“Diverse Perspectives are a Superpower” Regina Fernandez has lived in China, Irland, Taiwan, and numerous European countries. She deeply believes that understanding cultural differences is a key success factor in sustainability work and applies this principle in all her projects. Get to know her better in her own words! Regina, can you start by telling us what sparked your passion for sustainability? For me, the spark came from the need to improve the way we live—without overstepping planetary boundaries. I’ve always been curious about how different societies approach challenges, which is why I pursued an international path early in my career. This international path, what was it like? Well, while studying economics for my bachelor’s and master’s, I decided to learn Chinese and participated in exchanges in China, Ireland, and Taiwan. Since then, I’ve lived and worked across Europe and Asia. Those experiences taught me that there’s never a single perspective. Understanding cultural differences is key to working effectively, especially when collaborating with diverse stakeholders. You started out in international business—how did sustainability come into the picture? True, I started in international business, mainly in textiles and food industries linking Europe and China. But over time, I realised I wanted to apply business skills toward solving bigger global challenges. So, I completed a specialised masters in Zurich, Switzerland focused on sustainable business models. That opened the door for me to integrate sustainability into practical solutions, like improving resource efficiency in factories or co-creating circular economy projects with measurable impact. What made the CSCP the right place for your next step? The CSCP offered the perfect intersection between local action and international experience. Here, I can connect different stakeholders, foster innovation ecosystems, and manage multi-stakeholder sustainability initiatives. It’s about translating evidence into practice and inspiring long-term behavioural change. Can you give us some examples of the work you’re doing now? Definitely. I’m involved in EU-funded projects tackling food waste and transforming food systems, such as Chorizo and Breadcrumb. These projects challenge social norms and reshape how people see “imperfect” products. They combine awareness campaigns, citizen engagement, and co-creation, ensuring the shift toward sustainable consumption is inclusive. What other areas are you exploring? Sustainable tourism is another area close to my heart. Traveling and experiencing different cities showed me the potential of community-led approaches. Now, through the Verne project, we’re exploring how tourism can be local, circular, climate-friendly, and accessible. What has been your favourite project so far? One standout is creating a collaborative circular economy directory. Together with experts and AI support, we’re mapping achievements, identifying gaps, and providing evidence-based insights to accelerate sustainable transformation. It’s exciting to see digitalisation and new tech supporting a practical, real-world shift. Looking back at your journey, what’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned? That diverse perspectives are a superpower. Whether it’s cultural differences, stakeholder viewpoints, or new technologies, combining them thoughtfully allows us to co-create solutions that are more resilient, inclusive, and impactful. Sustainability isn’t just about processes or products—it’s about people and collaboration. For further questions, please contact Regina Fernandez.