Sustainable Ambassador Podcast

In this episode, we speak with Veronica Lee, who shares insights of USAID's mission, impact, and closure. A 15 year veteran of the organization, Victoria discusses her path into international development, the critical role USAID plays in global soft power and development assistance, and the detailed processes behind the agency's operations. She candidly addresses the recent events surrounding USAI...

In this episode of the Sustainable Ambassador Podcast, I sit down with Jaime de Bourbon de Parme, Climate Envoy for the Netherlands to speak about the work of a climate envoy We explore the critical role of climate diplomacy in today’s shifting geopolitical landscape—from translating science into action to brokering climate finance and empowering local solutions. Jaime shares how he navigates resi...

In this episode of the Sustainable Ambassador Podcast, we speaks with Pritha Hariram, iPAC Director for Water Infrastructure and Climate Adaptation at Ramboll, about the complex challenges and opportunities surrounding global water resilience and climate smart cities. Drawing on her 23 years of experience across nonprofit, multilateral, corporate, and consulting sectors, Pritha highlights the urge...

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 partner...

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 fundra...

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,...

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 innovat...

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 ch...

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 H...

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, s...

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...

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...

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...

In this episode of the Sustainable Ambassador Podcast, we speak with photographer Chris Jordan about how photography has the ability to inspire a global environmental movement. Known for his striking images of environmental degradation, including the famous photographs of dead albatrosses filled with plastic, Jordan reflects on his journey from lawyer to photographer, the role of beauty and art in...

In this episode of the Sustainable Ambassador Podcast, host Rich Rigger speaks with Andrew Jack, the Global Education Editor at the Financial Times about the future of sustainability at business schools. Through our discussion, we explore the current state of sustainability within business education, how schools are evolving in this area, and the roles of students, faculty, and businesses in drivi...

In this episode of the Sustainable Ambassador Podcast, host Rich interviews award-winning science writer and Anthropocene researcher Gaia Vince about her latest book, Nomad Century. The conversation focuses on the increasingly pressing issue of climate-driven migration, the lack of global preparedness for the inevitable movement of millions of people, and the need to change the narrative around cl...

In this episode of the Sustainable Ambassador Podcast, I speak with Jeana Wirtenberg from Rutgers Business School about the evolving role of business leadership and sustainability that she has seen over the last 20 years of engaging business leaders in areas of corporate social responsibility, innovation, and leadership, and the important role academic has to help leaders drive sustainability thro...

In this episode of the Sustainable Ambassador Podcast, we speak with with Ivonne Bojoh, CEO of Circle Economy, about the circular economy and her journey from a career in entrepreneurship and innovation to leading a global impact organization focused on the circular economy. It is a conversation that starts with a framing of circularity, its practical application, and the systemic challenges that...

In this episode of the Sustainable Ambassador podcast, we speak with Tiffany Crawford & Krista Milne about their work as Chief Heat Officers for the City of Melbourne. It is a discussion that starts speaking to the challenges of climate change to cities, and their work to develop and deliver an effective solution. About Tiffany Crawford Tiffany Crawford brings nearly two decades of experience...

In this Sustainable Ambassador Podcast episode, we chat with Paul Shapiro on the transformative power of plant-based products in replacing animal proteins, and the key lessons he has taken away from from recent market shifts in the plant-based sector. Lessons that should be a goldmine for anyone developing a 'sustainable' product or brand. About Paul Paul Shapiro is the author of the national best...

In this episode of the Sustainable Ambassadors Podcast, I speak with my former student Talha Khan about his decision to leave McKinsey to become the Executive Director of Pakistan Environment Trust (PET). It is a conversation that starts with Talha speaking about Pakistan's challenges and the opportunity he saw to return "home" and lead the Trust. From there, we spoke in depth about the position o...

In this episode of The Sustainable Ambassador Podcast, we speak with Professor Björn-Ola Linnér challenges of creating tangibility around environmental issues, the need to change rules and societal norms, and the role of academia in driving impactful change. Through our time we dive deep into the complexities of societal transformations, governance frameworks, and the need for actionable options t...

In this episode, we speak with Salisa Traipipitsiriwat about her work as Senior Campaigner to rid the ocean of plastic waste, and the early lessons she has learned in campaigning, managing teams, and the importance of being aligned with the organization's mission. Lessons that will serve her well throughout her career, and one's we hope will help you as well! Timestamps: 00:14 - Welcome to the Sus...

In this episode of the Sustainable Ambassador podcast, we speak with Nick Oldridge, about his work at the Climate Science Breakthrough to partner comedians and climate scientists in the hope that through the use of humor and hope a great level of engagement on the issues of climate change can be achieved. It's an incredible conversation with a "regular dude" who saw the need for a shift in how we...

In this episode, we speak with the inspiring Isabel Andam, a passionate climate activist from Ghana, about her journey towards becoming a prominent youth activist in the fight against climate change. It is an incredible conversation that starts with her journey to becoming an activist, the role she sees for youth activists, and the early skills, tools, and lessons she is gaining through this work...