Kyle Ropski - SEA Case Story

Kyle Ropski is a Constituent Service Representative for the Office of Senator Nick Miller.

What brought you to this moment in your career where the Sustainability Excellence Associate (SEA) made sense for you?

The SEA made sense for me as I looked to gain more qualifying experience in the sustainability field following my graduation from Muhlenberg College in May of 2022. I majored in both economics and sustainability, but was eager to learn more in depth about the field to better position myself as a sustainability advocate. My previous experience with USGBC's LEED program led me to the ISSP as an avenue of further education to explore. I am particularly interested in the topics and solutions to some of our most challenging issues tied to the climate emergency such as water scarcity and urbanization.

I appreciate the insights provided to me through the program, and I plan to pursue SEP in the coming years.

How are you putting the knowledge, skills, and ability demonstrated in the SEA to work in your career (or work) today?

The most beneficial aspect of the SEA that I bring into my current career is the "big picture" analytical viewpoint of systems thinking. Many issues we face in sustainability involve a lot of moving parts, especially when it comes to approaching impactful legislation. Through my current position and the application of systems thinking I have learned so much about how to elevate ideas and enact change by connecting with local and state government officials, environmental advocacy groups, and community organizations. The Lehigh Valley (previously inhabited by the Lenni Lenape) is one of the fastest growing regions in the state. Its rapid growth only emphasizes the need to put sustainable development at the forefront of it's priorities for the sake of future generations. I hope to continue to advocate for sustainability in the area to the many stakeholders involved and utilize a systems thinking approach to achieve real progress.

For those starting out in the sustainability field, what advice do you have for them?

The best advice for those starting out in the field would be to just dive in and get involved in your immediate community as much as possible. Whether that be on your college campus, your local government, or wherever you call home. Attend webinars on issues you are interested in. Join your local environmental advisory council or club. If there is not one, then make it! It is important that the field has a presence in our communities as we transition into the clean energy economy and face the complications caused by the climate crisis. Interacting with people of different perspectives and viewpoints to escape informational echo chambers is a more valuable experience than any education. And most importantly - get out to vote! Encourage others to vote. Knock doors and register people to vote. The people in our communities have the power to leverage our politicians to expedite necessary change. The future generations are depending on us to make these changes now. The day you plant the seed is not the day you eat the fruit...

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Read perspectives from the ISSP blog

Turning Member Feedback into Action: ISSP’s 2026 Strategic Plan

By By Elizabeth Dinschel & Bangaly Kourouma • January 16, 2026

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Paper cut-out figures holding hands in a chain against a dark blue background.

Listening, Learning, and Rebuilding Connection: Reflections from Our First ISSP Town Hall

By Elizabeth Dinschel, December 18, 2025 • December 18, 2025

Elizabeth Dinschel, MA, MBA, is the Executive Director of ISSP Earlier this month, we hosted our first global ISSP Town Hall since I stepped into the role of Executive Director. I logged off that call energized, humbled, and deeply grateful for the honesty, generosity, and care that our members brought into the space. This Town Hall was never meant to be a one-way update. It was designed as a listening session — a chance for ISSP leadership and staff to hear directly from sustainability professionals across regions, sectors, and career stages. And you delivered. What follows are a few reflections on what I heard, what we learned, and where we’re headed next together. Why We Called This Town Hall ISSP has gone through a period of transition — new leadership, new staff, and a renewed focus on modernizing how we serve a truly global membership. Change can be energizing, but it can also create moments of uncertainty and disconnection. We knew we needed to pause, gather our community, and listen with intention. The Town Hall brought together members from multiple continents, industries, and disciplines. Sustainability practitioners, consultants, engineers, communicators, policy professionals, and career-transitioners all showed up with thoughtful questions and candid feedback. One thing was immediately clear: this community cares deeply about its work, about each other, and about ISSP’s role in supporting sustainability professionals at a challenging moment for the field.

Can sustainability be saved by tackling loneliness, not just CO₂ emissions?

By Raz Godelnik, Associate Professor • November 20, 2025

Raz Godelnik is an Associate Professor of Strategic Design and Management at Parsons School of Design — The New School. He is the author of Rethinking Corporate Sustainability in the Era of Climate Crisis . You can follow him on LinkedIn . Can sustainability be saved by tackling loneliness, not just CO₂ emissions? Earlier this month, I stopped at Sunshine Coffee in Laramie, Wyoming, on our way to Yellowstone Park. What brought me there was the fact that it’s a zero-waste coffee shop, with no single-use consumer items. In other words, there are no disposable cups — not for customers dining in, and not even for those who want their coffee to go, like I did. Instead, you can either bring your own reusable cup or get your drink in a glass jar for $1, which is refunded on your next order when you return it (or you can simply keep it, as I did). At first, I was excited about the zero-waste coffee shop concept, wondering what it would take for Starbucks and other coffee chains to adopt it and eliminate the waste that has become an integral part of our coffee (and other drinks) consumption. But as I waited for my coffee, I began to notice something else — something that had little to do with waste and everything to do with people. As I looked around, I noticed their stickers. Beneath the logo, it read: Zero waste. Community space . Suddenly it clicked — this coffee shop isn’t just about eliminating waste; it’s about creating a place where people feel connected. As owner and founder of Sunshine Coffee, Megan Johnson, explained in an interview with This is Laramie : “I wanted to bring sustainable values to Wyoming as well as build a business that serves the community.” That got me thinking about how the second part — serving the community — is integral to the first. After all, in a world where loneliness — a key barrier to people’s well-being — is on the rise, shouldn’t creating spaces for connection be just as central to sustainability as going zero waste?