Greenbiz 25 emerging leaders
Amidat Sonekan
Amidat is a Nigerian-American engineer, artist, and community leader. A self-proclaimed foodie who seeks a healthy lifestyle balance, Amidat's research is rooted in improving food ecosystems that preserve marginalized cultures and provide a dignified lifestyle to all players—from farmers to consumers.
Her research is to couple business and art to aid and improve global health outcomes and cultural expression. Many of her projects explore the scientific, social, and economic interplay in our relationships with food and the environment, leveraging that understanding to create updated and novel experiences for every meal - from farm to fork. Every person must eat nutritious food to survive. All the more, to live a dignified life, every person deserves to honor their identity and have the economic security to provide for themselves and their communities.
Amidat is an MBA/MS candidate at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business and the School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS). At Ross, she is a Consortium Fellow, Section President, and the inaugural recipient of the Miguel Andrés Sossa-Mardomingo (MÁS) Scholarship. At SEAS, Amidat is an Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise Fellow specializing in Sustainability and Development. Prior to graduate studies, Amidat worked as a strategy and operations manager in the e-commerce industry. She most notably led the team that launched CAD images for McMaster-Carr's 800K product offering. She is a DMV native and an alumna of Georgia Tech, where she studied Materials Science and Engineering.
Anirban Kundu
Anirban is a senior sustainability consultant at Anthesis Consulting (Canada) Inc., where he advises clients in environmental, social, and climate change matters, and co-creates sustainability programs with brilliant teams across service lines (ESG, climate, nature, circularity). Anirban holds a PhD in Environmental Engineering from McGill University, an SCR credential from GARP, and has academic research experience in biofuel engineering, environmental nanotechnology, and applied microbiology.
Prior to Anthesis, Anirban was a Program Manager with the Impact Challenge in Climate Innovation team at Google.org, where he assisted in evaluating AI-based climate mitigation and adaptation solutions. Outside work, Anirban holds senior leadership positions in the Canadian Science Policy Centre (managing the Editorial committee of Canada's largest science policy community) and in Wavemakers Canada (Board Member of Canada's only Work-Integrated Learning Program for post-secondary students).
Anirban's research and professional interests are in socio-environmental assessments, double materiality, biodiversity conservation, climate risk, and innovative pedagogies for teaching and capacity building. Anirban speaks English, French (still learning!), Bengali, and Hindi, loves stage theatre and salsa, and is an aspiring professional chef!
Dhruv Jhaveri
Dhruv Jhaveri works as a renewable energy and decarbonization consultant at Environmental Resources Management (ERM), where he helps organizations develop sustainability strategies, procure renewable energy, and implement decarbonization projects. He leverages his academic background and professional expertise to guide organizations on their energy transition journeys. His work is driven by a deeply personal and purpose-led commitment to advancing sustainable business practices.
Before joining ERM, Dhruv served as a senior supply chain optimization engineer at a state-owned petroleum refinery in India. In this role, he managed inventory and supply chains for petroleum products, ensuring operational efficiency across multiple pumping stations. It was here that Dhruv witnessed firsthand the environmental injustices faced by marginalized communities. These experiences inspired him to leave his position and transition to the renewable energy sector, where he began contributing to projects across various sustainability domains, including decarbonization technologies, energy access, and international climate policy.
Through his efforts, Dhruv remains committed to creating intentional and impactful solutions that align environmental goals with business value, driving meaningful change across organizations. This work is not just a professional focus for Dhruv—it is his personal mission. He is dedicated to ensuring that the transition to renewable energy is swift, equitable, and inclusive, addressing the environmental injustices he has observed and experienced firsthand.
Dhruv holds a Master of Science in Environmental Management and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering.
Francesca Edralin
Francesca Edralin is an Consumer Engagement Associate Specialist at World Wildlife Fund (WWF), where she works with companies on consumer engagement campaigns focused on environmental education, fundraising, and behavior change. Francesca's current role at WWF uniquely intersects her background in both environmental storytelling and corporate sustainability. She has served as a reporting fellow for environmental outlets such as Mongabay and Planet Forward, as well analyzed companies' sustainability strategies under roles at Governance and Accountability Institute, Edelman, and Sustainary. As an unwavering DEIJ champion, a core question that guides Francesca work is: how can companies champion an accessible environmental movement that is intentionally inclusive of their diverse consumer bases?
An alumnus of WWF’s Building Relationships, Inclusivity, Diversity, Growth, and Excellence (BRIDGE) program, Francesca leads initiatives that promote youth empowerment and DEIJ within the organization and currently chairs WWF's Early Conservationist Network. She is passionate about elevating diverse youth voices in environmental discourse and formerly served as the Director of Global Outreach for youth-led nonprofit ThinkOcean. As a first-generation Filipino American, Francesca is also particularly interested in environmental justice topics in the Asia-Pacific region. Prior to WWF, Francesca advised research at the State Department documenting conflicts between business and environmental defenders in the Philippines and Indonesia.
Francesca holds a B.A. in International Affairs (with a concentration in International Environmental Studies) from the George Washington University. In her free time, she enjoys photography, travel, and writing music.
jøn kent
jøn kent’s principal aim is to be of help. His life’s work focuses on serving the community through acting, activism, and creating sustainable spaces. He started his professional career in his passion of theatre then quickly moved into doing commercial, TV and film work. He now focuses his artistry in the local Detroit theatre scene.
As the Co-Founder of Sanctuary Farms, he works to close the food loop by turning food waste into nutritious compost and in turn uses that compost to cultivate organic produce. And as the Executive Director of Sacred Spaces, a nonprofit organization that works to bring food sovereignty and healing nature-scapes for historically disadvantaged communities. jøn is heavily involved in policy and organizing. His efforts along with other food justice advocates led to the creation of the City of Detroit’s Director of Agriculture position.
He’s also an Urban and Regional Planning master’s student at the University of Michigan as a Transformative Food Systems (TFS) Fellow and Sustainability Fellow – graduating in Spring 2025. He currently holds an undergraduate degree in Sociology from UCLA. As an environmental justice advocate, he sits on various boards like the Sustain our Future Foundations’s Reparative Land Collective Advisory Board, the City of Detroit’s Detroit Waste Diversion Advisory Committee (DWDAC) and the Water Consortium.
Laura Miller
Laura J. Miller is a dedicated public servant and Ph.D. candidate in Urban Leadership & Entrepreneurship at the University of the District of Columbia, with a focus on Urban Sustainability, Resilience Leadership, and Governance. They hold a Master of Professional Studies in Urban Ecology & Sustainable Planning from Unity Environmental University and dual Bachelor's degrees in Geography and Environmental Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where they were a Posse Scholar.
With extensive experience in urban sustainability and workforce development, they are currently a Program Analyst at the D.C. Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE), where they manage green workforce training programs, including the Green Trades DC and Green Fellows Leadership and Development programs. Their work focuses on improving program performance and supporting historically marginalized youth, young adults, and returning citizens in environmental careers. Previously, they have contributed to research on urban water systems, environmental policy, and sustainable infrastructure at institutions like the University of Wisconsin, University of Georgia and the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC).
In addition to their professional roles, they are an active leader in their communities, serving on the Wisconsin Alumni Association Recent Grad Council, the Board of the Mid-Atlantic Region of Environmental Professionals, and as a Senior Fellow in the Environmental Leadership Program. Fluent in data analysis, mixed methods research, and project management, they are passionate about building sustainable, equitable urban environments through research, policy, and leadership.
Lucia Castellares Tello
Lucia is a Master of Environmental Management candidate at the Yale School of the Environment, specializing in food systems sustainability. She is a Three Cairns Scholar, a CBEY 2050 Fellow, and co-leads the Business and Environment student learning community, fostering collaboration at the intersection of sustainability and corporate leadership.
As an EDF Climate Corps Fellow, Lucia developed a climate action plan to address dairy emissions for McDonald’s Corporation. During her time at Yale, she has also contributed to consulting projects advancing circular economy and regenerative agriculture programs in North America and East Africa.
Prior to Yale, Lucia worked as a Sustainability and Climate Change Senior Associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in Lima, leading diverse, results-driven projects across Latin America and the Caribbean. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Universidad del Pacífico. Outside of work and academics, Lucia enjoys traveling, practicing water sports, and exploring new cuisines.
Malayah Redmond
Malayah Redmond is a sustainable agriculture and climate solutions advocate from Baltimore, Maryland, where her dedication to ecological sustainability and human rights was born. She currently works at Ceres, a sustainability non-profit organization where she leverages her passions to contribute to the creation of an equitable low-carbon economy. In her role as Senior Associate on the Company Network, she focuses on integrating sustainability into the core business strategies of member companies in the Food & Beverage and Technology sectors. She strives to combine her expertise in both sectors bolster her advocacy for alternative approaches to economics, food systems change, and social equity. Over the course of her time at Ceres, Malayah has helped strengthen sustainability strategies and goals around decarbonization, supply chain management, biodiversity, regenerative agriculture, and more.
Prior to joining Ceres, Malayah worked in the cleantech and social enterprise spaces coordinating various programs and partnerships with startups, investors, and corporations to sustainably transform the energy, agriculture, water, and waste sectors via socio-technological innovation. She holds a Bachelors in International Affairs and Environmental Studies from Northeastern University in Boston, MA.
Maria Corona
Maria Corona is a sustainability leader with extensive experience in community outreach, environmental justice, and advancing equity in the green economy. She serves as Co-Executive Director and Equity Co-Chair of the California Green Business Network (CAGBN), where she leads efforts to empower historically underserved businesses through technical assistance and incentives for sustainable practices. Corona is dedicated to ensuring that small, BBIPOC-owned businesses have access to the benefits of a green economy and are recognized for their longstanding contributions to sustainability. Maria began her journey as Program Director for the City of Watsonville, providing bilingual support to Spanish-speaking businesses. She also implemented SB 1383 organics recycling and food recovery programs across three jurisdictions and served as Zero Waste Coordinator at CSU Monterey Bay. At Ecology Action, she increased Spanish-speaking business registrations in six jurisdictions by engaging underrepresented communities. A passionate advocate for environmental justice, Maria collaborates with community-based organizations to ensure equitable participation in the Green Business Program. While at UC Santa Cruz, she co-chaired the Education for Sustainable Living Program, facilitating forums on environmental justice, waste reduction, and food sovereignty. Maria holds dual B.A. degrees in Environmental Studies and Latin American & Latino Studies with Sociology from UC Santa Cruz.
Rachel Haynes
Rachel Haynes is a Program Manager at the Business Sustainability Collaborative in the Poole College of Management at NC State University, where she co-teaches the award-winning B Corp Clinic. She also serves as an adjunct lecturer for the University of Florida, teaching courses focused on sustainability and impact consulting. Additionally, she is the Operations Director for B Academics, a global nonprofit dedicated to advancing research, teaching, and engagement on B Corporations and benefit corporations.
Rachel is passionate about supporting students in their sustainability career development and preparing the next generation of leaders through innovation in business education. She holds an MBA from NC State’s Jenkins Graduate School and a BA in International Studies and Economics, with a minor in Mandarin Chinese, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
In her free time, Rachel enjoys traveling, exploring new restaurants, practicing yoga, and spending time with her dog, Cleo.
Samia Aboni
My journey into sustainability began with a question that has guided me ever since: How can we build a world where no one is left behind? Growing up in Bangladesh, one of the most climate-vulnerable nations in the world, I witnessed firsthand how environmental crises devastate livelihoods and reshape communities. This reality inspired me to pursue architecture, where I sought to design solutions that could create tangible, lasting change in our living environments.
A pivotal moment in my career came during my work with UNICEF, designing water and sanitation infrastructure projects for women in refugee camps. Witnessing the resilience of these communities despite overwhelming challenges strengthened my commitment to addressing systemic inequities through bold, people-centered solutions.
Over the past seven years, I’ve championed renewable energy adoption, integrated circular economy practices, and driven sustainable supply chain innovations in collaboration with organizations like UNDP and British American Tobacco Ltd. At Duke, where I’m pursuing a Master’s in Environmental Management with a focus on Energy & Business, I co-led the Sustainability Career Trek with Net Impact, engaging with industry leaders such as Amazon, Starbucks, REI, American Seafoods, and Microsoft to explore transformative sustainability strategies.
As a GreenBiz 2025 Emerging Leadership Fellow, I’m eager to continue this journey—connecting with changemakers and crafting solutions that embed equity and environmental stewardship into the core of global progress.
Sarah Nerette
Sarah Nerette is a dedicated Sustainability Professional passionate about finding innovative solutions to improve the built environment and promote a more sustainable, resilient future. As a Program Manager at RE Tech Advisors, a sustainability consulting firm operating in the commercial real estate industry, Sarah develops and implements comprehensive sustainability programs that help her clients achieve their sustainability goals while maximizing the overall performance, energy efficiency, and value of their real estate assets. Sarah is a CELI (Clean Energy Leadership Institute) Fellow and sits on the board of Wild Virginia, a nonprofit focused on protecting and connecting Virginia's wild places.
Sarah is also committed to community engagement and fostering a more equitable, just and inclusive built environment. Throughout her career, she has helped develop programs and has worked with organizations that foster academic excellence, mentorship, leadership, and community service. Sarah is dedicated to empowering youth and fostering awareness of sustainability in underserved communities. She believes in creating equitable access to environmental education and in showcasing the diverse career paths available within this field. By inspiring young people to explore sustainability as a viable option, she aims to cultivate a new generation of environmental leaders who are equipped to address the challenges of our time. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Virginia and a Master of Science in Sustainability Management from American University.
Sherida Hinckson
Sherida Hinckson is a TEDx speaker, an international nonprofit founder, and the pioneer behind Green Quotient Solutions, an education-centered consultancy with a unique approach to addressing global sustainability challenges across communities and businesses.
With a background in battery energy storage (BESS) analysis at BloombergNEF and clean and conventional energy accounting research and consulting at Ernst & Young (in both their US and Colombia offices), she has developed a deep understanding and passion for solving global energy needs, advancing sustainability, and driving the clean energy transition.
Rooted in the values of accessibility, sustainability, and a global mindset, Sherida is a passionate advocate for a better life for all. Her work in the corporate, nonprofit, and education spheres exemplifies a commitment not only to sustainability but also to equity, inclusivity, and global collaboration.
As she continues to grow her consultancy and platforms, Sherida aspires to become a key thought leader in global energy policy, sustainability education, and the transition to a more sustainable and equitable world. Her long-term goals include enhancing grid stability and resilience in the Global South.
Sherida earned her Bachelors degree in Accounting and Information Systems from The College of New Jersey (TCNJ).
Shreya Sonar
Shreya Sonar, serving as Schneider Electric’s Circularity Senior Program Manager, leads the charge in advancing end-to-end circularity by unifying ongoing activities into a cohesive framework and identifying areas for enhancement. She works on embedding circularity across products and services, exploring innovative business models and partnerships, and metrics on material reuse and decarbonization.
She has a decade of experience in sustainability and holds a Master’s in Environmental Science and Management from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Sydney Williams
Sydney Williams is a Jamaican dedicated to creating meaningful, sustainable solutions and investments to address climate change. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Environmental Management with concentrations in Energy and Data Analytics at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment, where she serves as President of the Student Council and Coordinator of the Diverse, Innovative, Vibrant Environmental Scholars Program. Sydney earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sustainable Development from Columbia University, which inspired her ongoing commitment to advancing equitable climate solutions.
As a Conservation Fellow at the Open Space Institute, Sydney supported equity-focused projects designed to deliver tangible benefits to underserved communities. At RMI’s Climate Finance Access Network, she contributed to global climate finance efforts by conducting a gap analysis for the United Nations' climate finance goals and evaluating the return on investment of a $10 million commitment across eight Pacific nations. She also explored and provided recommendations on frameworks like the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) and the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) to promote equitable and effective financial flows to developing nations.
Currently, Sydney is working on a feasibility study for a microgrid project in Barbados, focusing on strategies to de-risk renewable energy investments and advance the region’s energy transition.
With a strong belief in collaboration, finance, and data, Sydney is committed to making a positive impact in the fight against climate change while uplifting communities most affected by its challenges.