CBR: Can you share your journey into sustainability and what ignited your drive for systemic change?
Sandhya Sabapathy: My sustainability journey was sparked by a deep-rooted conviction that the brightest minds should tackle the world’s toughest challenges, especially for those who need it most. Growing up as a third-culture kid in the Middle East, I developed a rich sense of identity, diversity, and purpose. These experiences, along with my education and professional stints across North America and Europe, solidified my mission to drive impactful change.
My focus has always been on education and the environment, from early activism to shaping global ESG strategies in Fortune 500 and FTSE 100 companies. Founding Kaleidoscope, a social venture, was pivotal, allowing me to inspire organizations to lead responsibly and with vision.
CBR: How have your recent accolades, like the Director of the Year Award and the Women of the Future Award in 2023, influenced your career and leadership style? What impact do you hope they have on the industry?
Sandhya Sabapathy: Winning these awards has been an incredible affirmation of our work. Initially, I hesitated about the recognition, thinking my passion for sustainability spoke for itself. However, my manager helped me see that these awards spotlight individual achievements and the broader importance of sustainability.
These accolades have reinforced my commitment to leading with purpose and integrity. They highlight the tangible impact of our work and have connected me with inspiring peers and mentors. These recognitions encourage more leaders to integrate sustainability into their core strategies, making it a value and a celebration of progress.
CBR: What leadership qualities are crucial for driving successful sustainability initiatives?
Sandhya Sabapathy: Effective sustainability leadership blends resilience, ethical integrity, and strategic vision. Resilience helps navigate the inevitable challenges and resistance to change, while ethical leadership ensures alignment with broader social and environmental values. Strategic thinking is essential for crafting actionable plans that marry sustainability with business goals.
Leaders must excel in negotiation and stakeholder management, balancing sustainability with profitability. Building strong coalitions and fostering partnerships is vital for achieving long-term goals. A culture of innovation and adaptability is also crucial, ensuring sustainability is seamlessly integrated into core business strategies for impact and financial health.
CBR: What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in promoting sustainability within large, diverse companies?
Sandhya Sabapathy: One major challenge is aligning diverse regional strategies with global corporate goals while respecting local cultural and regulatory contexts. In mature markets, sustainability regulations are evolving from goodwill gestures to more enforceable standards, though navigating these complexities remains challenging.
Balancing sustainability with profitability often requires a nuanced approach, combining effective change management with agility. Overcoming resistance to change and engaging all organizational levels can be daunting, especially across regions like Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East. As sustainability becomes more mainstream, broader sector-wide leadership will be crucial.
CBR: How do you identify and develop investments that meet sustainability goals while delivering financial returns?
Sandhya Sabapathy: Balancing sustainability with profitability is now essential. In the UK, tenders over £5 million often require a significant focus on sustainability and social impact. This trend shapes international business practices, signaling that responsible investments are increasingly preferred.
Aligning social initiatives with business objectives is key to achieving this balance. Programs with strong Social Return on Investment (SROI) ensure contributions to both social good and financial performance. Data-driven decision-making and strategic sustainability analysis are vital for navigating impacts and fostering viable, profitable projects.
As regulations like the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) become more stringent, integrating sustainable practices will be crucial for long-term success and competitiveness.
CBR: How do you use storytelling to drive social change and inspire action on diversity and sustainability, and what impact have you seen?
Sandhya Sabapathy: Storytelling is a powerful tool for making complex issues relatable and sparking action. By sharing personal stories and real-life examples, I connect emotionally with audiences, making the case for sustainability and inclusivity more engaging. Social media has been instrumental in this, allowing me to engage with a broad audience passionate about making a positive impact.
Kaleidoscope was founded to amplify these stories and drive change across sectors. This approach has led to greater engagement and motivated individuals and organizations to take meaningful action. The impact has been seen in improved employee engagement, enhanced collaboration, and innovative problem-solving, turning awareness into tangible results.
CBR: Reflecting on your career, what is your most significant achievement in driving systemic change?
Sandhya Sabapathy: One of my proudest achievements was serving as a commissioner with the Purpose Coalition in the UK. I helped shape the coalition’s approach to social impact, the movement cabinet minister role dedicated to social mobility & levelling up in the UK.
Founding Kaleidoscope has also been a significant milestone, allowing me to advocate for sustainability and inclusivity on a broader scale. These efforts highlight the power of collaboration and policy reform in fostering social equity and creating a more inclusive society. The ongoing impact of these initiatives underscores the potential for dedicated efforts to drive meaningful, systemic change.
