Christopher R. Email & Phone Number

Washington, DC, US

San Francisco, California, US

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.

London

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.

Ronkonkoma, New York, US

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.

Ronkonkoma, New York, US

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.

Ronkonkoma, New York, US

• 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.
• 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.

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Carouge, Geneva, CH

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.

Brussels, BE

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.

London, GB

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.).

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.

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.

Paris, Île-de-France, FR

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.

Jouy En Josas, île-de-france, FR

• 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.
• 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.

Jouy En Josas, île-de-france, FR

• 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.

Portland, OR, US

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.

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 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Master Of Science - Ms, Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Executive Mba

Bachelor'S Degree, Hôtellerie Internationale