Lynne Serpe, Founder and Director of Compost NOW and Lissie Stewart, Executive Director of the NOLA Artist Incubator recently delivered powerful and meaningful presentations at Loyola’s Environment Program Sustainability Entrepreneurship panel, captivating the audience with their innovative approaches and impactful initiatives.

Compost NOW, a local organization that promotes, supports and provides resources to several free residential food waste collection programs throughout New Orleans, shared their journey of transforming food scraps into compost on a community level. Their presentation highlighted the importance of composting in reducing landfill waste and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and the work it takes to run the organization. Through engaging storytelling and practical insights, Lynne inspired the audience to rethink their approach to waste disposal and to not be afraid to ask for what you want in effort of making the world a better place.

NOLA Artist Incubator brought a unique perspective to the panel, discussing sustainability efforts at the Galvez Garden and showcasing the intersection of sustainability and the arts. Through Lissie’s presentation, she demonstrated how creativity and innovation can be powerful catalysts for social and environmental change. Her presentation not only showcased the power of infusing sustainability into each project of the nonprofit, but also emphasized how being persistent and patient is key, and that it takes time to build a meaningful program and organization.

What made both presentations so interesting was not just their innovative solutions but also their commitment to inclusivity and community engagement. Both Compost NOW and NOLA Artist Incubator emphasized the importance of collaboration and partnerships in driving meaningful change. By fostering connections between diverse stakeholders, they create ecosystems of support that enable sustainable initiatives to thrive.

Moreover, the presentations underscored the importance of education and advocacy in building a more sustainable future. By sharing their stories and successes, both organizations empowered individuals to become agents of change in their own right. Their passion and dedication served as powerful reminders that every action, no matter how small, contributes to a more sustainable and equitable world.

The audience left inspired and empowered, ready to make a difference in their own communities.