This fall, Net Impact UW Undergraduate hosted Pathways to Impact: Sustainability Speed Networking — a first-of-its-kind professional development event designed to help students explore career paths at the intersection of business, policy, and environmental impact. 

This event brought together mission-driven professionals from across the Greater Seattle area who are advancing sustainability through innovation, strategy, and systems change.

For students who were deeply passionate about climate action or just beginning to explore sustainability, this event helped attendees gain clarity, build meaningful professional connections, and discover career paths that create positive impact.

Event Overview

(1) Speaker Panel | 6:00 – 6:30 PM
Heard from sustainability leaders across industries as they shared their career journeys, insights from the field, and perspectives on building impact-driven careers. Panelists reflected diverse backgrounds and roles, including ESG strategy, climate legislation, decarbonization, corporate responsibility, and clean technology.

(2) Speed Networking | 6:30 – 7:30 PM
Connected students with professionals in small rotating groups to explore sustainability career pathways across industries such as:

• Financial Services & ESG Investing

• Consumer Goods & Circular Economy

• Technology & Climate Innovation

• Supply Chain & Operations

• Government & Policy

• Consulting & Corporate Strategy

This event was designed to foster meaningful mentorship and interdisciplinary connection, giving students the opportunity to ask real questions, gain career clarity, and expand their network in a supportive environment.