a unique vantage point and cultural agility as I began my career in sustainability. It enabled me to zoom out and see the big picture in a systemic way without losing sight of the finer details. I see my diversity as an asset but I am acutely aware that it’s not the same for many others from my cultural and religious background, especially in the UK context.

What quote do you most live by and why?

This is not so much a quote I live by but one that has had a profound impact on my lately:

Photo credit: Claudia Leisinger

I read an interview by Zohran Mamdani, who recently became one of the first South Asians to secure a seat in New York’s State Assembly, where he said:  “I don’t think that representation in and of itself is enough to deliver us to the world that we need, I think it’s a part of it.  The real, key power of representation is that you not only look like someone who hasn’t been at the table, but that you in fact change the nature of which discussions are prioritized, and that you’re fighting for a different set of priorities that have been ignored. Arundhati Roy has spoken of the idea that, “there are no voiceless people, there’s just the unheard.”

What was your proudest moment as a sustainability professional?

My proudest moment was working with a large pharmaceutical company on developing a commitment to paying a living wage for their supply chain workers, which positively impacted over a 1000 workers. Working cross-functionally across the business from procurement to human resources to investor relations, to come up with workable solutions and a policy commitment was a huge learning experience for me, and also gratifying to see impact.

What issues in sustainability are you most concerned about?

• The devastating impacts of climate change in the world’s most vulnerable countries.

• Large-scale human migration due to resource scarcity and increased frequency of extreme weather events

• Unsustainable and exploitative sourcing models that pose an existential threat to the future supply of ingredients such as coffee, cocoa and vanilla that are intrinsic to our daily lives.