Staff in focus: Taryn Alessandra Cigagna

Name:

Taryn Alessandra Cigagna

My Pronouns:

she/her

Title:

Manager, Climate and Sustainability Engagement

Faculty/Department/Unit:

Campus and Community Planning

Location:

Vancouver

Year I started working at UBC:

2010

Describe what you do at UBC in 10 words or less:

Engaging with UBC community on climate action and sustainability initiatives.

What work achievement are you most proud of?

I am grateful to have joined the incredible Sustainability and Engineering team, after many years working in the global education space. In transitioning to climate work mid-career, I’ve had the privilege of partnering with UBC staff, faculty, and the broader campus community on strategic initiatives tied to UBC’s Climate Action Plan 2030. Addressing one of the biggest global challenges of our time, I am most proud to have worked on revitalizing our Sustainability Coordinator Program and in cultivating new, diverse connections across the university.

Out of anyone in the world, who do you think is the best leader and why?

Not a person in particular, but I’ve been reflecting a lot recently on what makes a good leader and what I want to emulate in my continued role as a leader at UBC. For me, the best leader embodies integrity, honesty, equitable decision-making, vision, loyalty and trust. The most respectable leaders and mentors I have had over my career never lose sight of the people at the heart of their work.

What are your hobbies and interests outside of work?

During the pandemic I started to get into birdwatching. I adore being in nature, whether it’s swimming in the ocean with whale sharks or observing primates in tropical forest, but had never paid much attention to birds. The time spent during lockdown allowed me to slow down and notice the world around me on a deeper level.