Faye’s Highlights from Green Careers Panel

Full Video

On the inspiration to start a career in sustainability:

I would say that solar and sustainability found me. After years in project management, in the wake of the job uncertainty from the financial crisis, I was lucky to find a position in solar, which little did I know at the time would transform the trajectory of my career. Even in my early days in solar, I was working quite closely with the few in my workplace, building a community as a woman in a traditionally male industry. Just a few years later, I ventured out on my own to found my solar project management company.

Getting Sologistics underway was a challenge. I'm proud of a couple of things that I didn't realize at the time were ahead of their time. We have always valued diversity and inclusion in my hiring. Also, I founded the company with the capacity to be run remotely from anywhere in the world from the beginning. So in this past year when everything went online, the team had already been working remotely as part of our work-life balance and culture for years.

On career challenges in sustainability :

When I entered the field of renewables, I never really looked at my role specifically as a woman in renewables. I was just committed to developing my expertise in the industry and I experienced the same hurdles that many entrepreneurs experience. So not knowing where to begin, not knowing what you don't know, not knowing what the first step or to be.

As a woman of color and as an immigrant, there were hurdles. I've recognized it now, in hindsight, there were more hurdles than I felt at the time. There was certainly a need to overcompensate for being one of the only females in a room full of white males at the time. Now, thankfully I see that changing every day. There are so many non-traditional career trajectories that I would like to see made more easily accessible with more diversity.

On increasing diversity and inclusion in sustainability:

Conversations about diversity and inclusion in sustainability are an important first step. We need to continue to have these discussions that normalize addressing and prioritizing the need for diversity in sustainability. In big ways, especially in the Middle East, there's undoubtedly a need for greater opportunities and support for women and minorities in the field of renewable energy and the sustainability field as a whole.

At Sologistics, we've made diversity and inclusivity among our core values since day one. So in my experience, having a diverse team and inclusive work culture is not only common sense and long overdue, but it has a plethora of data-supported benefits. So for example, we're seeing that overall diversity in general, and gender diversity in particular, especially on the executive level, improves the company's economic performance and profitability. And there is data to support that it provides a clear, competitive advantage.

Advice for students entering work in sustainability:

My advice to minority students entering into sustainability is to pursue your education, know what you bring to the table, and recognize that you have a competitive advantage. Understand that inclusion and diversity are key enablers of growth and innovation despite the challenges you may face. Seek mentorship and networking from those who are experienced. Determine how you can advance diversity and equity in your niche with your skill sets.

In summary, find that sweet spot, find that niche, and provide that to an underserved community that you are familiar with, that you are a part of, that you grew up in, that you understand and can commiserate with. So step one do your homework, network, seek a mentor, be a mentor, acknowledge what you're bringing to the table, and be ready for it.

On the impact of social justice movements:

I think that the recent resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement and broader calls for social justice was the impetus for a large increase of introspection occurring in companies. I know that some people still think that what companies are now doing is just performative, but that has not been my experience. So I'm seeing, and it's quite heartening to see, that the difficult conversations are being had. More companies and individuals are looking with a lens of equity & inclusion and having those necessary internal conversations. I am seeing these important conversations happening and I am heartened by it because in my experience it feels genuine.