The Next Generation of Sustainability: A Conversation with Dominique Hadad, Founder of Green Scope Consulting

On the latest episode of Going Zero, hosts Christy Cook, Seth, and Eric sat down with Dominique Hadad, the founder of Green Scope Consulting. Unlike many established industry veterans, Dominique represents a powerful new generation in sustainability—young, bold, and determined to drive meaningful change from the ground up.Dominique’s story begins with her Caribbean roots, where first-hand exposure to climate change impacts in Trinidad and Tobago created a deep awareness and resolve. In college at The Ohio State University, Dominique studied industrial engineering and soon found herself immersed in systems thinking—not just from textbooks but through real-world experience.Some fun facts from the episode:Dominique Hadad started her business right out of college, supported by winning Ohio State’s President’s Prize and a pitch competition—even though she didn’t see herself as an entrepreneur at first.Dominique helped a local Columbus restaurant achieve over 90% waste diversion, making it functionally a zero-waste restaurant (and she “had to” eat their food during the process!).Dominique crocheted a robot while studying engineering, earning her “engineering star”—but she was always more interested in connecting people and systems than building things.As the conversation turns to the broader future of sustainability, Dominique observes a growing movement towards transparency and authenticity—especially among young professionals. Where once degrees in sustainability were rare, now they are proliferating, creating a richly diverse talent pool. She notes, too, that diversity must include age and difference in thinking—because innovation often comes from those who see the world differently.