Our Candidates 2025

A globally recognised changemaker and social entrepreneur, Yvette founded IBIRA Water Group at the age of 20 to address the chronic lack of access to safe drinking water in underserved communities. What started as a grassroots idea is now a high-impact enterprise operating in Rwanda, the DRC, and the Central African Republic, delivering safe water access to over 517,000 people. Through an innovative franchise model, the company has created 194 jobs, 86% of which are held by women. Yvette has also led IRIBA into the carbon finance sector, registering its first carbon project to unlock sustainable funding for schools and low-income communities.

What was the defining moment that inspired you to pursue an ESG related career?

The moment that sparked my ESG journey came when I saw firsthand how something as basic as safe drinking water could shape a child’s future. Growing up in Rwanda, I witnessed how waterborne diseases and long walks to fetch water were keeping children especially girls, out of school. It wasn’t just a health issue; it was a social and environmental justice issue. That realization led me to found IRIBA Water Group, with the mission to use innovation and entrepreneurship to address access to safe water while protecting the environment.

Venia’s firsthand experience of the challenges single mothers face, including financial instability, a lack of emotional support, and limited access to opportunities, inspired her to launch SME-Org. What started as a small support group focused on peer mentoring and skill-building workshops now reaches 324 young and single mothers in Malawi’s rural communities. Her work, which creates safe and supportive spaces for women who are often marginalised and stigmatised, provides a platform for empowerment and upliftment. Venia was recently invited by the President of Malawi to a state dinner in recognition of her organisation’s contribution to national development. 

Question 3 What was the defining moment that inspired you to pursue an ESG related career?

The defining moment came when I found myself face-to-face with the realities that marginalized communities, especially single mothers, endure daily, lack of access to basic services, economic exclusion, and social stigmatization. I realized that systemic change could not come from charity alone, but from embedding sustainability, equity, and accountability into the core of how we do business, govern, and lead communities. One particular moment that changed everything was when I stood in a rural village in Malawi, speaking with a young single mother who had been abandoned and left with no source of income. She told me, “I don’t want handouts, I want opportunity.” That stuck with me. It was then I committed to building platforms that empower women economically, challenge harmful norms, and promote inclusive growth. That was my bridge into ESG, not just as a framework, but as a personal mission to ensure that people and planet are placed at the heart of every decision. It’s what led me to establish the Single Mother Empowerment Organization and eventually expand my efforts to policy, sustainability education, and impact-driven entrepreneurship.

Shreeya is delivering on her mission to redefine mental health care in Nepal by fostering safe, stigma-free spaces where every individual feels seen, heard, and supported. She is the founder and Managing Director of Happy Minds, a trailblazing mental health platform revolutionising access to culturally sensitive care. With a focus on destigmatising therapy, she drives innovative community-driven and tech-enabled solutions, empowering individuals and organisations to prioritise mental wellbeing across Nepal and beyond. Since its launch in 2020, Happy Minds has reached over 57,000 individuals in 29 countries and more than 15 industries.

What was the defining moment that inspired you to pursue an ESG related career?

Growing up in Nepal, I witnessed a deep gap in mental health awareness within the education system, a gap that left both the child and the mother silently struggling. I saw how hard it was to build a psychologically safe home or even begin a conversation around emotions. Stigma followed us into schools, workplaces, and kitchens. Women, especially, were expected to hold it all together, burning out while juggling caregiving and professional roles, with no space to fall apart. The defining moment wasn’t just one. It was the realization that the systems around us weren’t broken, they were never built to support our emotional well-being in the first place. That’s why I chose to build bridges between mental health, equity, and impact, because ESG shouldn’t just live in policies or boardrooms. It should feel like safety, dignity, and hope, at home, in school, and at work.

With a passion for marine ecosystem protection and local education, Sara is working toward a healthier future for coral reefs and coastal communities. As a marine biologist at IMIPAS, she has developed innovative regenerative aquaculture techniques for key species used in the restoration of damaged reefs. She also drives urgent community efforts to safeguard marine ecosystems for a sustainable tomorrow, training community brigades and promoting practices that ensure healthy reefs. Sara stands out for her ability to translate scientific knowledge into concrete actions, promoting a cultural shift toward more responsible natural resource management.

Why does ESG matter in your view?

ESG represents the three main areas we, as part of the global population, should be addressing to achieve a more sustainable and equitable world—one where future generations can thrive. I believe that tackling these three aspects together is essential for finding real, long-term solutions. While my focus is more on environmental issues, I am certain that without community participation and a proper governance structure, no conservation effort can truly succeed. We need to work as a whole, keeping the bigger picture in mind, so that our solutions are sustainable over time.

How can we inspire and connect more women in ESG?

I am so grateful and full of admiration that this organization is taking the prosperity of our planet’s future into its own hands and celebrating those who are working to make a positive impact. I know from experience that recognitions like this give young leaders confidence and a true sense of support. These awards help us realize that we are not alone—that there are people around the world fighting for similar causes, and that we are all in this together. That unity gives us strength and hope. I believe you are already inspiring women in ESG by honoring their efforts in such a meaningful way. I’m confident that this recognition will continue to encourage more people working in ESG to overcome the doubts and challenges that may arise, and instead feel empowered by the collective effort, knowing it is both valuable and deeply worthwhile.

What was the defining moment that inspired you to pursue an ESG related career?

I’ve loved nature since I was very little—my family always spent a lot of time outdoors, and I never wanted to give that up. As soon as I immersed myself in my biology studies and began to understand how much help the natural world needs, I knew in my heart that I wanted to be part of the force working to protect it. My path has led me to meet many people developing all kinds of solutions to support our environment, and it has also shown me the importance of involving the community. I’ve come to understand that only with everyone’s participation can we truly reach a sustainable future.

Saki is a Japanese social entrepreneur and Chevening Scholar designing community-led investment models to empower women in poverty. She founded BLJ International Services, a cleaning service training and employing women from impoverished communities in India, as well as the Musubi-te Foundation, bringing after-school education to over 700 children. In 2024, she joined Next Bharat Ventures, an impact initiative by Suzuki Motor Corporation, where she helped design a residency for emerging social entrepreneurs. Now at the London School of Economics, Saki is combining grassroots experience and academic research to create a bottom-up impact investment fund that shifts power and capital to underserved communities.

What was the defining moment that inspired you to pursue an ESG related career?

One of the most defining moments came when I spoke with a mother in a Delhi slum. She was working long hours for very little pay, yet told me that all she wanted was for her children to receive a better education and live a better life. Her quiet determination moved me deeply. In that moment, I realised: it’s not that these women lack ability or aspiration—they simply lack opportunity. I felt a strong sense of purpose to become someone who could help build those missing bridges, someone who creates the conditions for people to unlock their own potential. That was the beginning of my journey into social entrepreneurship, and it continues today through my research designing participatory impact investment models that put power back into the hands of communities.

Rufaro’s vision is to transform rural African communities through decentralised clean energy solutions that empower women, uplift youth, and preserve the environment. At Ekha Energy Project, she is delivering inclusive, climate-smart innovation across underserved regions of Zimbabwe by replacing firewood and kerosene use with solar products in off-grid, last-mile communities, supported by a rural workforce of energy entrepreneurs. Since launching in 2023, the organisation has reached over 2,000 households with solar-powered lamps and home systems, replacing more than 6,000 kerosene lamps, reducing indoor air pollution, and contributing to the avoidance of an estimated 20,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions.

How can we inspire and connect more women in ESG?

Inspiring and connecting more women in ESG requires intentional effort across the sector to make opportunities more visible, accessible, and inclusive. One important step is to highlight and celebrate the work of women already creating impact in environmental, social, and governance spaces, especially those leading at grassroots and community levels whose contributions are often overlooked. It is also important to support mentorship, knowledge-sharing platforms, and capacity-building initiatives that are tailored to women at different stages of their ESG journey. Creating space for collaboration, visibility, and growth can help more women step into leadership roles with confidence. Finally, expanding our understanding of what leadership looks like in ESG is crucial. Women with lived experience navigating sustainability and social equity challenges often bring practical, grounded solutions. Recognising and supporting these perspectives will strengthen the ESG movement and ensure that it reflects a broader, more inclusive range of voices.

Robin’s personal experience with algorithmic discrimination catalysed her career as an activist for responsible AI. She made history challenging discriminatory practices in technology through a landmark legal case in 2022. The ruling marked the first time algorithmic discrimination was formally addressed in the Dutch legal system, establishing significant precedent in AI ethics discussions and general case law. As founder of robinAIsha Consultancy, she advises on bias mitigation and ethical AI development from a community-based perspective. She is also an accomplished speaker and advocate for ensuring that technological advancement serves social equity goals rather than reinforcing existing patterns of discrimination.

How can we inspire and connect more women in ESG?

The ESG sector faces a paradox: while environmental, social, and governance criteria promise systemic change, women remain underrepresented in leadership roles, particularly in ESG tech and data analytics. This isn’t merely about adding more women to existing structures, it’s about questioning those structures themselves. As an AI and technology justice advocate, I see how algorithmic ESG scoring systems often perpetuate the very inequities they claim to address. These tools, predominantly designed by homogeneous teams, can encode biases that overlook women-led initiatives, particularly in the Global South, or fail to capture the gendered impacts of environmental degradation. When women are excluded from designing these systems, we’re not just missing diverse perspectives, we’re building incomplete solutions. The path forward requires changes that don’t just tweak the system but fundamentally reimagine it. This means moving beyond mentorship programs and diversity panels (though these have their place) to restructuring how ESG knowledge is produced, valued, and implemented. Real connection happens when we create spaces where women don’t have to code-switch to fit masculine corporate cultures. It flourishes when we recognize that many women, especially women of color, have been practicing sustainable community care and governance long before ESG became a buzzword. Their expertise often goes uncredentialed but remains invaluable. The hope lies in emerging networks of women who are rejecting technosolutionism – the belief that technology alone can solve complex social problems. Instead, they’re building coalitions that center justice, questioning not just who gets a seat at the ESG table, but who built the table and whether we need new furniture altogether. This is how we move from representation to transformation.

Committed to building institutions that are accountable by design, Rida is advancing equity through technology, education, and policy. A former Junior Cybersecurity Analyst currently pursuing degrees in Data Science and Public Policy at the University of Virginia, she is also a nonprofit leader. In high school, Rida founded Technology Youth Empowerment, bringing hands-on STEM education to 48 elementary and middle schools. To close the gap between emerging technologies and youth agency, she also launched GenZNavigators, a regional initiative that teaches students the fundamentals of AI. Additionally, Rida serves as Director of Artificial Intelligence at Rare Gen, a global nonprofit focused on improving access to treatment for rare diseases, and has presented her work at the World Bank and the Brookings Institution.

Why does ESG matter in your view?

The ambulance arrived within regulation time. What no one had anticipated was that my uncle’s address would prove impossible to locate, his street, though decades old, remained absent from the municipal database that guided emergency responders. Seven minutes elapsed in futile navigation. Seven minutes that, as it transpired, constituted the difference between intervention and irreversible loss. This incident illuminated a fundamental truth about institutional design: the systems upon which we depend are never neutral. They either serve with meticulous precision, or they fail with devastating consequence. There exists no middle ground when human welfare hangs in the balance. Across the years that followed, I began to recognise this same dynamic manifesting in countless contexts. Students in one district inherited textbooks whose bindings had surrendered to time, while their counterparts mere kilometres away calibrated newly distributed tablets. Through my work in global health systems, I witnessed rural clinics rationing antibiotics while urban hospitals discarded expired medications by the case, not due to scarcity but because distribution networks simply stopped at certain postal codes. The pattern revealed itself with uncomfortable clarity. Some populations command immediate attention; others endure prolonged neglect. These disparities reflect neither accident nor inevitability, but the cumulative weight of institutional choices. Some infrastructures receive preemptive reinforcement, while others await catastrophic failure to justify repair. Some communities appear on every relevant database, while others exist in bureaucratic blind spots that prove lethal. Environmental, social, and governance frameworks matter precisely because they compel acknowledgment of this uncomfortable reality. They require leadership to confront the downstream consequences of upstream decisions. In an era where systemic vulnerabilities compound with alarming speed, ESG principles serve as both diagnostic tool and corrective mechanism, exposing where accountability has failed and demanding its repair. The ultimate measure of any governance structure lies not in its capacity to generate short-term returns, but in its ability to prevent tragedies that could have been averted. ESG matters because it insists that progress be measured by the problems it solves, not merely the profits it produces. My uncle’s death was preventable. Someone, at some point, decided on database maintenance priorities. ESG exists to ensure that seven minutes never becomes the margin between a life saved and a life lost.

With a background in chemical engineering and a commitment to purpose-driven innovation, Chhorpon has launched two successful start-ups that are advancing food science and accessible education in Cambodia. Her social enterprise, HathKal Lab, produces high-quality essential oils from locally sourced botanicals. The business empowers more than 100 rural farmers –primarily women – by transforming traditional agricultural knowledge into food-grade, export-ready products. Since 2018, Chhorpon has also led Dr. Rabbit, an education platform that offers affordable online English classes to working adults across Cambodia. Her technical expertise and grassroots leadership have been recognised by USAID and UNDP, as well as several international fellowship programmes.

Why does ESG matter in your view?

For countries like Cambodia, ESG is more than a framework — it’s a chance to lead in our own way. It allows us to build economies that honor our people, protect our land, and grow with purpose. In the Global South, we hold rich traditions, natural abundance, and deep community knowledge — but these have often been overlooked or undervalued in global systems. ESG gives us the language and structure to reclaim that value, and to show that sustainability and prosperity can grow together. Through HathKal Lab, I’ve seen what happens when local innovation meets global standards — when women farmers become climate leaders, when essential oils become economic stories, and when enterprise becomes ecosystem. ESG, when rooted in our realities, becomes not just a policy goal, but a pathway for dignity, regeneration, and resilience. What gives me hope is that this model can grow far beyond Cambodia. Many countries in the Global South are filled with untapped brilliance — and by building ethical, regenerative economies from the ground up, we don’t just participate in the future. We help define it.

How can we inspire and connect more women in ESG?

Cambodia teaches us that women do not need to be introduced to ESG — many are already living it. In rural communities, women are the quiet stewards of land, food, and tradition. They grow, preserve, and innovate with nature — not in theory, but in practice. The challenge is not inspiring them to care — it is creating systems that see them, support them, and scale their wisdom. In my work with HathKal Lab, I’ve watched rural women become ecosystem builders — leading ethical supply chains, regenerating soil, and designing products rooted in heritage and healing. They may not speak in ESG language, but they act in ESG logic. What they need is access to markets, mentorship, technology, and trust. The world can learn from Cambodia that ESG doesn’t always begin in boardrooms — sometimes, it begins with a farmer, a story, and a community that believes sustainability is sacred. To connect more women globally, we must look beyond policy and into places of deep cultural intelligence, where regeneration and resilience have always existed — just without recognition.

What was the defining moment that inspired you to pursue an ESG related career?

My grandmother never had the chance to go to school. She raised her children in poverty, doing whatever she could to support the family with strength and dignity. Her biggest wish — one she held all her life — was simply to be educated. I am the product of that wish. I carry her legacy. Everything I do is rooted in this truth: when a woman is given an opportunity — especially education — she doesn’t rise alone. She lifts generations. That belief is what drives me to show what is possible when women like me are given a chance — not just to succeed, but to build systems that serve others. When I founded HathKal Lab, I didn’t just create a business — I created a platform to return that opportunity to others. We work with women in rural Cambodia who, like my grandmother, never imagined they could lead. However, when they are trained in science, supported in enterprise, and respected for their knowledge, they become ESG leaders — regenerating land, creating fair employment, and proving that sustainability can be grown from the ground up. That’s when I knew this was my life’s work. ESG is not just about frameworks or policies. It’s about justice. It’s about dignity. It’s about making sure the next girl born in my village never has to inherit limitation — only possibility.

Norah is a young innovator and social impact leader bridging the gap between technology, sustainability, and inclusive education. At Zerobionic, Norah manages a recycling pipeline that collects plastic waste from local communities and turns it into 3D-printed exoskeletons. These devices are fitted with sensors that convert speech into sign language, helping over 10,000 students with hearing impairments follow STEM lessons in real time. A computer science research fellow at Strathmore University, she has also mentored over 5,000 young innovators and empowered more than 10,000 students across Kenya through educational outreach, tech training, and inclusive innovation programmes.

Why does ESG matter in your view?

ESG matters because in a connected world, your values travel faster than your products. It’s about doing what’s right and doing it exceptionally well.

Nora is the co-founder and Executive Director of Cradle to Cradle NGO (C2C NGO), a pioneering organisation that promotes a truly circular and positive economy. In her leadership role, she shapes the organisation’s entire strategy around the core principles of C2C: using innovation to design materials, products, and systems that are healthy, circular, and beneficial for people and nature. A recognised C2C thought leader and advocate, Nora is active on scientific advisory boards and juries, is involved in European and international networks, and passes on her knowledge as a lecturer at colleges and universities. 

Why does ESG matter in your view?

ESG is incredibly relevant today because it’s time for a fundamental rethink of how we operate. We need to reinvent everything, drawing inspiration from the “cradle-to-cradle” principle as a guiding light for innovative ESG projects. The core idea is to demonstrate a holistic approach where we integrate social, economic, and ecological considerations to achieve a positive impact. This isn’t just about good intentions; it requires setting political frameworks and collaborating proactively with the business sector to drive progress. Ultimately, ESG is about building a sustainable future by ensuring that economic growth goes hand-in-hand with social well-being and environmental promotion.

How can we inspire and connect more women in ESG?

To inspire and connect more women in ESG, we need to build strong networks and highlight powerful examples of women who are already transforming the world. This isn’t just about individual efforts; it’s a societal endeavor that requires more than 50% participation – everyone is needed to drive this crucial change.

What was the defining moment that inspired you to pursue an ESG related career?

The defining moment that propelled me into an ESG-related career was the realization that we desperately need to fundamentally rethink and reinvent our entire economic system. This wasn’t just about making things “less bad”; it was about embracing the Cradle to Cradle (C2C) concept as the ultimate blueprint for a truly sustainable future. The C2C philosophy resonated with me profoundly because it shifts the paradigm from minimizing harm to actively creating a beneficial footprint. It challenges us to design everything with its end in mind, ensuring materials circulate perpetually within either biological or technical cycles. This concept is inherently logical and offers a clear, positive path forward, moving beyond mere damage control to genuine regeneration. My immediate consequence of this realization was clear: I had to dedicate myself to advocating for this vision. That’s why I co-founded the C2C NGO. Our mission is to embed the Cradle to Cradle principle across all facets of society: in business, education, politics, and the broader community. It’s the only logical way to ensure we build a future where our economic activities contribute positively to the planet and its people.

Fuelled by the desire to ensure free, high-quality education is accessible to everyone, regardless of background, Natalie launched UnBound Malaysia, a free, multilingual platform that has impacted over 200,000 students across 100+ institutions in the ASEAN region. UnBound redefines digital learning by offering gamified, localised, and inclusive content, co-developed with national ministries, regulators, and global partners. Natalie is also the co-founder of Mossy AI, an urban greentech firm driving AI-based sustainability across ASEAN and Europe, and Managing Editor for IGI Global’s 2025 book on fintech and poverty alleviation. Her work is proving that inclusion in education is not only possible – it’s scalable.

Why does ESG matter in your view?

ESG reminds us that the future is shaped by our choices—our actions, our values, and our responsibility to one another. It serves as a moral compass, grounding us in purpose and guiding us to build a world that is safe, fair, and sustainable for generations to come. ESG matters because it speaks to the future we can create—a future worth striving for.

How can we inspire and connect more women in ESG?

We encourage more women in ESG by creating spaces where their voices are not only heard, but amplified. That means building communities and conversations that reflect our shared values—sustainability, equity, and purpose—and showing that women belong at the forefront of this movement (Cohorts, Workshops, Panels, Classes etc.). When women see others like them leading, contributing, and shaping change, they feel empowered to do the same. Inspiration comes from shared stories, and connection grows when we recognise that excellence has no gender—only opportunity.

What was the defining moment that inspired you to pursue an ESG related career?

The defining moment for me was realising that while we were more connected than ever through our devices, we were growing increasingly disconnected from each other—and from the world around us. I was surrounded by natural beauty, yet people were absorbed in screens, not in one another. That moment sparked something in me. I chose to turn that sense of disconnection into purpose—transforming a digital addiction into a powerful, hopeful drive toward a better future. That’s what led me to ESG: the belief that we can rewire our focus to what truly matters—people, planet, and progress.

Nandita is a water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) specialist advancing inclusive, equitable, sustainable, and scalable sanitation and waste management solutions across Africa. She advises African governments, the World Bank, and the UN, and has supported sanitation and waste interventions in Kenya’s Kakuma and Dadaab refugee camps, strengthening services for displaced people. She recently founded TerraLoop Africa to promote innovative financing and ESG-aligned solutions that prioritise environmental sustainability and improve services for underserved communities. Nandita envisions a future where sanitation and waste management are no longer peripheral concerns but central pillars in climate and infrastructure conversations.

Why does ESG matter in your view?

ESG matters because it pushes us to rethink how value is defined — not just in financial terms, but in how decisions impact people, systems, and the planet over time. Having worked across the private sector and with multilateral institutions like the World Bank and the United Nations, my focus has been on structuring financing and investment approaches that make essential services like sanitation and waste management more inclusive, sustainable, and scalable. Too often, social and environmental risks are treated as peripheral, when in reality, they are central to long-term success. ESG provides both the language and the leverage to align financial flows with climate resilience, equity, and systems change. As a new entrepreneur, I view ESG not simply as a compliance requirement, but as a guiding framework for how I approach all my work. My focus is on supporting cities and institutions to unlock the capital and capabilities needed to deliver essential services in new ways — embedding circularity, inclusivity, and accountability into how infrastructure is financed and scaled.

A social entrepreneur and educator, Naichka is championing equity, resilience, and climate-smart innovation across Haiti. She is the founder and CEO of AGRI-MODESS (Agriculture Moderne pour un Développement Économique Social Solidaire), a pioneering agro-social enterprise that uplifts rural women and youth through sustainable agriculture and agro-processing. As National Coordinator for Education and Youth at SOS Villages d’Enfants Haïti, she leads educational initiatives and youth empowerment strategies. She has also co-founded two organisations – REV Peyizan and MUSOPA – to promote civic engagement and a solidarity economy in marginalised communities. Using multiple platforms to advocate for gender equity and rural innovation, she also authored the book One Shot to inspire young people.

Why does ESG matter in your view?

ESG matters because it drives sustainable growth by balancing environmental protection, social equity, and good governance—ensuring long-term value for communities, businesses, and the planet.

How can we inspire and connect more women in ESG?

To inspire and connect more women in ESG, we must highlight female role models, especially from underrepresented regions, and create inclusive spaces for exchange and mentorship. By integrating gender equity into ESG strategies, not just as a goal but as a guiding principle. We empower more women to lead, innovate, and drive systemic change.

What was the defining moment that inspired you to pursue an ESG related career?

Growing up in Haiti, I constantly heard young people express deep frustration about the absence of role models. In a country facing so much chaos, insecurity, and institutional breakdown, many felt alone, abandoned, and without direction. That reality deeply moved me. I realized that if no clear path existed, I had to forge one—not just for myself, but to become a model of hope and leadership for others. This defining moment sparked my commitment to social impact, education, and sustainable development. I saw ESG not just as a framework, but as a powerful tool to transform lives and communities. My journey became about creating opportunities, especially for youth and women, and showing that even in the most fragile contexts, responsible leadership can rise and inspire.

Moza is a sustainability leader at NYUAD, advancing climate action through data, policy, and engagement. From launching the Green Workplace Certification to fostering NYUAD’s Climate Action Plan and Scope 3 initiatives, she has consistently translated climate ambition into campus-wide action. Her external footprint has been equally impactful: she helped organise NYUAD’s presence at COP28, coordinated youth engagements at COY18 and SES24, and contributed to the founding of the UAE Universities Climate Network. Currently completing an MSc in Sustainable Development at the University of Sussex, she aspires to bridge technical expertise and public policy in order to influence the development of regionally relevant climate frameworks.

Why does ESG matter in your view?

To me, ESG matters because it turns sustainability from a concept into action. It creates a framework for accountability, drives long-term value, and ensures that environmental and social goals are part of real decision-making across various sectors and levels.

How can we inspire and connect more women in ESG?

As an Emirati woman, I’ve seen how powerful representation can be. We can inspire more women by creating platforms for mentorship, sharing real experiences, and building networks that support each other’s growth in the field.

What was the defining moment that inspired you to pursue an ESG related career?

The defining moment for me was during my undergraduate studies in Environmental Science and Sustainability. I realized that real change happens when environmental goals are connected to people, policy, and accountability. This field brings together purpose and structure, and allows me to drive impact in a way that’s both measurable and meaningful, especially in the UAE’s rapidly evolving sustainability landscape.

Miriam has built a career telling stories of under-represented communities in sport. At BBC Sport, she reported on Match of the Day and featured on the Question of Sport podcast. As D&I Reporter at Sky Sports News, she has presented several sports documentaries, as well as the series Real Talk, and she reported at the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. Two years ago she founded Brown Girl Sport – launched as an online platform and now a physical community. Working with the country’s football clubs, Miriam makes sure Brown women and girls are physically taking up space in football and feel empowered to enter the world of sport.

What was the defining moment that inspired you to pursue an ESG related career?

The power of storytelling is something that I’m really passion about. Combining my interest in social justice and sport happened very naturally, as it’s something that not a lot of sports journalists focus on. I founded Brown Girl Sport because I didn’t see South Asian women and girls’ stories being told, and it was so important for me to do that. I wanted to create a platform that could exist as a way to share those stories in order to inspire young girls who could grow up seeing themselves represented in sport, which we’re so often told is a vehicle to create change. I couldn’t see us represented elsewhere, so I created Brown Girl Sport, and it has grown into an incredible platform, community and safe space where people can voice things they have never been able to before.

Driven to harness data and technology for innovation, inclusion, and impact, Mina leads global ESG data and AI strategy at Europe’s largest media tech company. She’s trained over 600 employees in AI literacy and responsible AI and created an ESG Management Dashboard, fostering informed, data-driven decision making. Also the founder of Inclusive Tech, she launched Europe’s first initiative to advocate for diversity in the tech industry and educate on responsible AI development. As a speaker, author, and consultant, she is influencing other leaders’ AI engagement. Mina is shaping a responsible digital future where AI is not only innovative but also ethical, inclusive, and aligned with ESG values.

What was the defining moment that inspired you to pursue an ESG related career?

My parents left their home country Afghanistan because of the war. They wanted a better future for me as well as the same right to education as boys. Because they understood that education would give me the knowledge to contribute to a better world. Today I am the first woman in my family to have a university degree. My family history has inspired me all my life to work for justice and democracy. What defines my journey is the fusion of technical expertise with purpose. I’m driven by a belief that AI should serve people – not the other way around – and that ESG is the framework to make that possible. My path has been non-linear but mission-led, and I will continue using my voice to build a digital future that’s inclusive.

Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Michaela’s sustainability journey began when she co-founded a content creation company showcasing her country’s culture and nature. The Caribbean’s untapped renewable potential sparked her curiosity and her career as an energy and sustainability engineer. Now, as Principal Energy and Carbon Consultant at BAE Systems, Michaela bridges complex technical challenges with practical implementation. In addition to being the go-to expert in solar energy across her sector, she leads the company’s largest energy reduction project, embedding energy management best practices across all levels. She also shares her expertise throughout the business and mentors with the Arkwright programme, inspiring the next generation of engineers and sustainability leaders.

What was the defining moment that inspired you to pursue an ESG related career?

Growing up in a Caribbean island where the oil and gas industry dominated our economy, I was constantly surrounded by the environment—both its stunning natural beauty and the stark reality of our dependence on fossil fuels. The irony wasn’t lost on me: here we were, blessed with abundant sunshine, constant trade winds, and powerful tidal forces, yet our entire livelihood revolved around extracting and refining petroleum from our environment. After graduating from my bachelor’s degree, I co-founded a content creation company where I celebrated my island’s natural beauty and showcased hidden gems around the region. Even more immersed in my surroundings, I couldn’t help but wonder how much solar, wind and tidal energy we were wasting in favour of fossil fuels that, while economically vital to our community, seemed to overshadow the renewable potential that nature offered us daily. This curiosity, born from witnessing firsthand both the prosperity and environmental tension of living in an oil-dependent paradise, steered my career towards sustainable energy and ultimately into the ESG space.

An environmental educator and climate change advocate, Mercy founded the Institute for Environmental Management and Eco-Development (IEME) to promote climate resilience, afforestation, and green entrepreneurship. To date, her organisation has empowered over 2,000 women in agribusiness. In addition to expanding its afforestation programme, IEME’s future plans include digitising farm-level data for better decision-making and piloting bio-circular economy projects such as plastic-to-biofuel conversion. Mercy is recognised for blending grassroots action with high-level policy engagement, and she has represented Zambia on the African Union’s ESG and sustainability engagements, as well as the UN’s Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development.

Why does ESG matter in your view?

For me, ESG is not just a framework it’s a strategic imperative. The environmental pillar reminds us that our economies can only thrive within the limits of our planet’s resources. The social pillar ensures that growth is inclusive, building stability and trust in the communities we serve. And governance provides the accountability and transparency that investors and citizens now demand. In short, ESG is about managing risk, unlocking competitiveness, and ensuring that the value we create today is sustainable for generations to come.”

Maya’s mission has always been to bridge purpose and strategy in an accessible, concrete, and transformative way. For over a decade she has supported small and medium-sized enterprises and nonprofit organisations in Brazil to deliver sustainability, innovation, and impact. She founded the consultancy Triência to cultivate regenerative intelligence solutions for SMEs looking to implement a measurable ESG strategy. She also serves as board advisor at Instituto Tri, a nonprofit she co-founded to promote sustainable development in local cities and communities, where she leads initiatives focused on female leadership and social inclusion, bridging the nonprofit sector with the local business ecosystem.

How can we inspire and connect more women in ESG?

ESG matters because it is more than just an acronym. It represents a new way of leading companies in today’s paradigm. True ESG is not about following market trends or serving political agendas. The terminology may change over time, but the core idea remains. It is a new way of thinking about business: with strategic vision, impact awareness, and a long-term commitment. Looking intentionally at environmental, social, and governance aspects brings clarity to what truly sustains a company. Not only in financial terms, but also in its reputation, the relationships it builds, and the decisions it makes. In my view, ESG has become the language of trust, legitimacy, and business resilience. More than that, it is an invitation to regeneration, to rethink models, rebalance priorities, and rebuild relationships with people and the planet. For small and medium-sized enterprises, which make up a significant part of the economy, ESG is a bridge between purpose and profitability. It moves businesses out of reactive mode and into more intentional decision-making. When applied with depth and pragmatism, it transforms day-to-day management, engages teams, improves performance, and opens doors to new markets and partnerships. ESG matters because it shifts the focus from short-term gain to the creation of lasting value. Because it enables companies not just to survive, but to leave a legacy. If many believe the private sector lies at the root of today’s global challenges, then it is only fair to recognize that it can also be the most powerful force for ethical, social, environmental, and regenerative transformation of our time.

A Stanford undergraduate and teenage entrepreneur, Mariella founded SignUp Media – a Chrome extension providing sign language interpretation for streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+. Created with the Deaf community and using primarily Deaf interpreters, SignUp enhances media accessibility, supports education, and is used in classrooms and interpreter programmes across the US, UK, India, and Canada. SignUp’s future involves scaling AI-powered interpretation technology to serve a wider range of languages and cultural contexts. Striving to bridge technology and human experience, Mariella is ensuring SignUp’s research and work in AI and sign language spans cultural divides, making digital spaces more welcoming for all.

What was the defining moment that inspired you to pursue an ESG related career?

I created SignUp in 2021 during the pandemic when I was in high school. When I was remote schooling, I, like many, decided to learn something new, and I started to learn American Sign Language (ASL). Previously, when I had learnt Spanish, I watched Spanish TV shows to improve my vocabulary but soon found that I couldn’t do the same with sign language. Learning about Deaf culture, I discovered closed captions do not work for Deaf kids who cannot read or read fast enough or for Deaf adults who prefer sign language. I was amazed to find streaming content was inaccessible and that no one had addressed this. My defining moment came when I realised that Deaf children could not enjoy movie nights with their families and I knew I had to change that.

Mariana is a trailblazing ESG and public policy leader with over a decade of experience shaping Latin America’s finance agenda. Driving gender equity, sustainable innovation, and regulatory change, she is positioning Mexico’s financial system as a regional force for social impact, climate action, and economic empowerment. Currently Public Policy and ESG Manager at Stori – a fast-growing Mexican fintech – she has spearheaded regulatory approvals and led governance reforms to expand digital financial inclusion for underserved communities. Her leadership has enabled the integration of gender-responsive KPIs and sustainability frameworks into product design, directly contributing to a more inclusive financial ecosystem in Mexico.

Why does ESG matter in your view?

ESG matters because it shifts the purpose of finance and business from short-term gain to long-term value—for people, for the planet, and for future generations. In my view, ESG is not just a framework or reporting tool; it is a transformational lens that forces us to ask: Who is included? Who is affected? What legacy are we leaving behind? I also believe ESG is especially urgent in Latin America. Our region faces overlapping challenges—social inequality, environmental vulnerability, and financial exclusion—but also holds enormous opportunity. ESG gives us a common language to design solutions that are ethical, inclusive, and scalable. Ultimately, ESG matters because it reminds us that growth should never come at the cost of dignity, sustainability, or fairness. It gives finance a conscience—and that, to me, is essential.

How can we inspire and connect more women in ESG?

To bring more women into ESG, we need to create spaces where they feel seen, heard, and supported—starting with mentorship, advocacy, and intentional visibility. Mentorship is key. When women see others like them leading ESG efforts—whether in boardrooms, startups, or community projects—it sends a powerful message: you belong here too. We need to actively open doors, share lessons learned, and help the next generation navigate the intersections of sustainability, impact, and leadership. Advocacy also matters. This means challenging the structural barriers—like gender bias in financial systems or the underrepresentation of women in decision-making roles—and pushing for policies and practices that enable women to lead and thrive in ESG spaces. Finally, we need to speak up. Sharing our experiences, wins, and even the setbacks helps normalize women’s presence in ESG. The more we tell our stories, the more we expand the collective imagination of what leadership looks like—and the more connected we become across industries and regions. Inspiring more women in ESG is not just about inclusion—it’s about unlocking the full potential of the movement. Because when women lead, ESG becomes more human, more holistic, and more impactful.

What was the defining moment that inspired you to pursue an ESG related career?

My journey into ESG began in the federal government, where I saw firsthand how public policy—when designed with purpose—can improve the lives of millions. Later, while working at Mexico’s Ministry of Finance, I understood the transformational power of financial inclusion. I saw how access to credit and savings could reduce inequality, build resilience, and create opportunity at scale. But the moment that truly solidified my commitment came while working at UNDP. I met a woman who had participated in a financial inclusion program we had designed Mexican women. She told me that thanks to this initiative, she was able to open a savings account and access her own resources for the first time in her life. With that independence, she finally found the strength—and the means—to leave the home of her abuser. That testimony changed everything for me. It made ESG personal. Since then, I’ve been all in. I believe ESG is not just about strategy—it’s about dignity, equity, and justice. And I want to continue building systems where those values guide every decision.

Louise is a designer and co-founder of Resting Reef, a pioneering startup transforming ashes into living reef memorials. With a background in sustainability and innovation, she blends science and creativity to tackle climate challenges and reshape death care through regenerative, nature-based design. With Aura Murillo Pérez, she has led the business to  achieve six Innovate UK grants and multiple other awards for sustainable innovation. Louise envisions a future where sustainability is not only a business imperative but a deeply human endeavour. Personally, she is committed to developing regenerative systems that consider emotional needs as much as environmental and economic ones, particularly around the universal experience of loss.

What was the defining moment that inspired you to pursue an ESG related career?

My love for nature and people has been my driver in choosing a career focusing on sustainability. For me, it is about what we are able to achieve in our lifetime, as well as what legacy we leave behind for the next generations to come.

A mechanical engineer and former Technical Program Manager at Tesla, Linda launched Táchira Project to close opportunity gaps and cultivate changemakers committed to impacting their communities. Under her leadership, the organisation has directly trained over 980 individuals from across Venezuela, fostering grassroots disruption, innovation, and sustainable ventures in a highly challenging socioeconomic environment. As a catalyst for transformative education, she has launched trailblazing cross-cultural international collaborations that have built bridges between global institutions and fragile communities with limited resources. Linda is also a pioneer in the space sector, being the first Venezuelan to participate in analog space missions.

What was the defining moment that inspired you to pursue an ESG related career?

The defining moment came early in my university studies, when I realized how limited opportunities were for young people like me living in the interior regions of Venezuela. Unlike in larger cities, access to innovation events, conferences, or knowledge-sharing platforms was scarce. This gap frustrated me deeply at first. However, instead of remaining trapped in that frustration, I chose to take an active role. I began volunteering with different organizations to create more learning and leadership opportunities in my community. That experience shaped my sense of purpose and ultimately led me to found and lead Táchira Project, a nonprofit organization focused on bringing education, entrepreneurship, and social impact programs to regions that are often overlooked. It was in those early days that I understood how critical it is to bridge local challenges with global solutions, which today defines my commitment to ESG.

Lauren is driven to make composting accessible and scalable in public schools across the United States. Her organisation, Let’s Go Compost, implements hands-on composting systems that train students to sort, weigh, and track organic waste while learning applied environmental science. She has launched programmes in over 120 schools. A founding board member of the Arizona Composting Council and named 2025 Young Professional of the Year by the U.S. Composting Council, she champions composting on various national, regional, and local committees. Her current work centres on scaling proven food systems through policy, procurement, and community-led infrastructure, using schools as strategic leverage points to drive measurable impact.

How can we inspire and connect more women in ESG?

I am a firm advocate of youth-focused education and action. I believe inspiring and connecting more women in ESG begins with early and sustained exposure to sustainability. When girls are introduced to environmental ideas at a young age, it sparks curiosity and a sense of purpose that can grow over time. From early classroom experiences to apprenticeships, job fairs, site tours, internships, and career leadership programs, sustained exposure to real-world environmental challenges across all sectors (as EVERY job can be a job in climate) helps young women see themselves as essential to building a more sustainable future. When we create a world where girls grow up knowing that their voices matter in shaping the future, the ESG field becomes stronger, more inclusive, and more effective.

The youngest recipient of Canada’s Meritorious Service Medal for her global work on ESG, Kehkashan is a UN Human Rights Champion and the Founder-President of the social innovation enterprise Green Hope Foundation, which addresses the intersectional challenges of climate change, gender parity, and social justice. She has led transformative initiatives, such as providing clean energy-powered education to rural girls, combating child marriage, and empowering women through climate-smart agriculture. By continuing to advocate for gender-responsive sustainability action at the United Nations and World Bank, Kehkashan aims to close gender and racial data gaps, ensuring that the voices of women and girls of colour, especially in crisis-affected regions, are heard and integrated into global decision-making.

What was the defining moment that inspired you to pursue an ESG related career?

At the age of 7, I saw the image of a dead bird with its belly full of plastic, which made me realize that I would have to take action myself to create a more sustainable world. This led me to planting my first tree on my 8th birthday, which is 5th June, World Environment Day. This was just the first step – I began engaging my community members in environmental actions and social equity stewardship thereafter. As a result, I was invited to share my extensive work on sustainability on the ground at the UN Rio+20 Earth Summit in 2012, the largest sustainability conference of the time. At the age of 12, I was only 1 of 5 people under the age of 18 present there out of 50,000 delegates, and as I looked around, there was a severe lack of inclusivity of women and other underserved communities. To address this, I decided to establish my social innovation enterprise, Green Hope Foundation on my return home and pursue an ESG related career, as I realized that this was a moral responsibility to ensure a sustainable world for all.

Blending scientific rigour with grassroots collaboration, Karen is a Mexican environmental leader delivering nature-based solutions for clean water and sanitation in Indigenous communities. Her work empowers the most vulnerable to regenerate ecosystems through sustainable, community-led development. Under her leadership, COVA has developed 100 artificial wetlands and dry toilets, directly benefiting thousands of people without access to safe water or sanitation. Karen has also pioneered environmental education programmes that train young people in eco-technologies, water quality monitoring, and climate adaptation. Her approach represents a new model of development where women, youth, and Indigenous communities are protagonists in environmental transformation.

Why does ESG matter in your view?

ESG is essential because it embeds environmental integrity, social equity, and governance accountability into core decision-making, allowing organizations to identify material risks and opportunities beyond traditional financial metrics. In my role as Director of COVA in southern Mexico, I’ve witnessed how ESG-aligned frameworks can catalyze systemic change—particularly when addressing water and sanitation access in underserved regions. Women and girls, often the most impacted by these deficits, must be central to ESG strategies. At COVA, we apply science-based methodologies and participatory design to develop nature-based, verifiable solutions with measurable impact. ESG matters because it enables the replication and scaling of these evidence-driven interventions while ensuring transparency, long-term value creation, and inclusive development.

How can we inspire and connect more women in ESG?

To inspire and connect more women in ESG, we must recognize and elevate the leadership that already exists at the community level—especially among women in the Global South. This involves creating accessible pathways through training, mentorship, and funding, while also validating both technical knowledge and lived experience. At COVA, we support indigenous women and girls in using science to develop local solutions for water and climate challenges. Empowerment grows when their voices shape the ESG agenda—not just as participants, but as co-creators of more inclusive and transformative frameworks.

What was the defining moment that inspired you to pursue an ESG related career?

The defining moment came during a field visit to a rural community in Oaxaca, where I met a group of women who had spent decades carrying water long distances just to meet their families’ basic needs. Despite the hardship, they had deep knowledge of their environment and a clear vision for change—they just lacked the technical tools and institutional support to act. That encounter reshaped my understanding of justice and sustainability. I realized that real environmental and social impact happens when science, community leadership, and inclusive governance work together. It inspired me to dedicate my career to bridging those worlds—to build solutions that are not only technically sound, but socially just and locally driven. That’s the heart of ESG for me.

Youth leader, charity fundraiser, musician, and athlete, Isabella is already having a significant impact at the age of 17. She champions children’s wellbeing, women’s empowerment, and diversity in sports and the arts. An aspiring solicitor, she has raised funds, improved hospital care, and advocates through law and writing. At Sutton Grammar School, she is an active member of the Law Society and has received recognition for her contributions to school life. She was chosen as a Financial Times Student Advocate, a role that highlights her leadership and engagement with current affairs. Named by the BBC as one of 100 Inspiring Londoners, Isabella envisions a future where kindness drives change.
 
Why does ESG matter in your view?

The program’s emphasis on global representation ensures voices from the Global South, underrepresented communities, and emerging sectors (like urban bioeconomy or inclusive supply chains) gain visibility and influence. It further helps to nurture cross-sector mentoring, collaboration, and leadership development . Being included gives these young leaders access to building their future careers.

How can we inspire and connect more women in ESG?

To inspire and connect more women in ESG, we need to create spaces where they feel seen, heard, and empowered. It starts with amplifying the voices of women already leading in the field—sharing their stories, highlighting their achievements, and positioning them as role models. Mentorship plays a crucial role too, offering guidance and encouragement to those just starting out. Building inclusive communities—whether through local meetups, online forums, or women-led networks—helps foster a sense of belonging and shared purpose. We must also invest in education and career development, making ESG training, certifications, and opportunities more accessible, especially for women from underrepresented backgrounds. True impact comes when we prioritize intersectionality and ensure that every woman, regardless of her race, background, or identity, has a seat at the table. Ultimately, inspiring women in ESG means not just inviting them into the conversation, but empowering them to lead it.

What was the defining moment that inspired you to pursue an ESG related career?

My interest in human rights was sparked by the realisation that freedom, something often taken for granted, is increasingly under threat — and that the law is one of the few tools powerful enough to protect it. Reading *Five Ideas to Fight For* by Anthony Lester, particularly the first strand on human rights, made me question how far we have come and how much further we need to go. It led me to research the origins of the European Convention on Human Rights, where I discovered France’s central role, especially through Pierre-Henri Teitgen. His work in uniting Europe around shared values of freedom and justice inspired me to write an essay for the Oxplore competition, titled *‘Do we have enough?’*, where I explored the relationship between law and human rights. This deepened my understanding of how legal systems can protect fundamental freedoms — but also how they can fall short. Studying law would allow me to better understand the structures that uphold human rights, while learning French would give me insight into how cultural and legal traditions influence these protections globally.

Fatima is a sustainability lawyer and ESG architect who pioneered Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank’s ESG department, negotiating ethical contracts and drafting its first sustainability report. She holds a deep commitment to empowering marginalised women and minority communities. Through over ten years of pro bono legal work, she has helped more than 500 women navigate high-stakes challenges, from abusive marriages to complex divorces, securing their financial independence, custody rights, and safety. She also started a regional network connecting women and minorities to equitable job opportunities in sustainability-focused industries. A relentless voice for trauma-informed governance and environmental action, Fatima is proving equity and sustainability are inseparable.

Why does ESG matter in your view?

ESG is the moral compass we urgently need to realign capitalism with planetary survival. We’re not mere shareholders extracting value; we’re stewards of a living planet. The climate crisis, biodiversity collapse, and social inequality scream one truth: we cannot drain Earth’s resources while ignoring the legacy we leave our children. True sustainability demands rejecting the illusion of progress; greenwashing for tax breaks or hollow PR campaigns betray our collective duty. As a lawyer in the UAE, I see ESG’s pillars as deeply interconnected: Governance is the foundation: Without transparent policies and ethical frameworks, social and environmental goals crumble. Social justice is the heartbeat: My pronono work empowering Emirati and resident women proves this. Financial freedom: a right we only recently gained – shatters patriarchal chains. When women control resources, they gain autonomy over health, education, and participation in the workforce. Environmental action is the lifeline: We cannot champion human rights while ignoring the deserts expanding at our doorsteps or the oceans choking on plastic. ESG matters because it forces us to measure what TRULY counts: not quarterly profits, but intergenerational justice. It’s the bridge between profit and purpose.

How can we inspire and connect more women in ESG?

Awards like Women of the Future are catalytic; they shatter the myth that youth or background are barriers to impact. To scale this momentum: 1. Hyper-Digital Community Building: – Transform LinkedIn into a dynamic hub: Spotlight member projects (e.g., “Initiative of the Month”), host AMAs (ask me anything) with ESG pioneers, and curate regional resource libraries. – Launch virtual “Impact Sprints”: 90-minute collaborative sessions where women solve real ESG challenges (e.g., “Reducing textile waste in X country’s garment industry”). 2. Resource Democratization: – Create a living “ESG Playbook”: A crowd-sourced digital repository (Google Doc → dedicated platform) with case studies, policy templates, and funding opportunities – curated *by* women, *for* women. – Establish micro-grant programs: $500-$2k grants for alumnae launching local projects (e.g., solar workshops for rural women). 3. The Ambassador Ecosystem: – Train “ESG Ambassadors” across 50+ countries: Equip them with toolkits to host local meetups, advise NGOs, and mentor students. For example: An ambassador in Nigeria could partner with fintech startups to advance women’s financial literacy. – Forge cross-border “Impact Pods”: Small groups collaborating for 6 months on goals like drafting inclusive supply chain policies. 4. Storytelling as Fuel: – Produce mini-documentaries: Showcase alumnae tackling desertification in Morocco or lobbying for indigenous land rights in Peru. Science *demands* action, but stories ignite movements. ESG isn’t a trend – it’s the operating system for our survival. When women unite across borders, we don’t just “connect” – we rewire the future.

What was the defining moment that inspired you to pursue an ESG related career?

The seed was planted in sixth grade during a school spelling bee focused entirely on environmental terms – ‘biodiversity,’ ‘deforestation,’ ‘endangered.’ As I studied, I confronted images of pandas and Arabian leopards teetering on extinction. The idea that these majestic creatures could vanish in my lifetime haunted me. Night after night, I’d lie awake grappling with a child’s helplessness against planetary decay. Winning that spelling bee didn’t just teach me words; it branded me with urgency: Someone must protect what’s vanishing. Years later, that urgency evolved into a commitment to leverage law as a tool for systemic change. In the UAE, a place where ancient traditions harmonize with hyper-modern ambition; I witnessed how law shapes lives. Our legal system is a living organism: Sharia principles grounding us, while reforms unlock women’s financial autonomy and redefine societal frameworks. I became a lawyer to dissect how law enables or hinders human potential. Today, my pro bono work; guiding women through inheritance laws, or helping female entrepreneurs navigate corporate governance; feels like honoring both childhood vows and national transformation. ESG is where these paths converge: ensuring ethical governance protects our planet (like those leopards I feared losing) and empowers people (like the women reclaiming their rights). In a nation rewriting its future daily, I’m humbled to help weave sustainability and justice into its legal fabric.

Throughout her career and voluntary work, Elizabeth has demonstrated unwavering dedication to driving growth and sustainability through technology. As a Strategy Manager at Google, she leads strategic initiatives to extend the device lifetime of Android smartphones and increase Android’s presence in the second-hand smartphone market. Her insights in these areas have been instrumental in driving Google’s commitment to a more circular economy for its consumer hardware products. Beyond her corporate achievements, Elizabeth is a recognised thought leader in sustainability and served for two years as Editor for the Republic Journal, commissioning articles on sustainability and climate change in Africa and amplifying the voices of young African leaders.

How can we inspire and connect more women in ESG?

I believe inspiring and connecting more women in ESG hinges on a few key areas. First, we need to shine a brighter light on the incredible work women are already doing in ESG. By sharing success stories and highlighting the diverse career paths available, we can show aspiring professionals, especially young women, that there’s a place for them to make a real difference in this field. This means putting our stories out there, speaking at events, and serving as mentors. Second, building and fostering supportive networks and communities is absolutely crucial. Connecting, sharing our experiences, and uplifting one another can help us women in ESG overcome challenges and accelerate our career growth. We should be actively building and participating in mentorship programs, peer-to-peer learning groups, and professional organisations that prioritise genuine connection and collaboration. Finally, we must champion inclusive pathways and opportunities. This means pushing for fair hiring practices, advocating for flexible work environments, and ensuring that women have equal access to leadership development programs within organisations. We also need to encourage women from all backgrounds, whether law, technology, or finance, and so on, to see how their unique skills can contribute to the evolving ESG landscape. By actively breaking down barriers and cultivating a truly inclusive environment, we can empower many more women to lead the charge in building a sustainable future. Being selected for the Women of the Future 50 Rising Stars in ESG Award makes me incredibly proud, and I am honoured to join this community of inspiring women. Initiatives like Women of the Future are vital because they directly address all three of these areas: they amplify our visibility, build powerful networks, and champion truly inclusive pathways for women leaders in ESG.

As a young woman navigating the stigma surrounding menstruation, Efe recognised the dire need for accessible, stigma-free Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) education, especially in northern Nigeria. Supported by the European Union and the United Nations, Efe has improved SRHR education across Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria, impacting over 30,000 vulnerable girls and young women in underserved, hard-to-reach communities, including sex workers and teen mothers. Through Xari Africa, she is building Africa’s first digital SRHR academy with the aim of training 10,000 young advocates as change agents in their communities by 2026, ensuring women and girls are empowered to make informed decisions about their bodies.

Why does ESG matter in your view?

ESG in my view is more than a corporate checkbox but a necessary move in how we build systems that are ethical, inclusive, and sustainable. In my work leading Xari Africa, I’ve seen firsthand how the “S” in ESG is often treated as secondary. But it’s not. Issues like gender inequality, youth disenfranchisement, and health inequities are not abstract metrics, they affect real lives every day. ESG provides a framework to hold institutions accountable not just for profit, but for people and the planet. In contexts like Africa, where development gaps remain, ESG gives us the language, tools, and pressure points to demand more ethical, people-centered governance and investment for a just and equal world.

How can we inspire and connect more women in ESG?

We need to reframe ESG as more than just as an elite, technical term but as something women, especially from marginalized communities, are already doing, just without the formal title. When women lead health campaigns, organize climate action, or challenge exploitative labor, they are practicing ESG. We must build platforms where their voices are visible, their lived experiences validated, and their leadership funded. More women will step into ESG when they see people like themselves already there. Connection comes from storytelling, mentorship, and dismantling the myth that expertise only comes in a suit.

What was the defining moment that inspired you to pursue an ESG related career?

One defining moment happened during a grassroots menstrual hygiene outreach where a young girl pulled me aside, confided in us about abuse from her father, and asked for help. That moment changed everything. We came to teach girls about their periods. We left having helped one escape a violent home. It made me realise that social impact isn’t about boardrooms, events, or numbers but about creating spaces where people feel safe enough to speak and be seen. ESG, for me, is a commitment to systematize that kind of care, responsibility, and justice across all levels of decision-making.

With a career spanning diplomacy, academia, and sustainable development, Selin is an energy transition expert and ESG leader. She has served as a UN Climate Change Observer since 2015 and has spoken at major global events, including COP26 and COP27. As CEO of Women in Smart Energy UK, she has spearheaded ESG-aligned training programmes for emerging markets, with a strong focus on solar and wind integration. She has also advised central banks on ESG strategies, including data ethics and HR resilience. A champion of sustainability through diplomacy, innovation, and policy, Selin is pioneering inclusive energy strategies and driving climate education – shaping a more equitable and resilient future for all.

Why does ESG matter in your view?

ESG matters because it aligns financial performance with environmental and social responsibility, ensuring that growth is sustainable. It helps organisations manage long-term risks — from climate change to governance failures — while building trust with investors and communities. Ultimately, ESG is not charity; it’s a smarter, more resilient way of doing business.

How can we inspire and connect more women in ESG?

Raising funds and cooperating with UK Government

What was the defining moment that inspired you to pursue an ESG related career?

The defining moment came when I realised that climate change is not only a scientific or policy issue, but an economic one — deeply linked to how capital flows and decisions are made. Working on early renewable energy projects showed me that finance could be a force for transformation, not just profit. From that point, I committed to bridging sustainability, energy, and finance — helping institutions make ESG their core business strategy.

Mrinalini is a clinician, researcher, and patient advocate advancing social justice and reducing healthcare disparities. A Specialty Registrar in Rheumatology and Internal Medicine, she has published and presented her work widely, and is involved in policy and research nationally and internationally. She explores the social determinants of health in those with chronic diseases, with the ultimate aim of delivering better outcomes, breaking down barriers, and ensuring more equitable access to care. In recent years, Mrinalini has developed a particular interest in health literacy, becoming a sought-after speaker on the subject. She also volunteers as a clinician representative to the nonprofit EULAR (European Alliance of Associations of Rheumatology).

What was the defining moment that inspired you to pursue an ESG related career?

My interest in the social dimension of ESG stems from my work as a medical doctor and academic researcher studying the social determinants of health. I was first drawn to social inequities and policy while taking part in the Fulbright Commission Summer Institute for Student Leaders, prior to starting medical school. While conducting a project on access to healthcare and medication in socially deprived communities in Philadelphia, I came to appreciate the intersection between socioeconomic circumstances, healthcare, and communities. My subsequent medical education at Murray Edwards College, University of Cambridge- a forward-thinking community for young women- nurtured this interest and increased my awareness of social inequities in healthcare and beyond. Now, as a medical doctor in Rheumatology and Internal Medicine, I conduct research on social determinants of health, with a current focus on health literacy on an individual and societal level. In clinical and research settings, I see firsthand how socioeconomic factors, such as employment, access to healthcare, education, housing, and community infrastructure, profoundly shape health outcomes. ESG reporting frameworks increasingly include metrics related to employee wellbeing, diversity, and community impact. As a clinician-researcher, I believe that medical insight can strengthen how these metrics are interpreted, implemented, and evaluated for real-world impact. Ultimately, engaging with the social dimension of ESG is an opportunity to influence upstream determinants of health through policy and community engagement. I look forward to continuing my commitment to improving population health not only through medical care but also by my work which aims to address and shape the broader social environments in which people live and work.

A trained medical doctor, Cassandra is driving innovative public health initiatives that promote equitable and sustainable change. As the Executive Director of The Neo Child Initiative for Africa, she has led community projects supporting 40,000 vulnerable children with essential healthcare, education, and nutrition. She has implemented menstrual hygiene management programmes in 100 underserved schools, and as founder of Obrin Health, she produces affordable, eco-friendly menstrual hygiene products, reducing school dropout rates while empowering rural women through job creation. She also leads the SDG Literacy Drive, a nationwide campaign that integrates physical library installations with digital learning tools to promote education and climate literacy.

What was the defining moment that inspired you to pursue an ESG related career?

The pivotal moment came about 10 years ago when I was still in medical school, trying to pass my exams and studying my books. I just stated my posting in the Department of Community Health and Primary Care and witnessed in horror how a 5-year-old boy, Bayo, was brought into our clinic with severe symptoms of Tetanus, a vaccine-preventable disease. Unfortunately, because he was brought in at this late stage of the disease, his condition was fatal. This experience was devastating to me and led me to think about the existing barriers that Bayo and his family faced in the health care system and changing the narrative. It is then that I committed myself to do everything within my willpower to address these health disparities through policy advocacy, innovative research, community engagement and inclusive initiatives to improve social, economic and health outcomes of diverse underserved communities in Nigeria and beyond. And so far, it has been the greatest and most fulfilling service of my life.

A doctor, economist, and policy expert, Annie is leading evidence-based systemic transformation in healthcare. Her groundbreaking work on democratic healthcare governance centres patient and staff voices to build more equitable, sustainable healthcare systems. At the Institute for Public Policy Research, she combines frontline medical practice with influential health policy leadership. She has delivered numerous briefings to senior government policymakers and shaped the wellbeing strategy for one of the largest NHS trusts. Her advocacy for healthcare governance that prioritises ethical operation and inclusive decision-making has resulted in new funded programmes for innovative social care research and NHS reform.

What was the defining moment that inspired you to pursue an ESG related career?

I have always been motivated by a commitment to fight for health equity, combining rigorous analysis as a health economist with my clinical career striving to deliver evidence-based medical care to those who need it most. ESG sits at the heart of this combined approach, in particular a commitment to effective governance. This was inspired by my time as an economist for a global health charity in rural Mexico, when I saw firsthand how the insights and energy of both staff and patients could be unlocked through empowering governance structures that support everyone to flourish.

A decorated chess player and math olympiad winner, Deniza is tackling inequity while inspiring other young women in STEM. At 17, she is already expanding inclusive education in Kazakhstan. She co-founded Inclusive Academy, a global initiative supporting children facing systemic barriers due to disability. Operating with 5,000 volunteers in over 20 countries, the academy has provided free, high-quality education to 4,000 children. One of Deniza’s most impactful innovations is SpeakUP, an AI-powered speech app designed to assist children with speech difficulties. Designed with speech therapists, SpeakUP uses voice activity detection and fine-tuned automatic speech recognition models to facilitate communication and help children with disabilities express themselves.

Why does ESG matter in your view?

To me, ESG isn’t just a framework — it’s a pathway to equity, dignity, and long-term impact. Growing up, I saw how talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. As a girl in chess and math, I faced bias not because of my ability, but because of who I was. That’s what drew me to ESG. It’s a space where we can rethink systems, challenge inequality, and build solutions that serve people — especially those left out by traditional structures. Through my work with Inclusive Academy and the SpeakUP app, I’ve witnessed how environmental, social, and governance principles can guide real change — from ensuring children with disabilities access education, to creating tech that’s ethical and inclusive. ESG helps us ask not just what we’re building, but for whom and with what consequences. ESG matters because it reminds us that progress isn’t just about innovation — it’s about intention. It’s how we make sure the future we’re creating is one that truly includes everyone.

At just 24 years old, Buyiswa is revolutionising food systems and security in Johannesburg’s informal settlements. After managing a community farm, she founded Agrigreat Soiltech & Envirocare to turn organic waste into nutrient-rich fertilisers, promoting sustainable agriculture and a circular economy while meeting the demands of a growing population. She launched the city’s first biowaste conversion station, which processes over five tonnes of waste every month, and is currently establishing a larger site that will have an even greater impact on reducing landfills and soil degradation in South Africa. Buyiswa is also inspiring future leaders through agricultural festivals and launching Agrigreat STEM clubs in Johannesburg’s townships. 

Why does ESG matter in your view?

Growing up in South Africa, living amidst the rising issues and seeing the effects of environmental issues with my own eyes, from water and food shortages caused by soil damage, the importance of ESG became more clear to me. ESG is not only important because if it’s ability to increase impact but it gives way to a community being formed, a network of companies driven by change through collaboration and re-education, changing the unsustainable methods in which businesses were run to a more sustainable and impactful methods with the goals to change the world.

How can we inspire and connect more women in ESG?

Women need to be included in the conversation, their opinions must be heard and they must be given more platforms to share their unique experiences in navigating ESG and in turn that will also illuminate the way for other women to be inspired.

Bianca is the founder and CEO of Fair Shot, a pioneering social enterprise tackling disability unemployment. Addressing the staggering 95% unemployment rate among adults with learning disabilities, the organisation offers an 11-month training programme in its Covent Garden cafe followed by sustainable paid work with inclusive employment partners. Under Bianca’s leadership, 45 trainees have graduated the programme since it launched in 2021, with 100% job placement and 85% job retention. Bianca’s approach is both systemic and deeply human, blending operational excellence with a profound belief in community and potential. Her work is not only reshaping individual lives but redefining what inclusive employment can look like.

What was the defining moment that inspired you to pursue an ESG related career?

It wasn’t one single moment, but a deep, growing awareness that started when I was just a child. I grew up surrounded by a community that included many families with children with learning disabilities through my church, and from a very young age, I got to see life through their eyes. Once you feel someone’s pain, you can’t unfeel it. That realisation stayed with me and it planted the seed for everything I do now. Years later, that dream became Fair Shot: a café and training programme to tackle the staggering 95% unemployment rate among adults with learning disabilities. So for me, ESG isn’t just a framework. It’s about people. It’s about fairness. It’s about creating systems where everyone belongs, and no one is left behind. And it’s the human stories the first paycheques, the first friendships, the first time someone feels truly useful that fuel me every single day.

An award-winning Mexican designer, Aura is creating new rituals around death that support life through marine system restoration. The sudden loss of her father and the challenges of navigating a traditional funeral’s impersonal and bureaucratic processes inspired her to seek compassionate alternatives to celebrate her father’s legacy. With Louise Skajem, she co-founded Resting Reef, which transforms cremated ashes into underwater reef structures, honouring loved ones while restoring vital coastal ecosystems. This sustainable end-of-life alternative addresses environmental degradation, supports grieving families, and strengthens local economies. Working at the intersection of culture, empathy, and ecology, Aura is a death-positive advocate delivering ecological and social impact.

How can we inspire and connect more women in ESG?

One way to inspire and connect more women in ESG is by creating more visible, inclusive platforms where women can share their experiences, challenges, and successes. It is important to highlight diverse role models, foster cross-sector collaboration, and make space for emerging voices. We need to build networks that not only support women in ESG but also actively open doors for the next generation.

A TEDx speaker and Oxford MBA, Asha blends grassroots impact with global storytelling – creating dignified jobs, promoting sustainability, and mentoring the next generation of ESG leaders. In 2018, she founded Swara – Voice of Women, a direct-to-consumer fashion brand that empowers over 70 rural women artisans in Kerala. Combining traditional craftsmanship with modern design, Swara reaches 3,000+ customers across six continents through sustainable, small-batch collections. To further Swara’s mission, Asha launched CraftHER, an immersive leadership programme and new model of ethical, educational tourism that brings scholars from top universities like Oxford and Cambridge to live and learn in India’s artisan clusters.

Why does ESG matter in your view?

Because it helps us ask better questions. Who gets a seat at the table? Who benefits? What’s the cost? And who pays it? To me, ESG isn’t just about ticking boxes or writing reports. It’s about choosing to build systems with care. At Swara, we work with women from communities that are often excluded from the mainstream economy. Thinking in ESG terms helps us stay honest about our sourcing, our pricing, how we treat people, and how we define success. It’s not perfect, but it keeps us facing the right direction.

How can we inspire and connect more women in ESG?

I think we need to stop waiting for women to “join ESG” and start recognising that they’ve already been doing the work, just without the title. Women are running SHGs, running farms, running households, all with limited resources and enormous resilience. If we can shine a light on that, create spaces where their voices are heard and their leadership valued (in boardrooms and in panchayats), more women will start to see ESG not as a distant framework, but something that belongs to them. We need funding that flows to women-led work, platforms that centre their stories, and networks that aren’t intimidating or exclusive, like the Women of the Future Program.

What was the defining moment that inspired you to pursue an ESG related career?

There wasn’t one big “aha” moment. It was a slow realisation that came from living in Dungarpur, a district that falls in the tribal belt of Rajasthan, during my Gandhi Fellowship. For two years, I worked in government schools and lived in villages, mostly tribal. I kept meeting women who had so much grit, so much skill, but almost no access to dignified income. They weren’t waiting to be saved, they just needed a chance to build on what they already had. That’s where the idea for Swara came from. Not from wanting to “do ESG.” I didn’t even know what ESG was back then. But from wanting to build something that felt fair. That instinct became a business. And that business taught me the language of ESG.

At the age of 15, Annie founded Australia’s first youth-led initiative that equips children with the skills to take control of their financial futures. Through MoneyWise, Annie has led 200+ free financial literacy workshops to over 14,000 students in low-socioeconomic areas. Her kid-friendly financial literacy book, Money Made Simple, has been distributed to over 300 underfunded schools globally, reaching 52,700+ students across Australia, Cambodia, Tanzania, and Papua New Guinea. She also hosts the Brighter Futures youth podcast, connecting over 50,000 global listeners with practical advice from leaders like the Minister for Education, founders of startups, and social changemakers, further breaking down barriers to knowledge and opportunity. 

How can we inspire and connect more women in ESG?

I believe inspiring and connecting more women in ESG begins with visibility and voice. We need to spotlight the stories of young women already leading change, whether that’s launching grassroots sustainability projects, advocating for ethical finance, or driving data transparency in governance. When I founded MoneyWise, a financial literacy initiative for students, I saw how knowledge becomes a form of empowerment. By demystifying money, we opened a door to bigger conversations: equity, climate risk, intergenerational justice. Creating intersectional spaces matters too. Not everyone enters ESG through the same door, some come via science, others through policy, art, or lived experience. We must honour all of these pathways. Mentorship and peer networks are key. Finally, action must follow inspiration. Give young women real roles, not just seats. Invite them into impact measurement, boardrooms, budget planning. Let them lead. Because when women design systems, we rethink what those systems are for, not just growth, but justice. In ESG, gender equity isn’t a side goal. It’s part of the solution.

An award-winning VC, founder, and executive coach, Anieke is known for combining financial expertise with purpose-driven leadership. Formerly at Rubio and RTL Ventures, she also founded Peekabond, a social platform that helps global families build deep bonds with their loved ones at a distance. Now at Borski Fund, she invests in female-led tech startups tackling real-world problems in climate, health, and future societies. She’s pushing for smarter, more values-aligned VC – where ESG isn’t a side note, but a strategic edge. Anieke is also the founder of Women in VC Portugal and the VC coach and advisor to impact VCs globally.

Why does ESG matter in your view?

If we don’t have one standard way of measuring our impact, then every green- rainbow or pink-washing clown can claim it. ESG matters to me because it’s not just a hygiene factor to “tick boxes” but it’s about creating an environment for our society on the long term that is livable and sustainable. It looks beyond our current short term profit mindset, and helps us to look at people and planet. Good governance is important for accountability and because without it, the rest might fall apart.

How can we inspire and connect more women in ESG?

Share more war stories. Ever since we were cave men sitting around a fire, we know that telling good stories stick. We remember stories better. They inspire and they stick. And if we can see it, we can be it.

What was the defining moment that inspired you to pursue an ESG related career?

I guess I had – as many do- a quarter life crisis around my early twenties (about 10 years ago) when I found out as a typical millennial that I didn’t want to waste my brain and talents on giving rich shareholders even more money. When I found out I can do good in the world through impact investing and that this goes hand in hand with financial gains something clicked. I started surrounding myself with different types of people that were good hearted. Not chasing more money but actually changing the definition of success: to have the ambition to leave the world better than I found it.

Andrea is a human rights activist promoting justice, dignity, and youth leadership along the Mexico–U.S. border. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Andrea launched a digital school for migrant children and youth living in shelters as an emergency humanitarian response. This initiative evolved into Border Youth Collective A.C., a grassroots organisation she co-founded and now leads. Supporting migrant children through trauma-informed education, her Mobile School for Migrant and Refugee Children has reached over 200 children in shelters. Andrea has also participated in humanitarian desert aid, led student mobilisations against gender-based violence, and provided direct support in human rights cases. 

Why does ESG matter in your view?

For me, ESG is important because the needs of our society are transversal. We cannot talk about social justice without environmental justice, and this cannot be achieved or preserved without governance. Including and recognizing the women who work daily to sustain life and community is fundamental in this regard. For many years, men have held leadership positions and have been the world’s decision-makers. Today, it is time for women.

Andi is a renewable energy engineer ensuring women – especially in rural communities – are empowered to lead the energy transition in Southeast Asia. Since founding GAWIREA in 2021, she has impacted over 1,000 women and youth across Indonesia through clean energy education, transferring hands-on skills in solar PV installation and energy entrepreneurship. Through the Solar Sister programme, her organisation has distributed 100 solar lamps, directly reducing reliance on kerosene and diesel lighting in two underserved communities. From building a solar-powered community library to leading non-formal training programmes, she’s turning clean energy into a pathway for dignity and independence. 

How can we inspire and connect more women in ESG?

I’ve seen how powerful it is when women come together around a shared purpose, whether it’s in a small village working on renewable energy or in a global forum discussing climate policy. I’ve also seen how many women don’t even realize ESG is a career path they can take simply because they’ve never seen someone like them in those roles. That’s why I believe we need to tell more real stories, not just about achievements but about the struggles, the learning curves, and the moments of doubt we’ve overcome. I know from my own journey that the right story, at the right time, can make someone believe, “I can do this too.” We also need safe spaces to connect, not just to network but to really listen to each other. ESG is such a wide field, and often the best opportunities come from conversations between people who never thought they had anything in common. And of course, we have to make it easier for women to access the skills, training, and leadership opportunities that can help them grow. For me, this isn’t just about professional development, it’s about changing who gets to shape the future of our planet. I want more women to feel they belong in ESG, not as guests but as leaders. Because when women lead, communities thrive and the impact ripples far beyond the boardroom.

Anastasia is the founder of FeMentor, Germany’s first reverse mentoring platform, which connects young female talents with experienced mentors. FeMentor was created to challenge traditional power structures by giving young, diverse voices a seat at the table, enabling cross-generational exchange. Free to users, the platform is currently being scaled for worldwide access so its impact can span across borders to offer tailored reverse mentorship programmes that will help organisations meet their social and governance goals in an authentic and sustainable way. An international keynote speaker, delivering talks on Gen Z, digital entrepreneurship, and diversity, Anastasia’s work has empowered thousands of women and elevated underrepresented voices across industries. 

How can we inspire and connect more women in ESG?

By creating spaces where women and everyone else can see themselves represented, heard, and empowered not just as participants, but as leaders. We need to make ESG more accessible by translating complex topics into real-life impact: climate, governance, and social responsibility aren’t just buzzwords they are about our future, our values, and our daily actions. I believe in mentorship especially in reverse mentoring and visibility as powerful tools to inspire next generations. When young women see female role models working in ESG and in all kind of positions, when they get the chance to ask questions, collaborate, or even just listen that’s when true connection happens. Let’s stop gatekeeping knowledge. Let’s open doors, share networks, and make sustainability not just a field to work in but a movement to belong to. Because women don’t just need a seat at the table we’re here to reshape the table.

A Chevening Scholar and MBA candidate at the University of Edinburgh, Ana-Maria champions responsible innovation and female leadership. She co-founded Moldova’s first women-in-tech mentoring programme and female engineering student group. With over seven years of experience in data analytics and AI, she is now building KUMA, an AI startup that uses generative technology to help families preserve and share their stories across generations by recording memories and transforming them into podcasts, audiobooks, and documentaries. With a 100% women-led founding team, she is focused on advancing female leadership in the AI space while championing governance-first product design and ethical technology use.

What was the defining moment that inspired you to pursue an ESG related career?

There wasn’t a single defining moment, just a growing awareness that something important was missing. I remember sitting in my computer science class at university, looking around and realising I was one of the very few women in the room. Later, as I stepped into my career and entered meetings, I found myself asking the same question over and over again: Where are the other women? At first, I thought maybe they just hadn’t made it into the room yet. But as time went on, I realised that many never had the chance or support to begin the journey. That quiet, persistent absence stayed with me. It made me wonder if perhaps what was missing wasn’t just representation, but visible leadership, mentorship, and community, the things that make people feel like they belong. That was the moment the question flipped from Why aren’t they here? to Why not me? Why not be the one to start something that helps others get into the room and stay there? So I began. I founded Moldova’s first student group for female engineering students, later created the country’s first mentorship program for women in tech, and now co-lead an AI startup built by women, for people. Every step I’ve taken since has been shaped by that quiet realisation: some people just need someone to go first: to guide, to build, to show that it’s possible. For me, ESG is about creating that space, being that voice, and building systems where more people are seen, supported, and empowered to lead.

Ana Luz believes that every tree planted and every community strengthened brings us closer to a more resilient future. As the deputy director of Valle Sagrado Verde, she promotes ecological restoration and natural regeneration in Andean communities. Through collaboration with communities, local governments, and strategic partners, she has facilitated the planting of 90,000 native trees, the formation of 33 community brigades, and the training of over 550 people in fire prevention and land management. A beacon of female leadership in climate action, her mission is to ensure environmental regeneration is synonymous with social justice, gender equity, and hope.

Why does ESG matter in your view?

ESG matters because it is the framework that forces us to move from extractive models to regenerative ones — not only for the environment, but for people and systems. In my experience leading community-based restoration in the Peruvian Andes, ESG has given us the language and structure to demand accountability from governments and companies, while also empowering local voices. Environmental restoration cannot succeed without social justice, and social progress is not sustainable without transparency and ethical governance. ESG brings those pillars together. It also shifts the narrative: communities are not “beneficiaries” of sustainability—they are leaders, innovators, and defenders of their territories. ESG matters because it allows us to build bridges between ancestral knowledge and global frameworks, between grassroots action and systemic change. Ultimately, ESG is not a trend—it is the only way forward if we are serious about addressing climate change, inequality, and long-term resilience.

How can we inspire and connect more women in ESG?

We inspire women in ESG by recognizing them not only as participants, but as leaders of change—especially in territories where their contributions are often invisible. In my work with Andean communities in Peru, I’ve seen how women are already regenerating landscapes, preserving native seeds, and managing communal lands. The key is to make these roles visible, value their knowledge, and provide platforms for learning, leadership, and global connection. We also need to decentralize ESG spaces—bringing capacity building, funding, and visibility to rural and indigenous territories. Real inclusion means meeting women where they are, and co-creating with them, not just inviting them to existing tables. Mentorship networks, language-accessible resources, and storytelling are powerful tools to bridge gaps and build confidence. When women see other women like them leading in ESG, they don’t just feel represented—they feel called to action.

What was the defining moment that inspired you to pursue an ESG related career?

The defining moment was when, at 21, I founded Kutimusunchis, a volunteer collective in Cusco dedicated to reforestation and urban clean-up campaigns. Seeing young people come together to restore our land made me realize that environmental transformation begins with community empowerment. That inspired me to dedicate my career to bridging ecological restoration with social equity. I pursued a master’s degree in ecology and later took on leadership roles in Valle Sagrado Verde, where I now lead large-scale reforestation, wildfire prevention, and natural regeneration initiatives in collaboration with over 30 Andean communities. Winning the Prince Talal International Prize for Human Development reaffirmed that ESG work grounded in local knowledge and justice has global relevance. My career has been defined by the belief that regenerating ecosystems is not just about trees—it’s about restoring dignity, resilience, and shared futures.

An accomplished nonprofit leader, artist, and educator, Amna has over a decade of experience driving early literacy, creative learning, and visual storytelling in Pakistan. She began her journey with Alif Laila Book Bus Society as an art teacher in 2014, where her passion for art and education quickly propelled her into leadership roles. Now, as CEO, she leads innovative education programmes, empowering children through storytelling, creative teaching, and environmental awareness. She has championed low-impact, mobile library solutions – such as camel and rickshaw libraries – and works to ensure every child in Pakistan, regardless of gender or geography, has access to transformative learning through stories, creativity, and community-driven education.

Why does ESG matter in your view?

In my view, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) matters because it redefines success by placing people, planet, and purpose at the heart of progress. As a nonprofit leader working at the intersection of education, creativity, and community empowerment in Pakistan, I’ve seen firsthand how ESG-aligned practices can create sustainable impact. Environmental awareness is key to nurturing future generations who understand the climate challenges they inherit. Through our literacy and storytelling programs, we introduce children in underserved areas to eco-conscious narratives and sustainable thinking from an early age. Socially, ESG compels organizations to be inclusive, equitable, and human-centered — values deeply embedded in my work training teachers, supporting female creatives, and promoting youth development. Strong governance ensures transparency, trust, and long-term resilience, especially in the nonprofit sector where credibility defines our ability to create change. ESG is not just a framework; it’s a philosophy of responsible leadership. For emerging women leaders, it provides a compass to lead with integrity, empathy, and a vision beyond profit values that shape the future we all want to build.

How can we inspire and connect more women in ESG?

To inspire and connect more women in ESG, we must begin by making space for their voices, stories, and lived experiences, especially from the Global South. Representation matters. When women see others like them leading climate action, advocating for social equity, and shaping ethical governance, they feel seen, capable, and invited. We can build stronger bridges by: Creating mentorship pipelines that connect experienced ESG professionals with emerging female leaders from diverse sectors: education, creative industries, and social impact, where ESG values are already being practiced, even if not formally recognized. Highlighting women-led grassroots models of sustainability and community governance, particularly in developing countries, where many women are quietly driving ESG change without the spotlight. Offering accessible learning and leadership opportunities, including fellowships, storytelling platforms, and regional networks that help women share their challenges and successes openly. Above all, we must nurture a global sisterhood of women who lead with empathy, ethics, and bold vision, not just for compliance, but for meaningful, intergenerational impact.

What was the defining moment that inspired you to pursue an ESG related career?

The defining moment came during a visit to a remote village in South Punjab, where I watched a group of young girls gather around our mobile library, their eyes full of wonder as they read stories about the environment, equality, and hope. One of them said, “No one ever brought us books before; now we know we matter.” In that moment, I understood that environmental, social, and governance values aren’t abstract ideas; they’re lifelines. They’re about giving voice to the voiceless, opportunity to the overlooked, and dignity to every human being. That experience shaped my mission: to use education, creativity, and inclusive leadership to build more just and sustainable communities. Since then, ESG has guided every initiative I’ve led from training teachers in equity-centered methods, to promoting local female artists, to developing children’s books that spark climate consciousness. It’s more than a career path; it’s a commitment to a future where people and the planet thrive together.

After losing her father to glioblastoma in 2018, Amber founded the Glioblastoma Research Organization (GBMRO), which has raised over $2.2 million for research and awareness, funding projects at major U.S. cancer centres and fostering a global support community. She has launched pioneering initiatives like the Glioblastoma Biobank Project, providing invaluable resources for global researchers and aiding the expansion of the Central Brain Tumor Registry. Her strategic vision culminated in the inaugural Glioblastoma Summit, a landmark event uniting top medical professionals and industry leaders to foster education and collaboration. Amber also introduced the “5K Your Way” fundraiser, an inclusive, global event that promotes community participation and awareness. 

Why does ESG matter in your view?

For me, ESG is about how we choose to lead and the impact we want to make. At the Glioblastoma Research Organization, our mission is rooted in community, compassion, and accountability. I started this work after losing my father to glioblastoma, a loss that opened my eyes to how isolating and overlooked this disease can be. Through awareness, advocacy, and funding research, we aim to create more visibility for the people and families impacted and to drive progress in a space that desperately needs it. ESG matters because it reminds us that organizations, even small nonprofits, have a responsibility to lead with integrity, transparency, and care. It holds us accountable to the people we serve and ensures our actions reflect a commitment to a better and more equitable future for all.

While traveling in Southeast Asia, Amaia witnessed the devastating impact of plastic pollution on pristine beaches, an experience that profoundly influenced her career trajectory. With her brother, Julen, she co-founded Gravity Wave in 2020 to combat marine pollution through large-scale clean-up operations targeting plastic waste, especially abandoned fishing nets, and transforming it into sustainable products. Their innovative approach integrates traditional fishing communities into the solution, fostering a sense of shared responsibility. Collaborating with over 7,000 fishermen across 150 ports in Spain, Italy, Greece, and Egypt, the company has successfully removed more than 992,000 kilograms of plastic waste from the Mediterranean Sea and up-cycled 414,000 kilograms. 

Why does ESG matter in your view?

ESG matters because it’s the bridge between the world we have and the world we need. It’s not about ticking boxes; it’s about transforming how we understand success as businesses, as leaders, and as a society.

How can we inspire and connect more women in ESG?

The first thing is visibility. You can’t be what you can’t see. We need more women leading, speaking, and making decisions in ESG. Not just behind the scenes but in the spotlight, showing that this is a space where leadership, empathy, and courage go hand in hand. The second is community. Women thrive when we collaborate, when we share knowledge and experiences without fear of judgment or competition. We need to create more spaces for genuine connection, not just panels and events, but networks where trust, support, and opportunities flow naturally. And finally, we need to redefine success. ESG isn’t about ticking boxes or pleasing shareholders, it’s about shaping a future we can be proud of. Women bring an essential perspective to that mission. The more we remind each other of our power to lead with purpose and impact, the more unstoppable we’ll become

What was the defining moment that inspired you to pursue an ESG related career?

For me, it wasn’t one single moment, it was a growing sense of frustration and responsibility. I remember standing on a beach, looking at the amount of plastic washing up on the shore, and realizing how disconnected we’ve become from the consequences of our actions as a society. I couldn’t unsee it. At the same time, I was seeing how companies talked about sustainability but rarely acted with real ambition. That’s when I understood that change wouldn’t come from waiting, it had to come from people who are willing to build businesses differently, putting impact at the center. That’s why we created Gravity Wave. Not just to clean plastic, but to show that it’s possible to transform waste into value, to connect local communities with global challenges, and to inspire companies to take responsibility. For me, ESG is not a career choice, it’s a commitment to how I want to live and work every day.