Building Your Corporate Sustainability Career: Skills, Strategies, and Success

​Passion for climate action is great—but what skills do you need to make it a career? Join us for a session that dives into the practical steps required to succeed in corporate sustainability. Drawing from the experiences of current and previous Corporate Sustainability Leadership Accelerator (CSLA)  instructors, this workshop will help you identify which transferable skills you already have and which ones you need to develop to thrive in this field. Whether it's corporate strategy, product design, or regulatory compliance, we'll give you the tools to turn your sustainability aspirations into a lasting career.

​About the Speakers:

​Dr. Janice Lao

​Co-Founder, Project Eleven and 3X Head of Sustainability

​Dr. Janice Lao is an internationally awarded environmental scientist and economist working in the field of corporate sustainability for 20 years. In the past decade, she has led the sustainability agenda for multinational companies worldwide such as Peninsula Hotels, MTR Corporation, Cathay Pacific, Swire Group, and Helen of Troy, in industries spanning conglomerates, real estate, hospitality, transport, and consumer goods. She has extensive knowledge and deep practical experience in global corporate sustainability programs, having worked in China, Australia, UK and US. At the age of 30, she developed the initial mathematical and economic modeling that was the basis for international aviation’s climate change strategy. She also originated and led industry-first sustainable financial deals (green bonds, sustainability-linked loans, M&A). She was named in Forbes Magazine in 2018 as one of the world’s most influential female sustainability leaders and by Greenbiz in 2019 as one of the most influential women working in climate. She graduated from the University of Oxford and completed her Ph.D. in Sustainability Education at Prescott College.

​Dr. Merrin Pearse

​Sustainability Strategist and Recycling Advisor

​Dr. Merrin Pearse is a seasoned Sustainability Advisor with over 15 years of experience in the sustainability sector. Merrin combines his technical expertise with a human-centric approach, delivering solutions that drive sustainable innovation for businesses across various industries. Throughout his career, Merrin has worked with leading global companies in Asia, Europe and the United States,  including Cathay Pacific Airways, MTR Corporation, The Peninsula Hotels, and Melco, advising them on sustainability strategy, supply chain efficiency, waste reduction, and cross-sector collaboration. He has successfully guided organizations in sectors such as airlines, shipping, construction, FMCG, hospitality, and entertainment, helping them align with their sustainability goals. Merrin specializes in integrating circular economy principles, supply chain engagement,  and scenario analysis into strategic solutions that engage teams and motivate stakeholders. His focus on sustainability not only creates value but also delivers tangible benefits to both the environment and society. As a passionate speaker and facilitator, Merrin inspires positive action in individuals and organizations, whether in the boardroom, during training sessions, or on stage. He is particularly committed to eliminating waste—whether time or materials—and has undertaken global initiatives to raise awareness about resource flows and waste management.

​Pua Kielland

​Sustainability Advisor

​Pua is a skilled communicator with over a decade of experience working across sectors on key sustainability issues. She was an early member of TPB and is thrilled to be part of such a diverse and dynamic team, committed to working with purpose in the fast-evolving corporate sustainability space. At TPB, Pua focuses her efforts on helping companies to shape their sustainability narratives, through sustainability report writing and other communications tools. She is also part of TPB’s internal communications team, where she contributes to content planning and crafts relevant, timely articles for TPB clients and the broader community.

​Originally from Hawaii, she started her career as an environmental journalist and advocate in the US. During her twelve years in Hong Kong, she served as a communications and sustainability professional for such organizations as the Business Environment Council (BEC), World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong, Ocean Recovery Alliance, Future 500 and the Clinton Global Initiative Asia.

​In her spare time Pua can be found adventuring around the mountains of Vermont with her family.

​Pua holds a BA in English Literature from Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, where she graduated Cum Laude and with Distinction.

 By registering for this event, you agree to share your registration information with the Climate Career Week 2025 Organizers.