Meet Nicole, Director of Climate Services
Nicole is a nature-loving Georgia transplant and environmental engineer.
Meet Nicole, CarbonBetter’s Director of Climate Services. She joined our team to launch our climate practice and she tirelessly and expertly helps companies navigate the complexities of sustainability and decarbonization. Every day looks a bit different for her, and that’s something she loves about her job. On a typical day, you might find her working on quantifying environmental impacts (carbon, water, waste), writing sustainability reports, supporting carbon offset project development, collaborating with her team, and trying to keep abreast of everything that’s happening in the world from a climate perspective. Nicole is the author of a regular blog series called Environment Forward where she shares her insights on recent climate and sustainability headlines. Let’s get to know Nicole!
Nicole, what do you love about working at CarbonBetter?
There are a few things I’d like to mention that I love about working at CarbonBetter:
- I love the people – CarbonBetter has built a team that I’m proud to be a part of, and it makes going to work fun.
- I really believe in CarbonBetter’s mission and values. We are helping our clients on every step of their sustainability journey and prioritizing progress over perfection. I am excited and passionate about the impact that we are able to make.
- Previously, I had only worked at fairly large firms, so I love the opportunity to wear different hats at CarbonBetter as we grow our team and support our clients. We officially launched our Climate Services to the world in August 2021, and I’m so proud of what we have accomplished to date. It’s been exciting to be a part of this journey so far, and I’m looking forward to what’s to come.
“My current professional goal is to continue to grow the CarbonBetter Climate Services practice and continue to do meaningful work for our clients.”
Nicole, on her current professional focus
Do you have any personal sustainability habits that are important to you?
There are a few small things that I try to be consistent about:
- I don’t use produce bags at the grocery store.
- I remember to bring my reusable coffee mug to the coffee shop about 95% of the time.
- I generally try to minimize my consumption and purchases to reduce waste.
Where are you from originally?
I grew up in Braselton, GA; it's a small town north of Atlanta. When I was growing up, it was so small that we did not have a grocery store, but Braselton has grown a lot - now there are multiple grocery stores and a Chick-Fil-A. I really enjoyed growing up in close proximity to the North Georgia mountains.
A lot of my family is still in Georgia, and I try to go back and visit a few times per year. My grandfather was very influential in inspiring me to become an engineer, and now that he's 90, I want to spend as much time with him as I can.
Do you have any pets?
I do not have any pets. I am currently keeping three house plants alive though.
What is something that people are usually surprised to learn about you?
I'm left-handed, and I practice Muay Thai every Friday.
What is your Myers-Briggs personality?
My Myers-Briggs results were ISTJ, which is sometimes referred to as a "Logistician". Logisticians typically are reserved with a rational outlook on life; they tend to be responsible and organized but can also be stubborn.
What is your favorite spot or activity in Austin?
Swimming in Barton Springs is definitely my favorite Austin activity (Spring through Fall - I haven't jumped on the winter swim bandwagon yet). I love riding my bike or walking there, swimming in the ice-cold water always feels refreshing, and then I love to sit in the shade and read post-swim.
What are some of your hobbies?
Some of my favorite hobbies include hiking, mountain biking, fishing, really anything outside in nature, reading, archery, listening to music while going for neighborhood walks (anything from bluegrass to pop punk), crocheting, and knitting.
What's something you've learned recently?
I recently learned how to crochet to work on a baby blanket with some friends.
What are the top 5 things on your bucket list?
This is probably a disappointing answer, but I don't actually have a bucket list. I love National Parks, so I would like to visit more parks and climb more mountains, but no specific list at this time.
Thanks for sharing more about yourself, Nicole! Your passion for caring for the environment carries through everything you do, and we're grateful you're a part of our team! Stay tuned for the next team feature in our Life @ CarbonBetter series.
