Our careers are long and winding paths. As we evolve and grow, as our lives shift and change, so does what we are looking for in our work. Jobs come and jobs go as our priorities and obligations differ over the span of a career. Increasingly, people want to make a difference in the arena of impact they care about. From taking action on climate change to contributing to nature loss and reducing harm to our animal friends, to seeking justice and equity for those experiencing vulnerability and discrimination. As I like to say, working in sustainability is a rich opportunity field - there is, sadly, no shortage of the need for brilliant, clever people to support and play a role in making this world more just, more healthy and more beautiful.

The noise in recent months caused by Rutger Bregman’s ‘Moral Ambition’ posits a simple theory - the world needs the best and brightest working on the most challenging, urgent and pressing problems our civilisation and planet faces (leaving aside the many and high quality critiques of the book). I’ve seen firsthand over the course of my career how impenetrable and inaccessible working in or simply contributing to a sustainability project, problem or business can feel for many. Complex science is overlaid with every combination of letters to form the infamous ESG labelling mess to make understanding a way in overwhelming. Add in the reasonable fears, doubts and insecurities we all feel of switching careers or finding a meaningful opportunity to make a difference, and it can be easier to ignore the inner knock - ‘when are you going to make the move you really want to…?’

This night is about addressing this. Through the stories of setbacks and successes from others in the Finding Nature community plus expert guidance and activities, you’ll come away with greater confidence, increased clarity and a clear sense of what comes next for you as you look to make change within your organisation, separate to your day job or if you’re willing to have the faith required to launch yourself through an archway of new professional adventures.

To help us on the night we will be exploring the tools and methods of intrapreneurship, building a side hustle and the way to build a platform to make the big jump with some special guests and tutors:

Mark Rowland - A serial entrepreneur, seasoned business leader, and catalyst for large-scale impact. With a career spanning multiple ventures, industries and continents, Mark brings deep insight into navigating career transitions and life-changing relocations. On the night, he’ll share candid stories from his journey and the mindset shifts and psychological frameworks he uses personally and with others to unlock potential, inspire clarity, and fuel bold moves forward.
Abbie Brett - In pursuit of what makes people tick, Abbie organises and hosts Sydney’s League of Intrapreneurs. All of our work involves seeking to influence and persuade others within organisations of all sizes whether as insiders or advisors yet few of us have clear approaches to being that inner change maker. Abbie and her work with The League of Intrapreneurs will help you better understand the ways to succeed in working alongside and inside these systems, and what is available to all of us to be more impactful on the topic and issues we care no matter what our role is.
Me! Finally stepping down off of the organising block and putting down my illuminated wands as the tarmac marshal at these events, I’ll share my own experience and the way I went about creating Finding Nature away from my day job. I’ll share the readings, programs and ways of working I’ve experimented with, tried out, been helped by and has allowed me to create this remarkable community and endeavour.

We’ll also have some speakers (to be announced) to share on how they’ve made different career transitions we can all relate to and learn from.

This night is for those looking to answer that inner knock. How can I shift? Whether that’s with the tools of intrapreneurship, to have a go at making your own little operation as a counter-balance to the day job and a stepping stone to what may come next, or to just jump.

We all need help, and this night is aimed at exactly that. Your next opportunity may just lie on the other side of coming along.

As always, your ticket includes enjoying Gus_tronomy incredible work on the kitchen tools, with our friends at Grifter Brewing Co helping with drinks.