Punahou alumna Gwen Migita ’89 visited campus on Nov. 18 as the Sustainability Speakers Club’s first guest, sharing insights from her 20+ year career in corporate sustainability and social impact. Migita, formerly Chief Sustainability & Equity Officer at Caesars Entertainment, has led nationally recognized efforts on climate strategy, human trafficking prevention, houselessness and immigrant inclusion.
Her visit kicked off the new Sustainability Speaker Series Club, launched by Charlie Koh ’27, a member of the inaugural Sustainability Fellows cohort. Inspired by the Punahou Sustainability Fellowship, the club aims to make sustainability education more accessible by bringing experts to campus and showing students that every career can be a sustainability-focused career.
Speaking to Academy students, Migita explained core sustainability concepts such as ESG and the “triple bottom line,” emphasizing that environmental action and economic success can go hand in hand. She highlighted key issues companies must address today, including climate mitigation, natural disaster preparedness, water challenges and long-term renewable energy policy.
During a lively Q&A, students asked about her career path, corporate responsibility and ways young people can create change. Migita encouraged them to explore policy, analytics, consulting and community-based work, reminding them that meaningful progress often starts with small, persistent action.
