You don’t always have to have everything figured out straight away. Be curious, listen to yourself and follow what genuinely interests you. Trust that skills and experience grow over time. Also remember that asking questions or for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Rachel McCathie, Environmental/Sustainability Coordinator
Tell us about your role
As sustainability coordinator, I support and help to drive Brodies’ sustainability priorities by embedding sustainability into how we operate, from tracking and improving environmental performance to supporting social initiatives and strong governance. The role encourages positive change, and I enjoy mixing data work, policy writing, and collaborative projects.
Morning routine
- Morning gym session to start the day.
- Make a cup of tea.
- Check emails, review priorities for the day and make a plan.
Afternoon routine
- Focus on project work, from data analysis to drafting policies and guidance.
- Collaborate with teams on sustainability initiatives.
- Lunch with the team.
Evening routine
- Cook dinner using fresh, local ingredients.
- Catch up on a game I’ve been playing.
- Journal and make a plan for the next day.
What motivates you?
I’m motivated by knowing that the work I do helps to support positive environmental and social outcomes – for people, the planet and all other living things in it, even when the changes sometimes start small and aren’t always noticeable at first. When made consistently, small changes can add up to something much bigger.
Why did you choose to work in sustainability?
I chose to work in sustainability because my love of wildlife and time in nature sparked an interest in conservation, which grew into understanding how organisations can operate responsibly, environmentally, socially, and through good governance. This inspired me to turn that interest into practical action.
Apart from the necessary skills and knowledge, what other quality is essential for the role you perform?
Curiosity – sustainability is constantly evolving and being open to learning, whether it’s new regulations, technologies or perspectives, is essential. It also helps when engaging people across different teams and trying to find collective solutions.
Which of Brodies five values resonates with you most and how do you incorporate it into your daily role?
‘Collaborate’ resonates with me most. Sustainability can’t be achieved in isolation – it depends on people working together, sharing ideas and learning from one another. Even as the sole sustainability coordinator, the challenges we face are opportunities for collaboration, and everyone at Brodies has a role to play.
What three things can you not live without to do your job?
- My reusable water bottle.
- Supportive colleagues who are open to change and new ways of doing things
- Digital filing! No printing required.
Do you have an unusual talent that no one at work knows about?
I’m a bit of a nerd and have taught myself some lightsabre skills…it’s become a great way to exercise and relieve stress.
Interested in a career in Sustainability?
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