5 minute read

‘My aim is to help our 7,000+ colleagues become sustainability ambassadors’

DAYANA AL ALAM
Climate and Sustainability Learning Specialist
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

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