Alex Houlston

It takes leadership to paint a picture of what's possible, even if it doesn't seem probable, and to persist where others fail

What was the most valuable thing you got out of CSL?

Fun, inspirational and memorable.

Why are you passionate about sustainability? What was the moment or event that made you decide to become a 'change maker' in your field?

I'm driven by a passion for transitioning Australia (initially!) to a clean energy economy, which also empowers local communities and addresses disadvantage, at the same time. I don't think I had a single inspirational moment, which made me want to become a 'change maker', but CSL was definitely a transformative experience for me, as it came quickly on the heels of immigrating to Australia, and enabled me to see what was possible. It also gave me a head-start in developing the network necessary to deliver.

Why is leadership for sustainability is important?

Without strong leadership in sustainability, business as usual will continue unabated. It takes leadership to paint a picture of what's possible, even if it doesn't seem probable, and to persist where others fail, or simply give up.

What do you plan to do next on your sustainability journey?

At Energy for the People, we're working on renewable micro-grid and off-grid projects, which will demonstrate that the improbable is eminently possible.