In celebration of Wayfair’s 2024 Corporate Responsibility Report, this week’s Behind the Box spotlights Devin Giles, our new Head of Global Sustainability & ESG. Since joining two months ago, Devin has hit the ground running – leading efforts to integrate sustainable practices across our operations and identifying long-term opportunities to reduce carbon, cut waste and boost energy efficiency.
“We are so excited to welcome Devin to Wayfair's Sustainability team,” said Madison McDermott, Sustainability Associate. “Her expertise and prior experience have already made her an incredible asset as we continue driving progress toward our sustainability goals."
Read on to learn what inspires Devin’s work and how she’s shaping the future of sustainability at Wayfair.
Tell us about your career journey. What have you learned along the way that you’re excited to bring to Wayfair?
My career path (like many in the sustainability world) hasn’t been a straight one. I actually started off in project management and recruitment consulting, which might seem like a departure, but it gave me a solid foundation in understanding people, communication and what motivates action. From there I made a full pivot into sustainability, going back to school to get an MBA focused on sustainability, strategic leadership and supply chain, and it was there that everything clicked.
I spent the past seven years at International Paper, where I helped shape long-term sustainability goals, drive stakeholder engagement and lead the company’s first circular economy strategy. Along the way, I’ve learned that effective sustainability work hinges on translating complex topics into clear, actionable narratives and fostering collaboration across teams.
It’s not just about seeing the big picture – it’s about helping others see their role in it. That’s what I’m excited to bring to Wayfair: making sustainability real, relatable and integrated into the business from the inside out.
What made you interested in working in Sustainability?
I've always been driven by curiosity, asking “why?” and “what’s next?”, which naturally led me to sustainability. My interest in sustainability began in undergrad during an environmental economics class. Although I didn’t realize sustainability could be a career path at the time, it got me thinking about how environmental and economic systems interact. When I heard someone talk about their job in sustainability as a mix of strategy, storytelling and impact, I knew it was exactly the kind of work I wanted to do.
What excites me most about this work is the opportunity to connect purpose with performance — embedding sustainability into business decisions, simplifying complex topics and driving innovation that creates a lasting impact.
What does corporate responsibility mean and look like to you?
To me, corporate responsibility means owning your impact – both positive and negative, intended and unintended – and committing to meaningful change that goes beyond metrics. It’s about leading with integrity and authenticity, even when no one’s watching, and striving to make your impact more positive, inclusive and equitable.
I believe corporate responsibility is most effective when it’s not treated as a standalone initiative, but as a mindset embedded in everyday decisions. At its best, it becomes a lens that guides how a company operates, from product design and partnerships to team culture. It’s also about storytelling – helping employees, customers and communities see themselves in our mission and feel connected to the impact we aim to make.
Where do you call home and what does “home” mean to you?
Right now, I call Washington, D.C. home, but I’ve lived in a handful of places from the east coast to the mid-south and in between. For me, “home” is more about a feeling than a specific place. It’s the people and community around you and the place where you feel most grounded and rejuvenates you.
What’s one fun fact that most people don’t know about you?
When I was growing up, my family spent summers at a lake in the Adirondacks, and I learned how to sail a sunfish sailboat when I was six – with adult supervision and a life jacket, of course! It’s still one of my favorite things to do and where my love for nature and being on the water started. I’ve never missed a summer there!
What’s your favorite Wayfair product that you’ve purchased?
I recently bought this Brookneal Indoor Rug to put in my front hall. Not only is it a great addition to my home, but it’s a part of our Shop Sustainably program, which highlights products that have been certified for lower environmental impacts, responsible sourcing, improved air quality and more.