Checking In With Lauren Castelino
Young Leaders Award Recipient Lauren Castelino is the founder of the Green Career Centre, where she prepares underrepresented youth for green careers. Over more than six years, Lauren has reached thousands of youth through developing environmental programs and sharing career development resources. Impressively, Lauren has secured more than $2.5 million dollars for BIPOC-led and impact-driven organizations which has financed the creation of scores of environmental events, dozens of green jobs, three community gardens and spaces for community organizing. Lauren has been recognized by Corporate Knights, The Starfish Canada, Metroland Media and several prominent politicians for her vital work.
We recently checked in with Lauren to learn more about her background and plans for the conservation and regeneration of the planet.
WS: Could you start by telling us a bit about yourself and what inspired you to embark on your current project?
LC: I am an environmentalist, entrepreneur, researcher, activist, and speaker. My ancestors originate from Goa and Mangalore in India and belong to the South Asian diaspora that migrated to East Africa and the Middle East eventually settling in Turtle Island (Canada). My journey into climate and environmental sustainability is rooted in my lived experiences of social exclusion as well as my interest in documentaries which informed me about local and global social and environmental challenges. Coupled with the multiplicity of my background, experiences and encounters shaped my understanding of systemic inequities. At a very young age, I became determined to tackle climate justice issues that disproportionately affect marginalized communities. In 2018, I founded the Green Career Centre, where our mission is to prepare underrepresented youth for green careers. Our key areas and initiatives include hosting green career events, conducting innovative participatory and community centred research, and developing useful and impactful resources. This work stems from personal experiences and extensive research I conducted at university on the challenges underrepresented youth face in their green job search, which led me to want to create more equitable and accessible green career pathways.
WS: How might receiving the Walking Softer Young Leaders Award affect your project?
LC: In the youth-led climate space it is so challenging to come across funding that is unrestricted with accessible reporting requirements. I am so grateful for the Young Leaders Award in giving me the opportunity to build upon my leadership and capacity in working on our in demand initiatives such as our Wage Subsidy Matching Tool and our Green Skills Mapping Tool. The award is also providing crucial mentorship and networking opportunities, helping me connect with fellow leaders and prospective partners to secure long-term sustainability for the organization.
WS: Can you describe the core components of your project and how they contribute to the conservation or regeneration of the planet?
LC: The Green Career Centre focuses on preparing underrepresented youth—particularly BIPOC, women, and newcomers—for careers in the green economy. Our key initiatives include: Community Centred and Participatory Research: We’ve conducted research that influenced federal policy changes, including recommendations on lifting work-hour restrictions for newcomers in Canada. Our upcoming research launch includes shaping career development centres at academic institutions so they can be more accessible to marginalized youth. Green Career Events: We host large-scale green career fairs and green career workshops, directly connecting employers with underrepresented job seekers. These components collectively aim to promote conservation and regeneration by equipping the next generation of environmental professionals with the skills and opportunities they need to make a positive impact. Impactful Resources: We manage the Youth Green Jobs Network, a job board and community of over 2,500 members that connects underrepresented youth with green job opportunities. Our website also has a treasure trove of resources for finding funding, micro-credentials and training to build green skills, and guides for mentorship, networking and job hunting. Partnerships to Build Capacity: We are firm believers in community over competition. Annually, we co-host the BIWOC Outdoors Trip in partnership Active U, where we connect Black, Indigenous and Women of Colour with nature. We recognize that building safe spaces that recognize cultural, educational, financial barriers is crucial for making the sector more equitable and accessible.
WS: Could you share a particular success story from your project that you feel proud of?
LC: A milestone I am proud of is the success of our annual Green Career Fair, which attracted over 300 participants and 25 employers. This event provided young people from underrepresented communities with the chance to network with green employers, learn about career opportunities, and secure jobs on the spot. Additionally, our policy brief on youth equity concerns in the green job sector contributed to temporary changes in Canada’s labour policy, showing that our advocacy is making a difference.“The Green Career Centre (GCC) has hosted many green events that have exposed me to various opportunities. Over a year ago, I attended the Green Career Fair where I was able to network with various professionals working in green sectors. It was really nice to be able to talk to these professionals as they helped me gain a sense of direction when it came to deciding my own future career aspirations. Additionally, they also hosted the Sustainability Snapshot Series, where I was able to take a professional photo. Everyone at the GCC set it up really well and created an environment that was easy going and very comfortable.” - Seniyah Khan, Event Participant
WS: Lastly, how can people learn more about your work, and what can they do to support or get involved in your project?
LC: To learn more about our work, people can visit the Green Career Centre website and follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn, where we post updates on our events, research, and resources. They can also support us by attending our events, using our job-matching tools, and participating in our community centred research projects. Additionally, organizations can collaborate with us through sponsorships, mentorship, and offering job opportunities to our network of underrepresented youth.
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