Luis Alvarez - SEP Case Story

About Luis: Architect, MSc in Architectural Project Management from the University of Edinburgh, Specialist in Clean and Sustainable Construction Management from the Universidad del Atlántico, Specialist in Land Markets and Policies in Latin America from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia and Specialist in Project Management from the Universidad Tecnológica de Bolívar, in Colombia. Certified as PMP and Accredited as LEED AP BD+C, LEED AP Homes and SEP. He has worked in important construction companies, accrediting experience in the development of large real estate projects. Consultant of recognized projects such as the first LEED Gold/LEED Zero Cruise Terminal for Royal Caribbean in Galveston, the expansion of JFK Airport, many landmark projects in South Florida, and the first LEED for Homes Certified house in Latin America, in Rionegro, Colombia. His specialty is project management in all its stages and management of construction companies, in addition to the management of architectural and technical designs. Administration and management of budgets and contracts. Undergraduate and graduate university professor with emphasis in the area of Sustainable Construction and Project Management

What brought you to this moment in your career where the Sustainability Excellence Professional (SEP) made sense for you?

Throughout my career, I have worked on projects that demand managing complexity through effective communication. As project managers, we are taught that 90% of our success comes from how well we communicate and collaborate with others. Over time, I have continuously expanded my skill set, much like learning languages—where each new skill builds on the previous ones, making it easier to acquire more.

When I began studying for the SEP, I immediately connected with its approach. Beyond technical concepts, it emphasizes the soft skills and practical tools necessary to implement sustainable practices in real-world organizational settings. Understanding sustainability is one thing; driving real action and execution is another.

The SEP provided an enlightening body of knowledge, reinforcing familiar practices while introducing deeper, more specialized insights that expanded my perspective. It helped me bridge the gap between technical expertise and actionable strategies for meaningful impact.

My journey started in architecture, where project management skills enhanced my ability to bring spatial concepts to life efficiently. Adding sustainability to the equation shifted my focus to minimizing the environmental and social impact of built environments. Now, with the SEP, I see an even broader horizon—one that allows me to scale my impact and contribute to sustainability on a much larger level.

How are you putting the knowledge, skills, and ability demonstrated in the SEP to work in your career (or work) today?

One of the greatest challenges in sustainability is shifting entrenched paradigms to improve the systems we engage with. While many industries have had decades to refine best practices and drive systemic improvements, sustainability remains a relatively young field—one that touches on deeply sensitive aspects of the global order.

My work focuses on overcoming the barriers that come with these paradigm shifts, allowing for more impactful contributions to sustainability. A key area of interest for me is developing maturity models that provide organizations with a structured roadmap for sustainable transformation. These models help tailor sustainability interventions based on an organization’s level of interest, knowledge, and commitment—recognizing that not all companies are driven by the same values or goals.

The knowledge, skills, and tools I gained through the SEP are invaluable in this endeavor. They equip me with the ability to implement sustainable measures effectively, regardless of an organization’s starting point. By adapting strategies to different levels of sustainability literacy, I can ensure that interventions are both feasible and impactful, ultimately helping organizations progress toward a more sustainable future in a coordinated and meaningful way.

For those starting out in the sustainability field, what advice do you have for them?

Be pragmatic

Sustainability isn’t just about ideals—it’s about practical solutions. While passion is essential, a pragmatic approach will help you drive real change.

Master soft skills

One of the biggest challenges in sustainability is cutting through the noise. What seems clear to us can feel like "rocket science" to others. Effective communication is key—understanding your audience and tailoring your message to the right people makes all the difference.

Make it about people and tailor your message

Know your audience and deliver the right message to the right people. Too often, sustainability discussions are framed as planetary issues when, at their core, they are human survival issues. Overloading conversations with technical data may prove you right, but it won’t inspire action. Make your message simple, actionable, and relatable. Show people why it matters to them.

Expect resistance—and learn to manage it

Even when sustainability feels like the obvious right choice, expect pushback. Learn to navigate resistance with patience and resilience. Develop a thick skin, but stay graceful in overcoming obstacles—we are running a marathon which is a sprint at the same time.

Stay open-minded

There’s rarely a perfect solution. Sometimes, the best option is simply the least bad one. Be flexible, adapt, and focus on progress over perfection.

Sustainability is a journey—one that requires strategy, communication, and persistence. Stay committed, stay adaptable, and keep moving forward.

Interested in earning your SEA credential? Download our free sample of the SEA Study Guide or sign up for the next SEA Study Cohort.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Read perspectives from the ISSP blog

Turning Member Feedback into Action: ISSP’s 2026 Strategic Plan

By By Elizabeth Dinschel & Bangaly Kourouma • January 16, 2026

January 16, 2026 At the International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP), strategy is not theoretical. It is practical, action-oriented, and grounded in the real needs of sustainability professionals working in complex and rapidly evolving environments. The ISSP 2026 Strategic Plan is a one-year, execution-focused roadmap designed to strengthen ISSP’s role as a global professional association for sustainability practitioners. Built directly from member feedback gathered through Town Halls, surveys, and ongoing conversations, the plan focuses on three strategic priorities: financial stability, relevant professional knowledge, and meaningful member engagement. This article explains what the 2026 Strategic Plan is, why these priorities matter, and how member input directly shaped ISSP’s direction. What the ISSP 2026 Strategic Plan Is—and Is Not The 2026 Strategic Plan is not a long-term vision statement or a five-year forecast. It is a focused, one-year plan designed to deliver measurable progress. The plan is intended to: Strengthen ISSP’s financial sustainability Modernize sustainability education and credential resources Improve the member experience across career stages Each priority includes defined actions, timelines, and success metrics, ensuring accountability and transparency.

Paper cut-out figures holding hands in a chain against a dark blue background.

Listening, Learning, and Rebuilding Connection: Reflections from Our First ISSP Town Hall

By Elizabeth Dinschel, December 18, 2025 • December 18, 2025

Elizabeth Dinschel, MA, MBA, is the Executive Director of ISSP Earlier this month, we hosted our first global ISSP Town Hall since I stepped into the role of Executive Director. I logged off that call energized, humbled, and deeply grateful for the honesty, generosity, and care that our members brought into the space. This Town Hall was never meant to be a one-way update. It was designed as a listening session — a chance for ISSP leadership and staff to hear directly from sustainability professionals across regions, sectors, and career stages. And you delivered. What follows are a few reflections on what I heard, what we learned, and where we’re headed next together. Why We Called This Town Hall ISSP has gone through a period of transition — new leadership, new staff, and a renewed focus on modernizing how we serve a truly global membership. Change can be energizing, but it can also create moments of uncertainty and disconnection. We knew we needed to pause, gather our community, and listen with intention. The Town Hall brought together members from multiple continents, industries, and disciplines. Sustainability practitioners, consultants, engineers, communicators, policy professionals, and career-transitioners all showed up with thoughtful questions and candid feedback. One thing was immediately clear: this community cares deeply about its work, about each other, and about ISSP’s role in supporting sustainability professionals at a challenging moment for the field.

Can sustainability be saved by tackling loneliness, not just CO₂ emissions?

By Raz Godelnik, Associate Professor • November 20, 2025

Raz Godelnik is an Associate Professor of Strategic Design and Management at Parsons School of Design — The New School. He is the author of Rethinking Corporate Sustainability in the Era of Climate Crisis . You can follow him on LinkedIn . Can sustainability be saved by tackling loneliness, not just CO₂ emissions? Earlier this month, I stopped at Sunshine Coffee in Laramie, Wyoming, on our way to Yellowstone Park. What brought me there was the fact that it’s a zero-waste coffee shop, with no single-use consumer items. In other words, there are no disposable cups — not for customers dining in, and not even for those who want their coffee to go, like I did. Instead, you can either bring your own reusable cup or get your drink in a glass jar for $1, which is refunded on your next order when you return it (or you can simply keep it, as I did). At first, I was excited about the zero-waste coffee shop concept, wondering what it would take for Starbucks and other coffee chains to adopt it and eliminate the waste that has become an integral part of our coffee (and other drinks) consumption. But as I waited for my coffee, I began to notice something else — something that had little to do with waste and everything to do with people. As I looked around, I noticed their stickers. Beneath the logo, it read: Zero waste. Community space . Suddenly it clicked — this coffee shop isn’t just about eliminating waste; it’s about creating a place where people feel connected. As owner and founder of Sunshine Coffee, Megan Johnson, explained in an interview with This is Laramie : “I wanted to bring sustainable values to Wyoming as well as build a business that serves the community.” That got me thinking about how the second part — serving the community — is integral to the first. After all, in a world where loneliness — a key barrier to people’s well-being — is on the rise, shouldn’t creating spaces for connection be just as central to sustainability as going zero waste?