Intern Spotlight: Christina Shaffer ’25, Williams Sonoma

Internship: Williams Sonoma, Inc., away from New Haven and other locations
Hometown: Arlington, Virginia
Pronouns: she/her/its
Common Degree: Yale School of the Environment
SOM class you use at work: Management, Supply Chain Management, State and Society
Lunch for work: Turkey and avocado sandwich or leftovers
After-work routine: Grass class or yoga at Mactivity in East Rock, then watch American Heartsdocumentary about the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders
Favorite thing about the city where your internship takes place: The flexibility of working from different locations allowed me to spend time with family and friends that I didn’t see very often! My team was based on the West Coast and we sometimes spoke on the phone to our counterparts in Southeast Asia, so my hours varied quite a bit; this was ideal for me as I’m not a morning person.

As an Environmental Defense Fund Climate Corps fellow, I spent 11 weeks on the U.S. Sustainability team at Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (WSI), helping the company meet its climate goals. WSI, which also owns brands like Pottery Barn and West Elm, has committed to reducing its Scope 3 supply chain emissions by 14% by 2030—a complex challenge, given the company’s reliance on a vast network of global suppliers. While WSI’s initial efforts focused on materials and suppliers, it expanded this summer to address transportation up and down the chain.

My specific role involved leading a cross-functional collaboration with the global transportation team to drive decarbonization efforts, starting with ocean freight. This project aligned with my self-designed Ocean-Climate Solutions concentration at the Yale School of the Environment, where I am a joint graduate student. While exploring the potential for reducing emissions through alternative marine fuels, I gained a deeper understanding of the intricacies of ocean shipping (already the most energy-efficient method of moving cargo) and its critical role in the global economy. I was impressed by WSI’s scale as the 14th largest importer of containerized goods in the U.S. and the potential impact of transitioning to greener transportation options for a retailer of its size.

Second, I explored renewable energy opportunities with priority suppliers in key regions such as Vietnam and Indonesia. Through this project, I came to understand the multi-faceted challenge of ensuring responsible sourcing and reducing the carbon footprint of transporting goods. A key takeaway for me was the importance of collaboration and continued investment in achieving sustainable development goals—not just within the company, but at the national and global levels.

The SOM curriculum provided me with valuable perspective during my fellowship. In particular, I drew on case studies from The Executive that focused on decision-making in the face of competing priorities and incentives. I also witnessed firsthand how geopolitical risks and a country’s institutional strength, or lack thereof, can affect sourcing decisions in the global economy—topics covered in both State & Society and my elective course, Supply Chain Management.

While my long-term goal is to pursue corporate sustainability in the hospitality and tourism industry, this summer I honed a skill set that is widely applicable to any role involving the supply chain or logistics. I was drawn to WSI because of its commitment to the environment in terms of producing the things that make a place feel like home. The company’s leadership in furnishings, lighting, and décor—key elements in hotels and restaurants—also aligns well with my intended industry. This opportunity not only validated my career aspirations, but also increased my confidence in my ability to influence and thrive in the corporate sustainability function.