How to Turn Sustainability Goals Into Project Decisions
Sustainability goals only matter when they shape real project choices. The challenge is making those choices before cost, time and expectations close in.
Episode Overview
Many organizations have sustainability goals, but turning them into project decisions is where the work gets harder. How can project professionals build sustainability into requirements and design before options narrow? How should they weigh cost, schedule, quality and long-term value when priorities compete? And what changes when stakeholder trust or new information requires a different path? We discuss this with Preston Welker, PMP, global climate program and operations lead at The Nature Conservancy, and Ayman Zaki, CSPP, PMP, PMO project manager at EllisDon.
Subscribe
Featured in This Episode
Preston Welker, PMP
Global Climate Program and Operations Lead at The Nature Conservancy
Preston Welker, PMP, is Global Climate Program and Operations Lead at The Nature Conservancy, where he helps teams deliver projects that advance global conservation and climate strategies. With more than 10 years of experience in project management, operations, portfolio systems, and stakeholder engagement, Preston has supported nature-based carbon projects across five continents, designed systems to track progress and impact, and trained teams in Lean, Agile, and facilitation methods. His experience also includes work connected to a $100 million Bezos Earth Fund grant, the development of Naturebase.org, and graduate research on stakeholder engagement for green infrastructure and climate resilience projects.
Ayman Zaki, CSPP, PMP, PMOCP
PMO Project Manager at EllisDon
Ayman Zaki is a Certified Sustainable Project Professional and PMO Project Manager at EllisDon, with more than 20 years of experience delivering complex construction and development projects across the Middle East. His work spans hospitality, mixed-use, residential, commercial, aviation, and government projects, with expertise in PMO leadership, governance, risk management, stakeholder engagement, FIDIC contract administration, project controls, and value engineering. Across his career, he has contributed to projects exceeding AED 6 billion in cumulative value, including Royal Atlantis Resort & Residences, Gran Meliá Hotel, Tadawul Tower at KAFD, Deira Waterfront Development, Al Dhafra Hotel & Resort, and Sports Hotel on Hudayriyat Island.
Sustainable Project Management: From Planning to Delivery
Project leaders share how to embed sustainability in every phase, gain executive buy-in, and create lasting environmental and social impact.
Certification
Certified Sustainable Project Professional (CSPP)™
Lead resilient, sustainable projects that reduce risk, adapt to disruption and deliver measurable business value.
PMI® GPM® Practice Guide for Sustainability
PMI Practice Guide
Integrate sustainability into project delivery and governance to deliver measurable value for people, planet and prosperity.
The PMI® GPM® P5™ Standard for Sustainability
The leading standard for sustainability, aligned with the PMBOK® Guide and global guidelines to drive measurable outcomes.
Listen to more Projectified episodes
Get inspired by real conversations with Project Professionals to maximize project success and deliver meaningful impact.