TSC members and partners kicked off the new year by coming together in St. Augustine, Florida for our annual Sustainability Leadership Institute retreat. Representatives from leading retailers, brands, and academia practiced new tools for building their adaptive leadership capacity to tackle some of the most complex challenges we face as sustainability professionals. Our CEO, Christy Slay, summarized the event:
“Last week felt like a perfectly timed gift—a chance to connect with fellow TSC members, immerse ourselves in nature, and engage in open discussions about our biggest challenges at TSC’s Sustainability Leadership Institute. We hiked through coastal forests and kayaked among the red mangroves in the intracoastal waterways of St. Augustine, Florida. We also visited a sea turtle hospital, witnessing firsthand the dedication to healing these gentle and resilient creatures of the sea.
Inspired by our surroundings, we explored our toughest challenges—the issues that keep us up at night. One exercise was designed to help us identify our personal core values, an anchor to hold onto when we feel adrift. But as the conversations unfolded, it became much more than that. Patterns emerged: sustainability professionals share strikingly similar values. This shouldn’t have been surprising—integrity, connection, curiosity, learning, kindness, and nature were common values among those drawn to this work. These values often stand in contrast to the corporate world, where ambition, progress, and wealth reap rewards.
Perhaps that’s why it felt so special to be together—like birds of a feather—finding solace and connection in shared experiences when sustainability work is often isolating within companies. And as we boarded our rented transportation—an unplanned but hilarious party bus, complete with colorful mood lighting—I couldn’t help but think, this is a party! A unique gathering of truly good people who bring something to their organizations that far exceeds monetary value.I’m incredibly grateful for this group and for the chance to watch the sunset with people who truly see what’s important.”
Christy Slay, CEO of The Sustainability Consortium
Special thanks to our members for making this event truly once in a lifetime!
