As Earth Action (EA) continues to grow, the organization is preparing for an exciting new chapter: welcoming a CEO/COO to its leadership team. In this exclusive conversation, co-founders and co-CEOs Sarah Perreard and Julien Boucher reflect on EA’s journey, its unique approach to sustainability, and what this new role means for the future.
Q: Earth Action has grown significantly in recent years. How do you describe the organization today?
Sarah:
At its core, EA is about creating impact—real, measurable change. What makes us unique is our dual structure: we’re both a consultancy and a non-profit. This allows us to work across all levels of the system. On one hand, we help businesses reduce their footprints and align with planetary boundaries. On the other, we collaborate with NGOs, policymakers, and researchers to drive systemic change.
Julien:
Exactly. We’re bridge builders. Sustainability is complex, and no one actor can solve it alone. Our job is to connect the dots between corporates, governments, NGOs, and scientists. Whether it’s helping companies design better products, providing data to support legislation, or empowering NGOs with the facts to raise the bar, we’re focused on creating solutions that benefit the entire system and help all stakeholder transition towards the society of tomorrow, “planetary boundaries” compatible.
Q: Your model sounds ambitious—how do you balance these different roles?
Julien:
It’s not always easy. For instance, we work with major multinationals on reducing their plastic footprints while also empowering NGOs that hold these companies accountable. But we see this as a strength. Each stakeholder plays a vital role in driving change, and our job is to make sure they’re all working toward the same goal. Working with SMEs is key to us also to create dialogue between suppliers and big brands, The change cannot happen alone. We believe in these multistakeholder initiatives where stakeholders from along the value change can collaborate to create value and impact.
Sarah:
Coming from the corporate world, I’ve seen firsthand how NGOs can empower sustainability teams within companies. They hold organizations accountable, which in turn gives internal champions the leverage they need to push for change. At EA, we embrace this systemic approach because we believe it’s the only way to address challenges as big as plastic pollution or climate change.
Q: Why is now the right time to bring on a CEO/COO?
Sarah:
Over the past five to six years, EA has grown at a steady 50% annually—proof of the increasing demand for systemic, impactful solutions. As co-founders, Julien and I have loved leading this growth. Julien, as a scientist turned entrepreneur, has brought a deep understanding of systems and methodologies, and this isn’t his first entrepreneurial venture. He was one of the co-founders of Quantis, which was recently acquired by BCG, demonstrating his ability to build and scale impactful organizations.
Meanwhile, my background in business management has been fueled by a passion for creating systemic change through better business. We both love building initiatives and putting together collaborations where 1+1=3—having our hands right in the mud, so to speak. But as EA has grown, we’ve naturally had to spend more time managing the operational aspects of the company. While it’s fulfilling, it’s not what excites us the most.
Julien:
Working toward a goal as ambitious as operating within planetary boundaries requires a great team. The team is like a well-tended ecosystem, and having the right leader is like ensuring the conditions—water, nutrients, and sunlight—are just right for everything to thrive. Sarah and I didn’t create EA to chase job titles like “CEO.” We created EA because we needed a platform to bring our vision to life. It was never about the title; it’s always been about impact. What we need now is someone who thrives on building strong teams, managing organizations, and ensuring everything runs smoothly. That way, we can continue focusing on the projects that inspire us most and deliver the impact we’re passionate about. This transition is about positioning EA for even greater impact. We’ve built a strong foundation, and now we need a leader who can help us scale that success while ensuring the organization remains agile, innovative, and impactful.
Q: What kind of leader are you looking for?
Julien:
We seek someone who shares our values of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate should embody these principles and possess the skills to lead a diverse organization. The specific role will be determined collaboratively, following a multi-head approach inspired by holacracy.
Sarah:
This is a leadership role with purpose. We need someone who understands the complexity of sustainability, who can think strategically while also rolling up their sleeves. But more than anything, we’re looking for someone who believes, as we do, that creating impact is about empowering others—whether that’s our team, our clients, or our partners.
Q: What excites you most about EA’s future?
Sarah:
The opportunity to create even greater impact. Whether it’s scaling our methodologies, building new partnerships, or tackling emerging challenges like microplastics or corporate accountability, there’s so much potential to make a difference.
Julien:
For me, it’s about seeing the ideas we’ve been working on for years take root and grow. When I look at what our team has achieved so far, I’m incredibly proud. But I’m even more excited about what’s still to come.
Q: Any final thoughts for those reading this?
Sarah:
If you know someone who would be a great fit for this role, please share this with them. And if you’re passionate about sustainability and leadership, we’d love to hear from you.
Julien:
This isn’t just a job—it’s an opportunity to be part of something bigger. We’re looking for someone who wants to shape the future of sustainability with us.
