In today's world, women leaders are breaking barriers and reshaping industries with their innovative approaches and visionary leadership. Uk Seo, CEO of ECONINE, brings this example to life. With over 20 years of experience in sustainability, environment, and climate change, Uk Seo has left an indelible mark across various sectors, including manufacturing, finance, and consulting. She transitioned from a large corporation to an environmental consulting firm, where she engaged in developing renewable energy projects that contribute to climate change mitigation. Subsequently, she became the first green finance expert in Korea's financial sector and was the first climate change expert to join the audit division at PWC Korea. Her career is a testament to her dedication and foresight. By founding her own ESG consultancy, Uk Seo continues to lead and inspire, fostering a new generation of sustainability experts. Let’s hear more from her in this one on one interaction.

Walk us through the foundational years of your life. What were the significant early influences that shaped your personal development?

Thanks to my parents' careers and upbringing, I enjoyed a self-directed and independent childhood. They respected my decisions regarding academics, friendships, and play, fostering my autonomy and sense of responsibility. Despite financial limitations, I strived for academic excellence, remaining attentive in class and engaging in various activities as a student leader. Growing up with parents who were entrepreneurs in clothing and real estate, I viewed entrepreneurship as a natural progression.

My childhood in Gangnam, Seoul, where opportunities often seemed tied to wealth, initially left me feeling disappointed. However, a move to my parents' rural hometown at age 11 brought a transformative change. Surrounded by nature, I found emotional stability and learned the value of frugality and community. This shift instilled in me a deep appreciation for nature and human decency.

Witnessing my parents' resilience in overcoming hardships further shaped my values. Despite studying environmental engineering in the early 2000s, when environmental issues were not widely recognized, my childhood experiences inspired me to prioritize sustainability. Today, my commitment to environmental stewardship and community well-being stems from these formative years and continues to guide my personal and professional endeavors

Shed some light on the primary areas of expertise you have cultivated as a leader in sustainability over the last decade.

In the past decade, my efforts have centered on implementing sustainability management systems for businesses. This involves crafting strategies encompassing ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) aspects, particularly in sectors such as environment and climate change. I have also been instrumental in developing sustainability management reports that adhere to international standards, conducting non-financial performance verification using financial audit protocols (ISE3000), and offering advisory services. These services extend to multinational corporations and their global supply chain partners, guiding them through sustainability assessments integral to their business operations.

Could you outline ECONINE for us and detail the primary responsibilities you manage in your role as the company's CEO?

ECONINE is a comprehensive ESG consulting firm offering Strategy establishment, Sustainable management diagnosis & verification, Disclosure response, Sustainable supply chain management, Training for sustainability management, and more. Our goal is to enlighten businesses and individuals committed to sustainability, fostering supply chain innovation and promoting sustainability across industries. We emphasize the authenticity of our services, driving genuine sustainability management to contribute to global sustainability goals. As a member of 1 percent for the Planet, we donate 1 percent of our revenue as an Earth Tax, additionally, our greenhouse gas emissions through voluntary carbon credits. Recently, we achieved the highest sustainability management rating globally, placing us in the top 1 percent according to EcoVadis, the largest ESG evaluator in supply chains. Additionally, ECONINE is EcoVadis's exclusive strategic training partner in South Korea and ECONINE was selected as the ninth strategic partner.

"We Emphasize The Authenticity Of Our Services, Driving Genuine Sustainability Management To Contribute To Global Sustainability Goals"

As CEO of ECONINE, I spearhead our promotion through various internal and external engagements. Externally, I engage in lectures, training, board activities, and academic societies, focusing on international partnerships. Internally, I define project scopes, maintain consulting quality, and oversee team development. In my role as Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO), I monitor and publish ECONINE's sustainability performance, setting goals and ensuring transparency for stakeholders.

What are your current areas of focus and top priorities for advancing ECONINE's growth?

ECONINE undertakes an annual 'Materiality Assessment' to determine key areas crucial for advancing sustainable management. From a selection of 20 issues evaluated for their societal impact, the assessment has identified five primary priorities. These include development and expansion of environmental advisory services, internally sharing and exploring the development, ensuring employment stability and providing high-quality job opportunities, promoting a sustainable supply chain management culture among customers, and participation in domestic and international initiatives for the advancement of ESG management. These priorities reflect ECONINE's strategic commitment to driving sustainable growth and development within its operational framework.

Could you discuss the primary challenges you face in your current position at ECONINE? Additionally, how do you navigate and overcome these challenges?

Balancing the distinct demands of a business leader and sustainability expert poses my primary challenge. This involves setting and achieving both financial and non-financial performance goals effectively. Identifying and nurturing individuals committed to sustainability to cultivate them into experts is a continuous endeavor. As a pioneering consultancy in Korea's sustainability management landscape, navigating uncharted territory presents ongoing hurdles due to the lack of established precedents. To enhance my capabilities, I prioritize continuous learning and leadership development, regularly reading and writing to deepen my insights. Future plans include publishing a book on ESG management, called ESG Code (Global supply chain ESG management strategy) in August 2024, and fostering connections with like-minded colleagues and clients. I approach challenges with a focus on mutual trust and collaboration, leveraging diverse stakeholder networks to overcome obstacles effectively.

What, in your view, are the most significant accomplishments you've attained thus far in your career? How would you define your key principles for success throughout your journey?

As a female leader of a thriving sustainability consulting firm, I consider our existence a significant achievement. Being recognized in the top 1 percent globally for sustainability management practices and becoming the sole strategic partner in Korea for the world's largest sustainability assessment agency are meaningful accomplishments. These milestones reflect positively on our organization and contribute to advancing Korea's sustainability ecosystem.

My success stems from a deep passion for environmental and sustainability fields, even before they became mainstream in Korea. I have consistently been a pioneer, from being the first in various strategic roles to leading Korea's leading sustainable management consulting firm, despite the challenges.

Uk Seo, CEO, Econine

Uk Seo is the CEO of ECONINE, a leader in sustainability consulting with 20 years of experience in environment, climate change, and ESG. Her pioneering work spans multiple sectors, transforming them with innovative sustainable practices and mentoring the next generation of sustainability professionals.