Rising Stars in Sustainability: Assile Beydoun
- Date: 15 November 2024
- Author: Assile Beydoun, Global Sustainability Director, P&G
For as long as I can remember, my heart has been intertwined with the natural world. Growing up, I was that kid who would rescue stranded worms after a rainstorm or spend hours marveling at the intricate patterns of leaves and flowers. This deep-seated love for nature and all its creatures has shaped my life and career in profound ways.
Assile Beydoun, Global Sustainability Director, P&G
Fourteen years ago, I joined Procter & Gamble (P&G), a company that touches the lives of 5 billion consumers. I realized early on that if I wanted to make a significant impact, I needed to leverage the immense scale and reach of the private sector. This was the platform where my lifelong dream of driving large-scale change could become a reality.
I was also lucky enough to be able to channel my passion into tangible actions across all aspects of my life, from serving on the board of an NGO to publishing a book on plant-based eating for the planet. To further my knowledge and continue growing along this path, I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in Environmental Science and Policy at Johns Hopkins University. Over the years, I also have dedicated myself to community programs, particularly those that inspire and empower youth, because I believe they are the torchbearers of our future.
One of the initiatives closest to my heart is our work on building P&G’s nature strategy. At P&G, we understand that the success of our business is intricately linked to the health and sustainability of the natural environment. We are committed to responsible sourcing of key commodities like wood pulp, palm oil, and paper packaging together while respecting human, labor, and land tenure rights in our supply chains. We are also investing in a portfolio of projects to help protect, restore, or improve priority landscapes and we are supporting natural climate solutions. We recognize we cannot do this alone, which is why we collaborate with partners like WWF for broader impact. These collaborations exemplify the power of partnership and the role the private sector can play.
Working within a major corporation to drive sustainability is incredibly rewarding and can be complex at times. However, these challenges have also been opportunities to innovate, collaborate, and push boundaries. I’ve learned that real change often requires patience, persistence, the courage to think big and challenge the status quo. Integrating sustainability into our business strategies does not stop at reducing P&G’s environmental footprint, enabling our consumers to reduce their impact, and working with our peers, partners, and suppliers to create scalable solutions that can push the industry forward.
To all the aspiring environmentalists out there who are seeking a career in this very rewarding field, my heartfelt advice is to stay resilient and be humble enough to recognize you cannot do this alone. This journey is a marathon, not a sprint. There will be challenges and setbacks but remember that every small victory contributes to a larger goal. Stay committed, keep pushing forward, and work together with those around you who are treading the same path. Build networks, seek out partnerships, and learn from others. Together, we can achieve far more than we ever could alone.
This career path is one of continuous learning and unwavering commitment. As we strive to create a better world, let’s draw inspiration from our shared love for the planet and the knowledge that our efforts today will pave the way to make a lasting impact for a brighter tomorrow.
The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily represent the views of WWF.