How Lorena is crafting her own "Job in Sustainability" through curiosity & community
In this episode, we talk about Lorena’s journey from a leadership role in fintech to becoming a sustainability professional and founder in the circular textiles space.
We reflect on how career disruption became an opportunity to explore values, follow curiosity and purpose rather than just searching for the next best job.
Lorena shares how networking shifted from transactional job seeking to genuine relationship building and why that change opened unexpected doors.
We discuss why finding a tribe and taking action matter more than collecting endless courses and credentials.
Lorena describes how her learning journey within the circular economy evolved into a focus on textiles, repair and sewing as accessible entry points for systemic change. She explains how mending clothes reconnects people to materials, skills, roots and community while challenging fast fashion culture and isolation.
The episode also looks at entrepreneurship not as a goal but as a response to seeing unmet needs and wanting to act now. We talk openly about fear, impatience, financial support and the importance of mentoring along the way.
➡️ This episode is for anyone considering a career shift into sustainability, feeling stuck in an unfulfilling job or wondering how to turn passion into action.
🔑 The key lesson is that meaningful work often emerges through experimentation, connection and courage rather than linear career planning.
💡 HIGHLIGHTS of this Episode
✨ Career change into sustainability through curiosity & connection
✨ Approaching Networking rather as Relationship building✨ Circular Economy made tangible for everyone
✨ Repair as a cultural shift and system change driver
✨ Community before credentials
👋 ABOUT Lorena Maldonado (she/her)
Lorena Maldonado grew up in Texas, since 2007 Germany has been her home. Lorena is passionate about finding ways to make sustainability accessible and inviting for everyone. She loves hands-on solutions, with community and face-to-face relationships at the center and is inspired by innovation that is built on simplicity.
Lorena specialises in Circular Textiles, with a focus on community solutions to create appreciation for textiles all around us. She has many years of experience as an IT Engineering manager, which has equipped her with leadership skills critical to her new role as an entrepreneur and consultant.
🔗 CONNECT & follow Lorena Maldonado's work
👉 LinkedIn
👉 Instagram
📚 RESOURCES to dive deeper
➡ Instagram - The Clotheshorse Podcast
➡ Instagram - Reparieren ist Liebe
➡ Instagram - Clare Press | THE WARDROBE CRISIS
➡ Instagram - The People's Mending
➡ Post Growth Fashion Agency
➡ Sustainable fashion at UNEP
➡ Repair Rebels
📣 YOU want your work to feel meaningful and be impactful?
Not sure how to use your skills for Good or whether you got what it takes to get your own impact project off the ground?
Whether you are an #impactjobseeker or aspiring #impactpreneur - Get yourself the support you deserve! 🤗
For almost 2 years now, I accompany and support purpose-driven professionals on their journeys towards working in alignment with their values.
👉 Check out the Mentoring Programmes on the work.with.impact website
📅 Book a Free Exploration Call with Pia - Your Impact Mentor
❗️ only two 1:1 Mentoring spots left for start in February/March
🚀 Start your Sustainability Career today ❕ >> enroll in the SCC programme
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💌 CONNECT & engage with Pia
Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn to follow and support each other’s work. 🤗
If you consider yourself an #impactjobseeker or aspiring #impactpreneur at the beginning of your journey, jump on my Newsletter “Impact Insights” where I regularly share tools and best practices from my work as a sustainability consultant and system change facilitator. 🤓⚖
For daily insights “behind the scenes” and event updates, join the extended community on the @work.with.impact Instagram account. 🧐💓
Take care of yourself and others!
Pia 🤍
#sustainability #circulareconomy #careertransition #impactcareers #regeneration #repairculture #purposefulwork #communitybuilding #slowfashion #systemschange
