Guest Lecturing in Paris: The Next Generation of Sustainability Leaders

It was drizzling as I arrived in Paris, and I was happy to escape the icy wind as I found a seat on the metro. Thankfully, the weather cleared before I reached my stop. Walking past Place de la République, I found myself thinking about the revolutionaries who once gathered there—people who challenged the systems of their time and helped open doors to the freedoms many of us benefit from today.

It made me wonder: could I be meeting a future changemaker tomorrow?

The Director of the master’s program Business Transformation for Sustainability invited me to spend a day lecturing at KEDGE Business School’s Paris campus. The title alone told me this was not your average business program, and I was excited to meet students who had already chosen to focus their careers on sustainability. My goal was to inspire them, challenge them, and offer concrete examples of how different worldviews and environmental values are shaping real change.

The program director asked me to focus on one of my areas of expertise: ecocentric legal movements around the world and their implications for business. In preparation, I also looked into developments in France, including the 2021 Climate & Resilience Act, which introduced stronger mechanisms to hold decision-makers accountable for environmental harms linked to business activities.

As I built the lecture, the material naturally organised itself around the model I use in my work: Reflect, Integrate, and Implement.

First, I asked the students to reflect on what sustainability meant to them personally, and what the future could look like if we got everything right. So often, we are taught to fear the future because of how unsustainable current systems are. But what is a future we could fall in love with? What would that look like? From there, we explored movements from around the world—starting with ideas more familiar within Europe and expanding outward to systems and practices many had never encountered before.

Several times I asked, “Has anyone heard of this?” Each time, the class slowly shook their heads.

“Great,” I said. “I love sharing new ideas.”

And so we explored them together, always grounding the discussion in how these frameworks might influence the businesses these students will one day lead or advise.

The questions they asked were thoughtful and engaged. One, in particular, stayed with me. A student raised her hand and said:

“Everything you’re saying seems so obvious—at least now that you’ve explained it. But how do I convince others this is the best path for business and the world?”

She openly admitted something I’ve heard many times from students: as someone just entering the workforce, she worried employers might dismiss her perspective.

My answer was simple, but important.

Your voice matters, regardless of your position. This is your future, too.

Not everyone will listen right away—and that’s okay. Over time, you find your people: colleagues, mentors, and collaborators who share similar values. And those who challenge you often help refine how you communicate your ideas.

During my own graduate studies, I was fortunate to study the sociology of environmental decision-making, along with an environmental writing course that emphasised the importance of rhetoric: understanding when, why, and how we communicate ideas. These skills are invaluable for anyone working at the intersection of sustainability and business. I encouraged her and the rest of the class to seek out elective classes and opportunities that strengthen these skills.

In many ways, that work is central to my professional practice. A large part of what I do is help people clarify their vision and values, find the courage to use their voice, and communicate innovative ideas in ways that resonate with others.

When you deeply understand what you believe—and why—you can speak about it with clarity and conviction. And that conviction is often what inspires others to listen and makes for inspirational leaders.

By the end of the six hours we spent together, I left feeling energised and encouraged.

While I don’t like placing all our hopes for the future on the next generation—after all, meaningful change must happen now—the students in that room reminded me that the transformations I’m seeing today will find support and likely be improved upon by the leaders of tomorrow. The students in that class came from around the world, bringing different perspectives and experiences, yet sharing a common goal: building businesses that are nature-positive, climate-responsible, and aligned with the well-being of both people and planet.

With so many seeking to move beyond the status quo, we all have good reason to feel hopeful.