Dr Eva Gkenakou, FIEMA CEnv Founder, Prosperia Consulting

21st September 2022


Web p34 IEMA Profile Dr Eva Gkenakou

Author

IEMA

Why did you become an environment/sustainability professional?

To work towards making the world a safer place through tackling the climate and biodiversity crisis.

What was your first job in this field?

I worked for a specialist UK business, with the support of the University of Southampton, to come up with an innovative commercial solution for making contaminated sludge from harbour dredging safe for disposal.

How did you get your first role?

Through applying to become an associate in the government co-funded Knowledge Transfer Partnership, which funds business innovation.

What does your current role involve?

Working with businesses on meeting challenging sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) requirements and turning them into business opportunities. This means creating strategies and action plans on climate action and net-zero, as well as broader ESG action on supply chain management and corporate sustainability reporting and disclosures.

How has your role changed/progressed over the past few years?

Awareness and legislative requirements on sustainability issues have increased, with organisations increasingly seeking expertise on sustainable business growth. After almost two decades leading the sustainability function in large corporate environments, I started Prosperia Consulting to apply my expertise and experience to a broader segment of the market, helping organisations to develop impactful strategies.

What’s the best part of your work?

Supporting businesses that are transitioning to more sustainable operations and becoming a force for good.

What’s the hardest part of your job?

Despite the red alert climate warning that scientists are issuing, it is important to maintain clarity of mind.

What was the last development event you attended?

Green finance-related events are a current focus, as this is becoming a game-changer in facilitating the large green investments necessary to reach net-zero.

What did you bring back to your job?

Foresight. I can advise businesses on steps they need to take to continue to attract customers, investment and talent.

What is/are the most important skill(s) for your job?

Empathy, for understanding each business’s opportunities and barriers. Keeping up to date, to be able to pick the solution that will serve each business’s specific needs. Effective communication, to be able to bring those solutions to life.

Where do you see the profession going?

Sustainability requirements and solutions will be constantly changing, so we will play a role in translating them into action.

Where would you like to be in five years’ time?

Witnessing the positive change that society has made in tackling sustainability issues.

What advice would you give to someone entering the profession?

People entering our profession often do so out of a moral duty and enthusiasm to help their fellow humans. The ability to stay focused on that, despite everyday hurdles, will serve them well.

How do you use the IEMA Skills Map?

It can be useful in many different scenarios, for example helping set work-related goals.

If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

Curious, effective and forward-thinking.

What motivates you?

Making a positive difference in the world.

“I started my consultancy to apply my expertise to a broader segment of the market”

What would be your personal motto?

Healthy planet, happy people, prosperous world.

Greatest risk you have ever taken?

Leaving the corporate world to start my own consultancy. It has been scary and exciting at the same time.

If you could go back in history, who would you like to meet?

One of the founders of a global movement, such as a large religion, to witness their way of thinking – how did they inspire millions of people, bringing about sweeping changes?

Image credit | Shutterstock | iStock

Subscribe

Subscribe to IEMA's newsletters to receive timely articles, expert opinions, event announcements, and much more, directly in your inbox.


Transform articles

IEMA ramps up support for green skills on Education Day at COP28

IEMA’s CEO and deputy CEO, Sarah Mukherjee MBE and Martin Baxter, respectively, called for greater support for green skills at several events today on Youth, Children, Education and Skills Day at COP28.

8th December 2023

Read more

With the first week of COP28 drawing to a close, IEMA’s deputy CEO, Martin Baxter, reflects on some of the key announcements made so far, addresses the controversy surrounding the climate summit, and highlights what to look out for in the second week.

7th December 2023

Read more

Negotiations are well underway at COP28 in the UAE as countries look to agree the best ways to tackle climate change and environmental breakdown over the coming decades.

5th December 2023

Read more

Thousands of people have gathered in the UAE for this year’s COP28 climate summit, including IEMA CEO Sarah Mukherjee MBE, and deputy CEO, Martin Baxter.

1st December 2023

Read more

David Burrows on the stolen concept of a circular economy, and how reduction must be at the heart of product design

30th November 2023

Read more

Groundbreaking research warns that the models used by the finance sector to predict climate scenarios could easily sink our retirement pots… and the global economy. Huw Morris reports

30th November 2023

Read more

IEMA CEO Sarah Mukherjee MBE talks to food campaigner Henry Dimbleby MBE about improving the UK’s health, tackling poverty, shaping government policy and transforming agriculture

30th November 2023

Read more

Media enquires

Looking for an expert to speak at an event or comment on an item in the news?

Find an expert

IEMA Cookie Notice

Clicking the ‘Accept all’ button means you are accepting analytics and third-party cookies. Our website uses necessary cookies which are required in order to make our website work. In addition to these, we use analytics and third-party cookies to optimise site functionality and give you the best possible experience. To control which cookies are set, click ‘Settings’. To learn more about cookies, how we use them on our website and how to change your cookie settings please view our cookie policy.

Manage cookie settings

Our use of cookies

You can learn more detailed information in our cookie policy.

Some cookies are essential, but non-essential cookies help us to improve the experience on our site by providing insights into how the site is being used. To maintain privacy management, this relies on cookie identifiers. Resetting or deleting your browser cookies will reset these preferences.

Essential cookies

These are cookies that are required for the operation of our website. They include, for example, cookies that enable you to log into secure areas of our website.

Analytics cookies

These cookies allow us to recognise and count the number of visitors to our website and to see how visitors move around our website when they are using it. This helps us to improve the way our website works.

Advertising cookies

These cookies allow us to tailor advertising to you based on your interests. If you do not accept these cookies, you will still see adverts, but these will be more generic.

Save and close