On April 21st at Monthly Design Review, we’ll be discussing how to “trash talk” brands into transforming their garbage into eco-products. And who better than to lead the trashy subject, than Joanna Opot, Global Vice President of Business Development, TerraCycle Inc.
After a seven-month trip around the world, Jo returned to the US in 2010 to join TerraCycle as the Global Vice President of Business Development. Named the coolest start-up by Inc. Magazine, TerraCycle is the world’s pioneer in upcycling and recycling waste. Jo oversees business development in 11 countries on 4 continents and loves spending her days “trash talking” brands into transforming their garbage into eco-products.
Jo was born in Nairobi and at fifteen she was selected to join the Kenyan national field hockey team. She got started in social change at sixteen by forging peace between teenage refugees through an after-school program she developed. Her program model was picked up by the UN and in college she worked for the UN in Russia, Kenya, and the US. Shortly after graduating from Middlebury College in 2005 she joined StartingBloc as the Director of Programs and grew in two years to become the Executive Director. In recognition of this work she was named one of the youngest members of the Social Venture Network in 2007. StartingBloc educates, empowers and connects emerging leaders and Jo’s efforts directly supported over 1100 social innovators in forty countries by linking them to the education opportunities, funding sources and networks they needed to realize their goals. Jo currently lives in Chelsea and greatly enjoys figuring out how to positively impact the world by collaborating on ventures and leveraging her network.
Location / Date / Time
Thursday, April 21st 8pm.
The Salt Space
1158 Broadway 5th Floor
Entrance on W 27th St.
