Jan Raes, Climate and Circular Economy Finance Expert
- Jan is a Belgian native living in the Netherlands.
- He studied in locations such as Louisville, Belgium, Copenhagen, Denmark, the Netherlands, California, and Harvard.
Podcast
Overview
Jan Raes shares his journey from IT and banking to becoming a climate and circular economy finance expert at UNEP. He discusses the intersection of finance and sustainability, the importance of authentic leadership, and the value of international experience in shaping a meaningful career.
00:31- About Jan Raes
- Jan is a Belgian native living in the Netherlands.
- He studied in locations such as Louisville, Belgium, Copenhagen, Denmark, the Netherlands, California, and Harvard.
- He worked for various US-based IT firms during his first 10 years of professional life.
- He then switched to a major Dutch bank where he worked for 20 years, and held multiple roles like the Climate and Circular Economy Expert, Change Manager, Compliance Manager, and Information Manager.
- Recently he moved to UNEP, which is the United Nations Environment Program, as the climate and circular economy expert.
08:35- How did you get into this world of climate and circular economy?
- I started by building financial data systems, which made me aware of the fundamental need for accountability in businesses.
- The crisis revealed the shortcomings of the banking system, prompting me to seek deeper meaning and purpose in my work.
- I transitioned to sustainable and impact banking, driven by a desire to contribute positively to society and address the discomfort with traditional banking practices.
33:20- What are two or three key milestones that impacted your life?
- Being involved in the sale of my parents’ business at a young age taught me about business cycles and decision-making.
- Attending universities in different countries broadened my perspective and helped me build a diverse network of friends and ideas.
- Shifting from a secure banking job to a dynamic role in a multilateral environment has been transformative, emphasizing my belief in continual personal change.
RESOURCES:
Learn more about Jan Raes: LinkedIn
Enjoyed this podcast?
If you learned new insights about the intersection of finance and sustainability, subscribe and share it with friends!
Love to give us 5 stars? ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you do, we’d love a review from you. Help us reach more people to keep them in the know as we talk to leaders, high achievers, and thought leaders from diverse backgrounds and nationalities. Excellence can come from anywhere; stay in the know, and hear from emergent high achievers and gurus.
Stay updated with what’s shaping the world today through the latest The Brand Called You Podcast episode. Follow us on iTunes, Spotify, and Anchor.fm.
You can find us at:
Website: www.tbcy.in
Instagram: http://bit.ly/3HO7N06
Facebook:http://bit.ly/3YzJOaD
Twitter: http://bit.ly/3wMBOXK
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tbcy/
YouTube: http://bit.ly/3jmBqfq
Chingari: https://chingari.io/tbcypodcast
Josh: http://bit.ly/3WWP0nB
Thanks for listening!
Profile
- Jan is a Belgian native living in the Netherlands.
- He studied in locations such as Louisville, Belgium, Copenhagen, Denmark, the Netherlands, California, and Harvard.
- He worked for various US-based IT firms during his first 10 years of professional life.
- He then switched to a major Dutch bank where he worked for 20 years, and held multiple roles like the Climate and Circular Economy Expert, Change Manager, Compliance Manager, and Information Manager.
- Recently he moved to UNEP, which is the United Nations Environment Program, as the climate and circular economy expert.
