We asked Living Future 19 Just Scholar and Certification Manager at Dvele Ivonne Zuñiga about major takeaways from the experience. Applications for those interested in environmental justice and want to attend Living Future 20 for free closed on March 1st. Thank you to everyone who applied!
ILFI: How did Living Future impact your work as a sustainability professional?
Ivonne Zuñiga: I think that when you are building a career in sustainability you sometimes feel alone, like it’s you against the world. When I got to the Unconference I realized how many people were thinking about the same things, struggling with the same issues, and more importantly, connected by the same hopes. It reassured me that I was on the right path and that there were many resources and people to reach. I contacted some people who led me to my current job as a certifications manager, joining my passion for sustainability and architecture.
ILFI: What are the most meaningful takeaways or connections you’ve made at Living Future?
IZ: My biggest takeaway, or maybe the thing that impressed me the most, was the focus on gender equity and social issues; it was good to see the three aspects of the bottom line represented. Before I attended, I thought the conference was going to be mainly about environmental issues, sustainable design, and construction and it was a pleasant surprise to see more of a holistic approach.
ILFI: What do Just Scholars bring to Living Future and why is this program important (both to scholarship recipients and the conference as a whole)?
I think Just scholars bring a bit of that creative limitless thinking we all have when we are students to the rest of the participants. When you are at your day-to-day job, that mindset of ideating with no rules kind of gets lost. Whereas as a student, that’s all you have and I believe that can be very inspiring for other professionals. For the scholars, I believe Living Future brings hope for doing things the right way, and many opportunities to connect with people. I was fortunate enough to have a mentor from the Women in Sustainability Awards and talking to her and the rest of the mentors after every session to discuss our learnings and ideas gave an added value to the whole experience.
Apply today for our LF20 Just Scholarship!
