Meet Smiely Khurana | Founder, The Sustainable Act

We had the good fortune of connecting with Smiely Khurana and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Smiely, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
The idea for The Sustainable Act emerged from my deep passion for my commitment to sustainability and love for community and collaboration. When I was still a student in university studying film production, I saw firsthand the immense potential for integrating sustainable practices into the creative industry. This commitment led me to working in the industry in Vancouver, BC and with Netflix’s green team to implement sustainability on productions. When the 2020 pandemic hit and we were in lockdown, I missed the daily conversations, sharing green tips and inspiring action on set with my crews. This experience, combined with my love for media and storytelling, inspired me to create a platform that not only educates but also motivates people to take action. The Sustainable Act was born out of the need to create a collective that uses media and storytelling to inspire meaningful change. I want to connect with audiences globally, bringing together diverse sectors to collaborate on sustainability initiatives. My podcast was the first of this vision, allowing me to reach a wide audience and share impactful stories from leaders driving positive change. Today, The Sustainable Act has collaborated with stakeholders and partners around the globe, been featured in exhibitions, events, panels, conferences and news outlets. We have also introduced new initiatives focused on climate mental health and have so much more planned for the future.

In 2023 I started Khurana Kreative Media to bring The Sustainable Act platform, my films, multimedia projects, and digital marketing services under one umbrella. This production company allows me to further amplify diverse narratives and promote sustainability within the film industry. Through collaboration with other production companies, we can create content that not only entertains but also educates and inspires action towards a more sustainable and inclusive world. In the future, I’d love to grow the company to support more podcasts and media-makers in their production and distribution.

Ultimately, my business ideas stem from a genuine desire to make a positive impact on the world by leveraging the power of storytelling and media to drive social and environmental change.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My work revolves around the intersection of storytelling, sustainability, and community engagement. What sets my work apart is my commitment to highlighting diverse, underrepresented voices and pressing environmental issues through various forms of media. I believe in the power of storytelling to drive social and environmental change, and this belief is at the core of everything I do.

One of the achievements I am most proud of is The Sustainable Act’s feature in the Des Pardes exhibition at The Reach Gallery & Museum in Abbotsford, BC from October 2023 – June 2024, which highlighted local South Asian community leaders. This recognition affirms the importance of showcasing and uplifting diverse narratives, and to have it be in my hometown was extra special.

Getting to where I am today professionally has not been easy. The journey has been filled with challenges, from navigating the complexities of the film industry to breaking through barriers as a woman of colour. One of the significant challenges was integrating sustainability into an industry that often prioritizes profit over the planet. However, my role as the inaugural Reel Green™ Sustainability Lead at Creative BC provided me with the platform to implement strategic plans and foster a growing community dedicated to sustainable production practices.

Throughout my journey, I have learned several valuable lessons. Authenticity is paramount; staying true to my values and vision has guided me through difficult times and helped me build a brand that resonates with others. Collaboration is powerful; by working with others who share my passion for sustainability and storytelling, we can achieve far more than we could alone. It is essential to remain adaptable and open to learning; the landscape of media and sustainability is constantly evolving, and being willing to adapt has been key to my growth. Finally, you don’t need to fit in a box; if the job you want doesn’t exist, create it. This mindset has empowered me to carve my own path and build a career that aligns with my passions and values.

What I want the world to know about my brand is that we are dedicated to creating more inclusivity in the world. Statistically, the sustainability space is not as diverse as it should be. It is crucial to highlight the voices of young people, people of colour, Indigenous communities, and leaders from within our own neighbourhoods. These perspectives are often underrepresented, yet they are essential in driving meaningful change. We are also targeting a whole population of young people through our podcast, social media, and our community events, engaging a demographic that is often at the forefront of social and environmental activism but whose voices are not always amplified. According to our audience analytics, 55% of our listeners are millennials, proving that we have a direct line to the generation that will be next in line to lead our world. By creating content that resonates with their experiences and concerns, we aim to inspire and mobilize this generation to take action and champion leadership in the sustainability movement.

In addition to our storytelling and sustainability efforts, I am deeply committed to addressing the intersection of climate change and mental health. Through the launch of Climate Cafe Vancouver, we have created a welcoming space for individuals to openly discuss the emotional and psychological impacts of the climate crisis. This initiative is designed to foster a supportive community where people can share their experiences, find solace, and build resilience together.

Recognizing the profound mental health challenges posed by the climate emergency, I am also gearing up to launch a new initiative later this year that further aligns with our mission. This upcoming project will provide additional resources and platforms for conversations about climate anxiety and eco-grief, reinforcing our dedication to creating a safe and open space for those grappling with the mental health impacts of the climate crisis. By addressing these often-overlooked aspects of the climate conversation, I aim to support holistic wellbeing and empower individuals to take action with a strong and resilient mindset.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m born and raised in Vancouver so my itinerary will be for Vancity!

Things to do for the week;
– Granville Island
– Walk around downtown Vancouver (make note to visit Yaletown, Davie Village and Gastown)
– Bike the famous seawall (the longest seawall in the WORLD!) and make your way to Stanley Park
– Grab sushi for takeout and head to one of the beaches (Kitslano, English Bay or Sunset Beach) and watch the sunset
– Visit Science World, and then spend the day in Olympic Village
– Take the seabus to North Vancouver and spend the day at the Shipyards
– Visit East Van for cute hipster bars, art shops, food/drinks and bookstores.
– Day trip to Deep Cove – go kayaking or paddle boarding
– Capilano Suspension Bridge (super touristy but a must)
– HIKE (there’s a million trails, depending on your level, time and view goal)
– Day trip to Squamish for donuts at Fox & Oak, hiking and craft beer at Backcountry Brewing
– Day trip ferry to Bowen Island

Food/Drinks (some of my faves)
– Meet on Main (vegan restaurant, they have a few locations!)
– Lee’s Donuts
– Chickpea
– Cactus Club Cafe, Tap and Barrel and Earls are all classic spots for good happy hours
– Maxines Cafe and Bistro
– Caffe Mira
– Nuba
– Cartems Donuts
– Tasty Indian Bistro
– JJ Bean
– Arriva Ristorante (fave Italian restaurant)
– Daikichi Sushi

The most fun thing about the city is it’s walkable, everyone is super active, and there is so much access to parks, beaches and nature. Whether you want to go for a bike ride, chill at the beach, read in the park, hike a trail or go kayaking/swimming, everything is in super close proximity.
The best part about Vancouver is the ocean, trees, and the mountains.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a shoutout to Ursula Galvao, The Sustainable Act’s Creative Director and the person that truly believed in my vision and decided to come on board as the first ever team member even though I had no funding to pay anyone. Ursula has become my greatest friend, collaborator, coworker and partner in crime in this work. She inspires me daily, puts up with my crazy ideas, keeps me calm and grounded, and is always smiling and helping. She is the mastermind behind the scenes, supporting with podcast production, developing Climate Cafe Vancouver, content strategy and more.
Earlier this year I left my 9-5 to focus on growing The Sustainable Act and Ursula was the first person to join me in this crazy ride and saw potential in my vision. I wouldn’t be here many months later celebrating all the successful partnerships and achievements we have had if it weren’t for Ursula having my back through it all. She deserves all the recognition and more!

Website: https://www.thesustainableact.com/

Instagram: @smielykhurana | @thesustainableact

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smielykhurana/

Twitter: https://x.com/SmielyKhurana

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesustainableact

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thesustainableact