Dreaming of a Career in Sustainability?

Have you been asking yourself . . .

Are you passionate about shifting into sustainability as your next career move?

Are you seeking more impact and want to experience your work as meaningful?

How do I use my work experience to get a job that’s different from what I'm skilled at now?

Do I need to get a degree or certificate to move into sustainability? 

With so many choices, what are the right opportunities for me?

What is the fastest path to begin working in what I'm passionate about?

Want to learn how from someone who already knows the ropes?

You Are in the Right Place!

Talk to Someone Who Has Traveled This Road

Hi, I'm Mark, a career coach, sustainability consultant and Founder & Co-Lead of the International Society of Sustainability Professionals-NYC Chapter.

Recently, many people have been asking me for advice on how to navigate these decisions. I asked these same questions of myself over a decade ago, before I changed careers from a successful Fortune 500 executive to sustainability.

As a non-traditional candidate, I didn't fit any of the boxes for open positions.

What I found is that most non-traditional candidates are stuck, confused, and overwhelmed. They are frustrated because their considerable job skills are not valued by the hiring process for sustainability roles.

I spent time and money getting an M.S. in Sustainability Management expecting that degree to unlock a new career. What I discovered was that the graduate degree alone combined with decades of experience were not unlocking opportunities for me. Much, much more was needed.

That's why I decided to distill all that I've learned into a simple strategy for non-traditional candidates to make a career shift without investing unnecessary time, energy and/or money getting there.


Getting to know the

Sustainability Career Program

- Successfully Make Your Pivot -

An eight week journey from career confusion to a roadmap for your success.

  • apply your dedication and persistence to achieve meaningful results
  • optimize your deep knowledge and experience for a different profession
  • understand where to uncover the right opportunities
  • learn how to align your passion with these opportunities
  • identify your transferrable skills
  • create a structured and clear plan to reach your clearly defined goals

Landed my dream job

The Sustainability Career Program is carefully constructed to approach an impact career pivot from many different angles, and provides a unique interactive, workshop-style experience, which goes beyond the typical "job search".

The program supported me in highlighting and articulating my strengths when searching for a new role, and I enjoyed the opportunity to meet and network with other passionate and like-minded individuals.

By the end of the program, I had gained more confidence and advanced networking skills.

This ultimately helped me land an exciting new position in the corporate sustainability space.

I would highly encourage others to participate in this program.

Gabriel Gerson,

Senior Associate, Investor Network

Won new position

Mark's Sustainability Career Coaching course definitely helped me to win the position!  

They remembered the one thing I want to be known for – my passion for decarbonizing commercial and industrial buildings.   

 

Mark helped me to learn, and practice, how to share my wisdom in a highly impactful and engaging manner.

 

I was able to explain that my top natural strengths are relationship building and strategic thinking.

 

Further, I communicated that throughout my career, I have used my natural ability to connect authentically, and lead with integrity, to establish credibility and trust that has enabled my success in teaming with others.

 

This position checks all of the key boxes for me – and I love the team I am working with.

William Schoellkopf,
Assistant Operations Manager

How Does It Work?

Small participatory group, curated by Mark personally

Limited to 10 people maximum

Eight (8) 75-minute weekly group zoom calls 

Weekly connect calls with a peer for accountability, brainstorming & support

Spotlight coaching by Mark

Office hours with individual questions answered

Email support

Zoom recordings provided

Personal Sustainability Career Plan at the conclusion


This is for you if ...

  • you are ready to take your passion for sustainability and turn it into a new career now
  • you have been thinking about how to transfer your current skills & experience but don't know how
  • you want to experience the difference you're making in your work
  • you want to get clear on which area of sustainability fits what you really want
  • you want a clear strategy and roadmap to create the opportunities you're seeking

This is NOT for you if …

  • you feel no sense of urgency to getting a job in the field
  • you don’t think you can pivot into a new career as a non-traditional candidate
  • you believe that all you need is a degree or credential
  • you have worked for less than 15 years

Great, how do I get started?

The next program starts on Monday, October 31st, 2022.

Message me to see if this fits you.

Message me

I feel really strongly that it's important to create a place where non-traditional candidates can thrive. That's why this program is not a class, but a collaborative experience.

Because of this, I personally curate each member of my Sustainability Career Program.

Admission is by application only. This way we can understand your vision, see if you are a fit for the group, and see if the program is a fit for you.

If you're passionate about sustainability, seek a collaborative group of peers willing to support each other, and are ready to give and receive your expertise and wisdom, message me now.


Message me to find out if this is the right move for you ...

Lets chat

Message me

NOW is your time!


Still not sure?

Here's what others have experienced.

From intent to action

Mark's Sustainability Career Program transformed my career pivot from intent into action.

I had the passion and a relevant technical background but needed a roadmap to kickstart my journey.

Mark’s real world business experience gave me the tools to navigate the vastness of the sustainability field.

His coaching and guidance has been instrumental in keeping me on the path toward my goals.

Jim Jenkins, Ph.D.
Senior Product Sustainability Manager, Nutrien

Common ground &

safe to share

From our first meeting his professionalism, knowledge, and listening skills drew me to his program.

In a diverse group, with people of all kinds of backgrounds and industries, Mark was able to build a common ground and a safe space for us to share and grow together.

He never lost track of our personal stories and professional motivations and he was a great coach along the way. As a result we ended the program with a clear goal and action plan to pursue our path in the sustainability sector.  

I highly recommend his program to anyone interested in making a shift.

Paloma Monterrubio Novoa, MBA
Project Manager, ACMI SpA

Reassured and believe in myself

Investing in the Sustainable Career Program is one of the best decisions I ever made.

The value and output of our coaching sessions together was immeasurable. He has a genuine ability to connect with his clients.

Mark was able to present his insights in a thoughtful and genuinely helpful way. Mark has a great way of believing in you and more importantly helping you believe in yourself. He listens attentively and always makes sure he touches on all of your concerns before ending the session.

His reassurance is what helped me in the journey towards a career in Sustainability.

Laura Skoblicki
CSRM North America, The Estée Lauder Companies, Inc.

Job winning capability

Mark is incredibly knowledgeable about the wider sustainability sector and how it interacts with all industries, and his network in this sector is comprehensive and ubiquitous. 

He is able to coach people on how to approach their professional goals and the best methods to realize them.

I would recommend Mark if you would like professional coaching in sustainability, insights from people directly involved in all areas of the industry, or would like to expand your network in any area of sustainability.

Paul Brooks, B.Ch.E, MBA
Active Career Pivot

Never felt more motivated

Before I enrolled in Mark’s sustainability career coaching course, I felt overwhelmed by the idea of pivoting careers into a new field. I had made previous attempts at working with career coaches, but was not satisfied with my progress nor sure how to move forward.

Simply put: Mark has changed my outlook and given me the confidence to navigate my future career path in sustainability.

I found Mark to be an exceptional coach, pushing me to challenge myself and reach new heights of self-understanding.

I have never felt more motivated to make my next career jump, and the lessons I’ve learned from working with Mark will aid me throughout the rest of my career. I would recommend Mark's services to anyone feeling stuck in their current career path and ready to focus on the future.

Ben A.
Digital Analytics,

Broadcast Television

Tailored advice, support from others

Even though Sustainability was not my main focus, Mark’s career program was an eye opener as his approach was universal and could help anyone in any field or career sector.

Not only did I learn from his presentations and tailored advices but also from everyone who took part in the 8 week program.

I hope his program will inspire more to join, understand and excel in the sustainability field and any other field, as a matter of fact.

Thank you Mark for creating this amazing program.

Emnet Sisay,
Public Engagement Specialist,

U.S. Mission to the African Union

Focused my career

I took Mark’s Sustainability Career Development Program.  It was very effective in helping focus my career. 

Mark’s innovative approach made a dry topic very interesting and fun.   

The big takeaway though is how much his coaching pushed me to the next level in knowing myself and my career aspirations resulting in a roadmap to fulfilling them

Deborah T.
Lead Loss Control Technical Consultant

Redefined

my strengths

I learned better ways to represent my strengths and what I have to offer to a company.  I also learned things I should steer away from when sourcing work and representing my experience in a resume and cover letter. 

  I really enjoyed the closeness of the group; the daily check-ins, and the one on one meetings to discuss the week’s topics.  I would recommend this program to anyone, even if you feel confident in where you are because it helps you better redefine your strengths and how to represent yourself business.

Thank you Mark for assisting me through this COVID era transition and guiding me to a stronger self within my career.

Michael Strauhal
Environmental Outreach Specialist, Pollution Prevention Resource Center (OR)

Discovered missing tools

When I first considered a career pivot into the sustainability field, I basically was “flying solo” until I met Mark. Mark reached out to me at a point in my journey when I was losing traction.

He shared concrete information that built a toolbox for me that would have been difficult for me build on my own.

He shared insights into the current landscape for sustainability jobs plus resources for where to find them.

Mark possesses a unique talent for bringing people together and having them feel good about themselves during a time that can lend itself to periods of self-doubt.

The wisdom and tools that he shared during the Sustainability Career Program have grounded me as well as given me confidence in my career pivot goals.

Signing up for his course was one of the best opportunities/ experiences that I have had as it gave me the necessary tools that I was missing for my job search. In addition to networking opportunities with like-minded career professionals.

Marijo Lewandowski
Technical Design | Fit and Sizing Analysis | 3D and PLM Implementation | Sustainable Fashion | Circular Design Advocate

What will be your pivot ...

?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I afford it?

Going out and getting an industry credential, certificate, or degree can range from hundreds or thousands of dollars at minimum, or tens of thousands for an advanced degree. There is also the cost of your time to earn one of these.

Many of the people I coach have gone this route only to find themselves no further along in pivoting into a new career (and frustrated by lack of resources to get there).

The investment is less than to many sustainability certificate programs and significantly less than a graduate degree . While those programs focus on knowledge, this program focuses on teaching you the skills you'll need to make your pivot successfully.

The question is, if you are serious, can you afford not to?

What can I expect each week?

  • The art & science of what’s possible in a sustainability career
  • Aligning your passion with job sector growth/current landscape
  • Office hours
  • Knowing your strengths to pivot/reposition
  • LinkedIn & resume role/function/hacks
  • Office hours
  • Aligning your wisdom; degree, certificate, credentials
  • Your personalized career plan

How much time does it take ?

Each of the eight live program sessions are 75 minutes.

You will schedule one 20-minute call between sessions with an assigned peer from the program.

There will be assignments between sessions that can take 0.5 - 1.5 hours/week; it depends on you.

How can I achieve this faster?

I offer a private, one-to-one intensive that a more personalized, in-depth, journey. Message me to let me know that you are interested.

Do you offer 1:1 Coaching?

YES! I recommend scheduling a call with me to discuss your situation. From there we can identify your short or long-term goals and the best way to work towards achieving them together.

About Your Coach

Mark D. Wolf is a career & executive coach, successful career changer (three times), CEO of LavaFish Advisors, and the Founder and Co-Chair of the International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP) NYC chapter. He was recently awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from ISSP Global, the largest global professional association for leaders across the sustainability sector, recognizing his leadership in building the premier chapter in New York City.  

Mark has professional experience within the Fortune 500 company ecosystem from highly technical and regulated industries to newly emerging verticals. He has coached and mentored both experienced and emerging sustainability professionals in addition working 1:1 with executives.

Mark previously led teams at: Guardian, Castrol, Verizon Wireless and Prudential Financial, worked in ad agencies (Y&R, Ogilvy, Saatchi & Saatchi) and before that, was a social worker.  

He has been published in the Journal of Sustainable Banking and Finance and in the Association of National Advertisers Magazine. Mark is also a co-author of the book "Thriving in the New Business Environment - Why the Strategic Supply Chain Matters."

Mark holds an MSc, Sustainability Management from Columbia University, obtained his coach certification from New York University, and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 

The time is NOW - -

make your pivot into sustainability.