Perle Sand 

Born and raised in Denmark, one of the most sustainable countries in the world, I developed a deep connection to environmental responsibility from an early age. My journey in sustainability continued in my role at Ørsted, a global leader in renewable energy, where I worked prior to Harvard Business School. At Ørsted, I led the financial development and valuation of major U.S. onshore and offshore wind and solar projects. Through my work, I recognized that renewable energy—and sustainability more broadly—still faces significant barriers. I aim to dedicate my career to overcoming these challenges and advancing a more sustainable and equitable future for all of us. 

My vision for a sustainable future: My vision is a world where people are educated on the environmental impact of their daily choices, governments align economic incentives with environmental goals, and corporations take responsibility for their environmental impact across their entire value chains. We all play a role in building a greener and better future. 

Favorite Green Tip: Incorporate more plant-based proteins into your diet! This could be lentils, beans, tofu, or quinoa. Food accounts for as much as 30% of a household’s carbon footprint, and plant-based proteins generally require significantly fewer resources and produce far fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to animal-based proteins. For example, beef generates about 50kg of CO2 equivalent per 100g of protein, whereas lentils only generate less than 1kg of CO2 equivalent per 100g of protein. It doesn’t have to be about perfection—every small change helps. Even swapping one or two meals a week for plant-based options contributes to a more sustainable future for all.