Alissa Brueckner graduated with a BSc in Economics and Politics in 2019. In 2022, following a role as Finance and Operations Manager with a sustainability-focused tech start-up, she moved to WWF.
We caught up with Alissa to reflect upon her time at the School of Economics and find out about her work in responsible philanthropy and innovation at a global conservation organisation.
How did your time at Bristol help set you on your career in the sustainability sector?
Sustainability has always been a passion of mine. I chose to study Economics and Politics at Bristol because I saw how much these fields impact people and the planet, and I liked the mix of analytical work and in-depth discussions.
I focused on sustainability by choosing units such as Environmental Economics, Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability, Green Political Thought, and Global Justice. I also completed other online courses, like Sustainable Futures and SDG Academy, and managed to win a full scholarship for a summer course on marine sustainability. This experience taught me a lot about managing local conservation programmes.
Between my second and final year, I secured an internship in sustainable finance at an investment bank. This was an exciting opportunity to put theory into practice, especially in ESG (environmental, social and governance) investing and risk management. I also learned more about the use of blockchain for traceability and wanted to explore how it might be used to prove investments or products are truly sustainable. My dissertation gave me the perfect opportunity to develop this idea further and apply what I learned at university to a real-world problem. This is how I came across the start-up, Provenance, which I joined after I left university.
Much like my degree, my role at the start-up was varied and required a lot of different skillsets managing finance, operations, and HR. What I most enjoyed was how hands-on it was and how much responsibility I was given from day one. I loved learning how to fund and scale a social enterprise, from pricing strategy to grant management and fundraising with private investors. Wanting to specialise in fundraising and be closer to impactful projects, I found my current role in philanthropy at WWF Switzerland.
What does your role at WWF involve? What are the most rewarding aspects?
My role involves building relationships with major philanthropic donors and foundations and setting up projects worldwide with our team. It’s a balance between meeting the needs of local communities and creating projects that benefit the environment, while also aligning with the interests of donors. My degree has been invaluable in this, especially in terms of critical thinking, asking the right questions to donors and project leads, and listening to what’s important to local people and funders as well as using this information, facts, figures, and pictures, to simplify complex projects and to tell their story.
“Working in sustainability is fantastic because there are so many different and creative ways to solve complex problems.”
Our work is adapted to each context and culture, so I get to meet lots of interesting and inspiring people! My job is also considered very positive here in Europe, whereas communities and offices in other regions face much harsher realities. In the global south, climate change and poverty are real threats. Some communities struggle with extreme weather events while trying to make a positive difference and, in other areas, environmental conservation can be dangerous, leading to clashes with the oil, agriculture, and drug industries.
I feel privileged to work in this field. I can share the stories of these communities and give them the platform they need to create real change. I also enjoy working with donors who want to make a difference and sharing back the impact their donations make.
Can you tell us about the extracurricular work you did while at Bristol, which helped you earn a Bristol Plus Award?
During my summer internship at an investment bank in 2018, I launched a corporate giving initiative to tackle homelessness in Frankfurt.
While researching Germany’s new national action plan on human rights, I realised the importance of addressing human rights issues, such as homelessness, at the local level. I created a presentation highlighting the strategic benefits of tackling homelessness for the firm and proposed a voluntary Christmas Care Package Project made by employees at no cost to the firm.
I established connections with local shelters and enquired about existing corporate giving initiatives. I then made a prototype care package and posted my idea on the staff innovations page, for consideration via popular vote. The chairman of the foundation board approved my idea, which was eventually incorporated into the corporate giving programme along with a significant annual donation.
Receiving the Outstanding Award as part of the Bristol PLUS Awards was a wonderful way to reflect on the process and skills I gained. It gave me an opportunity to share and present what I achieved, and it’s something I’m still really proud of today. These experiences have been incredibly useful in my subsequent career development, teaching me valuable lessons in project management, strategic thinking, and community engagement.
Are there skills you developed at Bristol which particularly help in your day-to-day work?
As an economics student, critical and analytical thinking, a global perspective, and the ability to identify and mitigate externalities or unintended consequences were key things I learned. The politics side of my degree balanced this by giving me a broader context, shedding light on harsh and differing realities and teaching me to be objective and consider different perspectives.
The dissertation also helped, especially the executive summary. We all have limited time and attention spans. Narrowing down exactly what your message is and communicating that quickly and simply (backed by evidence) is an incredibly important skillset to develop and hone. This ability is essential in my role.
What advice would you give to economics students considering a career in sustainability?
Bristol, both as a city and a university, has always been closely connected to sustainability, with numerous events, speakers from the field and TED Talks on the subject. This exposure gave me valuable insights into potential career paths and the options available.
My advice is to immerse yourself in the field as much as possible. Talk to people who work in the sector, attend talks and events, volunteer, and undertake internships and placements in various businesses and non-governmental organisations. This hands-on experience is invaluable in understanding the different roles and finding what suits you best.
There are so many areas where you can make a significant impact, from sustainable finance, philanthropy, and project work, to consulting in sustainability and working within sustainability teams in businesses. Try out different roles and speak to different people within those fields.
“Learn what you enjoy, what you can do well and where you can have the most impact.”
Working in sustainability is also not just about “saving the planet”. It’s about generating ideas and innovation. We are working on complex problems without simple solutions and don’t have all the answers yet. So, there is a lot of space to create something new and exciting that benefits people and the planet.
Where could a degree in economics take you? Find out more about studying an undergraduate degree in economics at Bristol.