‘Sustainability in an Era of Transition’ panel stresses positivity

The panel, moderated by co-chair of the affinity network Elana Weinstein ‘19, included alumni working in sustainable infrastructure, entrepreneurship, food systems, and corporate sustainability.

A key theme of the panel’s discussion — titled “Sustainability in an Era of Transition” — was the increasing attention on the role of the private sector in driving sustainability initiatives, particularly as US government policies shift. Panelists discussed how in their view, sustainability programs and initiatives would move forward, regardless of changes in policy, due to the existing business support and amplified interest in new technology. 

Joel Cesare ‘04, a climate tech consultant and former sustainability lead at Google, said he felt the environmental community was concerned about the political environment, but that it should not hinder existing and exciting progress. “There’s new technology that is going to hack existing businesses, with or without government support,” Cesare said.

Panelist Jeff Yorzyk ‘92, a director of sustainability at Hello Fresh, echoed Cesare’s point, emphasizing that “the electric car has left the garage.” Yorzyk said, “Electric power and renewables have blossomed out there, this is all happening. It’s not about the government as much as the world moving in this direction.”

For those interested in sustainability careers, the panelists stressed the importance of staying informed and engaged, especially through LinkedIn.

“LinkedIn is an amazing way to get connected, to have conversations,” said panelist Justin Kamine ‘11, a sustainable entrepreneur. “Throw yourself out there.”

“I can’t even express how much intelligence I get out of LinkedIn,” Yorzyk said. “It really helps me track global conversations.”

Panelist Daniel Gonzalez ‘19, founder of DJourneys, emphasized his belief that there are plenty of job opportunities in sustainability-related fields for those who actively seek them.

“I see hundreds of jobs every single week from LinkedIn,” he said. “It’s because I’ve spent a lot of time building up this network of professionals who are in the climate community.”

The panelists also underscored the necessity of hope, with Weinstein prompting them to each share something they were hopeful about for the future.

“There are lots of folks — that maybe aren’t in front of the microphone — that are doing a lot of impactful things that are making a difference,” said panelist Adelaide King ‘21, a project manager at ExecuPOWER. “That’s what I try to lean back on when I feel, you know, that doomsday feeling.”

“It has taken decades of effort from everybody in the world, in various industries and lots of especially grassroots efforts to build to where we are today,” she continued. “It’s going to take just as much time, if not more, to dismantle all of that.”

The Lafayette Sustainability Alumni Affinity Network connects alumni whose personal and professional interests in sustainability drive their desire to engage with each other and the college. This network supports alumni professional networking, recruiting, career transition, and on-campus engagement. In doing so, members foster a thriving alumni community and bring their experience and expertise back to Lafayette to help shape the next generation of professionals in the field. 

Are you a Lafayette alumnus interested in connecting with others interested in sustainability themes and careers? Join the Affinity Network.

By Elisabeth Seidel ‘26, Communications Intern