Education
2007 Forum for the Future Master’s Programme in Leadership for Sustainable Development – a unique, world-class degree focusing on the practical implementation of sustainable development in society
2004 University of British Columbia, Bachelor of Arts in Human Geography - with a focus on sustainable development; maintained merit-based Scholarship & Dean’s Honors, the equivalent of a first in the United Kingdom
2000 Global Living Project Diploma in Sustainability Principles and Ecological Footprinting
Work Experience
2007 (Oct – ongoing): Environmental Consultant – Freelance (London)
Helped create, manage and research projects related to sustainability for the corporate sector. Conducted market research and developed a business case for two new climate change publishing projects for Haymarket publishing. Conducted market research and developed a marketing, communications and promotion strategy for a new and innovative adaptation-based climate change product for the voluntary carbon marketplace, run by a consortium of NGOs.
2007 (Aug – ongoing): Creator, Project Manager and Writer – The ENDS Guide to Carbon Offsets, Haymarket Publications (London) www.endscarbonoffsets.com
Creator, project manager and lead writer of the most comprehensive guide to the voluntary carbon offset marketplace – the largest annual project of its kind worldwide. Led the research, writing and creation of a 50-page report of academic-level detail, published in May of 2008 and 2009 by the leading environmental intelligence journal in the UK – the first time that ENDS has ever hired an external consultant to write a complete supplement.
2005 (May – ongoing): Director - Ewing Communications Pte Ltd (Singapore) www.ewingcomm.com.sg
Member of the Board of Directors of the family-owned training and consultancy company. Duties include hiring, creating new training modules on media skills, revising existing material, meeting clients, and developing new media, promotions and sales strategies for the company. Conducted Media Skills and Presentation Skills training for Cisco Systems, SAP and Siemens and Pro-Bono work for the Make a Wish foundation, National Kidney Foundation and Habitat for Humanity.
2005 (Jan – Dec): Journalist – The Hindu Newspaper, Frontline Magazine (Chennai, India) http://tejasewing.googlepages.com - www.thehindu.com - www.frontlineonnet.com
Specialised in environmental, development and social-justice related reporting and analysis for one of the most influential and respected English-language newspapers in India, with a circulation of over one million and a readership of over six million. Had over 50 stories published (including two front-page stories), magazine articles, feature-length pieces and photographs. Wrote for every supplement of the newspaper, including science/technology, education, society, arts, music, theatre and film. Worked as an editor for Frontline magazine, an in-depth news analysis magazine published by The Hindu. Provided photos for the book ‘Culture Shock India’ by Gitanjali Kolanad.
2005 (April – Dec): Creative Consultant – Graf Design (Chennai, India)
Worked on various advertising and PR campaigns with environmental and eco-travel themes. Helped create the website, promotional and educational materials for the first environmentally-friendly hotel in Chennai: www.raintreehotels.com
2003-04 (Sep 03 – May 04): Residence Sustainability Coordinator – Totem Park Residence, UBC (Vancouver, BC, Canada) www.housing.ubc.ca/totem/totem_overview.htm
Supervised strategic environmental planning for over 1200 students in a junior residence hall at the University of British Columbia (UBC). Responsibilities included strategic planning, project management, mentoring staff and residents, and implementing new policies. Achievements included implementing a full composting scheme for all food waste and phasing out disposable packaging.
2001 (Mar – Sep): Co-Founder and Joint Project Manager – Youth Encouraging Sustainability (YES), in partnership with the Eco-Care Conservancy (Powell River, BC, Canada)
Jointly created and ran a non-profit organization focused on promoting Sustainable Development in a town of 20,000 people. Created a survey to assess local awareness, a curriculum for educating teenagers in the Canada World Youth volunteer program, a time-tracking and administration system, budget and an in-depth final report, with recommendations for local government. Raised funds and awareness through grant applications, and media outreach. Supervised staff in fundraising, event planning, survey distribution, and report writing.
Project Experience
2007: House of Lords, Liberal Democrat Party (London, UK)
Worked with Lord Dholakia, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Peers, on research for a major piece of legislation on making Forced Marriage a civil crime. Wrote a ten-minute speech in support of the legislation, which was delivered verbatim in the House. Subsequently, the Prime Minister expressed his support for the legislation, which became law. Also worked with Baroness Miller, lead environmental spokesperson for the Liberal Democrat Peers, to create a report on the history of third-party activism in Canada, and a report on creating affordable housing in rural areas, both of which helped drive Liberal Democrat policy.
2007: British Telecom, Sustainable Development Department (London, UK)
Worked with Dr. Chris Tuppen and his team to create a unique tool and process to track, measure and account for sustainable business opportunities within BT. Created a strategy for engaging the wider business units in this goal, which is currently being put into action.
2007: RCM, Allianz Capital Management, Sustainability Research Department (London, UK)
Created an in-depth presentation on Global Carbon markets, analysing strengths and weaknesses for investment within the sector. The presentation was subsequently sent out to all fund managers within the organisation, and to all institutional investors. Also helped analyse companies and made successful stock recommendations for the Global EcoTrend fund. Analysed companies for possible inclusion in RCM’s Socially Responsible Investment Portfolio.
2006: The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Climate Team (Bedfordshire, UK)
Helped create and implement a strategy to accurately measure and reduce CO2 emissions within the RSPB. Liaised with the Board of Directors and CEO of the organization.
2006: Cheltenham Borough Council, Sustainable Development Team (Cheltenham, UK)
Created a sustainable tourism strategy for Cheltenham’s tourism department, and presented it to the head of tourism. Created a report on energy-saving strategies for the council, in consultation with the Energy Savings Trust. Wrote educational material on the concept of Sustainable Development, which was mailed to all residents of Cheltenham.
2002-03: Member of the Social Sustainability task force at UBC. Worked with staff, students and professors of UBC to research new initiatives to improve the level of sustainability education, awareness and action on campus. Helped create a thirty-page report and one-hour presentation for the Board of Directors of the University. http://www.sustain.ubc.ca/index.html
Volunteer Experience
2009: Sustainability Education volunteer for the International Baccalaureate community. Wrote a chapter about sustainable development and employment for the IB textbook ‘Ecosystems and Societies’. Contributed articles for the IB magazine about sustainable travel. Developed a series of presentations on sustainable development for IB students.
2007: House President and Sustainability Coordinator for Goodenough College. Goodenough College is a leading independent residence for international students in London. As House President, I supervised a team of 12 and a budget of 8,000 pounds for events and capital improvements. As Sustainability Coordinator I promoted recycling, green energy and awareness initiatives.
2004: Executive Committee, Men against Violence against Women, an official resource group at UBC. Helped create, write and organize workshops for young male students on the prevention of violence against women. Helped with administration and capacity building in UBC residences.
2004: Global Citizenship Project contributor. Led discussion groups and helped create a report on the concept of “global citizenship” and its importance to the university community.
www.students.ubc.ca/current/global.cfm
2003: UBC Trek Learning Exchange. Travelled to Guelph, Ontario, for an intensive 5-day project to build a youth homeless shelter, and take part in workshops about the issues of poverty and homelessness in Canada.
Other Interests and Experiences
Traveling - I have visited more than 50 countries.
Hiking and bird-watching, including nature photography of landscapes and animals; I have seen more than 4000 species of birds worldwide.
I have attended and presented at major conferences including an in-house colloquium on sustainability for the BBC, organized by Cambridge University and the Open University.
Featured in the award-winning Canadian documentary College Days, College Nights.
I am a UK Citizen, born in the United States to an Indian mother and a British-Canadian father. I have lived and worked in Singapore, Canada, India and the UK.
Proficient in relevant technology, such as word-processing, online social networking, CMS software and basic web design. I am a fully-trained photographer, having had photographs published in major newspapers and magazines.