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Zoe, Vice President, Head of ESG at Compass Diversified: Advize Career Interview
A career in ESG offers exciting opportunities for strategic influence and positive impact, as evidenced by the journey of a Vice President, Head of ESG at Compass Diversified.
This professional's path began with a business degree and retail experience, progressing through health and safety roles before transitioning into sustainability.
Their current role involves developing and implementing ESG strategy, engaging stakeholders, managing risk, and reporting progress across a portfolio of companies.
Success in this field requires strong communication, influence, and a visionary mindset, navigating complex regulations and challenging established practices.
The interview highlighted the importance of networking, continuous learning, and practical experience gained even during college.
A diverse set of entry-level positions exist, ranging from specialized roles like environmental engineer to broader positions such as ESG analyst.
The professional emphasizes a commitment to inclusivity and collaborative success, advocating for a measured and patient approach when driving change in the industry.
The interview ultimately reveals a fulfilling career path marked by significant contributions to "better people, better businesses, and a better planet," within a dynamic, high-impact industry.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Zoe Koskinas
Vice President, Head of ESG
Compass Diversified
University of Western Sydney
UCLA Anderson School of Management - EMBA
Business & Related
Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)
Climate, Environment and Sustainability
Worked 20+ Hours in School
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Career Path of a Vice President Head of ESG at Compass Diversified
Zoe's career journey began with a Bachelor of Business and Commerce, focusing on management and organizational behavior, supplemented by retail work experience during college. After an internship as a health and safety assistant at a services and infrastructure company, Zoe progressed through roles as a health and safety assistant and manager, eventually transitioning into sustainability, leveraging "skills around people" gained from early work experiences.
Main Responsibilities of a Head of ESG at Compass Diversified
Zoe's main responsibility as Vice President, Head of ESG at Compass Diversified is "advancing and coming up with the company's ESG strategy," encompassing strategy development, stakeholder engagement, reporting and compliance, and risk management, particularly concerning the company's acquisition and sale of smaller businesses. This involves "thinking about how those companies are interfacing with the environment and what innovations they're coming up with to create a better planet," demonstrating a holistic approach to ESG integration within a dynamic business model.
A Day in the Life of a Vice President, Head of ESG at Compass Diversified
A Vice President, Head of ESG at Compass Diversified's daily responsibilities include "guiding the team in implementing ESG projects," interpreting data to create goals, benchmarking against peers, reporting progress, and engaging stakeholders to ensure best practices across their portfolio of ten companies. This highlights the leadership and management aspects of the role, emphasizing the importance of embedding sustainability across the organization.
Most Important Skills For A Head Of ESG At Compass Diversified
Zoe, Vice President, Head of ESG at Compass Diversified, emphasizes the crucial need for "influence" and "strong communication skills" to navigate the multifaceted nature of ESG, impacting all organizational functions. This necessitates understanding regulation, stakeholder engagement, and strategic development, while simultaneously acting as a "visionary" to guide colleagues on the ESG journey.
Favorite Parts Of Being A Vice President Head Of ESG At Compass Diversified
Zoe, Vice President, Head of ESG at Compass Diversified, most enjoys the cross-functional nature of the role, stating that the position allows "understanding every part of the business" and finding ways to "make an impact" by aligning business growth with positive contributions to society and the environment. This demonstrates a commitment to integrated ESG strategy, impacting "better people, better businesses, and a better planet."
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Vice President Head Of ESG At Compass Diversified
Zoe's biggest challenge as Vice President, Head of ESG at Compass Diversified is "not having the time to do everything," requiring patience to "understand the needs, understanding the why, and bringing other people along." This highlights the importance of a measured approach, even when a clear path exists, for successful leadership in a multifaceted role.
Favorite Parts of Working in Private Equity as a Vice President Head of ESG
Zoe, Vice President, Head of ESG at Compass Diversified, enjoys the "huge opportunity for strategic influence" within the private equity-like industry, leveraging "$5 trillion of assets under management" to drive sustainable investing and corporate governance improvements across consumer, industrial, and healthcare sectors. This allows for impactful change through supporting innovation and growth, particularly in emerging markets, and enhancing transparency and business practices.
What Type Of Person Thrives In Finance, According To A Vice President And Head Of ESG At Compass Diversified
Zoe, Vice President, Head of ESG at Compass Diversified, identifies a successful individual in this industry as possessing "a strong sense of competitiveness," but importantly, a "graceful competitiveness"—prioritizing collaborative success over self-serving ambition. This, combined with initiative and a proactive approach, paints a picture of a driven team player always seeking "the next thing."
What A Vice President Of ESG At Compass Diversified Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Sustainability Industry
Zoe, Vice President, Head of ESG at Compass Diversified, wished someone had prepared her for the pushback inherent in challenging "traditional boundaries" and operating "in the gray" areas of sustainability, a complex field requiring a visionary mindset to navigate conflicting perspectives and established practices. The role demands a comfort level with ambiguity and the ability to think "outside of the box," skills that are not always explicitly highlighted when entering the industry.
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring ESG Professionals at Compass Diversified
The ESG field offers diverse entry-level roles categorized under environmental (E), social (S), and governance (G), including "environmental engineer," "EHS advisor," and "risk and compliance" positions. A career path could involve specializing in one area or pursuing broader roles like "ESG analyst" or "sustainability coordinator," depending on whether a candidate prefers a focused or overarching approach.
Significant Career Lesson From a Head of ESG at Compass Diversified
Zoe, Vice President, Head of ESG at Compass Diversified, emphasizes the significant impact of networking, stating "it's always about the people," and advocating for a mindset of continuous learning from others' experiences to unlock career opportunities and gain valuable advice. This approach, combined with humility— "always having a mindset of learning from others"—has proven highly beneficial throughout their career.
College Experiences That Helped a Vice President, Head of ESG at Compass Diversified Succeed
Zoe, a Vice President and Head of ESG, credits part-time work throughout college as unexpectedly crucial to career success, gaining "practical experience" that differentiated the professional from peers. This real-world experience, whether through work or volunteering, is highlighted as beneficial, even if balancing studies and employment is challenging.
How Identity Has Influenced a Vice President Head of ESG at Compass Diversified's Career
Zoe's career in the male-dominated finance industry has been shaped by a commitment to inclusivity, driven by the belief that "a more diverse workforce...created diversity of thought." This commitment motivates their approach to career advancement, focusing on "how do we make it more inclusive?" rather than solely focusing on personal advancement.
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