Making an impact through sustainable hospitality
Deloitte University’s Brandon Smith on sustainable practices at work
At Deloitte University (DU), Brandon works closely with many teams to further increase sustainable hospitality efforts and find ways to continuously improve and innovate.
Brandon works with the facilities team to install LED lights and explore options for energy conservation; with landscaping and grounds, he works with teams to find ways to conserve more water and implement organic landscape practices. He also works with food and beverage teams to upcycle, repurpose, and control yields, and he coordinates with the rooms and housekeeping departments on sustainable laundering practices. He moved into his current role in June 2023 after serving as DU’s assistant food and beverage director for five years.
Brandon has spent his whole career in hospitality, with a focus on creating memorable experiences for people and learning every step of the way. “My purpose is to serve – it’s in my blood,” he says. “Making an impact is what gets me up in the morning. That’s my overarching north star.”
Sustainability has been a part of his career, and his personal outlook, for over a decade. While employed by a resort in Hawaii, he learned about major conservation efforts on Maui, and collaborated with the county horticulturist on efforts for his employer. At DU, he’s able to live his purpose through constant efforts to conserve and drive sustainable methods and practices through the organization and in his community. “I work at DU with a lot of great people to strategize and innovate and test-pilot some of the technologies to make an impact,” he says. “Conservation has evolved year after year with increasing technologies, and we adapt. It’s top priority for me.”
Making an impact is what gets me up in the morning. That’s my overarching north star.
— Brandon Smith, Business Program Management, Deloitte University (DU)
Case in point: He’s working with the landscaping team to build new sustainability methods and practices for DU. For Earth Month, themes of reuse and circularity are top of mind: a new beverage program has already saved more than 38,000 standard water bottles from fall 2023 through early 2025, and Deloitte plans to expand the program. DU is also piloting coffee mugs to replace disposable cups, removing one-time use plastic silverware, and working toward compostable cutlery and containers. In April, Brandon was point of contact on the successful implementation of new equipment called a biodigester that processes food waste into grey water. In one week, the machine processed more than 3,000 pounds of food waste and prevented it from ending up in the garbage.
For Brandon, it all boils down to thinking about sustainability at work and making small choices that can make an impact. “Think about waste,” he says. “Ask questions, use common sense, and look for ways to reuse items, like my coffee grounds at home that we started adding to our compost for our garden. I cut portions in half and use reusable water bottles. All of this can make an impact.”
This publication contains general information only and Deloitte is not, by means of this publication, rendering accounting, business, financial, investment, legal, tax, or other professional advice or services. This publication is not a substitute for such professional advice or services, nor should it be used as a basis for any decision or action that may affect your business. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your business, you should consult a qualified professional advisor.
Deloitte shall not be responsible for any loss sustained by any person who relies on this publication.
About Deloitte
Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee (“DTTL”), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) does not provide services to clients. In the United States, Deloitte refers to one or more of the US member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the “Deloitte” name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms.
Copyright © 2025 Deloitte Development LLC. All rights reserved.
Read more about how we lead with purpose and make an impact that matters
Discover stories about some of the ways we are living our purpose and help create positive impact for our people, clients, and communities.
