Over the next few weeks, we will run a Q+A blog series showcasing the ten incredible change-makers who represent our 2019 Living Future Heroes. Introducing Amy Johns, Senior Strategy Consultant for Integrated Eco Strategy (IES) and formerly Director of the Zilkha Center for Environmental Initiatives at Williams College:
Q: How did you become involved with ILFI?
A: I became involved with ILFI through the building of the now Petal certified, Class of 1966 Environmental Center, at Williams College, where I was recently Sustainability Director. It has been amazing to see how the Living Building Challenge process has created an evolution of the conversations we have regarding sustainability from where we first began.
At Williams College, they are still building ILFI projects; they currently have a building registered for Petal as well as one aspiring to be, another pursuing Zero Energy, and now even a project registered for the Living Community Challenge.
Q: What was your “aha” moment that inspired you to join this movement / become involved in ILFI programs?
A: My involvement has been such a gradual process, so I cannot recall one individual “aha” moment. But I have always believed that there are deeper issues that require attention in the sustainability crisis, and the fact that LBC is involved in topics beyond the core sustainability issues was very inspiring to me.
Q: How did your background lead to where you are in your career now?
A: I got a biology degree but took a winding road to sustainability work. I worked in software engineering for a while, then a small environmental non-profit, then various sustainability projects at Williams. I recently went back to school to get a sustainable MBA. I find it fascinating and interesting that there are so many people coming from different backgrounds, all with the same passionate interest.
Q: How do you see yourself creating a Living Future in the next 5 years? How have you in the past 5?
A: Over the past 5 years I have worked at steering sustainability at Williams College and I am continually shocked with what I have gotten away with in that role. I have found it a blessing to work in higher education because I have not had to worry on profit, I am able to do work in the name of sharing research and knowledge.
For the next 5 years, I’m making a bit of a career transition. I’m shifting into sustainability consulting – working with Integrated Eco Strategy to bring a lot of what I’ve learned at Williams to other institutions. Sharing information and passing on what I’ve learned to help the whole movement scale up is the focus of my next career stage. And because it’s something I feel passionate about, I will continue to encourage others to draw the connection between equity and the environment.
Q: What is your Call to Action for the green building community?
A: First and foremost, that environmental sustainability and issues of justice and inclusion are and need to continue to be inseparable. Climate change is a social justice issue. Along with that, it’s important to remember that there are deeper issues at work – we can’t let this become a mechanical process. We can get stuck in the details, but need to bring back the ‘why’ and the deeper reasons. We are fighting for justice, equity – across time and space and this is the driving force.
