Sierra Harden, a Sustainability Management Consultant here at Bridge Partners, is experienced in the technology industry and has a demonstrated passion for corporate sustainability.
Her strong educational background, with a Master of Business Administration from Seattle University as well as a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Resource Management and Bachelor of Arts in Economics from The University of Washington, has guided her career in helping global clients manage their sustainability initiatives.
In our conversation with Sierra, we learned what excites her about sustainability and what it means to work in an environment that prioritizes it.
What interests you in sustainability?
What interests me most about sustainability is how pervasive it is. It is a topic that is multifaceted and can apply to almost every industry. I particularly appreciate that while individual actions for what it looks like to operate sustainably can vary wildly. If people and corporations have sustainability in mind when making decisions, everyone can work towards the same collective goal.
What are some ways you are personally sustainable?
There are so many ways a person can change their individual behavior to be more sustainable. What I appreciated about this is that the changes can be small but have a large impact.
Below is a small list of a few ways I try to be personally sustainable:
- We recycle and compost properly in our household
- When possible, I opt for paperless options
- Use reusable silicone bags and glass storage instead of single-use plastic bags.
- Use a reusable water bottle and opt to avoid plastic water bottles.
- Upcycle things around my house when I can with DYI craft projects.
In your opinion, how does sustainability contribute to developing a modern workplace?
A modern workplace to me is one that provides flexibility, supports its employees, and is adaptable. I believe sustainability is key to making sure both of these things happen.
As someone who is passionate about sustainability, I appreciate feeling organizational support on topics that relate to sustainability. Sustainability is still a nascent field, and the science is still evolving.
Prioritizing sustainability makes an organization adaptable by nature. Keeping a pulse check on this changing field shows an organization’s willingness to be adaptable and, in my opinion, highly contributes to developing a modern workplace.
How does it feel to work for a firm that prioritizes sustainability?
I am thrilled and excited to work for a firm that prioritizes sustainability. While incredibly important, sustainable practices are still voluntary. Having sustainability as a priority assures me that our firm takes a holistic view when making decisions.
What advice would you give to someone interested in joining the sustainability practice at Bridge Partners?
My advice to anyone interested in joining the sustainability practice at Bridge Partners is to start taking steps to prepare yourself today. Sustainability is such a vast topic, it can be intimidating to find where you fit it, but it can also be empowering. If you are interested in learning, the best thing you can do is start learning and discover where your skills and interests are most aligned. The best part about sustainability is that because the topic is so overarching you can find synergies everywhere with almost any topic.
READY TO GROW YOUR CAREER?
Bridge Partners delivers real results for the world’s largest tech and cloud companies—but our work starts with a commitment to each other and our communities. Our flexible, people-centered modern workplace attracts purpose-driven professionals looking for work that integrates with their lives while making a recognizable impact for top-tier clients. As a respected collaborator in the tech industry for 15 years, we win by developing consultants who care—about our work, our clients, our communities, and each other. Whether we’re meeting in person or across time zones, people make our workplace. And our workplace helps make our work better.
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