Carolina Connor
As an experienced Director of Operations, Strategy and Business Development, with a passion for commercial and collaborative partnerships - I’ve been involved in getting business ideas off the ground and can provide support at various levels: from founding, funding, developing and managing local and international partners, to licensing content, client relationship management, business strategy, budgeting and projections whilst effectively identifying and developing routes to market. I have set up and managed successful partnerships and companies in Brazil, the UAE, Argentina, Mexico and the USA.
I'm bilingual in English & Spanish and proficient in Portuguese & Italian.
Whilst my experience has focused to date on managing an entrepreneurial business within a corporate structure and reporting at C-Suite and corporate level, I now have the opportunity to apply my leadership and operational experience in supporting start-ups and SMEs: advising on sustainable strategy and in particular, the application of circular economy business models and identifying values-aligned investment opportunities. Through impact investment, I also support companies that align with my values, like Clim8 Invest and Common Objective.
Experience relating directly to areas of sustainability
Following the completion of CISL’s Business Sustainability Management Course in April 2020, I have been focusing on learning more about the Circular Economy through the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, CISL’s Business Model Innovation for a Circular Economy Lab and The Circular Economy Masterclass at Exeter University. I have also completed a short course on How to Measure, Reduce and Offset a Company's Carbon Footprint through FutureLearn.
I have consulted for small and medium organisations and supported them through stakeholder engagement processes, sustainability strategy, targets and KPIs (environmental, social and financial), whilst analysing a variety of ESG and Sustainability frameworks to determine in context, the best alignment from the company’s perspective with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
I am also involved in several not-for-profit initiatives providing guidance and advise on sustainable business development and circular business strategy to start-ups and social enterprises around the world (We Make Change; Festival for Change, Build Back Better Hackathon, InfoLatinos).To date, this has included business plan and funding pitch development, identifying sustainable business frameworks and objectives for their operations and the funding mechanisms available.
Most recently, I have been exploring the circular economy principles with a focus on social justice, and through the help of entrepreneurial and leadership skills programs, have had the opportunity to provide support to underserved groups, including female founders and founders with disabilities.
I am co-founder of three organisations that aim to advance sustainability and the circular economy:
2N Management, an organisation providing circular economy and regenerative companies with access to funding, skills and talent and partnerships.
Sustaineers Network, a diverse community of business professionals who believe that business plays a critical role in achieving global sustainability goals
Sustaineers Consultants, an alliance of sustainability consultants, helping organisations to transition towards sustainable development and a regenerative, clean, and inclusive future.