2025 Impact NextGen Honoree: Ciera Culcasi

CIERA CULCASI
Sustainability Manager
Oak View Group / Moody Center

PUTTING IT IN CHARLI XCX TERMS
“Protecting the planet is brat.”

To make it in most lines of work, you must not be afraid to get your hands dirty and start at the bottom. When it comes to sustainability, that kind of hands-on experience and go-getter action can lead to big things quickly.

“I started in the industry as a part-time sustainability crew member and, within five months, transitioned into a full-time coordinator role helping build out our sustainability program,” says Ciera Culcasi, 33, sustainability manager at Moody Center in Austin, Texas, which opened in 2022. “What began as late-night sorting shifts quickly evolved into managing a 60-person crew.” Culcasi says that experience gave her a clear understanding of what it takes to run a sustainability program. “It shaped how I approach strategy and continues to keep me grounded in how I lead my team today.

Sustainability is more and more being linked with major artists who are spearheading efforts to tour and perform in a greener manner. Thanks to buildings like Moody Center with entire sustainability teams, those requests are becoming easier to meet and setting standards across the industry.

“Charli xcx!!,” Culcasi says emphatically when asked about recent highlights. “The energy in the room was absolutely unreal from start to finish. What made it even more special was that it took place during Moody’s Earth Fest campaign, and Charli’s fans really showed up for it. We ran recycling drives and sustainability activations before the show, and the engagement was incredible. It was one of those rare moments where the culture of the show and our sustainability work aligned perfectly. Because protecting the planet is brat.”

Moody Center was developed by Pollstar parent company Oak View Group, a company that’s debut venue project and core mission are intrinsically tied to sustainability, and the University of Texas arena’s sustainability operations continue to take shape and adapt.
“Over the past year, I’ve helped transform sustainability at Moody Center from a behind-the-scenes operation into a defining part of our venue’s identity,” Culcasi says.

“We’ve reached an 85% waste diversion rate, up from 45% just two years ago, and launched fan-facing campaigns like Earth Month and Green Sports Day to build culture around sustainability. A major personal highlight was speaking on a panel at the Green Sports Alliance Summit and publishing a case study in GSA’s 2025 Strategy Playbook, showcasing how live entertainment venues can lead the way in climate action.”