‘My aim is to help our 7,000+ colleagues become sustainability ambassadors’
A commitment to excellence goes hand in hand with
a dedication to sustainability for Dayana Al Alam,
Climate and Sustainability Learning Specialist at
Deloitte and she exemplifies this dual focus. 'Being
part of two teams, my aim is to help our 7,000+
colleagues become sustainability ambassadors',
Dayana says. Her journey from an architect and
researcher in Lebanon to a key player in Deloitte’s
sustainability initiatives in the Netherlands is
inspiring.
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In Lebanon, Dayana earned two master's degrees in architecture and territorial
sciences.
Her love for nature, fostered in a small village surrounded by greenery and
biodiversity,
fuelled her passion for sustainability. Seeking to broaden her horizons, Dayana
moved to
the Netherlands in 2013 to pursue a third master's degree in Urban Management
and
Development at Erasmus University Rotterdam. 'What was meant to be a one-year
course
turned into a permanent stay', she shares. 'I fell in love with the country,
married a
Dutchman, and now we have a son and two cats.'
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Joining Deloitte: a perfect match
Nearly two years ago, Dayana discovered an opportunity at Deloitte that
perfectly matched
her interests and expertise in program management, learning, and sustainability.
'I saw the
job posting on LinkedIn and knew it was the right fit', she recalls. Her
previous work with
NGOs and governments on the sustainable development goals equipped her with
valuable
skills, but she was eager to see how a global company like Deloitte approached
sustainability. Positive feedback about Deloitte as an employer further
encouraged her to
apply.
Today, Dayana is an integral part of both the Learning & Development (L&D) team
and the
Sustainability Strategic Growth Offering (SGO) team. 'I am responsible for
designing and
delivering online and in-person learning programs and journeys that help our
7000+
colleagues to increase their knowledge on specific sustainability topics that
are related to
their jobs and to also become more sustainable in their private and daily life',
she says. This
dual focus makes her job particularly rewarding. Dayana’s role is as diverse as
it is impactful.
'I very much enjoy being part of two teams with a totally different focus, as
this allows me to
build new skills on a daily basis. And I like the freedom and flexibility to
innovate and
experiment. As the first person in this newly created role, I have the unique
opportunity to
design the learning strategy from scratch.'
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Organizing training sessions
One of Dayana's proudest achievements is the development of the four
Sustainability
Learning Catalogues on Deloitte's internal platform. 'This initiative combines
in one place all
the online learning resources that are available for Deloitte employees about
sustainability
and climate change. Many people in The Netherlands and in other geographies are
using it
now to find the self-paced online learning resources that suit them the best on
a specific
sustainability topic, which is really nice to see.' Dayana also played a key
role in organizing
training sessions on the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), a
critical EU
legislation aimed at improving corporate transparency in non-financial
reporting. 'We did
trainings for staff from different job levels, industries and businesses and
tried innovative,
fun ideas', she notes, emphasizing the importance of supporting clients in their
CRSD
journey. In addition, on behalf of Deloitte and together with the University of
Groningen she
led the development of an executive learning program for partners called
‘Responsibility for
Sustainability’.
Dayana’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond her professional life. She
practices
what she preaches by maintaining a personal garden where she grows her own food,
and
she has even rented additional garden space for this purpose. 'Despite the
challenges, such
as needing to fly to visit family in Lebanon, I strive to minimize my carbon
footprint by
opting for trains when traveling within Europe, buying second hand clothes,
eating less meat
and saving food from being wasted. It's difficult to do everything correctly,
but when it
comes to sustainability, every step counts', she acknowledges.
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Making an impact that matters
Deloitte’s supportive and innovative environment makes it an ideal place for
those
passionate about sustainability. 'Deloitte believes in its responsibility to
contribute to a more
sustainable world, and to make an impact that matters to clients, people and
society.
Therefore, we have a three-fold approach: the Deloitte Impact Foundation,
Deloitte as a
sustainable enterprise and the Sustainability SGO. With the Impact Foundation,
we share
our core competences, knowledge and network in societal initiatives pro-bono for
various
non-profit organizations. As a sustainable enterprise we have our WorldClimate
strategy
where we try to drive responsible climate choices, achieve net-zero emissions by
2030, and
push climate change discussions into executive agendas', Dayana explains. 'And
in the SGO,
cross-business and cross-industries teams help clients to close the gap between
sustainability ambition and impact by walking with clients every step of the way
through
strategy, transformation, finance, reporting and assurance projects.'
'Deloitte really cares about sustainability and supports me with my ideas. This
is a good
place to work because you're taken seriously', Dayana affirms. 'Not only do we
want to help
our clients become sustainable but also our own organization. You get plenty of
opportunities to do things and contribute in a positive way. Joining Deloitte
means being
part of a forward-thinking organization that values sustainability at its core.'
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CHOOSE YOUR IMPACT
You will share your talent with the 1000 colleagues of Deloitte The Netherlands
various
Support departments. Within our teams, co-operation and personal development are
key.
View all Support vacancies [/vacancies/support] and connect your future to
Deloitte.
View all Support vacancies [/vacancies/support]

'IT'SDIFFICULTTODOEVERYTHINGCORRECTLY,BUTWHENITCOMESTOSUSTAINABILITY,EVERYSTEPCOUNTS.'
DAYANA AL ALAM | Climate and Sustainability Learning Specialist

