Impact Points:
- Pioneering Leader: Founded Greening Forward, significantly supporting young environmentalists with over $250,000 in funding.
- Corporate Sustainability Advocate: At EY, Charles advises on crucial sustainability issues, enhancing corporate practices in energy, waste, water, and supply chain management.
- Creative Communicator: An accomplished writer and creative, represented by Bookends Literary Agency, Charles uses various mediums to promote environmental awareness.
Introduction
SDG News Rising Star: Charles Orgbon III is not just any sustainability consultant; he’s a visionary whose commitment to environmental advocacy started when he was just a child. Today, he blends his passion for sustainability with his role at Ernst & Young (EY), where he shapes major corporate practices to better address environmental and social challenges.
Early Beginnings
A Youthful Start Leading to Broad Impact
Charles Orgbon III’s environmental journey began at the tender age of 12 when he was moved to action by the litter he saw scattering his school’s campus. This early initiative led to the founding of Greening Forward, a nonprofit that has grown into a significant force for environmental change, empowering over 10,000 young activists to lead projects that have a tangible impact on their communities. Orgbon reflects on this experience, noting, “Young people bring a different mindset, energy, and creativity to the table.”
Career Development
From Grassroots to Global Consulting
Transitioning from grassroots environmental activism to global corporate consulting, Charles Orgbon joined EY’s Climate Change & Sustainability Services team in San Francisco. In this role, he leverages his deep understanding of environmental issues to advise clients on reducing their ecological footprints and integrating sustainable practices into their core operations. His work encompasses a broad array of critical issues from energy efficiency to human rights impacts in supply chains.
Creative Ventures
Using Art to Amplify Environmental Messages
Beyond the boardroom and community initiatives, Charles is also a prolific creator. He has authored children’s books, comics, articles, and songs that weave together narratives of sustainability and action, making the pressing issues of our time accessible and engaging to all ages. His representation by Bookends Literary Agency underscores his commitment to reaching a broader audience through creative expression.
Conclusion
Charles Orgbon III embodies the spirit of innovation and commitment required to tackle today’s environmental challenges. Through his foundational work with Greening Forward and his strategic role at EY, Charles has cemented his position as a leader in both thought and action in the environmental sector. His dual impact—cultivating young environmental leaders and shifting corporate behaviors towards sustainability—demonstrates a powerful model of leadership that bridges grassroots activism and corporate responsibility.
