The Center for Global Education and the Office of Sustainability partnered to plan the Sustaining the Globe events this winter.
Thursday, Jan. 24, was the first of three events slotted for this term. The college welcomed Ian Olsen, director of sustainability for McDonalds North America and Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico. Both discussed how they incorporate sustainability in each of their business models.
Olsen has been working in the sustainability field for 18 years for companies such as Ford Motors and Darden Restaurants, the largest full-service restaurant company in the world overseeing chains like Longhorn Steakhouse and Olive Garden. Mayor Chirico founded the company Great Western Flooring, a family flooring business operating out of Naperville.
Also, the hour-long presentation allowed for each speaker to discuss how they approach sustainability within each of their jobs and the challenges they face. Olsen covered the challenges of sustainability within a large company such as McDonald’s, which oversees around 14,000 restaurants in North America. Mayor Chirico discussed his own experiences within his family owned and operated business.
After presentations concluded, both Chirico and Olsen answered questions from the audience. After the event, Olsen spoke briefly about his work at McDonald’s and advice he has for students interested in corporate sustainability.
Olsen said his career might take him toward work involving water. “In coming years I think there will be a lot more to do there and a lot more demand,” he said.
The next Sustaining the Globe event will be held Thursday, Feb. 7 at 12 p.m. in Judy G. Stevenson Hall with Anette Prince from the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors.
