“I brought Fred on as a summer intern this past June and have consistently been impressed by the quality of his work and his drive. Fred has been pioneering a circular materials program for us and has independently created connections across the company to accomplish his goals. I have watched Fred build his own expertise where needed and tactfully draw upon the expertise of others. Fred is a highly skilled and confident communicator who knows how to tailor a sustainability pitch based on who is in the room, always finding the way to highlight the positive impacts for the bottom line. Far beyond the typical scope of work for an intern, Fred took the initiative and helped lead a small team through research, partnership exploration, cost modeling and deal negotiation for his circular initiative. I believe Fred would be an outstanding addition to any team! ”
About
I am a sustainability professional with a passion for integrating sustainability into…
Contributions
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Your team is resistant to sustainability practices. How can you inspire them to make a positive change?
If you want to overcome resistance to sustainability at your organization, you need to show how sustainable management is just good management. Clear away any notions that sustainability is "other" - it can be a key to unlocking existing goals. Your procurement team may have goals around reshoring certain supplies - this is one and the same as reducing emissions by re-localizing globalized supply chains. Your packaging team may have goals around reducing costs - this is one and the same with reducing packaging weight to reduce waste. Identifying instances of cross-functional wins like these may also help unlock additional funding from the c-suite.
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You're striving to share sustainability progress. How can you effectively communicate your goals externally?
Likely the only external eyes which will ever read your sustainability report will be a few folks from peer organizations, academia and external consultancies. If you want to share your sustainability progress with your external stakeholders, you need to study how they already engage with your organization. If you are a CPG brand with a strong social media presence, how can you harness that existing connection to share what you've done and where you are going? Long story short, meet folks where they are - they are unlikely to come to you.
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You're considering a sustainability internship. What valuable lessons can you gain from it?
Not all internships are created equal - you should be proactively asking about what you can expect to gain during your internship interviews. During your internship, will you have a chance to meaningfully contribute to something like a sustainability report? Will you have an opportunity to present your findings? Who will you be working with closely and what kinds of sustainability initiatives are they responsible for? I highly recommend anyone thinking about a sustainability internship A) start the hunt early (at least 8 months before start time),B) look for big name companies or consultancies and C) try to connect with former interns or current employees as another way to understand what you might get from the experience
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Your team is hesitant about sustainable practices. How can you convince them of the benefits?
If you want to sell a decision maker at your company on sustainability, you need to lead with the tangible financial benefits. You can look at external examples from businesses which have shown clear top or bottom-line benefits from a sustainability program (cost cutting, increase in sales, new revenue stream, etc.). Alternatively, you can propose a program internally and build a financial model which shows the return on investment. Yes - you should also bring in storytelling elements and emotional appeal, but you cannot (nor do you have to) build your whole case on the moral/environmental imperative of sustainability.
Activity
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Can't wait for this Climate Week event we are working on with Clim-Eat on Food and Fashion! Food is just like stuff (do any close readers of my book,…
Can't wait for this Climate Week event we are working on with Clim-Eat on Food and Fashion! Food is just like stuff (do any close readers of my book,…
Liked by Fred Copeman
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I am so excited to be working on this event! Innovation in agriculture is crucial to tackling the planetary crisis and Kearney wants to support the…
I am so excited to be working on this event! Innovation in agriculture is crucial to tackling the planetary crisis and Kearney wants to support the…
Shared by Fred Copeman
Experience
Education
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Columbia University in the City of New York
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Columbia University's Sustainability Management program is known for its broad offerings from policy to science to business - a curricular advantage I have have taken full advantage of. SEE MORE->
⬗ Selected for NYC Greenlabs startup incubator program
⬗ Case study on sustainability and its potential to further stabilize at-risk small liberal arts institutions
⬗ Hydrological and political analysis of Maine's water basin
⬗ Independent research and consultative work on the…Columbia University's Sustainability Management program is known for its broad offerings from policy to science to business - a curricular advantage I have have taken full advantage of. SEE MORE->
⬗ Selected for NYC Greenlabs startup incubator program
⬗ Case study on sustainability and its potential to further stabilize at-risk small liberal arts institutions
⬗ Hydrological and political analysis of Maine's water basin
⬗ Independent research and consultative work on the state of sustainability in small liberal arts colleges
⬗ Entrepreneurial work around food waste diversion in New York City
⬗ A detailed life cycle assessment of Chinese Pepsico products
⬗ GRI/SASB sustainability reporting and strategy consulting for a shoe company
⬗ Projections of future flood risk and mitigation strategies for NYC
⬗ Project managed a capstone group assisting a hydroponic Ag-tech startup with their sustainability strategy and custom internal GHG tool creation -
- Present
Activities and Societies: The Carbon Economy: Calculating, Managing, and Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
This course teaches students how to measure, report, and reduce GHG emissions with an eye toward understanding the roles that energy choices and usage play in reducing emissions.
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Activities and Societies: Vice President: Babbling Bishops Improv Comedy Troupe, Member of "The House of Thought" a small living unit composed of students who are passionate about Philosophy, Politics and Government, etc.
Travelled with a small group from the Philosophy department to Chiapas, MX to live with Zapatista Rebels and learn about their approach to life, government and society.
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- Present
Ohio Wesleyan's "We’re in This Together: An Interdisciplinary Exploration of the Coronavirus Pandemic" is a 10-week course led by 24 Ohio Wesleyan faculty members which address the coronavirus pandemic from the perspectives of biology, politics, psychology, humanities, and other disciplines. Through lectures, panel discussions, and questions from the class, they explore the lasting effects this crisis will have on global society, even as the pandemic unfolds.
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Activities and Societies: President: Model Rocket Club. Varsity Athlete: Crew and Cross Country. Musician: Jazz Ensemble, Mens choir, choir.
Volunteer Experience
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Steering Committee Member
NYC Circularity Day
- Present 1 year 10 months
Environment
I worked with circularity thought leaders and the office of Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine to create an event highlighting NYC circularity champions, educating the community on the circular economy and connecting local university students and small businesses to innovate circular solutions
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Board Member
Hope Acts
- 3 years 5 months
Social Services
⬗ Created “Into Action”, an annual fundraising event connecting local businesses and high profile donors to our cause
⬗ Facilitated the 2017 organizational review, which resulted in our improved focus on immigrant issues
⬗ Represented the addiction recovery community, serving as an example and a way for our partners and donors to better connect with the populations we served
⬗ Networked with other local nonprofits and businesses to elevate our organization and raise funds -
Mentor
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
- 1 year 5 months
Children
A few times a month, I connected with my mentee digitally to help him with school work, career goals, resume writing, job applications and college planning. About once a quarter, we connected in person for more of the same and some bonding activities. A lot of our work centered around identifying and encouraging passions that could serve him later in life.
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Languages
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Spanish
Limited working proficiency
Recommendations received
8 people have recommended Fred
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