PHILADELPHIA, PA—Megan Maltenfort finds it a little amusing that she is regarded as a “subject matter expert” on sustainability, since she admits she's only been in her role as sustainability manager for laboratory supplies and services company VWR International for a few years. But she doesn't think it stops Millennials from having productive conversations about sustainability with older managers and executives.

“This has been part of the conversation for Millennials since we were younger,” she tells GlobeSt.com exclusively. “It might just be naturally part of our conversation where for Baby Boomers it might be a little more of a stretch to understand why this is important. The conversation is still happening and they are still receptive. It might just take a little more time to get them to understand the value of it all.”

Maltenfort is chairing a panel on “The Trials and Tribulations of Young, Cool Sustainability Leaders: The Now and the Future,” at this year's Tri-State Sustainability Symposium March 6 at Temple University. The daylong conference, hosted by the Delaware Valley Green Building Council, features panels on all facets of sustainability related to corporate operations as well as development of facilities and commercial properties.

“A lot of sustainability professionals wear a lot of hats,” says Maltenfort. “So I think that will be a large part of the conversation. Sustainability professionals have to have a lot of different skills.”

Appearing on Maltenfort's panel are Avi Fox, founder, Wild Mantle, a firm that creates sustainable hooded scarves; Liesel Schwarz, director of sustainability, Villanova University; and Ryan Spies, manager of sustainability strategic initiatives, Eastman Chemical Company.

Correction, 3/7/2015: A previous version of this story incorrectly referred to VWR International as an environmental services company. The company provides laboratory supplies and services.

Instant Insights /

Maltenfort: Millennials Can Discuss Sustainability with Boomers

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