Frank Zambrelli Champions Sustainable Business: Navigating the Path to Responsible Entrepreneurship in Talk with Mount L.E.O. Program Students

In a recent talk with members of the Mount’s two-year L.E.O. business entrepreneurship
program, Frank Zambrelli, an ESG/Sustainability expert, design and branding chief executive,
and educator, emphasized the crucial role of sustainability in shaping the future of business.
Drawing from his extensive experience in fashion, luxury goods, and retail, Zambrelli discussed
his journey working with iconic brands such as Coach, Karl Lagerfeld, Nike, and Levis,
underscoring the life-long mentorship he received from Lagerfeld. He also explained how each
experience fueled his passion for sustainability.

Zambrelli highlighted sustainability as a business imperative that he urges companies to
incorporate into their strategies for long-term success. His insights into the environmental,
social, and governance (ESG) issues within the retail sector resonate with his current role as a
co-leader of the sustainable retail practice at Accenture. Through this lens, he navigates
strategy, digitalization, technology, and operations, helping businesses understand the impact of
their decisions on the planet.

Networking emerged as a key theme in Zambrelli's talk, emphasizing its role in his successful business ventures. He urged aspiring entrepreneurs not to be swayed by current challenges but

to focus on long-term goals. Zambrelli also shed light on the importance of diversity on
corporate boards, especially the need for female representation in luxury and retail companies,
stressing that decisions affecting sustainability are often made by women.

His discourse extended beyond corporate concerns to the broader environmental crisis.
Zambrelli detailed the escalating carbon levels, illustrating how it impacts resources like cotton,
citing the example of Levis potentially relocating due to climate change. He painted a vivid
picture of the interconnectedness of our actions, emphasizing the catastrophic consequences
for the world if businesses fail to act responsibly.

Zambrelli's talk resonated with the urgent need for businesses to redefine success by
embracing sustainability. By intertwining personal anecdotes, industry insights, and
environmental concerns, he conveyed a powerful message to the next generation of business
leaders – that sustainability isn't just a choice but a responsibility that can shape a more
equitable and resilient future for all.

The talk provided the budding entrepreneurs with an understanding of the importance of trying
to add a plan for sustainability to their business plans that they will be sharing at the end of the
two-year program with “Sharks,” who will award the best presentations and products with
scholarship monies.

Mount student Brooke Proscia ‘24 said she enjoyed learning that what we do now will impact
future generations, while Maddie Dolan ‘24, said she appreciated learning the exact statistics
shared by Mr. Zambrelli, as they really brought home how important sustainability is for the
future of the planet.