Karen Zuccardi: Innovator, Connector, Sustainable Development Expert
LOCATION
Washington DC-Baltimore Area
FAVORITE VEGETARIAN MEAL
Pineapple Rice
CATALYST
“Growing up in Colombia, I saw small villages with houses by the edge of the river. Heavy rain would cause the river to overflow and the houses would wash away. Seeing this made me think... I wish we could create solutions
CAREER
Afterward, I went about my life, moved to the United States, learned English, and worked as a waitress while I finished my undergrad degree. After a few years, I decided to earn a master’s degree at The Clinton School of Public Service. There, I opened my life to this cause again and gained tools to help others achieve their dreams. If we believe that things can happen - we can make a change!
One of my proudest moments as a sustainable development warrior was co-founding the social entrepreneurship committee at the Clinton School of Public Service. This was a great beginning for interesting changes for social entrepreneurship in Arkansas.
After the Clinton School, I worked in sustainable economic development through entrepreneurship at Winrock International, a local non-profit in Arkansas. I helped manage early-stage startup accelerators that supported entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs in Rural America. Simultaneously, I chaired the Little Rock sustainability commission and worked on initiatives for the community related to transportation, waste & reduction, energy, natural environment, and education.
In my current role as the Manager for the Rural Business Innovation Initiative at the Maryland Technology Development Corporation, I am dedicated to advancing entrepreneurship and innovation in Rural Maryland. I help provide tools to solve environmental and social problems, all while fostering the development of profitable enterprises in the state.
ADVICE FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO WORK IN SUSTAINABILITY
If you want to work in sustainability - get educated. What do you want to focus on? Green spaces? Waste Reduction? Water conservation? Once you know where you want to be, take classes, and earn certificates in your area of interest. But education alone isn't going to do it. You have to make sure your passion aligns with your hobbies. Volunteer for that bigger mission that you're going after. Maybe you become passionate about urban transportation and you can join a local group to improve the public transit system in your area.
HOW SHE KEEPS GOING
I am an empath and sometimes the world's problems can feel very overwhelming. However, knowing that I can influence those in my circle helps me keep going. Entrepreneurs and ecosystem partners give me hope that tomorrow can be better than today, and that is very important to me.”
- As told by Molly Bombonato
Posterity Collective is a blog that shares research-backed actions for fighting climate change and stories from individuals conquering them. If you want to learn more about what you can do for climate change, then download the free ebook below.