Currently building.

In my most recent consulting project with Franklin Green Solutions, I've been helping them position themselves for market entry into new geographies within EMEA.

Zinc helps build mission-driven ventures that tackle the biggest challenges of our time. Zinc Fellows are experts and advisors drawn from across business, academia, design, technology and the public sector to support Founders by offering expertise, leading workshops, hosting office hours and through access to research and partners.

I rejoined the team full-time after returning to the United States, and have since spearheaded major upgrades to our sustainability programs and launched several new initiatives, including new product lines, additional brick & mortar locations, and expanding our sales channels to include Amazon FBA.My time spent on climate and sustainability projects in Europe also significantly deepened my ESG knowledge, and I’ve made good use of it. Since my return, we’ve made considerable improvements to our supply chains, addressed water usage inefficiencies in our facilities and stores, revamped our waste management and recycling practices, and heavily reduced our reliance on single-use plastics and other harmful packaging materials. I've also led efforts around compliance with EPR regulations in the west coast states, and headed out joining the Circular Action Alliance and Producer Working Groups.

When borders reopened in March 2021, I moved to Europe to finish my MSc and then stayed for an EMBA, but continued to consult and oversee operations for Duchess remotely throughout, with a focus on expanding our digital footprint, opening several new sales channels, expanding our grocery and retail lines, and shifting to a remote structure with as many of our administrative functions as possible amidst of the Covid-19 recovery.

I initially came on as a consultant in the fall of 2016, and I remember the early days hustling out of our first cramped, crappy Long Island kitchen like they were yesterday. Initially brought on to build out our e-commerce program, I ended up staying on as Director of Ops after experiencing what real product-market-fit looks like for the first time. From that fall to spring 2020, we:• Opened over a dozen new brick & mortar locations, including expansions across state lines and iconic NYC shops at Penn Station and the Meatpacking District’s Gansevoort Market.• Grew our team from a tight-knit 3 to an enthusiastic, talented 100+ across all locations.• Signed dozens of new retail partners.• Launched several early ESG efforts to make our facilities & products more environmentally friendly.• Rolled out 50+ new flavors and products, expanded to global shipping, scaled production to 2 million+ cookies annually, and outgrew multiple kitchens in the process.In March 2020, COVID-19 hit New York hard, leading to the abrupt closure of nearly all our retail partners and our own locations, with revenue dropping more than 90% overnight. We acted swiftly to stabilize, and while several partners weren't able to weather the storm, by spring 2021, our monthly revenues were regularly exceeding our highest pre-pandemic totals.

I did several climate and sustainability-focused consulting projects while in Europe, including this for the founder of an American construction company. The scope involved developing a viable business model based on the production and distribution of sustainable concrete alternatives within the European Union’s Single Market, securing market access, and opening operations there. Ultimately the goal was create a subsidiary operation that was profitable, sustainable, and reduced the heavy environmental impact of the construction sector (up to 40% of global GHG emissions).• Advised on the environmental impact of a variety of innovative bio-based concrete alternatives (including algae, hemp, and bamboo) the viability of producing them at scale in various regions in Europe, and how to build it to maximally align with upcoming regulatory changes around CSRD and CSDDD.• We successfully secured approval for the project from La French Tech and incubator placement at Tarmac in Inovallée Grenoble-Alpes.• Operations launched as scheduled in early 2024.

Mentoring young entrepreneurs in emerging markets, with a focus on early-stage startups operating in EdTech, FinTech, Health & Bio Tech, Agri & Food Tech, Energy & Green Tech, Civic Tech and Retail & Services.

On the heels of algae-based bioplastics startup I co-founded, I acted as an expert member of Working Group 6 for the European Commission's EU4Algae initiative, promoted by DG-MARE and CINEA. The 3-year project aimed to accelerate the scale-up of a regenerative, resilient, and climate-friendly algae industry in Europe, with a focus on introducing more novel algae species to the EU market, particularly where they would expand the economic potential of high-value areas like biofuel. My work centered on algae-based bioplastics within Working Group 6's broader scope of Materials, Chemicals, Bioactives, and Algae Biorefining.

Spent 9 months with key decision makers on the Sustainable Finance team in London and stakeholders across the organization to develop HSBC’s long-term strategic framework for investment in European climate tech that aligns with their global commitments to:1.) target net zero carbon emissions across their entire customer base by 2050 at latest; and2.) provide $750B-$1T in financing for the transition, while also representing an acceptable level of risk. Over the course of project, our scope expanded substantially to reflect the fact that HSBC UK acquired Silicon Valley Bank UK, including SVB’s $8 billion U.K. loan book and portfolio of technology ventures, making them overnight one the biggest stakeholders in the UK and European startup ecosystems. Since the acquisition, and partially building on our framework, HSBC has picked up an additional 300+ startups, including dozens in climate tech.

Co-founded a coliving concept in France, garnering regulatory approval from La French Tech and incubation at H7 Lyon in partnership with Invest in Lyon and Impact France. The project addressed affordability and inclusivity for students in major cities, beginning with Lyon and Toulouse. While the sublease and master lease model showed promise, unforeseen challenges for the shared housing sector as a whole arose due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In France, they included stricter health codes and distancing requirements, lengthy permitting delays of 18+ months, and a decline in demand for shared accommodation. As a result, the venture, Avec, pivoted in 2023.

Varuna Blue emerged from The Hack for Earth, a global hackathon at Expo 2020 in Dubai, focused on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Our project tackling ocean pollution beat out 1,371 other teams from 121 countries, winning the global grand prize and acceleration at Stockholm’s Build for Earth, in collaboration with the government mission Hack for Sweden.I was one of the 6 co-founders and led all operational functions. Our model addressed plastic waste by creating an algae-based, sustainable, and biologically degradable bioplastic alternative to the thin-film plastic that makes up more than half the plastic that seeps into the ocean every year. Hundreds of billions of thin-film polybags are used annually so the potential impact was (and is) enormous, and our model used algae farmed by female algae farmers in Tamil Nadu, India - providing enormous benefit to the local community as well. Our initial prototypes were delivered in < six weeks.We ultimately realized that without substantial support from the national government, which wasn’t forthcoming, it would be impossible to close the price gap enough to scale in any meaningful way, but we were able establish key partnerships with stakeholders in the EU and India, including algae farmers, producers, labs, and research bodies.

Took part in the United Nations Ocean Conference as a representative of our marine sustainability-focused biotech startup, Varuna Blue. The 2022 UN Ocean Conference, co-hosted by the Governments of Kenya and Portugal took place in June and July of 2022 in Lisbon with a theme of “Scaling up ocean action based on science and innovation for the implementation of Goal 14: stocktaking, partnerships and solutions.”

Led an innovative thesis project focused on new models in sustainable travel, with a focus on travelers in the 90-180 day stay range for whom neither traditional hotels nor Airbnb are an ideal option.• Catering to the growing demand for extended and personalized stays beyond typical hotel offerings, while avoiding the commitment of a long-term lease.• Minimizing environmental impact by partnering exclusively with local SMEs and service providers. This approach promotes sustainable practices, reduces waste, and avoids the excesses often associated with the lodging industry.• Ensuring a positive social impact by supporting the local economy and mitigating the disruptive effects on housing markets often observed with short-term rentals.The decision was made to transition the project into a startup in January 2020, and although it very quickly coincided with Covid-19, the decision was made to proceed after garnering regulatory approval from La French Tech and acceptance into H7 Lyon’s incubator, but with a pivot toward a sustainable co-living housing model as the future of travel and tourism and recovery timeline were all deeply uncertain. That startup, Avec, is listed above.

During my Master's in Innovation & Entrepreneurship at HEC, I led a research project on using emerging technologies to combat climate change and enhance disaster response. We explored:• Drones: for rapid mapping, firefighting, targeted aid delivery, damage assessment, and emergency response.• IoT: for real-time monitoring, early warning systems, and critical data communication (e.g., temperature, water quality).• Machine Learning: for disaster prediction, resource allocation, and data-driven risk assessments.• Blockchain: for secure data management and transparent aid distribution.• Mobile Water Filtration: the feasibility of solar-powered units and hydrogel-based solutions for quickly generating & distributing large quantities of clean drinking water during disasters.• Advanced FoodTech: developing shelf-stable, nutrient-dense meals for easy transport in disaster situations.This project reinforced my belief in the power of business and innovation for good, and specifically in the importance of it in our global response to the climate crisis and climate-driven disasters. It also highlighted that with the increasing frequency and intensity of disasters, funding innovative solutions in sufficient amounts to actually scale them is crucial.

Worked with Visible Studio, a Portland-based nonprofit creative agency, to provide pro bono design & digital services to nonprofits in need. Teamed with a Portland-based project lead, we completely rebuilt the digital media and web presence for a Mexican NGO focused on the arts and economic empowerment in the Riviera Nayarit, leading to a 3x uptick in individual donor contributions.

Lessons were learned here, mostly about resilience, grit, humility, owning the outcomes of your decisions, the importance of building the right culture, and making hard decisions. It’s not a time I’d care to repeat, but I likely learned more in this brief period than any time before or since.

I actually began my career in political campaigns, and hotels and restaurants were solely a way to subsidize an expansive travel habit. Unexpectedly though, I fell in love with the industry, and bartending in Iceland led to cooking in St. Tropez which led to $500M hotel openings in Toronto. This part of my career saw me in senior roles in luxury hotels across the US, Canada, and Europe where I had the privilege of working with world-class talent and brands like The Peninsula Hotels, Group Alain Ducasse, and Lollapalooza.• Led operations at luxury hotels and restaurants, managing teams of 400+ staff, 40+ managers, and budgets exceeding $30M, achieving Forbes 5-Star and 2 Michelin star ratings, and record-breaking revenue in nearly every role along the way.• Promoted in nearly every role ever held, and known for strong leadership, spearheading major projects, including opening $500M luxury property in Toronto’s financial district, $20M+ construction buildouts, and managing multi-million-dollar inventories.• Represented hotels and brands interactions with high-end, high-profile clientele, including 3 US Presidents, royal dignitaries, CEOs, and A-list talent.• Had ultimate P&L responsibility, overseeing budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and financial planning for divisions with annual turnover exceeding $20M.• Excelled in managing high-profile events, notably acting as key operations leadership for Lollapalooza and its 240,000 attendees across 8 sites.• Led sustainability efforts as a green team leader at several properties, focusing on supplier selection, reducing water consumption, waste generation, introducing recycling programs, and energy usage.