Hello
A Bit About Me
My name is Tina Nguyen. I'm an avid ocean-goer and a sustainability nerd. I love being pragmatic, which is why I’m fascinated by the world of waste (aka materials, commodities, cash in your trash), and all the ways we can reduce it, reuse it, get smart with it. At the core of it all, I’m in the business of behavior change.
At 15 ½, my first job was at a skate shop called Identity Board Shop. My dad used to drop me off at work. I applied grip take to skate boards, folded clothes, helped customers, and enjoyed having what I considered a fun job! It was my first glimpse into how products, people, and processes come together—and the pride of earning my own paycheck.
Currently...
I’m a Business Development Manager at Reverse Logistics Group, where I’m truly thrilled to work further up the waste stream—supporting companies in implementing solutions that not only ensure compliance with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations, but also drive meaningful contributions to the circular economy.
Excited about...
I'm excited about making a global impact through circular economy solutions! I'm excited about meeting people wherever they're at and inspiring them to feel empowered in whatever capacity they have to make a positive difference and find meaning within their work.
Background
I grew up in an urban sprawl, concrete environment and only began to understand and appreciate nature when I started surfing in high school. That love for surfing shaped the rest of my academic pursuit (and life!), from earning a BA in geography and Spanish at UC Santa Barbara to a master’s degree in sustainability at the University of Cape Town. My master’s research explored key barriers and success factors for integrating sustainability practices into major surfing events, comparing the contexts of the Global North with the Global South. I believe businesses have an incredibly meaningful role in society and serve as a powerful platform to catalyze positive behavior change towards sustainability. I truly enjoyed the integration of research with real people and real problem solving from multiple geographic perspectives.
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I'm a big proponent of Think Global, Act Local. I'm always curious about what sustainability means for different people in different places. I continue to build a career that enables me maximize the positive impact and foster healing whether it's with people or nature. I am usually battling my eco-anxiety, non-stop sense of urgency to be productive, and my inner wisdom that it's okay to relax and enjoy the world, too. It's a privileged place to be, I'm grateful, and I have fun. =)
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What keeps me going...
At work: critical thinking and problem solving, especially with a team.
In life: commitment to maintain my genuine child-like curiosity and enthusiam for what my human experience can be each day.