"I believe in the power of people wishing to volunteer for initiatives rather than assignment of duties and responsibilities and having people feel as though it's a chore… (They) serve as champions in their areas to educate their fellow peers on what it means to be sustainable, what they can do that's in their power to contribute to the outcomes….And then as we started to become more mature…we formed structured committees, we leveraged those champions on the units to participate. We made it enjoyable in terms of participating. We actually have contests… (I)t just breeds excitement about sustainability and I think it just allows for a culture where people become engaged and part of the process."

Carol Gomes on Electric Ladies Podcast

Healthcare is a huge 18% of the economy and uniquely has to be caring well for patients and staff 24/7 every day while also vulnerable to extreme weather events itself. How do they do that, how do they cover those costs, and what can we all learn from them?

Listen to Carol Gomes (pronounced like "homes"), CEO and COO of Stony Brook University Hospital in this fascinating conversation with Electric Ladies Podcast host Joan Michelson.

You'll hear about:

● Their initiatives and systems to reduce energy and water consumption, CO2 emissions, waste and manage the significant hazardous waste a hospital generates. How "quality" is a mantra.

● How they have engaged their people, building a unique culture, to embrace sustainability.

● What Practice Green Health is and what other industries can learn from their data, analyses and sharing of best practices.

● Plus, career advice, such as:

"I would say use your voice sooner than later. And if you see something, say something. If you wish to express yourself and you have an opinion and you're sitting at a table, express it and don't be shy… I think also leveraging networking opportunities is really important and volunteering for a committee or stretching yourself a little more than you normally would, and exploring areas where you may feel you're not as strong and don't be fearful of that… building relationships is not text messaging. It's not leaving voice messages. It's talking face-to-face, getting to know people, what's important to them."

Carol Gomes on Electric Ladies Podcast

Read Joan's Forbes articles here.

You'll also like:

· Using Software & AI to Reduce CO2 & Increase Resilience – with Lydia Walpole & Chris Bradshaw of Bentley Systems

· Leveraging AI for Sustainability – with Mandi McReynolds, VP of External Affairs & Chief Sustainability Office at Workiva

· Music, Public Health & Climate Action – with Emma O'Brien, Ph.D., Global Scrub Choir

· Connecting With Curiosity – with Jennifer Hough, Author, TEDx Speaker, Advisor to Leaders

· Artificial Intelligence and the Climate: Stephanie Hare, Ph.D, author of "Technology is Not Neutral" and BBC Broadcaster

· Why Our Lives Depend on Women on Boards – with Corinne Post, Ph.D., Lee High University (now at Villanova)

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