Anshu:
Hello and welcome to the Women of IU podcast, the show that highlights and celebrates the important work women do every day at IU and hopes to inspire future women leaders.
This podcast is brought to you by the Center of Excellence for Women & Technology. I'm Anshu Roja Selvamani.
The Center of Excellence for Women & Technology, often referred to as CEWIT, has 14 student-run alliance teams focused on different areas of technology and empowerment. And today, we will feature an interview hosted by one of those teams, our Sustainability and Tech Team.
The Sustainability and Tech Team works to contribute to global climate action and justice. They're dedicated to creating space for exploring how technology and innovation can help us use environmental and social resources efficiently and equitably. Jinji Tserennadmid, the lead intern of the Sustainability and Tech Team, is going to be interviewing Stephanie Hayes Richards.
Ms. Richards is the founder and managing principal of Gnarly Tree Sustainability Institute, a woman-owned company and certified B corporation based in Bloomington, Indiana, that specializes in environmental policy and sustainability. Ms. Richards has an MPA from the O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs and an MBA from the Kelly School of Business. Her company, Gnarly Tree, brings together specialized teams for each consulting project, including faculty and students from Indiana University. It gives faculty an opportunity for applied research, and it also trains students to be the next generation of sustainability leaders.
Before we dive into that conversation, please rate and review our show on Apple Podcasts and follow the center on Instagram at @iuwomenandtech.
You can find out more about today's guests in the show notes and at womenandtech.indiana.edu.
Please enjoy the show.
Jinji: Stephanie, welcome to the show. It's our absolute pleasure to have you on our podcast.
Stephanie: Thank you. It's great to be here.
Jinji: To start off, can you share how your journey in environmental policy and sustainability began? Were there any pivotal moments that directed you towards this field?
Stephanie: So, my journey in sustainability began around 1996 when I first read the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's second assessment report. That report inspired me to study climate change and environmental policy in graduate school. And it wasn't until many years later that I realized that back then I was reading work that my husband contributed to.
Jinji: So, you established your company when sustainability was a fairly new concept. What does Gnarly Tree Sustainability Institute do, and what inspired you to establish it?
Stephanie: Gnarly Tree Sustainability Institute is a woman-owned company and a certified B Corporation based in Bloomington, Indiana. We specialize in environmental policy and sustainability, bringing together specialized teams for each consulting project. That often includes faculty and students from Indiana University. This provides clients with cost-effective consulting, gives faculty a chance to engage in applied research, and helps train students with real-world experience. I started the company to mentor students and help them become the sustainability leaders of tomorrow.
Jinji: A lot of my friends worked in your company and enjoyed the real-life opportunities. What aspects of your work are most impactful and essential in today’s complex landscape?
Stephanie: All aspects are impactful. We're advising developing countries on carbon taxes, leading sustainable farming projects, educating communities about renewable energy, and promoting inclusive public engagement. Each piece is essential to progress on sustainability.
Jinji: Gnarly Tree is known for integrating academic and practical perspectives. How does this approach enhance effectiveness in addressing challenges?
Stephanie: Everything we do is grounded in research and best practices. We pride ourselves on going above and beyond, tailoring solutions to unique client challenges instead of producing cookie-cutter answers.
Jinji: Navigating sustainability as a woman, what challenges and opportunities shaped your leadership style?
Stephanie: I honed qualitative research skills through surveys, focus groups, and interviews early on. Those experiences helped me develop best practices for inclusive engagement. I now use that same inclusive style with my team to ensure their perspectives shape business decisions.
Jinji: How did your experience at Indiana University influence Gnarly Tree?
Stephanie: At O’Neill, I studied environmental policy and natural resources management, which gave me a strong foundation. Later, at the Kelley School of Business, I studied marketing and entrepreneurship. Combining those passions led me to start Gnarly Tree.
Jinji: What advice would you offer students and women aspiring to enter sustainability?
Stephanie: There’s a lot of opportunity in this field. Take time to network, explore options, and discover what appeals to you the most.
Jinji: What emerging trends or innovations will shape sustainability consulting in the next decade?
Stephanie: Sustainability is moving beyond compliance to becoming central to business strategy. In the next decade, it will be even more deeply integrated into operations.
Jinji: What systemic changes are needed for sustainability to mature?
Stephanie: We need economic incentives aligned with decision-making, such as carbon pricing. Progress is being made, but more systemic change is needed to align business and personal decisions with protecting the environment.
Jinji: What skills are most important for students entering sustainability?
Stephanie: Professionalism, oral and written communication, and inclusivity are the three most important. Technical certifications are helpful but secondary to those core skills.
Jinji: And for succeeding globally?
Stephanie: The same skills apply—professionalism, cross-cultural understanding, and strong communication are key. I’ve worked on six continents, and those skills are essential everywhere.
Jinji: Our signature question: which woman has most influenced your professional journey?
Stephanie: Christiana Figueres, the former executive secretary of the UNFCCC. She led the negotiations of the Paris Agreement and succeeded where many others failed.
Jinji: Where can listeners learn more about your work?
Stephanie: Visit www.gnarlytreesustainability.com. You can also reach me through our website or on LinkedIn.
Jinji: Wonderful. Thank you so much for being here. This is Jinji with the Sustainability and Tech Alliance team. Thanks for listening.
Anshu: Thanks for listening to the Women of IU podcast. Thanks to Stephanie Hayes Richards and the Sustainability and Tech Team for this interview. Please leave us a review and follow us on Instagram at @iuwomenandtech.
This podcast was recorded by Rebecca Ramsey at the Center for Language Technology at IU. Thank you, Rebecca, for your wonderful work and support.
Stay tuned for the next episode of the Women of IU podcast. This is Anshu. Thanks for listening, everyone.