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As Noa Greene (Mgmt, Mktg’25) prepares to graduate and embark on a big move to Kibbutz Ma'agan Michael in northern Israel, she plans to continue pursuing her passion for sustainability, which flourished during her time at Leeds. In addition to majoring in sustainable management and marketing, Noa valued her engagement with the Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility and earning the SRE Certificate.

Here, Noa shared her thoughts about her undergraduate experiences and opportunities. As she looks ahead to her future, she explained that "a kibbutz is an agricultural community founded on the values of community, reciprocity and connection. In entering this space, it allows me to experience a complicated part of the world in a way that is rooted in connection."

What led you to study at Leeds?
My passion for sustainability has always been a catalyst, propelling me toward places and spaces that can enhance this part of me. Leeds created an academic space that fueled my passion for sustainability and expand my knowledge. I knew I wanted a more realistic lens in my approach to socially responsible business. I wanted to be empowered to bridge the gap between consumerism and consciousness in a way that understands the complexities and nuances of a business.

What excites you most about Leeds?
Being in a business environment, I am surrounded by future changemakers and trailblazers. I am consistently inspired by my peers’ dedication to wielding business as an instrument of social change. Those I have surrounded myself with excite me, challenge me, motivate me, and go beyond mere encouragement and into a space of empowerment for me to fail, fail again, be challenged, and ultimately grow. Ìý

What challenges have you faced during your time in college? How did you overcome them?
As any college student, I have had to overcome great challenges and endure the adversity that life has thrown at me. Outside of the personal hardships that come with being human, I would say a challenge I have faced during college is the notorious comparison game. Whether it be grades, accomplishments, jobs, or professional opportunities, there have always been moments when I wonder if I am doing enough, networking enough, pursuing enough …

To navigate and overcome this, I simply became my own best friend. The notorious comparison game dissolved when I learned who I really am and I became my own strongest advocate. My intuition became my most trusted advisor and compass, reminding me to honor and celebrate my unique journey. As a senior about to embark on my own path, it has become evident that worth is not determined through comparison, but rather through the commitment to personal authenticity and being a lifelong learner.

"I believe empathy is a crucial element in the sustainability-driven workplace."

Noa Greene (Mgmt, Mktg'25)

What long-term goals do you have, whether professional or personal?Ìý
When I take a moment to envision my future, both personally and professionally, my mind turns to how I will work to create a brave space in the environments I work in. Creating a brave space transcends the concept of a safe space—it is about cultivating an environment where we take the time to go beyond mere encouragement and move into a space of flourishing empowerment. One day, when I hold an impact role, hopefully leading a team of wonderful individuals working toward restoring harmony within the environment, my ultimate goal will be to empower emerging leaders to find the inner strength to transform our deepest convictions into meaningful action.

The decision to move to the Kibbutz is rooted in an aspiration to be a partner in tikkun olam (repairing the world)—the vital work of repairing and rebuilding through pluralism, democracy, justice, empathy and coexistence. As I look both to the future and within myself, I embrace my place in these spaces between. I choose to exist within these fragmentary cracks, fueled by a passionate commitment to rebuilding.

What is something you’re proud of that you’d done while at Leeds?
Over the years, I have worked in some phenomenal spaces, all driven by a mission, including the Boulder Farmers Market, Sati Soda, Mad Agriculture and Munson Farms. I engineered these opportunities by relentlessly pursuing roles that align with my key values. I derive pride from the fact that I created these opportunities for myself. Persistent outreach (at times maybe too persistent), strategic networking and bold communication transformed my professional dreams into reality! Proving to yourself that you can architect the career path you desire is amazing. And that is what I take pride in.

What is a skill that you possess that you can’t put on a resume?
My empathy is a silent superpower that allows me to step into another’s world and unveil their unspoken narratives. To me, empathy goes beyond being a soft skill, but rather a transformative tool that bridges gaps, fosters trust and creates connections. It is an art of truly seeing people for all that they are, and appreciating what it means to be complex, nuanced, and frankly, messy human beings. Ìý

While I can’t emphasize this on a resume, I believe empathy is a crucial element in the sustainability-driven workplace. As I tackle environmental challenges, my empathy will be what enables me to connect farmers and urban consumers, or community stakeholders with agricultural researchers. Empathy is simply the tool that will transform the sustainable objectives and thresholds in the workplace into tangible, human-centered solutions.