Meet our new Sustainability Project Manager, Karla Pastor

In September, we welcomed Karla Pastor to the Lejeune team as our new Sustainability Project Manager. She kicked off her journey with us in Brussels at the Labelexpo, where the entire FINAT team gathered. What a fantastic way to immerse herself in the world of FINAT! Karla, a warm welcome to Lejeune, and we eagerly anticipate a fruitful collaboration.

Who is Karla?

‘I'm 33 years old, and I currently reside in Utrecht. I was born and raised in Mexico City, Mexico. Six years ago, I made the life-changing decision to move to the Netherlands, and I have never looked back. I absolutely adore this country.’

What did you study?

‘In Mexico, I pursued a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering. This comprehensive program allowed me to develop expertise across various fields. As an industrial  engineer, my role involved from project management, improve efficiency and quality of processes to,  valuate or scale up a company. 

What were you doing before joining Lejeune?

‘Prior to joining Lejeune, I spent five years working in the pharmaceutical industry in Mexico. However, I yearned for a change, a shift towards sustainability. Consequently, I moved to the Netherlands and embarked on a two-year journey to obtain my Master's degree in Sustainable Business and Innovation from the University of Utrecht.’

During my studies and while working on my thesis, I secured a position in the social-banking sector. My role focused on internal operations and finances with an emphasis on sustainability. Banks within this network, such as Triodos and FMO, prioritize positive social and environmental impacts in their banking practices.

In the past year, I also contributed in the elaboration of a CSR road map, which entails guiding global accounting firms on how to implement the CSR (Corporate Sustainability Reporting).’

What motivated you to join Lejeune's team?

 ‘My motivation was rooted in the pursuit of a fresh challenge and the desire to work for an organization making a positive impact. When I met the team at Lejeune, I sensed their dedication to making a difference, and they were incredibly welcoming. I strongly believe that I can make a meaningful impact within this organization, especially considering the pressing challenges posed by climate change. I look forward to assisting our clients in navigating regulations and implementing the CSRD.’

Which clients will you be working with?

‘I'll be providing support to projects related to sustainability for FINAT & Afera. This entails overseeing regulatory affairs related to sustainability and also implementing a tool for calculating the CO2 footprint.

Finally, what are your hobbies?

My hobbies include aerial silks (feel free to ask me about it when you meet me), and I'm currently engaged in studying Dutch. I am about to reach a B1 level proficiency, and as many can attest, Dutch is quite challenging to learn, especially when transitioning from English instead of my native language, Spanish.