What exactly does your role as a Sustainability Officer in our company involve?
My role as a Sustainability Officer covers two key areas. First, I focus on internal sustainability by optimizing internal processes, advancing certifications and sustainability ratings, and ensuring that our company adheres to sustainable standards. Second, I work on integrating sustainability into general planning processes. This includes developing sustainable solutions for planning and construction while exploring how we can efficiently link life cycle assessments (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC) with Building Information Modeling (BIM) to create sustainable and future-oriented construction projects.What is your educational background?
I started my architecture studies in Ljubljana and completed my degree in Graz after an Erasmus year there. A few years ago, I decided to expand my knowledge in business management, realizing how crucial economic interrelations are for sustainable development. During this time, I focused intensively on sustainability management. Currently, I am deepening my expertise at TU Graz, where I am taking a course on Sustainable Buildings.What do you enjoy most about your job? What is the most interesting part of it?
I particularly enjoy actively contributing to the sustainable development of our company and making a real impact. However, what truly makes my job special is my fantastic colleagues – a diverse team of structural engineers, building designers, technical building services experts, site supervisors, and many other construction and technology enthusiasts. Together, we work on environmentally friendly, socially responsible, and economically viable solutions – and often have a lot of fun in the process.What are you currently working on?
My main project at the moment is the expansion of the pediatric surgery department at LKH Graz, which includes a state-of-the-art operating room – a project very close to my heart. Additionally, I have just completed the theoretical part of the Sustainable Buildings course and am collaborating with my colleagues on a practical project focusing on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC).What projects are on your agenda for the coming months?
In the coming months, I will focus on implementing a sustainability strategy to further integrate sustainable principles into our processes. I am also planning training sessions and workshops to raise awareness of sustainability within the company and on our construction sites.What is your most important project as a Sustainability Officer?
Sustainability is a holistic principle shaped by the idea of “cradle to grave.” Thinking sustainably means considering the entire life cycle of a product or building – from its creation to the end of its use in 50 years or more. Key questions arise: What is the actual lifespan? How can we minimize energy and material consumption? And how can we conserve valuable resources?
Ultimately, the most sustainable building is one that lasts as long as possible while fulfilling its purpose optimally. My biggest project in this regard is spreading this mindset: sustainability is economically viable! It does not mean sacrifice but rather intelligent optimization – in every aspect of our private and professional lives.
- How did you get into sustainability, and what motivated you to take on this role in our company?
My journey into sustainability began in my childhood. My father is a forestry and soil science expert, and we spent a lot of time in nature. Even back then, seeing litter and plastic bottles in the forest frustrated me. Later, on the Croatian islands, I witnessed the sheer amount of waste washed up from the sea – a sight that deeply moved me.
This early frustration with environmental pollution gradually turned into a real awareness of sustainability. As an adult, I realized that sustainability is much more than just environmental protection – it’s about the intelligent and long-term use of resources, whether they are raw materials or people themselves. As a mother of two children, I feel responsible for leaving the world in a livable and sustainable state for future generations.
I recognized that companies bear significant responsibility but also have many opportunities to make a positive impact on the environment and society. The chance to drive sustainable change and develop long-term strategies in this company particularly motivated me to take on this role.
- What are the biggest challenges you face in your position?
One of the biggest challenges is the constantly changing legislation and political landscape, which has a significant global impact on sustainability strategies. It is essential to stay up to date and continuously adapt the corporate strategy.
Another major challenge is recognizing time as a valuable resource that we are increasingly running out of – and unfortunately, we cannot turn it back. Sustainable change often requires long-term planning, yet the urgency to act grows steadily. Finding the right balance between ambitious goals and realistic implementation steps is therefore a daily challenge.
