The way leaders are problem solving in the world we live in today is changing.

The World Economic Forum has been touting the practice of systems thinking for years, which you can loosely define as a way of viewing problems and the path to their solutions in a multi-dimensional approach, as opposed to a linear path.

Similarly, the concept of biomimicry, or analyzing a problem and evaluating solutions based on how nature would approach it, is another concept taking off in the business landscape. Especially as business and governments try to align behind sustainability goals and targets.

In this episode, three entrepreneurial leaders talk about how systems thinking and biomimicry help drive their businesses from ocean cleanup to becoming simultaneously profitable and water positive.

• Ela Gokcigdem ‘24, Blue Economy Specialist
  
• Vikki L. Rodgers, PhD., Professor of Ecology and the Science Director and Integrated Sustainability Director at Babson
  
• Ramón Mendiola, Sustainable Business Leader, Former CEO of Florida Ice and Farm Company (FIFCO), Current Babson Board Member

Sources:

Intro Segment:

1. https://www.weforum.org/stories/2021/01/what-systems-thinking-actually-means-and-why-it-matters-today/

2. https://www.weforum.org/publications/innovative-learning-solutions-to-navigate-complexity-adapting-systems-thinking-to-future-classrooms/

Ela’s Segment:

1. Stanichny, Sergey. (2022). Outbreak of marine mucilage in the Sea of Marmara in 2021. Marine Biological Journal. 7. 107-109. 10.21072/mbj.2022.07.1.09. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/359401873_Outbreak_of_marine_mucilage_in_the_Sea_of_Marmara_in_2021
2. https://www.avsaproject.org/

Professor Rodgers’ Segment:

Books on Biomimicry:

1. Benyus, J. 2002. Biomimicry: Innovation inspired by nature. Harper Perennial
2. Collins, K. 2014. Nature of investing: Resilient investment strategies through biomimicry. Routledge

Articles (mentioned or used for research):

1. Brier, E. Sept 19, 2024 “Forbes Sustainability Leaders” Forbes https://www.forbes.com/sites/elisabethbrier/article/forbes-sustainability-leaders/
2. Russo, A. 2020. “Half of world’s GDP moderately or highly dependent on nature, says new report” World Economic Forum https://www.weforum.org/press/2020/01/half-of-world-s-gdp-moderately-or-highly-dependent-on-nature-says-new-report/
3. Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change. Global warming of 1.5 C https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/

4. Colombo, L. A., Moser, C., Muehlfeld, K., & Joy, S. (2024). Sowing the seeds of change: Calling for a social–ecological approach to management learning and education. Academy of Management Learning & Education, 23(2), 207-213. https://journals.aom.org/doi/full/10.5465/amle.2024.0086

Article Professor Rodgers co-authored that references Babson’s interdisciplinary SES work to focus on inclusive and interdisciplinary teaching:

1. Byrne, L. B., Rauschert, E. S., Rodgers, V. L., Bowser, G., Casper, A., Dewsbury, B., ... & Weber, L. (2025). Diversifying Ecology Education for Everyone Through More Inclusive, Interdisciplinary, and Accessible Teaching. The Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America, e2233. https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/bes2.2233

Babson publications on SES courses:

1. Babson College. “Socio-Ecological Systems Core Courses”https://www.babson.edu/undergraduate/academics/curriculum/socio-ecological-systems/
   
2. Savignano, M. 2022. “Exploring an integrated mindset” Babson Thought & Action https://entrepreneurship.babson.edu/socio-ecological-deer-island/
   
3. Crawford, J. 2023. “What the future demands of today’s classrooms”. Babson Magazine. https://entrepreneurship.babson.edu/faculty-future-classroom/

Ramón’s Segment:

1. https://thecostaricanews.com/fifco-aspires-to-be-the-first-positive-water-company-in-costa-rica/
2. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/57f3c5ddbe65946007f0290f/t/663a6a0a2ab5953f275ef5e3/1715104284095/FIFCO-Integrated-Report-2024-ENVIRONMENTAL.pdf