Kate Fulbright Interview:

Hey Sydney,

Thanks for reaching out. I have pasted my answers below. Please feel free to reach out if you
need any more information.

Best of luck to you.

Warmly,

Kate

Can you tell me about your educational background and if you felt it prepared you for a career in
sustainability?

● I got a BA in history from Montana State University. I focused on the history of

science, which I didn’t even realize was a thing until I got to school. I learned a lot
about the history of environmental and climate science and some of the political
movements that went along with that. I do feel like I was prepared for a career in the
environment because of that work and also because of a lot of the skills I gained. i.e.
reading big intense research papers and being able to break them down and distill them
into a short blurb or paragraph.

What does your day-to-day job look like? Is this different from what you expected it to be like?

● My day to day right now, in quarantine is a bit different than how it typically is. NC
Conservation Network is a network of over 75 affiliate environmental organizations
across NC. I basically serve as the liaison between NC Conservation Network and
those groups. I do both issue work with our affiliates, so making sure they are plugged
in on the latest policy strategy and how to move our issues forward with decision
makers. I also work to help build their capacity with things like training webinars and
other tools that make their work easier. I also typically get to travel around the state
and visit with affiliates throughout the year to see what their priorities are and if there
is anything we can better support them with.
What changes in the field have you observed or could see coming in the future?

● Our work focuses a lot on policy so it really matters who our decision makers are and
if they care about environmental issues. When we have decision makers, state
legislators and/or senators that don’t care about the environment, clean water, and
healthy communities that makes our work harder. That’s why voting and calling your
representatives is so important!
● I also think the way we see the environment is starting to shift and the enviro
community as a whole is starting to embrace environmental justice as an institutional
practice. That means we are working hard to make sure we have an equity lens on
every policy decision we work on and that we look to the most impacted communities
for their input and solutions.

What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your career?

● Right now, it’s hard to be connected when it is all over zoom as I am sure you know
well. Other than that, I think finding new innovative ways to engage our supporters,
educate the public, and support our affiliate organizations will continue to be a
challenge.

How many hours do you work on an average day? Do you put in extra hours outside of the work
day?

● I typically work about 8 or 9 hours a day. I used to work a lot more on coal ash – a
toxic by product of burning coal that they store in unlined pits in NC (we won on this
issue a few years ago and they are having to clean it all up!). When I did more issue
work, I would go to a lot of late night public hearings and community meetings and
would pull long days.

What is your favorite part of your job?

● I really love connecting with people, whether it is environmentalists working at our

affiliate organizations, supporters, educators, etc. For me, it is all about building and
maintaining relationships so that there is a sense of trust in the environmental
community. Plus, we are a fun group of folks!

What is something you wish you knew before starting a career in sustainability?
 ● I wish I had known all the different avenues that there are in the field. There really is
something for everyone.

Do you have any advice for someone pursuing a career in environmental sustainability?

● Similar to above, there’s something you can do in sustainability and the environmental
world no matter your skillset. If you’re into the beach and want to work outside, you
can find a job building or researching living shorelines. If you are interested in policy,
you can become a lawyer or a lobbyist. If you’re like me, and you love the science but
you hate the math, and are better with relationships, there’s a place here for you too.
My advice would be to listen to what you like and focus on that, the rest will fall into
place.

Is there anything else you would like to add or think I should know?

● Thanks, Sydney! I hope I gave you what you needed. Feel free to reach out to me with
more questions or if you find yourself in sustainability one day!

Melony Gilles Zoom Interview:

In this interview with Melony Gilles, I learned about how she became interested in sustainability
after realizing how much waste is created by fast fashion, how she worked with large companies
to develop recycling programs, and how she hopes that composting will become as typical as
recycling in the future.