How is Joya Elmore turning her school into a zero-waste haven, one compostable pumpkin at a time?

Episode in a glance

- The Growers Program: Growing Food, Mind, and Soul
- Hydroponics and Botany: A Deeper Dive into Plants
- The Green Club: Student-Driven Sustainability
- Balancing Leadership and Advocacy
- The Wonder Bus: Expanding Learning Beyond the Classroom
- Embracing the Process, Not Just the Goal
- The Importance of Self-Care and Connecting with Nature

About Joya Elmore

Joya Elmore is a passionate educator and advocate for sustainability. She is the Director of Environment-based Learning at the Wellington School, where she works with students of all ages to develop a deep understanding of their environment and the importance of sustainable practices. She believes that hands-on learning, connecting with nature, and fostering a sense of responsibility are essential for empowering young minds to create a healthier and more sustainable future.

Connect with Joya Elmore

→ Wellington School Website: https://www.wellington.org
→ Wellington School Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wellingtonschool
→ See the sustainability program at Wellington
→ Read about the sustainability program at Wellington
→ Joya's Email: elmore@wellington.org

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What does an environment-based classroom look like?

Joya Elmore, Director of Environment-based Learning at the Wellington School, shares her inspiring journey into the world of sustainability education. Growing up in a family deeply rooted in environmental values and living in a geodesic dome, Joya developed a deep appreciation for nature and sustainable living from a young age. She recounts how her experiences as a teacher ignited her passion for connecting students to their food sources, understanding the environment, and developing a sense of stewardship.

Episode in a glance

- Growing Up in a Family of Hippies and Geodesic Domes
- From Bartender to Teacher
- The Magic of Environment-based Learning
- From Virginia to Alabama to Ohio
- Gardening and Sustainability Initiatives at Wellington
- Advocating for Sustainability & Wellbeing at Wellington
- Sustainability, Wellbeing, and Service Learning

About Joya Elmore

Joya Elmore is a passionate educator and advocate for sustainability. She is the Director of Environment-based Learning at the Wellington School, where she works with students of all ages to develop a deep understanding of their environment and the importance of sustainable practices. She believes that hands-on learning, connecting with nature, and fostering a sense of responsibility are essential for empowering young minds to create a healthier and more sustainable future.

Connect with Joya Elmore

→ See the sustainability program at Wellington
→ Read about the sustainability program at Wellington
→ Joya's Email: elmore@wellington.org

Send us a message!

How can we equip the next generation to tackle the complex challenges of sustainability?

Neil Drobny shares his experience building academic programs that empower students to make a real-world impact. He played a pivotal role in developing Ohio State University's sustainability major EEDS (Environment, Economy, Development and Sustainability). He also spearheaded the Bronco Challenge for Sustainable Impact at Western Michigan University, a competition that encourages students to develop innovative solutions to pressing environmental issues. Learn how these programs are shaping the future of sustainability and empowering students to become changemakers.

Episode in a glance

• What is EEDS & its origins at OSU
• Explaining EEDS to Students
• Job Placement and Success Stories of EEDS Graduates
• Examples of EEDS Student Projects
• Neil's Reflections on the EEDS Program
• The Bronco Challenge for Sustainable Impact at Western Michigan University
• How the Bronco Challenge Works

About Neil Drobny

Neil Drobny is a passionate advocate for sustainability with a diverse background in business, academia, and environmental consulting. He is the program director of the Bronco Challenge for Sustainable Impact at Western Michigan University, a program that empowers student teams to develop innovative solutions to pressing environmental problems. Neil was a key contributor in the development of the EEDS (Environment, Economy, Development, and Sustainability) program at Ohio State University, which has become a leading sustainability-focused major. Neil has a long history of working with businesses and organizations to adopt more sustainable practices, bringing a deep understanding of both the practical and theoretical aspects of environmental issues. He is dedicated to fostering a new generation of sustainability leaders and inspiring change through hands-on learning and impactful programs.

Connect with Neil Drobny & The Bronco Challenge for Sustainable Impact

→ https://wmich.edu/sustainability/initiatives/broncochallenge

Send us a message!

Can a childhood spent in nature spark a lifelong passion for sustainability? For Neil Drobny, it certainly did.

Neil Drobny is the program director of the Bronco Challenge for Sustainable Impact at Western Michigan University. Neil's interest in sustainability began in his childhood, when he was a Boy Scout. He worked as a consultant at Battelle for many years, helping companies to implement sustainable practices. He joined the faculty at Ohio State University in 2004 to teach sustainability courses. He founded the Bronco Challenge for Sustainable Impact in 2022. The Bronco Challenge is a competition for students to develop innovative solutions to sustainability problems. Neil also talks about the importance of sustainability in business and the challenges of getting businesses to adopt more sustainable practices.

Episode in a glance

-Introducing Neil Drobny
-Neil's Early Influences: The Boy Scout Ethos
-Navy Experience and First Patent for A Toilet for the Antarctic
-Career at Battelle & Environmental Projects
-Sustainability in Business & the Rise of Corporate Social Responsibility
-Consulting Career with ERM & Working with Companies to Implement Sustainable Practices
-Starting ERM in the Midwest
-Developing Sustainability Curricula at Ohio State University
-The EEDS Program
-Common Misconceptions About Sustainability
-The Bronco Challenge for Sustainable Impact

About Neil Drobny

Neil Drobny is a passionate advocate for sustainability with a diverse background in business, academia, and environmental consulting. He is the program director of the Bronco Challenge for Sustainable Impact at Western Michigan University, a program that empowers student teams to develop innovative solutions to pressing environmental problems. Neil was a key contributor in the development of the EEDS (Environment, Economy, Development, and Sustainability) program at Ohio State University, which has become a leading sustainability-focused major. Neil has a long history of working with businesses and organizations to adopt more sustainable practices, bringing a deep understanding of both the practical and theoretical aspects of environmental issues. He is dedicated to fostering a new generation of sustainability leaders and inspiring change through hands-on learning and impactful programs.

Connect with Neil Drobny & The Bronco Challenge for Sustainable Impact

→ https://wmich.edu/sustainability/initiatives/broncochallenge

Send us a message!

Erin Shaffer, a manager at Kalypso (a Rockwell Automation company), building a thriving sustainability service line within a consulting firm. Starting with a simple conversation amongst colleagues and their desire for sustainable change, to landing major clients and gaining significant leadership buy-in, Erin details the entire process, sharing both the challenges and the triumphs. She lays out the types of sustainability and energy management projects Kalypso undertakes, the key factors motivating companies to invest in sustainability, and the strategic approach they take. Hear how Kalypso is making a tangible impact, and share Erin's optimism to integrate sustainability into the heart of corporations.

Episode in a glance

- Kalypso's Service Lines and Sustainability Initiatives
- The Birth of the Sustainability Group
- Energy Management and Sustainability Projects
- Motivations Behind Corporate Sustainability
- Internal Challenges and Building Support
- Key Milestones in Developing the Sustainability Group
- Rockwell Acquisition of Kalypso
- Balancing Client Work and Sustainability Efforts
- Measuring Sustainability Impact
- Future Vision for Sustainability in Corporations
- Connecting with Erin Shaffer & Kalypso

About Erin Shaffer

Erin Shaffer is a sustainability champion and management consultant at Kalypso, a Rockwell Automation business. With a background in finance and a passion for social impact, Erin has dedicated her career to integrating sustainability into both her personal and professional life. From her early work with Star House to her current role spearheading the development of a dedicated sustainability service line at Kalypso, Erin has consistently sought ways to blend her business acumen with a commitment to environmental responsibility. She believes in the power of collaborative action and is dedicated to helping businesses achieve their sustainability goals.

Connect with Erin Shaffer and her work at Kalypso

→ https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-halleran-shaffer/

→ https://kalypso.com/

Send us a message!

Erin Shaffer is a Green Champion who co-leads the sustainability and energy management service line at Kalypso, a consulting firm acquired by Rockwell Automation. Erin shares her passion for sustainability, which was rooted in her upbringing and her experiences with social impact initiatives throughout college. She highlights her journey from working with organizations like GiveBackHack and Star House to establishing a sustainable consulting practice within a large corporation. Erin discusses the challenges and triumphs of developing a shared passion for sustainability within her team and the importance of finding agency to pursue what you're passionate about. With a shared passion and a collaborative spirit, Erin and her colleagues transformed a casual conversation into a driving force for positive change, ultimately contributing to the growth of a sustainable practice within a Fortune 500 company.

Episode in a glance

- Erin's Social Impact Work at Ohio State
- Star House and Its Work Programs
- From Social Impact to Sustainability
- What Does Management Consulting Really Mean?
- The Moment Erin's Team Realized They Could Have a Larger Impact
- Erin's Approach to Execution
- How Erin's Upbringing Shaped Her Passions
- Advice for Finding Agency and Pursuing Your Passions

About Erin Shaffer

Erin Shaffer is a sustainability champion and management consultant at Kalypso, a Rockwell Automation business. With a background in finance and a passion for social impact, Erin has dedicated her career to integrating sustainability into both her personal and professional life. From her early work with Star House to her current role spearheading the development of a dedicated sustainability service line at Kalypso, Erin has consistently sought ways to blend her business acumen with a commitment to environmental responsibility. She believes in the power of collaborative action and is dedicated to helping businesses achieve their sustainability goals.

Connect with Erin Shaffer and her work at Kalypso

→ https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-halleran-shaffer/

→ https://kalypso.com/

Send us a message!

What are the three types of social capital, and how can understanding them help you become a better advocate for sustainability?

Joe Campbell, senior lecturer at Ohio State University's School of Environment and Natural Resources and director of the Environmental Professionals Network, returns for a masterclass on social capital. He defines the concept, explaining how it refers to the value of relationships, and explores the three key types of social capital: bonding, bridging, and linking. He explains how nurturing strong family and friend networks, connecting with people from diverse backgrounds, and leveraging relationships with those in positions of power can all contribute to positive change.

He emphasizes the importance of recognizing and actively building upon all three types of social capital, providing practical tips and advice for nurturing relationships, fostering connections, and leveraging networks to create positive change.

Episode at a glance

01:52 Understanding Social Capital
03:15 Types of Social Capital: Bonding, Bridging, and Linking
07:38 Networking and Building Relationships
08:11 Not sure if this should be edited out
14:00 Linking Social Capital in Action
19:07 How to Connect with Joe Campbell

About Joe Campbell

Joe Campbell is a senior lecturer at Ohio State University's School of Environment and Natural Resources. He is passionate about fostering community and collaboration in the field of sustainability. Joe is dedicated to creating spaces where people feel heard and valued, recognizing the importance of listening and understanding diverse perspectives. His work includes assembling interdisciplinary teams for research projects, teaching courses on leadership and community development, and directing the Environmental Professionals Network at Ohio State.

Connect with Joe Campbell and his work

→ https://epn.osu.edu/

→ https://125benefit.com/

→ https://www.youtube.com/@environmentalprofessionals1141

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2Joe Campbell shares his journey from a study abroad program in Ghana to establishing his own consulting company, Development Consulting International. He then talks about how he came to teach the Ghana study abroad course and continue to work on community development projects in both Ghana and the US. He explains the importance of building a shared understanding of what community development means in practice, highlighting the need to consider both the physical environment and the social and cultural aspects of a place.

Joe talks about the challenges of transitioning the Environmental Professionals Network to a virtual format during the pandemic and how they successfully adapted to continue connecting people and supporting their work. He describes the network's mission and its impact on fostering collaboration among environmental professionals in Ohio.

He then introduces his new venture, one.two.five Benefit Corporation, which aims to incentivize farmers to adopt regenerative practices that increase soil carbon storage. He discusses the emergence of the soil carbon credit market, the challenges of measuring carbon storage, and the development of a regional conservation partnership program that is paying farmers for healthy soil.

Episode in a glance

- International Journey to Ghana and Network Building
- Defining Community Development
- The Environmental Professionals Network
- From Research Posters to Real-World Impact
- Paying Farmers for Healthy Soil

About Joe Campbell

Joe Campbell is a senior lecturer at Ohio State University's School of Environment and Natural Resources. He is passionate about fostering community and collaboration in the field of sustainability. Joe is dedicated to creating spaces where people feel heard and valued, recognizing the importance of listening and understanding diverse perspectives. His work includes assembling interdisciplinary teams for research projects, teaching courses on leadership and community development, and directing the Environmental Professionals Network at Ohio State.

Connect with Joe Campbell and his work with EPN and one.two.five Benefit Corporation

→ https://epn.osu.edu/

→ https://125benefit.com/

Send us a message!