Who are our new Mentors?

We meet two of our brilliant new mentors as we kick off our 2024 programme. Many of our mentors have been with us for a few years or more now. However, we are delighted to be joined by many new ones this year too. Women who are working in sustainability who want to ‘give back’ and have much experience and knowledge to share. Steph Housty and Eirini Metaxotou are two of our new sustainability mentors who have shared their stories with us here.

Meet Steph Housty: I am a marketeer passionate about sustainability. I am driven to tackle environmental and social issues by using my marketing and communications skills. After 15 years in various marketing roles in large multinational businesses selling products, I moved from France to the UK 9 years ago. I am now the Head of Sustainability and marketing at Ecosurety, an environmental consultant based in Bristol.

Why did you join the Catalyse Change mentorship programme?

Ecosurety is sponsoring the programme this year, but I wanted to be involved personally and help with some of my time too, using my work volunteering allowance. I want to help and encourage younger generations to join the sustainability sector, as we need as much talent and energy as possible to solve the climate crisis we are facing. I like that Catalyse Change helps women with various backgrounds, as we need more diverse voices, to bring different perspectives to best tackle social and environmental issues.

What made you decide to pursue a career in sustainability?

It didn’t happen overnight, it has been a slow process over eight or nine years, during which my awareness of the climate and social crisis grew, as well as my willingness to be part of the solution and not the problem. Here are the four key years that triggered my career shift:  

2015 – After 15 years working in various marketing roles in companies selling products, I joined Ecosurety and a passionate team of people driven to make a positive impact on recycling. I discovered the power of the ‘why’ with Simon Sinek and his golden circle.

2017 – I watched Blue Planet II and realized that the human race was destroying the planet we live on and rely on. I realised the size and urgency of the issue and that we all had a role to play: citizens, businesses, governments, in reversing the process. The same year, I ran the first Ecosurety recycling awareness campaign to encourage people to recycle their batteries. I enjoyed using my marketing and communication skills to drive behaviour change. 

2018 – I attended a local B Corp networking event and was inspired by businesses that were going above and beyond their core activities to look after their community and environment and were highly successful. 

2019 – I built a business case and convinced the Ecosurety Board to run for the B Corp certification, which recognises businesses that put people and planet at the same level as profit. I coordinated the certification project and led the company to become the first B Corp organisation in its industry 6 months later. 

Since then, it has been obvious to me that I could not go back to doing just marketing as usual; I wanted to use marketing as a force for good. I now lead our Net Zero project too.

Can you discuss a pivotal moment in your career that led to a significant change in your path or perspective? 

Undeniably leading the B Corp certification project has been a pivotal moment in my career. Diving into the B Corp framework and understanding how businesses could use their operations to have a positive impact not only on the environment but also on their employees, customers, suppliers and community fired my motivation to help Ecosurety live its values, by demonstrating tangible positive impact.

What does success mean to you? 

My definition of success has changed massively since I first started working. When I entered the workplace, success meant being regularly promoted and earning lots of money.  Now, success for me means being in a role and in a company aligned with my values in which I feel useful and valued, while maintaining a good work/life balance. 

Reflecting on your career, can you share a piece of advice you’d give your younger self just starting out industry? 

Don’t put too much pressure on yourself and have fun! If you enjoy what you do, you will do it much better. 

What are some of the strategies or habits you’ve developed to foster continuous learning and stay up to date? 

The world has massively changed since I graduated, so continuous learning is critical to make sure I stay up to date with the latest trends in my role and industry. For me, continuous learning takes multiple forms: I regularly attend industry events, as well as local networking events to meet new people, learn about things I don’t know, and hear different perspectives. I also read books, attend webinars, and use my commuting time to listen to podcasts on topics I am interested in or want to learn more about. I recommend, for instance, the ‘Can marketing save the planet’ podcast run by the excellent Gemma Butler and Michelle Carvill.

How have you navigated the challenges of work-life balance, especially in high-pressure environments? 

Earlier in my marketing career at a point when I was on the edge of burnout due to a heavy workload, my manager told me: ”Relax, we are not here to save lives”. This mantra sticked with me since and I say it to myself or my team when things seem to get out of control, to help us step back and put things in perspective.

Another thing that massively helps me to maintain a good work/life balance is putting my wellbeing first. You can’t do a good job or be a good friend/partner/parent if you feel too stressed or tired. Don’t underestimate the importance of your mental and physical wellbeing. Find what makes you feel good and make sure you do it regularly, even or especially when work or life is super busy. For me, having a 20 min walk in nature at lunchtime helps me a lot to re-energise and reduce my stress level. 

You can follow Steph on LinkedIn: HERE

Meet Eirini Metaxotou: Hello! I’m Eirini, and I’m thrilled to be a mentor in this exciting program dedicated to helping young women launch their careers in sustainability. With a background in youth work, sustainability workshop development and delivery, project management, and sustainability corporate communications, I have been dedicated to driving positive environmental and social change and fostering innovation in sustainability practices.

My journey began after completing my Bachelor’s degree in Economics and a Master’s in Sustainability and Entrepreneurship. Despite my strong academic background, I struggled to secure my first job in sustainability. This experience fueled my passion for mentoring young women, ensuring they had the guidance and support I lacked.

Throughout my career, I have successfully led training projects, demonstrating my commitment to making a tangible impact by upskilling young people on green skills and empowering them to take action against the climate crisis.

My passion for helping people understand and get involved in sustainability also drives me to create content on my LinkedIn profile. I invite you to take a look to learn more about my work and I am happily open for discussion.

I believe that the future of our planet lies in the hands of the next generation of leaders, and I am passionate about empowering youth to become effective changemakers in the field of sustainability. Whether you are just starting or looking to deepen your expertise, I am here to listen, discuss, provide guidance, share insights, and support your journey toward a more sustainable world.

You can follow Eirini on Linkedin: HERE