Who we are

Zest is an independent consultancy that offers sustainability and social impact solutions for growing technology companies that want to be a force for good.

We are fuelled by the opportunity that climate change presents. Never before have we been presented with such a pressing challenge — and that excites us.

Think of us as your in-house sustainability and social impact expert. No matter the stage in your growth journey, we use established frameworks and methodology to deliver meaningful impact.

Our founder

“Growing up I often heard that protecting the environment and protecting the economy were goals that were at odds with each other. It was one or the other: either a healthy environment or a flourishing economy. 

This never sat well with me and so I have dedicated my life to understanding how our economy and our natural world work, in order to find a mutually beneficial solution.

I pursued an honours degree in environmental sciences and economics, a certificate in sustainable business, a certificate in natural resource management, and spent nearly ten years embedding sustainability and social impact strategies at Fiix and Assent, high-growth Canadian tech companies. I’ve been through three raises and an acquisition, I sit on the B Local Vancouver Board of Directors, and I’ve been recognized as a 2020 Clean50 Emerging Leader for my work.

More and more, I’m hearing that  companies want to prioritize people and the planet alongside profit, but get stuck on “how”.

That’s why I started Zest. I want to help growing companies generate real impact by integrating sustainability into their business models.

I believe our global challenges present us with an opportunity to connect more deeply to each other and our natural world — and that doing so can be an enjoyable experience.”

— Katie Allen, Founder & Head of Impact