Leo Rayman - EdenLab

When did you first decide to pivot your career towards impact?

While walking through a park with my son who asked about my work, I couldn't explain it meaningfully; working on an ESG project for a food company I realized nothing fundamentally changed, just cosmetic improvements.

What did you do next?

I did the Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership eight-week course, lots of reading, spoke to smart motivated people in the space, and spent over a year building up my courage to make the leap.

What are you doing now?

I founded EdenLab in January 2023, the R&D Lab for businesses that want to lead in the Clean economy, working with major clients in Energy, Food and Mobility, and using AI to enhance our offerings and scale our impact.

What advice would you give looking back at that moment or realization now?

I'd tell myself to get on with it faster rather than over-planning - no plan ever survives contact with reality; you'll be amazed how powerful your network can be when you lean into and learn to trust it, rather than the default corporate 'not-works' that create a false sense of security.

Key Quote

"In a place of fear, your ideas are small - but in a positive frame of mind you can be incredibly ingenious, resilient and ambitious."

Career Summary

Leo Rayman's pivot to impact was prompted by a personal moment-struggling to explain his work's meaning to his son-and professional frustration with superficial ESG projects. He undertook the Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership course, engaged with motivated peers, and spent over a year building the courage to make the leap. Leo resigned in late 2022 and founded EdenLab in January 2023, an R&D lab for businesses leading in the clean economy. EdenLab works with major clients in energy, food, and mobility, leveraging AI to scale impact. Leo's advice is to act sooner, trust your network, and avoid over-planning. His journey highlights the power of self-reflection, community, and bold action in driving meaningful change.

Leo Rayman's journey from corporate branding to founding EdenLab, an R&D lab for the clean economy, is a compelling case study in purposeful career transformation. Prompted by a personal moment of reflection and professional frustration with superficial ESG projects, Leo's story illustrates the emotional, strategic, and practical dimensions of moving from traditional business to impact-driven entrepreneurship. This analysis explores the deeper lessons from his transition, offering actionable insights for professionals considering a similar leap.

A Personal and Professional Tipping Point

Leo's pivot was catalyzed by two intertwined moments. First, a personal encounter-his son's innocent question about the meaning of his work-exposed a lack of purpose he could articulate. Second, a professional realization: after delivering a branding project for a major food company's ESG initiative, he saw that the outcome was largely cosmetic, with little real change. This dual awareness created a sense of urgency and dissatisfaction, but also a gap-Leo struggled to find role models in the sustainability space who looked like him or worked in ways he aspired to.

This context is emblematic of a broader trend: many professionals in established sectors are increasingly questioning the real-world impact of their work, especially as ESG and sustainability become mainstream but often lack substance. The challenge is not just technical or strategic, but deeply personal-requiring a re-examination of values, identity, and the kind of legacy one wants to leave.

Building Courage, Community, and Capability

Leo's approach to transition was methodical but also emotionally complex. He enrolled in the Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership's eight-week course, which he took "super seriously." This provided not only knowledge but, crucially, a network of like-minded peers. The ongoing WhatsApp group from the course became a source of confidence and practical support-a reminder that community is as important as credentials.

He also invested significant time in reading and speaking with motivated people in the impact space, gradually building the courage to leave his corporate role. Leo's journey was not linear or quick; he spent over a year preparing, wrestling with doubts about his relevance ("Why would anyone in sustainability want to talk to me? I'm part of the problem") and the lack of visible role models. This highlights a common barrier: the psychological inertia and imposter syndrome that can accompany major career shifts, especially into emerging or values-driven sectors.

Leo's eventual leap-founding EdenLab in January 2023-was both a culmination of this preparation and a leap of faith. He deliberately designed EdenLab to work with major clients in energy, food, and mobility, using AI to scale impact and differentiate the business. His advice in hindsight: act sooner, trust your network, and don't over-plan-no plan survives contact with reality.

Impact, Innovation, and Lessons for the Future

EdenLab's success in attracting major clients and leveraging AI for scalable impact demonstrates the commercial and societal potential of purpose-driven business models. Leo's journey reflects several broader market trends:

The growing demand for authentic, substantive impact in business, beyond superficial ESG.

The importance of networks and peer communities in supporting career transitions.

The value of combining traditional skills (branding, strategy) with new domains (sustainability, AI) to create differentiated offerings.

Leo's experience also surfaces key trade-offs: the transition was not easy or risk-free. He faced uncertainty, a steep learning curve, and the challenge of building credibility in a new sector. However, he navigated these by leaning into community, continuous learning, and a willingness to be vulnerable and authentic.

A Toolkit for Career Changers

Leverage Community, Not Just Credentials: Courses and qualifications are valuable, but the peer networks they create are often more important for confidence and practical support.

Embrace Imperfection and Act: Over-planning can be a form of procrastination. The market rewards those who act, iterate, and learn in real time.

Reframe Your Narrative: Skills from traditional sectors are not a liability-they can be powerful assets when combined with a genuine commitment to impact.

Acknowledge the Emotional Journey: Expect moments of doubt, fear, and imposter syndrome. These are normal and can be overcome by connecting with others on a similar path.

Trust Your Network: The relationships you've built over your career can open unexpected doors-lean into them rather than relying solely on formal structures.

Emotional and Psychological Dimensions

Leo's story is as much about mindset as it is about strategy. The shift from fear to a positive, ambitious frame of mind unlocked creativity and resilience. The absence of clear role models made the journey harder, but also forced Leo to define his own path-an experience many career changers will recognize. The process required courage, humility, and a willingness to be "the first" in his network to make such a leap.

The Future of Impact Careers

Leo's experience suggests that the future of impact careers will be shaped by those willing to combine traditional expertise with new purpose, to act before they feel fully ready, and to build supportive communities. As the demand for authentic impact grows, professionals who can bridge old and new worlds-bringing commercial acumen to sustainability challenges-will be in high demand.

For readers considering a similar transition: start building your network now, invest in learning, and don't wait for perfect clarity. The market-and the planet-needs leaders who are willing to step into the unknown and create new models for meaningful work.

For more stories and insights on building a career with impact, join the House of Impact Talent Solutions network.