Julianna Maio
Originally from New Jersey, Julianna arrived at IENYC with an extensive background in textile design. She’d actually spent several years working in New York’s fashion industry before starting the MS in Global Business & Sustainability.
Julianna’s experience in the apparel sector exposed her to the harsh realities present in global supply chains. This perspective motivated her to pivot from design to sustainability. By the time she joined the program, Julianna was ready to dedicate her professional journey to improving supply chains in the apparel and related industries.
“The next steps in my career in global sustainability have been shaped by the program at IENYC, primarily due to the incredible network I built during my time here.”
Why study Global Business and Sustainability in New York?
Julianna Maio admits that IENYC’s MS in Global Business & Sustainability stood out to her for several reasons.
She liked that the program is closely linked to New York’s apparel sector, both through faculty and partnerships. This made it easier to keep up with current challenges and opportunities in the industry.
The professors are extremely impressive, knowledgeable and well-networked, too. Every lesson became an enriching experience, and meeting other industry leaders was a regular occurrence throughout the program.
Additionally, she valued the small class sizes. They fostered a very intimate, hands-on environment for learning and networking, promoting idea sharing. And with such a diverse student body, she gained an incredibly well-rounded perspective.
Working with the UN
Julianna looks back on her capstone project fondly. “In partnership with the UN Secretariat's internal learning development division, we developed a community engagement strategy for their existing leadership,” she explains.
The main goal was to foster a deeper sense of community among members. However, Julianna and her team also aimed to increase engagement from senior leadership and create a safe space for sharing. “We were also tasked with helping shift the strategy from a facilitator-led model to a more sustainable, member-led structure.”
Julianna served as the project manager and main point of contact between the IENYC student consulting team and UN partners. Her job involved coordinating all responsibilities, deliverables and timelines to align both teams for successful project execution.
Through the experience, she didn’t just develop valuable practical skills and connect with notable professionals in the sustainability field. Julianna also gained deeper insight into how global organizations make decisions, manage internal culture and navigate the evolving political landscape.
Building inroads into the UN ecosystem
These lessons were cemented when Julianna and her team visited the UN headquarters in New York City. They managed to make this trip twice over the course of the project, delivering in-person presentations to various UN staff.
“The visits allowed me to connect with many UN professionals, both within and outside of our project team,” she notes. “They gave me an opportunity to build my network within this key global organization.”
The project was a catalyst for what have become highly valuable professional relationships. The people Julianna met during this time have continued to invite her to UN events, allowing her to expand her network even further. They have also offered their mentorship, which has been extremely impactful as she navigates the next stage of her career.
Shaping professional futures
For Julianna, her time in the MS in Global Business & Sustainability has confirmed that the world needs more business strategists with sustainability knowledge and skills. “The planet has its limits,” she admits, “And we’re quickly approaching a natural timeline.” But by nurturing more sustainability professionals, businesses can balance short-term corporate priorities with long-term strategic planning.
According to her, this program is ideal for anyone who wants to help close the sustainability gap. However, students must actively engage with the IENYC community to make the most of this experience. That means cultivating relationships and taking advantage of every networking opportunity, even with faculty members.
Throughout the program, she realized that her professors were an incredible resource not only for their specialized knowledge and industry experience but also for their professional connections. “They graciously opened their networks up to me, paving the way for valuable opportunities within the sustainability space. Because of this, I know that the next steps in my global sustainability career have been profoundly shaped by the program at IENYC.”