I had the chance to attend my very first Austin Sustainability Professionals event, and it was everything I hoped for and more.
What makes this group special is that it isn’t an organization you’ll find on a website or social media. It’s more of a word-of-mouth community — a grassroots, invite-only network of people across industries who are advancing sustainability in Central Texas. From climatetech founders to corporate sustainability leads, from nonprofit advocates to circular economy innovators, this group is full of changemakers doing real, on-the-ground work to build a more sustainable world (here in Austin).
I went to the Capital Factory in downtown Austin for a thought-provoking keynote titled “(Un)employment in the Age of AI.” Part of The Age of AI series — a monthly event known for sparking deep conversations and big questions — this talk by Oliver Emberton explored how artificial intelligence is transforming the very meaning of work.
The premise was bold yet disarmingly simple: AI isn’t here to take your job — it’s here to take everyone’s jobs. But rather than deliver a doomsday narrative, Emberton offered a surprisingly optimistic vision of how automation and intelligence could reshape society for the better, if we choose to guide it responsibly.
The University of Texas at Austin hosted the 2025 Mitchell Sustainability Symposium at the William C. Powers Student Activity Center. This event brought together faculty, students, sustainability experts, and community members to examine the state of sustainability on campus and explore its broader impact on education, research, and community engagement.
With a packed agenda from morning networking to student lightning talks, the symposium showcased the university’s role as both an innovator and facilitator in the sustainability space. Below is an overview of the key sessions and highlights.
I had the chance to immerse myself in an evening of films that were as inspiring as they were sobering. The Wild & Scenic Film Festival is built around one clear purpose: to use the power of film to spark a deeper connection with nature and inspire action for a healthier planet.
What struck me most was how the six short films, though set in different parts of the world, all carried threads that tied back to Texas and the challenges we face here. From questions of land use and public access to concerns about water, waste management and plastics, biodiversity concerns, and urban development hurdles, the stories felt universal yet deeply personal.
Selfie in front of AFS CinemaSelfie in front of the film signHolding the flyer and Audubon stickerEnvironmental organizations tables
Local Climate Solutions: Biodiversity & Forest Conservation in the Sierra Gorda
The festival opened with a story from Mexico’s Sierra Gorda, where one family’s decades-long mission has blossomed into a community-led model for forestry conservation against local industrial emissions. This film reminded me how education and science can drive measurable regeneration while also creating economic opportunities for people living directly with the land.
Key Takeaway: A community-led model shows how science, education, and economic innovation can regenerate ecosystems while supporting local livelihoods.
On September 4th, I had the opportunity to attend Austin Climate Hub’s first event of the fall season: “Challenges and Emerging Solutions to Scaling First-of-a-Kind Energy Technologies.” Held at The Sunset Room in downtown Austin, the event brought together an all-star panel of investors, financiers, and cleantech leaders to tackle one of the most persistent challenges in the climate innovation space—how to get bold new ideas off the ground and into the real world.
The evening was packed with insights, networking, and conversations around the nuances of funding and scaling first-of-a-kind (FOAK) energy technologies. These are the game-changing projects that, while promising, often get stuck between R&D and real-world execution. So what’s holding them back and how do we move them forward?
August was packed with opportunities to reconnect, learn, and expand my network across sustainability, marketing, and innovation communities in Austin. Each event brought something unique to the table, here’s a look at the highlights.
After bouncing back from my fifth round of COVID, it felt incredible to return to the USGBC Texas Green Coffee Hour at Easy Tiger. Conversations ranged from fire prevention strategies to career journeys and even how solar can be more seamlessly integrated into design. More than anything, I realized how much I’d missed being surrounded by green-minded peers. This morning left me recharged and ready to rebuild momentum in my networking efforts.
FIESTA (Founders, Investors, Entrepreneurs, Startups, Techies, and Austin Newcomers) delivered its usual mix of big ideas and fresh connections. From ten one-minute founder pitches—including innovations like turning methane into jet fuel and an RV-sharing platform—to sponsor companies like FreeWater and SoberWater leading with purpose, there was no shortage of inspiration. I walked away with fresh perspectives, valuable conversations, and a renewed sense of just how dynamic Austin’s startup ecosystem has become.
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