Anna Hicks ’25: Prioritizing sustainability at Pacolet Milliken

Recycling is often the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of sustainability, however sustainability can mean so much more. Working towards sustainable goals with environmental, social and governance (ESG) monitoring can help companies be better stewards of the earth and have a larger impact on society! My name is Anna Hicks and I am the ESG Fellow with Pacolet Milliken this summer. I am a rising senior from Alpharetta, Ga., double majoring in Politics and International Affairs and Economics.  

As the ESG Fellow, I have several tasks and responsibilities working directly with Jennifer Calabria, Pacolet Milliken’s Director of Land Development. I am responsible for researching corporate ESG standards and evaluating Pacolet Milliken’s efforts in sustainable strategies. I am learning a lot about ESG trends, regulations and best practices within the field of finance and investing. I am also evaluating sustainable practices within the office and exploring opportunities to increase the company’s sustainability. Additionally, I am assisting my supervisor in implementing social sustainability initiatives, such as affordable housing, in future community developments in the Upstate. Further, a future project that I hope to complete is updating Pacolet Milliken’s land holdings portfolio with the use of GIS software.

As a real estate and infrastructure investment firm, it might seem like there are few opportunities to embrace sustainability. However, this is not the case! Pacolet Milliken has taken many steps to prioritize sustainability, such as transitioning energy investments to renewable energy, using real estate for affordable housing and even hiring an ESG Fellow! ESG work is crucial to help lower corporations’ carbon footprints and be more responsible stewards of our planet. If every company, no matter how big or small, took ESG standards into consideration for their business model it could have a large impact on our world, both environmentally and socially. So far, I have loved working as the ESG Fellow for Pacolet Milliken. I have learned and grown so much, and I can’t wait to see what opportunities the rest of the summer holds. 

A few thoughts from Jennifer Calabria, Director of Land Development for Pacolet Milliken:

 

Question:  Why is sustainability important to Pacolet Milliken?

“Pacolet Milliken doesn’t operate solely to make a profit – we operate at the intersection of profit and values. Though the financial component is an important part of sustainability – without economic viability, Pacolet Milliken would not exist – it is one leg of the three-legged stool that is sustainability. It is only by considering the other two components, environmental stewardship and social responsibility, as well that we can ensure long-term success.”

Question:  Why Pacolet Milliken is willing to partner with the Shi Institute?

“The Shi Institute has a high reputation as a leader and advocate for sustainability both within the university and in the wider community. The Shi Center is especially important to PM as it helps shape policies and practices that support environmental stewardship and social responsibility and is increasing the knowledge base about trends and best practices in sustainability.

The Shi Institute attracts talented Furman students with a strong interest and expertise in sustainability. Shi Student Fellows often have interdisciplinary training and diverse skill sets, combining knowledge in environmental science, policy, business and other relevant fields, making them versatile interns. This is apparent in our current intern, Anna Hicks, who has brought fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the company. We feel we have access to top talent by partnering with the Shi Institute.”

To learn more about Pacolet Milliken, visit the website here or via LinkedIn.