Our Candidates 2023

Yaichompoo is known for her pioneering work in sustainable building design and has initiated numerous projects that support sustainable architecture, construction and community development. She developed the Green Design and Construction Standards for L.P.N., which resulted in 34 sustainable condominium projects, and played a vital role in the development of Thailand’s Building Energy Code law, which led to reduced electricity costs for 140 buildings. In addition, Yaichompoo heads up her own sustainable design architecture firm.

As an environmental scientist with nine years’ experience working in the advisory and finance sectors, and multiple postgraduate degrees and certifications in development finance, ecological science and ESG, Wendy is intent on tackling climate change challenges across the economic landscape, its institutions and its players. In her current role at Ninety One, she uses her expertise to help mitigate climate risks while deploying infrastructure to develop low-income countries and marginalised societies, with the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund her primary focus.

Taylor’s childhood on international waters sparked her passion for marine science, leading her to pursue academic and research opportunities in the field. Now, at the age of 28, she is the key field expert in the Isle of Man, the first entire country to be accorded UNESCO Biosphere status. In her current government role, Taylor developed the Isle of Man’s Marine Monitoring Strategy, studying the impact of climate change and human activity on marine resources. This contribution to long-term sustainability is the result of both her scientific credentials and advocacy skills.

In addition to co-authoring Pfizer UK’s sustainability strategy, Steph engages colleagues and senior leadership in the climate conversation in a number of impactful ways; she has grown the network of sustainability champions to 10% of all UK colleagues and launched three pioneering, champion-led projects. Steph also leads on the company’s social impact work, managing volunteering, STEM education and charitable partnerships that accelerate the social determinants of health, and she serves as a passionate One Young World Ambassador.

Shavindree is a researcher focused on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, with her PhD centring on financial incentives to enhance disaster resilience in the housing sector, and her work as Lead Researcher for the Beacon project aiming to integrate the requirements of climate agreements and disaster risk reduction frameworks into the built environment. Shavindree also engages in community programmes related to environmental well-being. She has received prestigious awards for her academic achievements and contributions to her field.

Serene is a multi-award-winning engineer known for her commercialised invention that has assisted the oil and gas industry in Southeast Asia to achieve sustainable, clean and cost-effective natural gas sources. In her current role, her research focuses on STEM advancement, using computational inventions and digital solutions to address climate, sustainability and education issues. Serene also leads 10 industry and national grants for contaminants removal, works with the WWF to combat plastic pollution and advocates for women in science and engineering.

Passionate about creating positive change and economic opportunities, Xiu Jing is Capital Markets Manager at VisionFund International. She manages lender relationships for their network of over 20 microfinance institutions across the globe, raising funds through like-minded investors to support growth and serve unbanked populations; particularly women, small-holder farmers and rural communities.

With a multidisciplinary background in marketing, business and data science; and a passion for using AI for good; Sasha co-founded Violetta, an NGO that uses technology and data to help prevent gender-based violence and which has impacted over 120,000 people across Latin America. Bridging the gap between technology and social good, Sasha has delivered data reports, dashboards and actionable recommendations for companies seeking to implement strategies for better programmes of diversity and inclusion, well-being, gender bias elimination and safe work spaces.

Samiratou is a young Nigerian medical doctor, feminist and activist. As founder of GEMS, Nigeria’s first female-led association of its kind, she works to advocate for women’s rights and increase opportunities for young women in STEM – work that has been recognised with selection for an excellence programme funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, selection as a Mandela Washington Fellow and a UNICEF award for the organisation. Eager to learn, she pursued numerous certifications in parallel to her medical studies and is currently enrolled for a master’s degree.

Robin has worked in aviation for almost 10 years, driven by a dream to make the industry the most sustainable form of transport in the world. She has played a key role in digital and agile transformations in various business units, including C-suite, across the AirFrance-KLM organisation, and she currently heads The Sustainable Flight Challenge – an initiative that exists to transform the aviation industry and accelerate sustainable aviation through the power of knowledge sharing and inter-airline and cross-value chain collaboration.

Roberta is neurodivergent and passionate about changing the political and corporate worlds for disabled people; she holds multiple senior roles and has led three start-ups in pursuit of this goal. She has been instrumental in raising the profile of disability in Parliament – where she has received the Parliamentary Staffer of the Year award three times in a row – has helped unite the UK disability charity sector around vital policies, and has helped over 200 young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to receive mentoring on order to access careers in politics.

Omnia is a medical doctor and the first Youth Envoy for the President of COP27. Her passion for addressing climate change and health led her to engage in various initiatives, including delivering climate and health awareness sessions and leading student delegations to UN climate conferences. As a Junior Policy Fellow at the Institute of Global Health Innovation, she researches the intersection of climate change and mental health, driven by the belief that her responsibilities as a doctor include protecting and promoting the health of both people and planet.

Since pursuing a PhD in spacecraft design, Olivia has been a fierce advocate for space democratisation, striving to develop ultra-low cost satellite and spacecraft systems accessible to developing nations and organisations with low economic resources. In her current role at OffWord, she leads the design, manufacturing, and quality assurance of OffWorld’s lunar ice processing units. Olivia also organises space and technology outreach events and volunteers for the Initiative for Interstellar Studies, giving public lectures about spacecraft design.

A DEI expert with global management and multi-industry experience, Atikah currently leads Amazon’s strategic programmes in talent acquisition across the UK, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Beyond her corporate role, she coaches individuals; shares DEI, confidence-building and mental health content on social media; and has raised over $13,000 for social causes. Her advocacy work for Muslim women has been featured on international platforms including the BBC and HuffPost, and in 2022 she was recognised as one of UK’s Top 100 Influential Muslims.

While studying sustainable architecture and researching zero-emission raw materials, Nikki fell in love with the various applications of seaweed and its restorative effect on ocean life. Currently a director at Wales-based Câr-y-Môr, a seaweed farm and community benefit society, she is committed to improving the coastal environment and the community’s well-being through regenerative ocean farming and sustainable job creation. Nikki’s work has been recognised with multiple awards and speaking engagements including an address at the European Parliament.

Hailing from a small Indian village, Nidhi overcame obstacles to become her community’s first aerospace engineer and went on to become a STEM ambassador and SDG activist after facing gender disparity in the industry. She holds senior positions at both SGAC and MVA and works on various projects and with multiple global initiatives to promote quality education and gender equality in the aerospace sector, especially in Asian countries.

As founder of Nordic Women in STEM – a volunteer organisation that delivers events and workshops at schools across Denmark to inspire women to pursue careers in STEM – Neha actively promotes female role models, challenges stereotypes and societal expectations, and inspires confidence in girls within the realm of technology, including the green energy transition sector.

At age seven, Micky built a Harry Potter platform that won 20+ awards, and her passion for innovation has continued to blaze trails. Her enterprise, the Minute.works platform, connects vetted students with companies for CV-building work, helping students better prepare for their careers while also contributing to a more sustainable business ecosystem – and a fairer and more equitable world – with its bias-free hiring functionality. Micky also gives pro-bono workshops and guest lectures at several universities.

Marial is a prominent Australian immigration lawyer and Forbes 30 under 30 listee, as well as the founder of Crossover Law Group – an innovative, convention-challenging NewLaw firm that has received significant recognition for its work in migration law. She focuses on immigration detention matters and advocates for refugees and those affected by wars. With a passion for incorporating technology, transparency, and compassion in the legal industry, she aims to help create the ‘lawyer of the future’ and empower self-represented clients through technological tools.

With a decade of sustainability experience and key industry certifications, Mai has contributed significantly to green building and ESG initiatives in Vietnam. Her efforts have been instrumental in driving progress towards a more sustainable future. She has contributed to almost 2 million sqm of green gross floor area (GFA), engages with finance professionals and top listed companies on responsible investment, and leads efforts to achieve gender equality. Beyond her professional role, Mai shares her expertise through writing, collaborations focused on climate adaptation, and mentorship of the next generation.

Lebogang is a cause-driven and innovative entrepreneur committed to providing marginalised communities with access to economic opportunity. She is Co-founder of Zabantu Creatives as well as CEO of Ask An Elder, a nonprofit crowdsourcing initiative that promotes intergenerational connection, wisdom sharing and a more inclusive global history; collecting stories featuring the lived experience of BIPOC people while expanding the data available for machine learning and AI tools. In addition, Lebogang is an accounting professional and a fashion model.

Khine Zar, a MEXT Scholarship recipient with two engineering master’s degrees, works as an application engineer at Rakuten. Passionate about DEI in the tech industry, she founded the Myanmar chapter of Women in AI, an NPO that helps empower women and minorities in the artificial intelligence and machine learning industry. She now serves as Technical Programme Director for the APAC chapters. In addition, she’s the founder of Thingaha Community, a charity that provides educational resources to rural children in Myanmar.

Khalida is a firm believer in the power of business for social good. Throughout her career, she has driven positive social impact in DEI, youth empowerment and financial inclusion both in her primary roles – including strategy and operations roles in Google’s emerging markets incubator – and via voluntary community contributions. Khalida currently volunteers her time as a Chief of Staff Fellow at the Black Angel Group, an angel investment collective for Black professionals that invests intellectual, social and financial capital into early-stage companies around the world.

Jo plays a key role in transforming the sustainability culture of bp and currently manages the CEO’s key external relationships, including the cross-industry Energy Transition Task-Force within HM King Charles’ Sustainable Markets Initiative. Prior to this, alongside her role as a geophysicist in bp’s carbon capture and storage team, she co-founded the company’s Global Sustainability Network, which has grown to 6000 employees across 60 countries in under two years, and led the development of a number of other pioneering sustainability tools and initiatives.

Jessica believes that asset managers have a crucial role to play in creating a more sustainable future, and she is committed to advancing the sustainable finance agenda at an industry-wide level. At her firm, she works to drive ESG integration across investment strategies, leading on net zero work and biodiversity research, publishing research articles and helping run internal education programmes. In addition, she participates in external speaking panels and industry committees established to advance ESG integration within both the UK and globally.

JDA is an award-winning NPO that has reached over two million people in its pursuit of positive social and political change, through work in human rights education, children’s rights and ending gender-based violence. As JDA’s founding CEO, Jessica is passionate about equipping people with the tools, resources and platforms to access their fundamental rights and freedoms. In this role, she facilitated a partnership with the World Summit of Nobel Peace Prize Laureates and the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust.

Irene is a multi-award-winning engineer leading global projects in engineering design, technology improvement and digital transformation, with specialist expertise in water technology and energy sustainability. Outside the workplace, she volunteers in a number of capacities promoting sustainability, engineering ambitions and social responsibilities. Irene also co-founded Recycle3Go, a waste recycling app promoting effective waste management and environmental sustainability.

With a career in sustainable technologies as an engineer, consultant, project manager and policy officer, Giulia is intent on advancing ESG in the private sector. Having overseen a £75 million portfolio of sustainable innovation projects, she now leads decarbonisation projects for major infrastructure clients in Europe and North America, while also working to shape the future of ESG at her firm. Giulia is active in multiple sustainability initiatives and committees and has been a keynote speaker at events including COP24, COP27 and G-STIC.

Gitanjali is an inventor, aspiring scientist, author, speaker and promoter of STEM worldwide. Her innovations, including a lead contamination detection tool; an anti-cyberbullying service, and her inspiring STEM workshops for students have earned her numerous accolades including TIME’s Kid of the Year, selection for the Forbes 30 Under 30 in Science list, and appointment as a UNICEF Youth Advocate. In addition, Gitanjali supports refugee students, fundraises for educational resources and aims to influence K-12 education with a focus on innovation.

A visionary leader dedicated to revolutionising sustainability, Gabrielle completed a PhD in solar panel research before co-founding Greenr, a UN award-winning company committed to helping people reduce their carbon footprint. Through its pioneering sustainability-as-a-service platform, Greenr has educated thousands of employees and worked with high-profile clients, including the NHS and Bank of America, to save the equivalent emissions of half a million trees.

With degrees in chemistry and energy science, and a desire to pursue impactful business, Evaluna co-founded Caffe Inc, a Netherlands-based startup that processes coffee waste sustainably – in a 100% circular solution that saves five times more carbon emissions than anaerobic digestion. Evaluna led the product development from idea through to setup of the first production plant, helping to secure a €4 million contract with the Amsterdam Climate and Energy Fund to build the plant and raising €1.5 million in grants for the research and development.

Ernestina is conducting PhD research at the University of Manchester in NFT and digital society. She is also a visiting lecturer at the University of Law in cybercrime and media crime, and a tutor at the Manchester Metropolitan University in Marketing, Retail and Tourism. Ernestina is Chief Public Relations Officer at Himylink, a startup based in California. Her research has had a profound impact through her podcast Digitalization, a show about digital sociology.

A passionate advocate for mental health and feminism, Eisha founded The Mirror – a youth-led, NGO tackling gender violence in Pakistan. Her work in confidence building, consent education, self-defence campaigns, and women’s empowerment has impacted over 400 school children, 300 changemakers and 2500 followers. She recently founded Mindfully, a platform for mental health conversations and curriculums, and in addition serves as a mentor, mindfulness instructor and a UN Women’s 30 for 2030 member.

An award-winning engineer specialising in digital construction, Marzia is passionate about knowledge sharing and driven by her vision of a sustainable world and a diverse society empowered by digital technologies. In addition to her role as Head of BIM International, she promotes well-being and diversity, providing internal training and mentorship to colleagues and young women. Marzia’s impact extends beyond Mace; she heads up various committees and networks, serves as a STEM Ambassador, and has spoken at over 200 events in 27 countries.

With a PhD in Neuroengineering, Greta has achieved remarkable success in her academic career, publishing eight peer-reviewed papers and winning 17 awards. Her research has resulted in the development of an innovative neuromodulation device to artificially restore the sense of touch and decrease pain for amputees and patients with diabetic neuropathy, the device taken to market when she founded MYNERVA.

In addition to practising as a junior doctor, Gabriela co-founded the award-winning In2MedSchool, a national widening participation charity supporting aspiring medical students from underprivileged backgrounds. In just a couple of years, the charity has amassed over 4,000 mentors and 3,000 mentees, and also hosts successful webinars and events. In addition, Gabriela is a Healthcare Leadership Academy Scholar alumna and a trustee of the Widening Participation Medics Network, where she uses her valuable expertise to help shape strategy.

Building on her PhD research, Caroline is committed to improving the condition and energy efficiency of the UK’s housing stock and the health of the population, while meeting climate change targets. Her expert advice – in her formal role working with local authorities and as a non-executive director of a housing association in Wales – delivers significant impact in meeting climate change targets. Caroline also mentors women in the engineering, construction and property sector and participates in BRE’s forum to establish a thriving, diverse and inclusive workplace.

Carolina believes that entrenching ESG strategies within the business sector is key to tackling the most pressing sustainability challenges. At AB InBev, she heads up water stewardship projects in Central and South America; has secured over 10 million USD in public funding for sustainability initiatives, and co-leads the company’s startup accelerator. In addition, Carolina has worked with the WWF in international climate negotiations and is the founder of sustainable children’s fashion startup.

Binyu serves as the Sustainable Investing Portfolio Adviser for one of the company’s Asia Article 9 funds. In her role, Binyu guides Chinese companies on their sustainability journeys, most notably working with Anhui Conch, a leading cement producer. Her guidance in addressing their ESG challenges and improving renewable utilisation demonstrates how responsible stewardship can drive positive change while delivering returns.

Billie is co-founder and trustee of the Masungi Georeserve Foundation, an environmental conservation organisation protecting a threatened karst ecosystem through education, protection and geotourism. Today, her team heads up the Philippines’ largest privately led reforestation initiative, covering 2,700 hectares of degraded watershed areas. Her work; which has significantly influenced national policies and discourse on forest protection, sustainable tourism and climate action; has been recognised with multiple accolades including selection for the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list.

Ayşe is a visionary entrepreneur committed to revolutionising sustainable building materials by utilising green waste. As founder of OTTAN Materials, Ayşe aims to create a circular economy model; transforming waste into industrial products and combating climate change; while also integrating nature and people, and promoting environmental consciousness and well-being. Her work has earned recognition from prestigious organisations worldwide and won numerous awards and accolades, solidifying her position as a leader in the sustainable industry.

Ayesha has made a substantial contribution in promoting social justice, her work recognised with the LeadNext Fellowship 2023. She has spearheaded the national #StopGBVPK campaign, impacting over 1.97 million people to combat gender-based violence (GBV), and also developed Pakistan’s first-ever citizen’s guide for countering GBV, which included pro-women laws and support mechanisms. Ayesha has also developed other pioneering initiatives including a rehabilitation programme for homeless children.

A passionate advocate for building inclusive and equitable communities, Asafika has over 10 years’ experience working as a volunteer and an NGO activist for social justice issues, with her current role at Afrobarometer supporting the development of research to advocate for policy changes and innovation. Her deep interest in solving complex matters of local and continental significance, and her focus on transformative, people-centred development, have already attracted much recognition, most recently in the form of a Mandela Washington Fellowship.

In addition to leading Innovation and Transformation at GNP Insurance, Araceli had been serving as Liaison Co-lead of NEXT, a company’s grassroots movement that promotes intergenerational dialogue and social innovation to develop responsible leaders of the future. Araceli generates alliances with various organizations like the Wom-en and One Young World – maximising global impact through collaboration – and she also serves on Corporate Responsibility Committees through different companies.

Anabel has built a strong foundation and voice within Supply Chain at Burberry to embed the ESG agenda and drive forward real change that meets the company’s public commitments, with key focus on the traceability and authentication programmes. Anabel has always been keen to drive the sustainability agenda within UK fashion and, prior to her role at Burberry, started her own business, Studio British, to champion British craftsmanship as an antidote to fast fashion.

Alya founded GreenPush to inspire, educate and engage the next generation of sustainability champions by developing programmes that help businesses and individuals to adopt sustainable behaviours. By organising free workshops, holding sustainability talks and creating neighbourhood chat groups to reduce waste and increase sharing, Alya has impacted over 400 people across Singapore and Bali, with more than 4,000 items shared, borrowed or rescued. To further promote sustainability, she also volunteers, mentors and serves as an ambassador for a number of initiatives.

A senior manager, environmental activist and change leader, Alicia established EY’s UK&I sustainability transformation programme, EY Earth, as well as Eco-Innovators, a movement of over 3,000 EY professionals that has been credited as one of the major catalysts for the firm’s transformation into a market leader in sustainability. Passionate about the potential of environmental activism in the workplace, Alicia is a trusted advisor to EY’s clients on their sustainability solutions, with her current focus on change leaders and net-zero skills.

A highly experienced environmental engineer, Alejandra is globally recognised for her work in corporate sustainability within the fashion industry. She currently leads Sustainability at C&A Mexico, implementing the Global Sustainability Strategy for 2028. Under her leadership, C&A has made significant achievements, including launching the first line of more sustainable products. In addition, Alejandra promotes local environmental initiatives, lectures university students on sustainability in fashion, and is pursuing a green MBA to expand her expertise and create a broader impact through her work.

Alejandra believes in the transformative power of technology and its ability to create a more equitable and promising future for all. She was honoured with the Globant Award 2022 in the Tech Entrepreneur category and recognised by the Women’s Economic Forum for investment in 2023. With iBasto, she recently won the eNovadoras accelerator by AT&T for women entrepreneurs. In addition, Alejandra champions the inclusion of women in the STEM world.

Stephanie is passionate about partnerships for disaster resilience and promoting stakeholder participation in disaster prevention, focusing on people-centred recovery practices; gender and youth inclusion; and strategic disaster-prevention projects that emphasise trust, transparency and human rights. In her current role, she obtained the United Nation’s Resilient Hub award for Mexico City, and recently, she was recognised by the University of St. Gallen as a Leader of Tomorrow.