“Leadership is really so much about showing the way. It’s going ahead and doing the things that you say you are gonna do and then bringing along everyone with you for the ride: let them see what you are doing, bring them in, listen to them. When they can see someone else go and do, they will follow.”

Dr. Angela McCarthy, CEO of the Earth Foundation, joined a conversation with Honorary POP Ocean Mentor, Ana Hanhausen and other POP youth leaders focusing on the idea of inspiring action through recognition, as part of “POP Climate Leadership Conversations: A Tribute to Our Chief Mentor” on December 8, 2021.

When asked about the meaning of leadership, Dr. McCarthy spoke about the importance of having diversity in perspectives and including the youth in leading roles in order to have a complete view of the situation. She also spoke about the importance of collective action and recognizing that we are not in a boat alone when we talk about climate action. During this conversation, four young leaders asked Angela different questions regarding the organization’s main initiative: the Earth Prize.

Ivan Ransom, POP Sustainability Ambassador and Mentor from Mexico asked about the importance of supporting youth projects through initiatives such as the Earth Prize, to which Angela responded by remarking on the importance of promoting youth action and inspiring them to be a part of a platform that allows them to showcase themselves and their minds. When Nahid Pérez Ayala, POP Trainee Mentor asked about some recommendations for the youth who are looking for projects to start, Dr. McCarthy recommended that the youth choose a matter that’s close to them and feel confident about ideas they have not formed yet. She also added that a mentorship program within the Earth Foundation exists, when Ana Carrillo, Honorary POP Mentor, Guadalajara asked about additional ways in which the youth can support and collaborate with the foundation. Dr. McCarthy’s perspective was very enriching and motivational, making it a very interesting conversation. 

About the guest:

Dr. Angela McCarthy was instrumental in the establishment of The Earth Foundation in 2020. Since then she has driven the creation and launch of the Foundation’s first initiative, The Earth Prize, by attracting an outstanding office staff, an Adjudication Panel of sustainability experts, a global group of 30 student Mentors, high profile goodwill Ambassadors, and teams of students from over 350 schools who will take part in the competition. Prior to joining The Earth Foundation, Angela held management, marketing and fundraising positions with companies in wealth management and hospitality in Geneva and London.

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