Building a Plastic-Free Future: Ramya Mabry’s Internship at Lotus Sustainables

Through reusable bag systems, policy advocacy, and retail partnerships across the country, Lotus Sustainables is on a mission to eliminate single-use plastics and prove that sustainability can be simple, scalable, and smart. Under the leadership of CEO Jesse Langley—a longtime advocate for conscious business and co-chair of Conscious Capitalism San Diego—Lotus has become a national leader in values-driven retail solutions. Jesse has also played an instrumental role in developing USD’s Social Innovation Internship, helping shape a vision for how business and education can collaborate to serve humanity.

This spring, Ramya Mabry, a graduate student at the University of San Diego’s Kroc School, where she is pursuing her Master of Arts in Social Innovation, joined Lotus as a University of San Diego Social Innovation Intern. With a background in community engagement and a passion for food justice, Ramya brought strategic thinking and systems insight to her work—researching plastic legislation, analyzing corporate sustainability efforts, and translating complex policy trends into actionable materials for Lotus’s sales and marketing teams.

Ramya’s work reflects the kind of transformational learning the Social Innovation Internship is designed to provide: giving students the opportunity to align their personal values with their professional development while collaborating with businesses committed to impact. Led by the Center for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Career Development Center—and supported by Conscious Capitalism San Diego and a generous grant from the Prebys Foundation—this program connects USD students with companies at the forefront of sustainability, ethics, and innovation.

Q&A with Ramya Mabry and Jesse Langley

Exploring Policy, Advocacy, and Impact at Lotus Sustainables

Motivation & Mission

Ramya, what inspired you to apply for the Social Innovation Internship, and how does it support your personal and professional aspirations?
I was inspired to apply for the Social Innovation Internship because it strongly aligned with my degree and coursework. I was especially excited about the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with a certified B Corp in the social impact space—purpose-driven work is incredibly important to me. This internship supports both my personal and professional aspirations: I thrive in community-centered work, love being part of an empowering team, and hope to use influence, advocacy, and education to help build a more regenerative future.

Jesse, why did Lotus Sustainables choose to participate in the Social Innovation Internship?
We’re focused on purpose-driven business that elevates humanity. In order to do that, we must shepherd the next generation into this mindset. Today’s students are already viewing business differently, and we want to give them the experience, knowledge, network, and inspiration to advance their ideas through this internship program. It’s long-term thinking that aligns with our mission—acting today for the benefit of generations to come.

Inside the Internship

Ramya, what did a typical week look like for you at Lotus Sustainables? What were your main responsibilities?
Each week included team calls, one-on-one check-ins with Jesse and Allison, and dedicated time to work on my project. My work focused on research, interviews, and data collection related to plastic policy and corporate sustainability. I also had the opportunity to attend networking events a few times each month, where I could connect with industry professionals and build relationships with other Social Innovation interns.

Jesse, how has Ramya contributed to Lotus’s advocacy and sustainability work?
Ramya has been involved in every part of our effort to mitigate environmental impacts. She’s conducted product research, reviewed legislation, and examined the broader resource impacts of plastic bag bans. Most importantly, she’s translated that information into usable content for our sales and marketing teams to share with changemakers around the country. Her ability to distill complex information into compelling, accessible materials has made a real difference in how we educate others and scale our mission.

Ramya, your work focused on the intersection of sustainability policy and business strategy. What did you learn from that experience?
I learned that advocacy and collective impact are far more powerful than isolated efforts. Sustainability policy is nuanced, and thoughtful leadership is essential for moving the conversation forward—especially in business. I also discovered how important it is to align your messaging with your audience’s interests and values. Building trust and collaboration through shared purpose can lead to real, lasting impact.

Jesse, from your perspective, how do young professionals help accelerate the transition to a plastic-free economy?
It’s essential that young professionals embrace this movement. Real change comes through awareness, education, and the decision to make a difference. This generation is using both their dollars and their voices to push for a better future—one that’s inclusive, sustainable, and long-term in its thinking. They’re helping reshape capitalism into something healthier and more balanced for all stakeholders.

Challenges, Growth & Lessons Learned

Ramya, what was the biggest challenge you faced, and how did you navigate it?
Balancing school, work, and life was a real challenge for me. I’m a very outgoing person who loves to stay involved, but I had to learn when I was taking on too much. The key for me was learning how to lean on my team. Working in a fast-paced environment can be stressful, but having open communication, asking for help, and receiving feedback made a big difference. It helped me deliver on my goals while staying grounded.

Jesse, what surprised you most about working with Ramya?
Ramya’s self-awareness really stood out. She was always authentic—if something didn’t make sense, or if a project was going in a different direction, she wasn’t afraid to speak up. She genuinely wanted to connect with the team and understand the “why” behind our work. That kind of emotional intelligence and attunement is exactly what we value at Lotus.

Looking Ahead

Ramya, how has this internship shaped your perspective on careers in sustainability, advocacy, or corporate responsibility?
This experience reinforced that sustainability work is never finished—it requires continuous advocacy. If no one pushes back on plastic waste or materials like Styrofoam in landfills, the damage will continue. Corporate responsibility needs to be foundational in every organization; it’s the “why” behind a company’s vision and bottom line. This internship affirmed that I want to be part of work that makes a real difference for people and the planet.

Jesse, how do university-industry partnerships like this one help drive innovation in public policy and consumer goods?
Programs like this bridge the gap between the classroom and the business world. They allow students to step into real changemaking roles and bring new ideas to the table. That fresh perspective can spark innovation, while also offering hope to consumers who are hungry for policy and products that reflect their values.

What advice would you give to future Social Innovation interns looking to make an impact in environmental sustainability?
Use your voice and your dollars with intention. Take action on the things you care about, and don’t let outside pressures dilute your instincts. Stay the course—because progress comes from people willing to stand up, speak out, and lead. Business can be a powerful force for good when it’s driven by people committed to elevating humanity.

Looking Forward

At the University of San Diego, we believe that the transition to a more sustainable future requires more than just new products—it requires new leaders. Leaders who understand how business, policy, and advocacy intersect, and who bring care, creativity, and courage to the complex work of systems change.

This spring, Ramya Mabry stepped fully into that kind of leadership. At Lotus Sustainables, she helped translate research and policy insights into strategies that make sustainable choices easier and more accessible for everyday people. She asked big questions, navigated complexity, and strengthened a mission-driven business already leading the way in eliminating single-use plastics.

As we continue to grow the University of San Diego's Social Innovation Internship, our goal is to create more experiences like Ramya’s—opportunities where students learn by doing, connect with values-aligned professionals, and help shape a future where business is a tool for regeneration, responsibility, and lasting impact.

Written by Andrew Biros, EdD

Senior Director, Center for Social Innovation
Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost
University of San Diego

Acknowledgments

This article is part of the University of San Diego’s Social Innovation Internship, a campus-wide, interdisciplinary program led by the Center for Social Innovation and the Career Development Center. The program is organized in partnership with Conscious Capitalism San Diego and generously supported through a grant from the Prebys Foundation.