Alumni Spotlight – MSc SEDV’14

Originally from Mexico, SEDV alumna Elizabeth Romo-Rábago is looking to make an impact around the world through three initiatives she has created thanks to her dedication for sustainability.

Her company Ciclomanias, in addition to recycled art, facilitates upcycling and environmental educational workshops to the public and schools. She and Dr. Irene Herremans founded Next is Nature’s Ride, a non-profit organization developing environmental education and energy literacy programs in Calgary. Their partners include Kids Go Global, Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan, Eco Village of Hope Society, Calgary Dollars, Little Green Thumbs, Green Calgary, Natoura’s Journey, and the Alberta Council for Environmental Education. Her latest project is The Social License Consortium, which specializes in corporate social responsibility and sustainable development. This for-profit organization works to develop the skills of professionals, local government, companies, and communities to achieve a sustainable future.

“Sustainability is dynamic and multidisciplinary. We work together and find the right partners and that is the key for its success,” says Romo-Rabago. “We must also understand that what is now considered sustainable might change over time, so we must acknowledge change as part of the complex world of sustainability.”

During her time with SEDV, Elizabeth was recognized for her commitment to sustainability and contributed to the program’s visibility on campus through various projects. At the sixth annual SustainabilityON awards, she was recognized in the category of Student Leadership for her accomplishments with Ciclomanias, her social enterprise turning recycled materials into art, working on a bio-cell project in Mexico, fund development and sourcing for bio-digesters with the Eco-Village of Hope for a village in China, and contributing to the sustainable energy development community garden project. It was no surprise when she received the President’s Award for Excellence in Student Leadership during convocation. In addition to her involvement with the SEDV community garden, she also established the program newsletter and helped organize the first program engagement event, the Fall Festival. Elizabeth attributes her rewarding experience to the activities and initiatives she partook in and the opportunity to meet people from all over the world.

Romo-Rábago was drawn SEDV’s program multidisciplinary approach and connections to Ecuador; she explains “I love the idea of connecting with the Galapagos and when possible contributing to its conservation. I had the privilege to participate at the Energy Summit organized in Galápagos, Ecuador in 2014.”