Hey there. It’s been a while!

You probably signed up for this newsletter about a year ago to keep up with new episodes of the Sustainability Skill Set Podcast. During a hectic stretch of life, I hit pause on the show… but I’m excited to announce that season 2 is officially underway!

The goal of the podcast is simple: to explore the career paths of sustainability professionals and uncover the key skills and strategies that help them thrive.

Whether you're looking to break into the sustainability field or you're already deep in the work, this podcast is here to help you:

• Chart your career path

• Level up your skills

• Stay inspired by others doing the work

I’d love to have you along for this next season. If you're excited to tune back in, just hit reply and say hey. I always appreciate hearing from listeners!

Now, without further ado… here’s the latest episode:

Episode 15. Neil Yeoh on Building a Practical Path into Climate Work

Our guest for this episode is Neil Yeoh, a sustainability leader, entrepreneur, and educator dedicated to accelerating climate solutions across industries. Neil is the founder and CEO of OnePointFive, a sustainability consultancy, and the creator of OnePointFive Academy, a hands-on training program helping professionals from all backgrounds transition into high-impact climate careers.

Neil’s journey began in the oil and gas industry, where he felt stuck and disillusioned. That experience, combined with a growing sense of purpose, pushed him to pivot into the sustainability space. He has since earned a Master’s in Environmental Management from Yale, consulted with global organizations, and contributed thought leadership on green skills and climate careers through Forbes and the World Economic Forum.

In this episode, we unpack the practical realities of building a career in sustainability today: what works, what’s missing from traditional education, and how we can future-proof our careers through applied climate skills.

Here are five insights I found most interesting from our conversation:

Key Insight #1. Sustainability careers are built through practice, not just degrees.

Universities often leave students without hands-on experience related to sustainability work. Neil found that even graduates of top environmental programs lacked skills like GHG accounting, life cycle assessment, and navigating ESG frameworks. Neil sees students of his OnePointFive Academy often enter with a theoretical foundation but little practical experience. The most transformational moments for them are learning to build emissions models, communicate sustainability strategies, and advise on real projects. The lesson? Stop waiting for permission or perfection. Learn by doing.

Key Insight #2. Career change doesn’t have to be a big leap. A series of pivots is often necessary.

Neil didn’t go straight from the oil and gas industry to founding a climate company. He started by volunteering at night on clean energy policy while consulting for fossil fuel clients during the day. This was his “Batman moment.” From there, he leveraged management consulting experience to move into working with utility companies, then to international development work in Kenya, and finally to venture funding for climate startups. Along the way, he rewrote his resume, reframed his narrative, and let go of identities that no longer served him.

Key Insight #3. To make a bold move, let go of what’s holding you back.

Big shifts start with the right mindset. Neil described a Buddhist parable from which he learned a valuable lesson: a man builds a raft to cross a river, but once ashore, he keeps dragging the raft through the forest which slows him down considerably. Sometimes, we cling to jobs, degrees, or personas that got us far but will keep us stuck unless we release them. Self-awareness, not just skill acquisition, is the first step. Ask yourself: What am I still carrying that I no longer need?

Key Insight #4. Sustainability isn’t a job title. It’s a lens.

You don’t need “climate” or “sustainability” in your title to make a difference. Neil emphasized that some of the biggest progress happens when sustainability skills are embedded into non-sustainability roles like product design, procurement, or operations. When employees see how their existing responsibilities (cutting costs, improving logistics, designing packaging) align with sustainability goals, they become unexpected but powerful agents of change.

Key Insight #5. Hybrid skill sets are the future of climate work.

The strongest sustainability job candidates aren’t just generalists. They often have sustainability skills paired with something else: legal, marketing, data science, or supply chain chain management. The people who stand out most are those who can pair climate fluency with deep functional or sectoral experience. And since sustainability job descriptions often lag behind the reality of the role, these hybrid skills help you navigate ambiguity, speak across departments, and create impact where others can’t.

Listen to the full episode to hear how Neil’s career story has unfolded, and for practical insights on how to enter, grow, and lead in the sustainability space, no matter where you’re starting from.

Wishing you the best,

Louis DeMaso

P.S. Feel free to hit that reply button anytime. I would love to hear from you.