Life at Deloitte - Kathryn Pavlovsky - Annual Review 2008

Following a sustainable path

For Deloitte United States principal Kathryn Pavlovsky, a passion for the environment follows her at every turn.

How did you first become interested in environmental issues?
How did you turn enterprise sustainability into a formal service for clients in the United States?
What advice would you give to a recent graduate?

How did you first become interested in environmental issues?

I spent many of my formative years in Europe, and when I returned to the United States, I was keenly aware of the differences between the United States and Europe regarding sustainability. I later pursued a degree in environmental economics, learning about environmental, social, and economic trade-offs, and the value of natural resources.

How did you turn enterprise sustainability into a formal service for clients in the United States?

I started my career valuing environmental liabilities and supporting Deloitte U.S. audit clients with environmental disclosures and liabilities. I realized that the organization’s four business functions and industry focus create a unique opportunity to address clients’ growing sustainability challenges, from strategy to operational integration to governance needs. So I submitted the idea for a cross-functional service offering related to sustainability through “Innovation Quest,” an internal Deloitte U.S. contest aimed at gathering innovative ideas on how to better serve clients.

What advice would you give to a recent graduate?

It’s really important to do what you love because your interest and passion are going to be reflected in your work. And anything’s possible—I think my story applies to anybody in the organization.

Points of view

Kathryn on…lessons learned
It is alright to ask for help. During various times of my life, I was exposed to environments where a “survival of the fittest” mentality was rewarded. When I joined Deloitte, I was very pleased to find that the culture is so diverse and consultative and have realized that through teamwork, I have been able to accomplish so much more than what I could do alone.

Kathryn on…Deloitte
I was certainly able to bring my previous work experience, educational experience, and personal interests together at Deloitte—that’s really unique. You have very few opportunities like that in other organizations.

Kathryn on…heroes
My mother and father were very inspiring educationally, professionally, and civically. They impressed the importance of legacy and contribution to mankind at a very young age. My father says he knew I was different when I did a report on Amelia Earhart in kindergarten, while my classmates focused on television characters like Mr. Rogers. Earhart always fascinated me because she was pushing the envelope—certainly as a woman, but really across both genders—and she did it at the greatest cost, her life. She left a legacy.