Constanza Moreno-Sánchez is a Student Entreprise Officer at the University of Edinburgh,  supporting student entrepreneurship and skill building, including implementing sustainability in their businesses. In our conversation, we discussed her work in detail, but we also touched on intrapreneurship, her dealing with a challenging period because of visa, networking tips for introverts, her source of inspiration and of course, food. Now, let’s dive in.

Chapters:
⁠(00:00) Introduction
⁠(00:57) Moving from Mexico to Edinburgh
⁠(03:14) Supporting startups and daily work routine
⁠(07:29) Implement sustainability in every business
⁠(13:05) AI as a trend and its impact
⁠(16:07) Being an intrapreneur and future ambition
⁠(22:33) A challenging period
⁠(29:01) Networking tips for introverts
⁠(31:49) Role models
⁠(37:00) Book recommendations on sustainability
⁠(39:21) Climate-friendly food

Listen to the podcast or read the transcript below.

Yongsi: What brings you all the way from Mexico to Edinburgh?

Constanza: It's actually going to be eight years since I arrived in Edinburgh on the 6th of September. I came to do a master's at Edinburgh University in Sustainable Resource Management. I was meant to just stay for a year. I came on a full scholarship. I needed to go back or else I had to repay everything.That was my plan.

I quit my job. Actually, in my last job, they told me to take the year as a sabbatical and come back. But I wanted a career shift from logistics and supply chain, so I said no, even though I liked the company I used to work for. I thought, "This is an opportunity; I'll just go." I quit, took my year off, and during that time, I met my now-husband.

So, I ended up staying for eight years. Now we have a kid, a dog, and a great group of friends. I'm fully settled here. It was stressful because I had to fix all the scholarship issues since I wasn't going back. I worked for a Mexican company for a while without pay for quite a few months. But in the end, everything turned out okay.

I love Edinburgh! Ever since I came, the year went by so fast. At one point, I was thinking of doing a PhD, but in the end, I decided to just stay and go back to work.

Yongsi: You’ve come a long way. And Now you’re working at the University of Edinburgh, supporting student entrepreneurship. Can you give us more details?

Constanza: Yeah, sure! I’m an Enterprise Officer at the Student Enterprise Team here at Edinburgh Innovations, which is basically the commercialization service of the University of Edinburgh. It’s like an arm of the university. My team helps students turn their ideas into startup social enterprises or successful ventures.

We’re divided into two parts: the Skills and Delivery Team and the Business Advisory Team. I’m part of the Skills and Delivery Team, and my job is to deliver entrepreneurship workshops. We cover everything from ideation (how to come up with a startup idea) to getting funding and learning how to pitch effectively.

And then I also design programs. I specifically lead a program called Power Her Up, which is for women entrepreneurs here at the University of Edinburgh. I should mention that this program is open to both students and alumni, so those who graduated less than two years ago can still receive free advice from us and attend our workshops and events.

On the other hand, we listen to feedback from students every year and make changes based on that. We also notice trends, like the rise of AI and tech, and we implement those into our workshops and programs. Another part of my job involves running networking events for founders to connect. We’re trying to create a community of founders not just at Edinburgh University but also from other universities, helping them find co-founders and meet people who can support them, including a community of women entrepreneurs.

And what else… I do a lot of things! Another aspect, which isn’t formal but happens a lot, is that students book one-on-one meetings with me because I have a background in sustainability. I help them implement sustainability within their ventures.

So, day-to-day for me looks quite different throughout the year. During the academic year, it’s all about program delivery and workshop delivery—basically giving talks and running workshops every day. In summer, things are quieter in terms of students but not in terms of work; it’s all about redesigning our programs and planning for the next academic year.

We also do outreach within the university, working with academics to embed entrepreneurship into the curriculum. We want students to think about becoming entrepreneurs because not many realize they have the skills or that it’s something they could do. You know how it is—people often think, “I might do it one day,” but we can give them the skills to help them start!

Yongsi: Your work sounds very dynamic! You mentioned that you help students implement sustainability within their ventures. How do you do it?

Constanza: I'm sorry about that. Don’t worry! So basically, when I started here, I was really interested in sustainability. When I looked at the programs we had and saw all the presentations for our workshops, I noticed that sustainability was embedded in them. But I thought, “Can I dig a little deeper?” The feedback was positive, but they also cautioned that we couldn’t make it too complicated or overwhelming because we had complaints before about sustainability being too much for students. The focus on sustainability was often just about which Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) a student’s idea supported, and that wasn’t enough. I thought, “Okay, let me see what I can do.” I’ve worked on engaging people and making sustainability accessible without overwhelming them. My goal is to excite them about it instead. The reason my team decided to include more information and support was that people started reaching out to me.

When I began working here, students started reaching out to say, “Can you guide me a little bit on this because I do want to incorporate sustainability within my idea?” We often discuss how a business or startup doesn’t have to focus solely on environmental or social issues, but there are ways to incorporate sustainability into any business model. And that's what we should be doing.

It’s important to show students that if they want to grow a high-growth business, they need to consider policies and legislation from the start. For example, if they want to sell in the EU or the US, there are compliance requirements they need to be aware of. I have experience in supply chain management, especially with exporting goods to the US, so I try to emphasize that this is worth considering from the beginning.

I’ve always said that starting with sustainability is easier than trying to implement changes once a company has grown large. In my last job, the company started as a startup with amazing opportunities. But as it grew rapidly into a big company, making changes became much more complicated.

Now, many students reach out for help, so we’re embedding sustainability more into our programs. We always stress that it’s not about greenwashing; it’s about doing your best and figuring out what you can do.

So, this is just an example: I recently gave a master class for our Startup Summer Accelerator on supply chain, and I focused a lot on green supply chains. After the session, a few students reached out to me, saying things like, “Okay, I’m producing this—can you help me think about what I need to consider if I want to be greener?” They were looking at everything from where to produce and packaging to the actual product itself. Some of them hadn’t even considered how product design would impact their choices, like what materials to use and the size of the product.

It’s encouraging to see students becoming more interested and invested in sustainability. Young people today are much more aware of climate change and the news surrounding it; they want to make a difference. So, I hope that answers your question!

My colleague Sarah and I, who both work on sustainability, have put together a section specifically focused on sustainability. This way, students have a one-stop shop to find the basics. If they want to dig deeper, they can always book a meeting with me.

Yongsi: Besides sustainability, are there any other aspects or topics in business that you’re specialised in?

Constanza: And one of the trends that I'm actually focusing on is AI and digital technology, and the footprint that has. I’m going to more webinars, reading more about it, and attending talks. Students are reaching out to say things like, “Okay, I’ve got this startup that uses AI because now everyone wants to use AI for everything. How can I reduce the impact of this?”.

To be fair, I don’t have enough expertise in this area yet, but I definitely want to learn more because it’s a big trend. It’s important to think about where to even start when considering my impact when it comes to AI.

Yongsi: As you said before, it’s much easier to implement sustainability values before a company grows big. And if AI looks to be a technology that everyone will use, we should care about its impact from the beginning.

Constanza: Exactly. I went to a talk the other day about data and AI and the difference it’s made.

Everyone on the panel was discussing the benefits of AI, and there was an amazing example from a vertical farm. But then, no one was talking about the impact and emissions. Nobody asked that question.

In the end, I raised my hand and said, “I have one last question. How do you consider emissions? How are you measuring emissions related to AI in your company?” They replied, “Actually, we haven’t even started thinking about that.” Oh my god! I thought, “Fair enough; it’s still very new, and people are still developing things around that.” I asked if they had any policies or best practices for using AI, and they said, “Nope.” That blew my mind.

But the university is actually releasing kind of like their policy and best practices when it comes to AI because, you know, it's something that we need to consider, especially from a sustainability point of view.

Yongsi: We talked a lot about you helping others become entrepreneurs. Do you see yourself as an entrepreneur as well?

Constanza: I consider myself an intrapreneur, basically going into companies with the mindset of wanting to develop new ideas and initiatives. That’s actually how I got this job. I don’t have a startup, but my goal was to gain confidence and learn more so I could eventually start my own thing. What they liked about me was that push that I have.

In my previous roles, I worked in supply chain and logistics, which I often say I didn’t enjoy because I wanted to have a positive impact on the world. However, that experience turned out to be super useful when shifting to sustainability, especially regarding supply chains and Scope 3 emissions, which are the biggest emissions for companies. My background in supply chain made it easier for me to understand how things work.

When I started at a company, I always looked into their environmental credentials to see if it was a good fit. Once I was in, I’d think, “Okay, I’ve got this logistics job, but can I also do something on the side?” My last job was at Ooni Pizza Ovens, where I worked for almost five years. I started in logistics and supply chain focusing on the U.S. market. During my interview, I pointed out that they had impact funds and were planting trees, and I also asked if there was anything else they were doing. They mentioned wanting to become a B Corp but didn’t have anyone focused on that.

I asked if I could take it on as a personal project, and they said yes! It was an incredible opportunity and I’m really grateful for that. A year later, I had a team because I realized I couldn’t manage everything while also growing the U.S. market. So, I hired someone—first as an intern, then it became a permanent position—and eventually we built an actual team focused on regenerative business.

So, in a way, I consider myself an entrepreneur because all these skills are really helpful when you go into a company, especially if you want to change things.

Yongsi: So you want to start your own business eventually. Do you have any ideas in mind if you don’t mind sharing?

Constanza: I’ve been toying with different ideas, and hopefully, in the near future, I’ll settle on something specific. Now that I’ve become a mom, I need more flexibility, and working here is flexible. But I want something different—something that fits into the life I want, where I can spend more time with family, etc. I know it’s really hard when you’re starting a business, though.

I actually went to an ideation session recently, which was amazing! It used the moonshot method. I’ll send you a link afterward. I attended because I wanted to learn more about it and found myself in the students' shoes. I came in without a specific idea to develop, so the facilitator encouraged us to think about something we’re really passionate about—just like I tell students in my own sessions. It was really hard being on the other side!

During the session, we talked about different frameworks. At the end, several people approached me and said my frameworks sounded interesting. They asked where I was in my process. I said that I didn’t have anything—I was just making it up for this session! They encouraged me to explore it further.

There are so many frameworks out there when it comes to sustainability, and it’s hard to know which one to use. Some frameworks are a minefield; they can be so complicated! One of the most popular ones right now is B Corp, which is a good framework for startups but definitely not perfect. There are so many options that it’s overwhelming—like an environmental P&L; I wouldn’t even know how to start with that! The Future Fit Framework is another one that looks great but feels daunting.

Anyway, I've been working on an environmental framework that startups could use, and that might be my idea! I don’t know yet, but it was interesting being on the other side.

Yongsi: I’d like to go back to the period when you had a stressful time because of the visa. I know in situations like that, you have very limited options in terms of work. And you have been so passionate about getting involved in sustainability, which usually falls outside the scope of work that qualifies a visa in the UK. What did you do about it?

Constanza: I feel really privileged and lucky. When I finished my studies, I really wanted to stay, but I was wondering how I was going to do it and get a visa. I considered a PhD, but it didn't feel like the right time. It would have been ideal because I still had the scholarship, so I could have extended it. But the master's had been quite stressful, and I hadn't been a full-time student for a while, so I found it quite hard applying for the PhD while writing my dissertation. It was just a lot, and I wasn't ready.

I also wasn't sure if I was cut out for academia. Now I talk to students about turning their research into startups and spinning out of the university, but back then, I didn't think it was for me or that it was the right time. Luckily, I met my partner, now my husband, and he was really supportive. We lived on his income, and what kept me sane was volunteering. It was really hard not working, because I had worked all my life. Then I was a student. And then I was eager to use my knowledge.

Also, I started networking and really enjoyed meeting people, forming communities, bringing people together, and getting them talking about sustainability and sharing ideas. Around COP26, Adam Bastock started People Planet Pint. After COP26, he went to a pub and posted on LinkedIn, saying “if anyone wants to join me, I'm here. I'm having a few pints. Let's chat about COP26 and sustainability.” It was successful with quite a lot of people turning up, so he continued it. He was in Glasgow, then came to Edinburgh and thought it would be a good place to start a group too.

I went to the first Edinburgh event, and we instantly clicked and became friends. I started running the Edinburgh group too. It's been really fulfilling and has kept me going when I've wondered if I was in the right job, or when I didn't have a job. Meeting so many people brought opportunities. For example, I met two future colleagues at People Planet Pint. They talked about how amazing their jobs were, and when I saw an opening, I asked them for tips. It was really helpful.

Basically, I run People Planet Pint in Edinburgh. It’s a monthly meetup for anyone interested in sustainability, whether you work in the sector or are just curious. It's relaxed and open. We meet at a pub and chat, sometimes with six people, sometimes with 80 to 100. Every few months, I organize talks, which is how we met, because I invited Max, one of your friends, to talk at our COP28 event. Those events usually attract around 80 people.

So I organize talks and bring people together with a pint. It's been amazing! It's now a global movement - it’s all over the UK, and it's started in other countries like Hawaii (the US), France, and Australia. It's everywhere, and it's a really big and nice community now.

Yongsi: Do you have any tips for networking, especially for people who are a bit shy or introverted?

Constanza: Yeah, it's hard. I consider myself an introvert, and people don't believe me. They're like, 'No way!' But I am! It's become easier with practice.

A few years ago, the thought of just walking into a room full of people would have been awful. Moving to Edinburgh and not knowing anyone gave me a push. When I finished my master's, which was a small program with only eight people, most of them left because they were international students. So, I was left with just my partner. That gave me the push to go to a sustainability meetup or a film screening by myself. It's worth doing it because you never know who you'll meet, and it's a good experience. Networking brings a lot, especially at work. It's good to practice outside of work.

Try to go to something that isn't too formal. I hate those super-organized, structured "networking events." Some people like them, but I don't. If there's something in a relaxing setting, like People Planet Pint at a pub, you can always leave if you're tired or it's not for you. No one will notice.

Just do it, put yourself out there. If you don't feel like it's going well, you can just leave. But normally, it will bring you more good than bad. It's scary, but you'll see afterwards that you were making it up in your head. It's not as scary as you think.

Yongsi: Along your journey, is there anyone whom you can lean on for support? Or someone like a role model to you?

Constanza: My husband apparently is a saint. He has to deal with all my crazy things. When I thought about your interview question about role models, I realized that the people I admire are those who've had a direct impact on my life, people I've crossed paths with and who've been close to me.

One of the reasons I hadn't done this podcast earlier was because my dad passed away. But now I've been thinking about it a lot, and I realize he was a huge role model. I've been thinking more about where my passion for sustainability, my desire to work in the field, and my care for nature, people, and communities came from. A lot of it came from him. Since we were little, he took us to nature. I also read a lot; I always want to learn, and that came from him too. He was always learning and sending me TED talks, YouTube videos, and information about courses and books. The last thing we connected on was growing our own food. I've been bad about that in Edinburgh, but back in Mexico, I had my urban food garden. Recently, he was living outside the city, growing his own food, and he had so many lemon trees and avocados. It's been really nice to think back and realize what a positive impact he had on my life.

Recently, networking has also brought so many good things. One person who's been so important in the last few months, especially when I was transitioning from my past job, is Mark Shayler. It had been a while since I was comfortable in my last job, but I couldn't quit. I felt like a failure. Then I met Mark when he was a consultant at Ooni, and we started working closely together and became friends. If you haven't heard of him, you should definitely connect with him on LinkedIn. He recently launched a book called You Can't Make Money From a Dead Planet. He even came to give a talk about his book when I invited your friend Max to speak. He does amazing things in terms of carbon footprinting, circularity, and product design.

He's been incredible in terms of mentoring me. What I admire most is that he's so busy, but he always has time for people. He always has something positive and encouraging to say. That's something I've focused on lately: if I can help someone, I'll do it. If I have the time and space, why not give back to people? It's really nice. I do take care of my time, but if I have some space, why not use it to help? He's been quite inspirational for me in the past year.

Yongsi: You said you love reading. Do you have any recommendations on books about sustainability?

Constanza: So, as I mentioned, Mark's book is really good, so I recommend reading You Can't Make Money from a Dead Planet by Mark Shayler.

Another great resource, especially now that I'm focusing on female entrepreneurship, is Climate Justice: A Man-Made Problem With a Feminist Solution from Mary Robinson. She also has a podcast, which I think stopped a while ago, called Mothers of Invention, which focuses on climate solutions from women. It's amazing, so I definitely recommend listening to it.

Another recommendation is Citizens from Jon Alexander, which I believe was released two years ago. I got to work with Jon Alexander, and it was an amazing experience. His book is fantastic; I recommend everyone read it. It's about the power we have as citizens, the agency and power we have as a community, and the changes we can make if we work together. It encourages us to be less individualistic and care more for others, highlighting our collective power to change things and design a different future.

And finally, there's the Futurenauts podcast with Ed Gillespie and Mark Stevenson, which is also super interesting. I definitely recommend everyone listen to it if you're interested in sustainability.

Yongsi: To close this podcast, what's your favorite recipe that's also climate friendly?

Constanza: It's really hard because obviously my favorite food is Mexican. I'm a vegetarian, so it's quite hard going to Mexico. Even though there are so many vegetables and fruits, and everything is fresh, which it's so different from the UK, it's quite meat-heavy. Even if you're eating soup, it'll be cooked with chicken broth. When I ask if they have anything without meat, they'll say, 'Oh, this has ham.' And I'm like, 'Yeah, but that's still meat!' It's quite hard.

Recently, I started going vegan for health reasons, which is even more difficult. I don't know if I have a specific climate-friendly recipe because all Mexican food has cheese, which is amazing. But I am quite conscious about what's in season. One thing that I love right now is blackberries. Just behind my house, there are so many bushes. Going with my son, picking up the blackberries, and then making a crumble or jam. We do whatever we can with what's in season.

Living in the UK, it's hard because you get tired of eating the same thing every time – potatoes! I know there are a lot of things, but when it comes to fruit, I try not to give myself a hard time when I want to enjoy an avocado. However, I've become more conscious about what I eat and where it comes from. Sometimes I see blueberries or strawberries flown in from who-knows-where, and it's like, the UK produces so much, why are they selling this here? So, I'm looking into food miles.