About this Episode

In this episode, we speak with the multi-talented green building professional in Mexico City, Caroline Verut. Caroline is undertaking several sustainability projects in Mexico City. Caroline shares how a meditation course and email invitation to a sustainable design course (when she couldn’t draw) led her to world-changing career.

She also shares why it’s important for all sustainability professionals, especially female leaders, to persist.

Key Talking Points

• Caroline’s international background & how she learned 3 languages by age 4
• How Caroline got into the sustainability movement & why nature drives her passion to do more
• Understanding the principles, not just the prescription of sustainable buildings
• Sustainable certification in other countries
• Why we should be optimistic about where the sustainable industry is heading and how to do better
• Recognizing the importance of female leaders in the sustainable industry

Key Milestones of the Episode

[1:34] Caroline’s unique background & education in Mexico City

[3:05] Caroline’s career change into sustainability from economics

[7:14] Caroline’s mentors & motivations

[10:14] Learning to look at nature from a different perspective & Caroline’s most important accomplishments

[16:18] Caroline’s current projects

[20:00] EDGE Green Building certification

[22:20] Where is the future of sustainability going?

[25:00] Favorite books & why women have the power to save the planet

Key Quotes

1. “By the time I was 4, I already spoke three languages.”
2. “I don’t know if it was my ‘Aha moment’ or the universe conspiring to take me where I needed to go.”
3. “...”and I said, ‘ They must have really lost it ...I don’t even know how to draw.”
4. “What I see now is that kids are terrified of insects.”
5. “I think people forget how important buildings are.”

Key Resources

1. Itaca Proyectos Sustentables
2. The Influence Effect: A New Path to Power for Women Leaders
3. Why Women Will Save the Planet

Other Resources

1. Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed: Revised Edition
2. design.com/about/jason-f-mclennan/">Jason McLennan
3. Green Building Council of Mexico
4. HQE certification
5. LEED certification
6. EDGE certification
7. Women in Green Breakfast at the U.S. Green Building Council
8. Silent Spring

About Caroline Verut

Caroline Verut left a governmental position as an economist to pursue a career in sustainability. Using her skills as a researcher and administrator, she coordinated and assisted with several projects that are transforming how Mexican society (and other green professionals) are supporting the environment. She is the assistant director of Itaca Proyectos Sustentables and the president of Conciencia y Acción Ambiental AC.

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