Meet the members, in conversation with Nicole Russell

Nicole Russell is the marketing manager at Italtile and believes that environmental education holds a key to future improvements. She answered our questions to give us insight into her work, the environment and what inspires her.

1. Where do you go for inspiration?

Pinterest is my place of inspiration. As an avid user, I truly use this platform for every part of my life. From personal, motherhood, work projects, school projects, etc… like Alice in wonderland I often find myself down a rabbit hole with no return….

2. What is the best part of your work day?

Working with my marketing team, we have such an amazing work relationship and have fun while producing magic. In all my years of working, I am most proud of the team I have now, we truly have the most dynamic relationships and same work ethic.

3. What is the most exciting project/aspect of your work currently?

We are currently building a new Boksburg Showroom and simultaneously revamping our Umhlanga Showroom. I am quite involved in the design of the showrooms, which I thoroughly enjoy. It is an exceptional feeling seeing a project come to life from the very beginning right up until we open doors.

4. What do you think is the most urgent global environmental challenge facing us?

Plastic Pollution is top of my list. Our planet is drowning in plastic litter and microplastics. Killing sea life by the thousands, daily and us as humans have created this hazard.

5. What do you feel is the biggest issue in the green building industry that we have to overcome, and any ideas on where to start in tackling it?

There should be more education supporting sustainability and eco focus, instilled especially from high school years – educating the youth. I do think even with our millennials currently, we have not done enough on educating.

I also find it challenging to believe that corporates actually follow through with their ‘green’ promises. I feel that corporates promote their environmental support but do not actually achieve or consistently maintain their environmental promises. I see this internationally and not just in South Africa. We need to do better, consistently better.