17 for 17 Podcast: Stories of Sustainable Impact from Wellington to the World

What does it mean to build a career that truly makes a difference?

At Wellington, this question is explored through 17 for 17 – a new podcast series featuring conversations between current pupils and Old Wellingtonians working to create a more sustainable future.

Each episode connects to one or more of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, highlighting how careers across a wide range of fields can contribute to global progress. Together, they offer insight into how individual choices and professional paths can drive meaningful change.

With the final episode coming soon, here is a recap of the series so far:

 

Episode 1: Darcy Bourne (C 20): Hockey, Activism and Empowering Girls Through Sport
Darcy Bourne, Team GB hockey player and co-founder of Raising Her Game, shares how sport can empower girls from diverse backgrounds, combining elite performance with purpose-driven advocacy.

Episode 2: Honor Crawford (O 20): Communications, Conflict and Building Peace Through Storytelling
Honor Crawford, Account Executive at M&C Saatchi World Services, discusses how strategic communications can support global development, reduce inequality and strengthen communities.

Episode 3: Sam Baker (Bn 83): Managing Change through Partnerships
Former Deloitte Partner Sam Baker reflects on his transition into climate education and his work with Drivers for Change, who mobilise communities to tackle environmental challenges.

Episode 4: Tom Williamson (R 19): Cooling the Planet, One Nanostructure at a Time
Cambridge PhD student Tom Williamson explores how nanotechnology can improve solar panel efficiency, and the importance of linking research with industry and policy.

 

Episode 5: Miranda Simmons (Ap 85): Making TV That Doesn’t Cost the Earth
Production Executive and Sustainability Advisor Miranda Simmons shares how the film and TV industry can reduce its environmental impact while enhancing storytelling.

Episode 6: Jonathan Templing (Hg 92): Audit, Integrity and Impact in Crisis Settings
Working with the UNDP, Jonathan Templing offers insight into strengthening governance and accountability in complex global environments, including conflict zones.

Episode 7: Lucy Lee (Ap 98): Rethinking Food for People and Planet
WWF-UK’s Chief Advisor Lucy Lee discusses transforming food systems through collaboration between policy, business and environmental action.

Episode 8: Olivia Walter (Ap 91): The Science Behind Saving Species
Wildlife Vets International’s Olivia Walter explains how veterinary science supports biodiversity, human health and ecosystem resilience.

 

Episode 9: Jessy Banzoulou (M 25): Empowering Students to Drive Sustainability
Youth climate leader Jessy Banzoulou reflects on the role of climate literacy and student leadership in creating lasting environmental change.

Episode 10: Alex Vlassopulos (A 99): Founders, Fridges and Fighting Food Waste
Entrepreneur Alex Vlassopulos shares lessons from building Kitche, an app and digital platform helping households reduce food waste through data-led insights.

Episode 11: Georgiana Nason (O 23): From Fast Fashion to Climate Policy
Cambridge undergraduate Georgiana Nason explores the environmental impact of fast fashion in Chile and the importance of global collaboration in climate policy.

Episode 12: James Nason (O 89): Policy, Power and the Path to Net Zero
Senior public affairs advisor James Nason discusses shaping climate and energy policy, alongside practical sustainability work on his family’s 1000-acre farm.

 

Episode 13: Keira Salata (Ap 24): Youth Leadership and the Road to COP
Keira Salata shares her experience representing thousands of students at COP26 and COP28, championing youth voices in global climate discussions.

Episode 14: Audrey Davies (Ap 10): Engineering a More Equitable Healthcare System
Dr Audrey Davies reflects on her journey from engineering to medicine, and shares her perspective on sustainability in healthcare & the role clinicians can play in addressing inequality.

Episode 15: Ana Romero: Classroom to COP27 – Climate Leadership in Education
Wellington’s Head of Sustainability, Ana Romero, discusses empowering students through climate education and initiatives such as Mock COP.

Episode 16: Guy Battle (Bl 81): Rethinking Strategy for a Sustainable Economy
Social Value Portal CEO Guy Battle shares how organisations can measure and deliver meaningful social and environmental impact.

Episode 17: Coming Soon…

All episodes are available on Spotify and Vimeo, with the final instalment set to be released at the end of April.