Early Lessons in Resource Consciousness

Anne’s first brush with sustainability came during her childhood in Germany. “I didn’t know the word ‘sustainability’ as a nine-year-old,” she admitted, “but I observed how meticulous people were about conserving resources. You paid for ketchup, received just one napkin, and lined up to recycle your bottles. It was a culture of diligence.”

Returning to Taiwan, Anne saw the early stages of Taipei’s recycling revolution. “Taiwan had a serious trash problem,” she recalled.

“The government introduced an incentive system—recycling was free, but throwing away trash required purchasing official bags. It was fascinating to see an entire society shift its behavior.”

These early experiences fostered a deep awareness of material consumption and waste, themes that would resonate throughout her career.

Urban Planning: A Gateway to Sustainability

Anne’s interest in sustainability took root in university when she pivoted from business to urban planning.

“I realised that how cities are designed profoundly impacts how people live,” she explained.

Studying in the car-centric United States, Anne became passionate about creating walkable, transit-friendly cities that encourage sustainable lifestyles.

Her academic journey also included stints in Morocco and France, where she broadened her understanding of urban development and public policy. However, it was a final-year course on CSR that shifted her focus to the corporate world. “The idea that companies like Walmart could influence entire supply chains to be more sustainable fascinated me,” she said.

Bridging Academia and Corporate Action

After graduating, Anne faced the harsh realities of starting a career in sustainability during the 2008 financial crisis. “It wasn’t easy finding sustainability jobs back then, both because the field was still maturing and because of the economic climate,” she explained. Determined to gain foundational knowledge about corporate operations, Anne took on diverse roles over the next four years.

“I worked in audit at KPMG, explored business philanthropy with a foundation, and handled compliance for a chip design company preparing for its IPO,” she recounted. These roles gave Anne a comprehensive understanding of how corporations operate, even though they weren’t directly tied to sustainability.

“Because I still wanted to continue in the sustainability trajectory, I decided to go back to graduate school.”

At Columbia University, Anne pursued a master’s degree in environmental science and policy, equipping herself with tools to drive corporate sustainability. “Columbia was where I developed the skills to connect sustainability with business impact,” she said.

Anne then joined EcoVadis in Paris, a leading sustainability rating company. “For five years, I assessed the ESG performance of companies worldwide,” she shared.

“It was rewarding but isolating—I craved more interaction with people.”

To broaden her horizons, Anne earned an MBA from INSEAD. “The MBA expanded my understanding of business strategy and helped me integrate sustainability into global operations,” she noted.

Making Sustainability Tangible

Anne’s subsequent roles at Bureau Veritas and Dun & Bradstreet provided her with platforms to make sustainability actionable. As Global ESG Product Lead at Bureau Veritas, she spearheaded the development of a digital sustainability management tool. Later, as Head of ESG at Dun & Bradstreet, she shifted to a go-to-market and sales function.

“These roles showed me how important it is to make sustainability examples as concrete as possible,” Anne said. She emphasised the need for clarity in training teams and creating tools that make ESG accessible and impactful.

“Sustainability can feel abstract. The key is showing how actions—like cutting emissions or improving supply chain transparency—connect to measurable outcomes.”

A Shift in Focus: Returning to Asia

While a planned project in Saudi Arabia didn’t come to fruition, a recent family accident prompted Anne to re-evaluate her priorities. “After spending two-thirds of my life abroad, I realised it’s time to be closer to home,” she shared.

Anne is now focusing her energy on impactful sustainability projects and roles closer to Taiwan and the rest of Asia, a region where sustainability is still maturing but rapidly growing in key sectors. “I want to be closer to my family while contributing to sustainability efforts in the region,” she explained.

“Besides my day-to-day work, I also hope to introduce zero waste food and personal hygiene products, which are still rare in Taiwan.”

Conclusion: A Global Citizen’s Call to Action

Anne Huang’s journey illustrates the power of diverse experiences in shaping a holistic approach to sustainability. From recycling lines in Germany to corporate boardrooms in Paris, she has championed a pragmatic, people-focused approach to solving global challenges.

Her message is clear: sustainability isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. It requires collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to bridging cultural and systemic gaps. As Anne puts it,

“Every step we take matters. And when we align our actions with our values, the impact can be extraordinary.”

From Niche to Necessity: The Evolution of Sustainability Recruitment

Jack recounted his journey into the sustainability space, starting from a moment of uncertainty when he was first assigned to sustainability recruitment. “I didn’t even know what sustainability was at the time,” he admitted, “but I quickly realised how integral it is to every facet of a business.”

Over the past eight years, Jack has witnessed a significant shift.

“When I started, sustainability roles were project-based and often isolated. Now, they’re integral to operations, finance, marketing, and beyond.”

This evolution mirrors a broader recognition that sustainability isn’t just a box to tick but a fundamental business function.

The Green Skills Gap: A Communication Challenge

One of the most pressing issues Jack discussed was the green skills gap—a lack of talent with the expertise to navigate the complex landscape of sustainability. Interestingly, he argued that the gap isn’t just about technical skills. “The biggest gap isn’t in reporting or regulatory knowledge; it’s in softer skills like communication and stakeholder engagement,” he explained.

Jack highlighted the importance of influencing sceptical stakeholders.

“Sustainability professionals often need to convince people—CFOs, boards, investors—that sustainability is not just a cost but a value-creating opportunity.”

This ability to communicate effectively and inspire action is where many candidates struggle, he noted.

Authenticity Over Perfection

Jack also touched on the prevalence of “green hushing,” where companies underreport their sustainability efforts for fear of criticism or accusations of greenwashing. This, he argued, is counterproductive both for businesses and the candidates they aim to attract.

“Sustainability professionals don’t expect perfection. What they want is honesty about where a company is in its journey.”

He encouraged organisations to embrace their “clumsy phase” in sustainability. “Mistakes are inevitable,” he said. “But those mistakes lead to solutions. Being upfront about challenges can actually attract innovative, creative talent who want to help solve them.”

Building Purpose-Driven Cultures

For Jack, sustainability recruitment isn’t just about filling roles; it’s about creating cultures where sustainability is part of every employee’s role. He shared the example of organisations tying sustainability goals to performance incentives, such as bonuses.

“When sustainability becomes part of the company’s DNA, it’s no longer a separate agenda—it’s just how business is done.”

He also urged companies to look inward before hiring externally. “There are often people within organisations who are passionate about sustainability but haven’t had the opportunity to get involved. Engaging these individuals can be just as impactful as bringing in new talent.”

Looking Ahead: A Call to Action

As the conversation wrapped up, Jack shared his vision for the future of sustainability recruitment.

“It’s about getting everyone to see their role in sustainability, no matter how small. Whether you’re a junior analyst or a CEO, you’re contributing to the bigger picture.”

Jack’s insights underscore the transformative power of recruitment in shaping a sustainable future. By prioritising authenticity, fostering communication, and recognising the value of every individual’s contribution, businesses can bridge the green skills gap and build teams capable of driving real change. As Jack put it, “We’re not going to get everything right, but we have to start somewhere—and that somewhere begins with the people we bring on board.”