From interior design to sustainability: a conversation with Amtrak’s Kara Oldhouser | The Sustainability Series

For Kara Oldhouser, what she describes as the ‘catalyst moment’ for her career in sustainability came after working in the commercial and architectural design space. Having studied interior design, she now had the chance to blend aesthetics with engineering and construction – and, with interest in environmental design increasing, Kara found herself drawn to learn more. She did a master’s in environmental studies and, after working with the built environment for a few years, joined Amtrak – the National Passenger Railroad of the U.S. – in 2017. Kara’s first position at Amtrak was in the real estate department – a development she describes as ‘a funny little story’: ‘The Environment Sustainability team sat right next to me and I became fast friends with everyone in that department,’ she recalls. ’90 days after starting [...] it was clear that my path was really meant for the sustainability manager position at the time’.

 

Seven years later, Kara is their Director of Sustainability – and Gov Kandola, who leads our Transport & Logistics team, was pleased to catch up with her for an episode of the Venari Podcast’s Sustainability series to discuss Kara’s career, Amtrak’s sustainable initiatives, and how this subject will influence future developments in her sector.