A Night of Sustainability and Connection

✨ What a Night! ✨

It had been almost a year since my last event, and Monday night reminded me why I love bringing people together. There’s something magical about uniting a community around sustainability, sparking new ideas, and uplifting those making a difference.

This event started with a simple idea: introducing my son’s school, Growing Up Green Charter Schools, to a wider audience. As PTO co-president, I see firsthand how much they do—composting, uniform recycling, food waste reduction, and sustainability initiatives that create a lasting impact. That’s why I invited Erin Boyle Acosta, their Director of Family Engagement, to share their inspiring efforts.

Through Coffee & Sustainability, the Meetup group I co-lead with Liubov (Luba) Volkova, we wanted to create a space for meaningful conversations and connections. We were honored to have Andrea Reyes from the NYC Fair Trade Coalition, who shared her deep knowledge of ethical fashion and sustainable solutions. And of course, our event wouldn’t have been the same without the beautiful space at Impact Hub New York Metropolitan Area, led by John-Paul Parmigiani.

🌿 A few things I always keep in my events: ✔️ A 20-minute grace period for late arrivals (mom instinct!) ✔️ Time to network and share ideas ✔️ A love for public speaking—yes, even with my French accent! ✔️ A commitment to sustainable practices (like using leftover event drinks!) ✔️ A venue filled with 60+ plants—because nature makes everything better!

The energy was incredible, and I’m beyond grateful to everyone who attended. Seeing new and familiar faces come together, sharing their stories, and brainstorming ways to create a greener future—this is why we do what we do.

Who’s in for the next one? 👇 Let’s continue building this planet-friendly community! ☕🌱