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Exploring Sustainability in Seattle: A Nicholas School Net Impact Career Trek Experience

Written by Thien Vo (MEng) 

Edited by Nicholas Sommer (MEM/MBA ‘26), Lauren Ng (MEM ‘25), Samia Aboni (MEM ‘26) 

Read the Seattle Career Trek blog recap

Photo: Group Photo at Amazon with Rana Marks, Janique Francis, Gauhkar Nazarova

Photo: Students and Duke Sustainability Alumni at Seattle, at the Alumni Mixer

Photo: Bullitt Foundation Group Photo with Christopher Meek

Photo: Microsoft Group Photo in front of the One Esterra building

Photo: REI Group Photo with Greg Gausewitz

Photo: American Seafoods Group Photo with Tim Fitzgerald

Photo: Amazon Group Photo in-front of the banana stand at Amazon’s Spheres Complex

Photos: Starbucks Group Photo with Michael Kobori and Tyler Popham

The Nicholas School Net Impact Club recently embarked on a career trek to Seattle, providing 16 graduate students with a unique opportunity to delve into various company strategies for incorporating sustainable practices into their operations. From e-commerce and technology to outdoor gear pioneers to seafood processors, each visit offered valuable insights into the diverse strategies businesses employ to address environmental challenges. Here’s an overview of some of the most notable experiences from this enlightening journey. 

Alumni Mixer 
Students organized a vibrant alumni mixer event, which was well-attended by Seattle-area Duke alumni working in sustainability. Hosted at Fremont Brewing, the mixer began with small-group discussions led by alumni Anne Landfield Greig (MEM ‘96), Kendall Glauber (MEM ‘16), Lucas Joppa (Trinity, PhD ‘09), and Rachel Baker (MEM/MF ‘12). This offered students invaluable insight into a broad range of opportunities related to sustainability, from nonprofits focusing on conservation and recycling partnerships to learning about how industries like consulting, technology, and private equity are thinking about their sustainability strategies. Students appreciated the opportunity to learn directly from alumni about their career journeys after Duke, and it was also a great experience for Seattle alumni working in sustainability through networking and reconnecting. 
 
Bullitt Center 
As a first stop on the trip, students visited the Bullitt Center, designed to be the world’s greenest commercial building and certified as a “Living Building” by the International Living Future Institute. The Bullitt Center visit was particularly inspiring owing to its focus on efficient water usage, energy efficient design principles and thoughtful usage of space and natural elements. Students learned about its innovative water cycle system and passive design features, highlighting practical techniques for achieving energy efficiency. The center stands as a testament to what is possible when sustainability is prioritized in building design. Guided by University of Washington architecture professor, Christopher Meek, the group appreciated experiencing firsthand how sustainable building design can be both commercially viable and create numerous health and wellness co-benefits for employees. 
 

Microsoft 

At Microsoft, sustainability efforts were evident across various sectors. The visit included an all-electric commercial kitchen and dining hall demonstration at the One Esterra building —a bold move towards reducing carbon footprints as well as a walking tour of the company’s brand-new East Campus in Redmond. Students interacted with members of various teams to learn about different facets of sustainability, from campus operations and reporting to venture capital, supply chain, and policy.  Led by Sr. Director of Supply Chain Integrity, Bryan Rybarik, the students met Duke alum Kelsey Sturman (BA) and other team members on a visit that included the on-campus geothermal center. 

 

REI 

REI stood out as a company embodying resourcefulness, consideration for people and planet and value driven operations. Their mission to make outdoor exploration accessible to all is supported by a community-driven approach, particularly in their business model as a member-owned co-op and by offering pre-loved gear through their Re/Supply program.  Led by Duke alumnus Greg Gausewitz (MEM’18), Senior Manager of Product Sustainability, students toured the Creative Hub, where yet-to-be-released product is tested in their gear testing lab. Students also visited the REI archive, which highlighted REI’s ethos and history through artifacts from REI’s past. The visit showcased REI’s innovative spirit and practical mindset. 

 

American Seafoods 

American Seafoods revealed itself as an intriguing operation as the world’s largest at-sea processors operating seven vessels in the Bering Sea and North Pacific Ocean Led by Duke alumnus Tim Fitzgerald (Trinity, BS ’98), Chief Sustainability Officer at American Seafoods, Duke students toured a commercial fishing vessel, getting to view firsthand the massive fishing nets, crew quarters, a full-functioning cafeteria, an onboard factory processing fish immediately after capture, and a freezer preserving them within 2 hours. This efficiency exemplifies resourcefulness in an unexpected setting. In addition, students learned about the company’s various sustainability initiatives, such as lifecycle footprint management. material recycling processes, and traceability.  

 

Amazon 

Amazon presented itself as a hub of entrepreneurial culture, where employees are encouraged to take ownership of projects and continuously innovate. A discussion panel led by Fuqua alumni Rana Doehne (MBA ’19), Janique Francis (MBA ’21), Gaukhar Nazarova (MBA ’19), and Xander Kent (MEM/MBA ’16) highlighted how operations and compliance drive many of Amazon’s sustainability initiatives, emphasizing investment as a key strategy and a forward-looking approach to energy and sustainability. The culture of internal mobility among employees was intriguing, showcasing Amazon’s commitment to personal growth and adaptability. Following the panel discussion and lunch, the students toured the botanical gardens within Amazon’s Spheres Complex which serves a three-part mission of biological conservation, employee workplace, and environmental education.  

 

Starbucks 

Starbucks offered a fresh perspective on its corporate identity beyond being a coffee company. Students had the unique opportunity to visit the Tryer Center—Starbucks’ innovation lab—and engage in a fireside chat with Chief Sustainability Officer Michael Kobori, discussing various topics ranging from water use and waste reduction initiatives to climate change adaptation in the coffee supply chain and careers in sustainability. 

 

Conclusion 

The Seattle sustainability career trek was an eye-opening journey that exposed participants to various industries’ approaches to environmental responsibility. Each company visited offered unique lessons in innovation, resourcefulness, and commitment to sustainable practices. Whether it was the Bullitt Center’s advanced yet sustainable building technologies, REI’s inventive resourcefulness, or American Seafoods’ efficient operations at sea, these experiences underscored the importance of integrating sustainability into every aspect of business operations. This trek not only broadened participants’ understanding of corporate sustainability but also inspired them to explore how they can contribute to these efforts in their own careers. The collaboration between students from Nicholas, Pratt, Fuqua, and Sanford, which made this trip a success, highlights the interdisciplinary nature of this work and Duke’s commitment to leading sustainability efforts across disciplines. We look forward to witnessing the innovations these future leaders will bring to their careers.  

 

Thank you to our student organizers whose tireless effort in fundraising, connecting with alumni, and detailing trip logistics made this trek possible!  

 

Courtesy- Nic Net Impact Career Trek Co-Chairs- 

Nicholas Sommer (MEM/MBA ‘26) 

Lauren Ng (MEM ‘25) 

Samia Aboni (MEM ‘26) 

 

Special thanks the numerous trek sponsors who made this experience possible: 

Duke Graduate and Professional Student Government Environment Fund (GPSG)  

The Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability (NIEES) 

Duke Alumni Engagement Office 

Nicholas School Student Council (NSSC) 

Nicholas School Office of Development and Alumni Relations (ODAR) 

Nicholas School Career & Professional Development Center (CPDC) 

Nicholas School Business & Environment Concentration (BE)