In a world where conversations around sustainability, climate action, and social impact often remain trapped inside boardrooms and policy circles, Scarlett Lanzas is proving that real change happens when global ideas are transformed into local action.
A social entrepreneur, nonprofit executive, and international development leader, Lanzas has spent her career building bridges between governments, nonprofits, corporations, and global institutions to create sustainable solutions with measurable impact. Throughout her professional journey, she has helped mobilize more than $50 million in private capital and multilateral project funding focused on humanitarian assistance, development, and sustainability initiatives.
Today, she stands as one of the most influential Latina voices in the intersection of climate innovation, social impact, and international development.
Localizing the Global Mission
Based in Miami, Scarlett founded Accountable Impact, a nonprofit organization dedicated to localizing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and turning them into actionable community-driven initiatives.
Her vision is rooted in the idea that sustainability cannot exist only at the global level — it must be integrated into cities, neighborhoods, businesses, schools, and local policies.
Under her leadership, Accountable Impact works with stakeholders across sectors to co-design programs that balance economic growth, environmental responsibility, and social equity while aligning with the UN 2030 Agenda.
For Scarlett, sustainability is not simply an environmental conversation — it is a framework for building healthier economies, stronger communities, and more equitable futures.
A Latina Voice in Global Sustainability
Scarlett’s leadership has earned her recognition across major international organizations and global initiatives.
She currently serves as Chair of IEEE Planet Positive 2030, an initiative supported by the IEEE Standards Association that convenes experts from around the world to help create a more sustainable and flourishing future by 2030 and beyond.
She was also elected Board President of the United Nations Association of the USA Miami Chapter, part of the United Nations Foundation, where she helps strengthen connections between communities and policymakers in support of a more peaceful, just, and sustainable world.
Her growing influence within climate leadership spaces also led to her appointment as Chair of the Community Board for Climate Week Miami, an inclusive platform focused on advancing climate solutions and environmental innovation throughout the Americas.
The initiative tackles critical issues including environmental justice, climate technology, sustainable fashion, circular economies, water scarcity, and women-led climate leadership. In 2025, Scarlett was invited to join the organization’s Board of Directors, further cementing her role as a key voice shaping the future of sustainability conversations in the region.
From Humanitarian Aid to Systems Change
Before becoming a leading force in sustainability and social entrepreneurship, Scarlett spent nearly a decade working with the United Nations World Food Programme, one of the world’s largest humanitarian organizations.
Her work ranged from emergency food assistance and recovery operations to resource mobilization, donor relations, and sustainable development programming focused on maternal and child nutrition, school feeding initiatives, and livelihood creation.
The experience gave her a firsthand understanding of the structural inequalities affecting vulnerable communities around the world — and reinforced her commitment to creating systems that empower people long-term rather than simply responding to crises.
Building a Legacy of Collective Impact
Beyond her nonprofit and international development work, Scarlett continues to expand her influence across organizations focused on environmental innovation, media, education, and social entrepreneurship.
She currently serves as Board Chair of Seaworthy Collective Foundation, a nonprofit startup community focused on reversing ocean degradation and climate change through technology and innovation.
She also co-founded Emergent Global Consulting, a consultancy supporting corporations, governments, and institutions working toward sustainable development and social impact strategies.
In the media and advocacy space, she served as the founding Board President of IMPACT.EDITION, an independent media platform dedicated to community journalism and collective impact storytelling.
Her commitment to empowering future generations is also reflected in her work as co-founder of Social Impact Movement, a Miami-based nonprofit focused on youth activism, civic engagement, and education around the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Redefining Latina Leadership
At a time when conversations around leadership are evolving, Scarlett Lanzas represents a new generation of Latina changemakers — leaders who understand that impact is built through collaboration, innovation, and purpose-driven action.
Her career reflects a powerful combination of global vision and local commitment, proving that Latinas are not only participating in the future of sustainability and policy innovation — they are helping lead it.
As climate action, social equity, and sustainable development become defining priorities for the next decade, leaders like Scarlett are showing the world that meaningful transformation begins when communities, institutions, and innovators come together with a shared purpose.
By Latino System
