The 2018 GreenBiz 30 Under 30

Taking Care of Business

by Joel Makower, Chairman and Executive Editor 

Today, we name the 2018 GreenBiz 30 Under 30, our third annual cohort of up-and-coming sustainable business leaders, selected by the GreenBiz editorial team.

This is, arguably, my favorite feature of the year. The exercise of culling through scores of nominations can be grueling, to be sure, but it is also inspiring beyond words. Among other things, it provides a glimmer of hope: that there are countless young professionals around the world ready to step into leadership roles as we elders — some day — step aside.

Hat’s off to GreenBiz managing editor Elsa Wenzel, who led the team that selected the honorees, interviewed them and produced the resulting write-ups; and to our partners at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, for helping us cast a global net in search of this year’s candidates. (The 2018 class includes professionals from four continents.)

Incidentally, we don’t simply name each year’s list and move on. We keep in touch with past 30 Under 30s, via a dedicated LinkedIn group to help them network and share experiences, by giving them complimentary tickets or deep discounts to attend GreenBiz and VERGE conferences, and by checking in with them from time to time. Here’s the latest update on the whereabouts and achievements of more than two dozen past honorees.

In addition, we invite our 30 Under 30s to write for us from about their insights and experiences. You can find their contributions here.

We’re featuring one of those contributions below, from Jarami Bond of Interface, the flooring company; he’s a 2017 GreenBiz 30 Under 30. He offers up some great insights on what makes a dynamic and successful company sustainability team. (Bond also talks about the impact on his life and career of being a 30 Under 30, in this week’s podcast.)

VERGE Virtual: The GreenBiz team is headed to Hawaii for next week’s VERGE Hawaii conference, our annual gathering of key players — from the Islands, Asia and the U.S. mainland — working to help Hawaii achieve its mandate of 100 percent renewable energy for both electricity and fuels. Those not fortunate enough to travel with us to the Aloha State can tune in, in real time or after the fact, via VERGE Virtual, our free livestream. To do so, register here.

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