60 Seconds with Stephanie McEvoy

Monday 21 August 2023

Tell us about your role and your organisation.
I set up Farming Carbon because businesses are spending money on ESG projects that are far away and unregulated. Working in collaboration with businesses and farmers here in the UK & Ireland - we can localise ESG Impact and help businesses and farmers to mitigate the climate & biodiversity crisis's we are experiencing.

Give us a brief overview of your career journey so far.
I graduated top of my year from Ulster Uni and moved to France to work on yachts for high-net-worth individuals. I progressed through the ranks on the boat to chief stewardess, while working on the boat my admiration of the natural world, the impact of climate change and human carelessness in terms of ocean pollution. I wanted to do something more meaningful and through collaboration initially with family friends - Farming Carbon came to life and it will empower and educate farmers and provide a local ESG option for businesses. I have written a book called ESG Made Easy and provide consultancy for businesses who want to improve their sustainable position.

Describe yourself in 3 words.
Determined, Funny and Curious.

What is one skill that helps you most in your role?
Tenacity.

What advice do you have for women in your sector/industry/type of role?
Get started, keep going. The world is not as sustainable as it needs to be, and there are not enough people working in this space. For all the women who are keen to learn more about sustainability, take a chance and invest in yourself to garner the skills you need to work in this space. The legacy of working in a space where we are impacting the world around us will be incredible.

Are there any exciting plans in the year ahead in your organisation that you can share with us?
Yes! I hope to raise funds to develop the farm sensor technology that will help farmers to define the environmental and quality impact of sustainable farming practices on their produce, which will also define the quantity of carbon stored or saved in the farm infrastructure, in the soil, plants, animals, and what has been avoided through efficiency.

Who has been your biggest career inspiration and why?
My mum. It's a bit cheesy - but my mum is really glam, she is always so well dressed. Her career was paused when she had my brother and childcare costs for 4 children didn't make sense to continue. She worked in the local primary school when we were little. When she was 56, she bought a boutique fashion shop. I was and continue to be so proud of her - she followed her dreams, and resisted the temptation to stick with what was comfortable. She curated looks and sourced her products from designers in London, Dublin, Portugal, and Barcelona. Recently she has retired, and I think that those years of owning her business, taking a chance on things, that really inspired me not to hold off on following my dreams.

If you had to pick your soundtrack song to get you through the working day, what would it be?
The Similou - All this Love

What's your favourite break-time snack?
Rice Krispie Squares, the caramel one.

How can you fellow WIB members keep up to date with you and your organisation?
Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn - Stephanie McEvoy-LinkedIn