💫 Meet the Team: Jess O'Neal

At Zevero, our team is made up of passionate individuals working together to drive meaningful change. In this edition of our Meet the Team series, we sit down with Jess O’Neal, our Head of Partnerships, to learn more about her background, her role at Zevero, and what makes her tick.

15 Questions with Jess O’Neal

1. Can you introduce yourself and share a bit about your background?

I come from an innovation consulting background, where I’ve helped companies find new ways to innovate and unlock new business opportunities. My focus has specifically been sustainability - things like the circular economy, digital pollution, and other areas that can make a big impact. 

2. What’s your role at Zevero, and what does your day-to-day look like?

I am the Head of Partnerships, so I’m in charge of defining our partnership strategy. Basically, I look for partners we can work with to enhance our offering to customers, and figure out ways we can work together to build both our brands. On a day-to-day basis, I’m usually juggling different partner projects, meeting with partners to build relationships and identify strategic opportunities, going to events to network, and creating marketing assets. 

3. What’s something unique about your role that people might not realise?

I constantly have to iterate and evolve the strategy, combining the test and learn approach with strategic thinking. Both a pipeline building role and a support function, collaborates with sales, marketing, product and sustainability. Lots of overlap across the business. 

I’m constantly iterating and evolving our strategy- combining a test-and-learn approach with strategic thinking. It’s a bit of both: building a pipeline and providing support. I work closely with sales, marketing, product, and sustainability, so there’s a lot of collaboration and overlap across the business. 

4. What’s the most exciting project you’ve worked on at Zevero so far?

Enrolling us in the grow London global programme, sponsored by the Mayor of London! It’s a handpicked cohort of startups, and being part is such a great opportunity - it unlocks great growth opportunities, and connects us to an amazing network. 

5. What’s a skill or strength you bring to the team that you’re proud of?

Being a critical thinker. I like to think outside the box, and bring new ideas to the table, or build on other’s ideas to make them even stronger. I’m all about keeping a growth mindset to give us that extra edge. 

6. Why did you choose to work at Zevero?

Carbon reporting is absolutely key to tackling the biggest challenge our generation faces. I’m  really inspired by our co-founders, Ben Richardson and George Wade - especially their entrepreneurial spirit and drive. Plus, the global reach of Zevero is a huge USP. 

7. In your opinion, what’s the biggest challenge organisations face when it comes to sustainability?

It’s confusing - I work in the industry, and still get confused by all the different acronyms, details, regulations, and lack of standardisation. If you're not an expert and don't have the wider context, it's very hard to digest. 

8. What’s a sustainability trend or development you’re keeping an eye on?

The way the US is shifting its perspective on climate is concerning - it has global implications. It means the EU needs to lead the way even more than before.  

9. What’s one thing you hope to achieve in your role this year?

Getting more of our customers to regularly work with our partners to decarbonise their businesses. 

10. What’s something surprising people might not know about you?

I’m in an amateur dramatics show, singing and dancing - the whole shebang! 

11. What’s your go-to coffee or tea order?

Fresh lemon and ginger tea, very good for your liver! 

12. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

“Strategy is what you say no to.”

13. If you weren’t in your current role, what would you be doing?

I'd be a secondary school English teacher.

14. What’s the last book, podcast, or movie that really stuck with you?

The last movie that really stuck with me was Sing Sing. It's about a musical theatre group in a prison, and it’s actually based on The Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) programme at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. What’s incredible is that the programme has reduced recidivism rates from the national average of over 60% to less than 3% among its participants. This substantial decrease highlights the programme's effectiveness in supporting successful reintegration into society. Plus, the actors in the film are actual inmates, which makes it even more impactful. 

15. If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

Funny, direct, and outgoing.

From partnerships to performance, Jess’s mix of strategic thinking, creative problem-solving, and passion for collaboration makes her an invaluable part of our commercial team. Stay tuned for more Meet the Team features as we continue to introduce the people behind Zevero!