Top 10 Women in Sustainability in MEA
Sustainability is absolutely crucial for the planet. We need to be more mindful of our choices and the impact our choices have on the environment. People are slowly becoming more and more aware of this concept and are slowly opening up to it. Have you ever wondered why people are now realizing the importance of this concept? The idea of sustainability is gaining traction amongst the masses due to several initiatives taken by leaders across the world. Interestingly, several of these initiatives are led by women from the Middle East and Africa. Their contributions to this field have promoted mindfulness and consciousness amongst the masses.
This blog highlights ten such women who have made great strides in the world of sustainability. This blog will also act as a source of inspiration and highlight the need for such powerful women in the field.
Top 10 Women in Leading the Charge in Sustainability in MEA
Let’s explore the top leading women in sustainability in MEA.
1. Fida Kibbi
Fida Kibbi began her journey with Ericsson early in 2007 and she grew on the corporate ladder rather quickly. She became one of the pivotal members of the communications team. Today, in her present role, she manages over 66 countries and is leading and driving the marketing and communication strategies of Ericsson. Bridging the gap in the technology world is extremely complicated. Fida is known to understand and identify these challenges and has made great strides in the inclusivity environment. Fida is now the Vice President, Head of Marketing, Communications, Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility, at Ericsson MEA.
2. Florence Bulte
Another powerful and influential pioneer in the world of sustainability is Florence Bulte. As the Chief Sustainability Officer of Chalhoub Group, she worked with the Chalhoub Group for over 16 years before becoming the Chief Sustainability Officer there. She is the leader who drives and makes the development, evolution, and execution of the company’s sustainability strategy. She is accountable for the progress of the goals and policy decisions. Florence is highly skilled in international business brand and business development, and more.
3. Lina Osman
Lina Osman has dedicated over 17 years of her life to making progress in sustainability at Standard Chartered. She began her journey as a Wholesale Bank International Graduate and today she heads the sustainable finance division while also being the MD. Lina is known for deploying innovative deal orientation and execution in all industries and regions. Lina Osman is the MD and Head of Sustainable Finance (West), at Standard Chartered.
4. Ayasha AlGhas
Ayasha AlGhas began her journey with First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) in 2021. She has served as a consultant and soon climbed the ladder to become the Director of Strategy of Dubai’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. She is a large supporter of sustainability and is also a festive strategist with experience in private and public sectors. Now, she is the SVP Head of ESG Strategy & Engagement, at First Abu Dhabi Bank.
5. Ayla Bajwa
Holding the powerful position of Senior Vice President of Sustainability at DP World, Ayla Bajwa specializes in assisting companies, charities, and universities to deploy the best practices that align with their values. She intends to create impactful acts that also focus on national priorities when it comes to combining the best of technology and sustainability. She is also an active member of the Global Compact Local Network.
6. Prachi Bishnoi
Prachi Bishnoi is the founder of The Sustainable Brands Journal and the award-winning digital marketing agency, Glomm, recognized by the United Nations Global Peace Council, UAE. As an environmental advocate hailing from a community of environmentalists, Prachi is dedicated to sustainable and eco-conscious brands. She is a Brand Consultant, Publisher, Marketer, and Digital Marketing Expert who has collaborated with over 150 brands globally, including more than 50 brands in the social and environmental impact space. Her cross-functional experience spans global markets such as Germany, the UK, Russia, UAE, and India, where she has led brands with a purpose towards success.
In her relentless pursuit of sustainability, Prachi remains committed to leveraging digital marketing to foster meaningful connections between brands and consumers, all while advancing the collective goal of environmental preservation. Through her unwavering passion and visionary leadership, she continues to redefine the paradigm of sustainable business, one brand at a time.
7. Hasnaâ Boudad
Hasnaa Boudad is now the Vice President of Sustainability and HSEQ of TotalEnergies. She held engineering and senior management positions at Compass like Lohr Group, Tesco, and Air Liquide prior to TotalEnergies in 2015. The sustainability initiatives led by TotalEnergies are some of the biggest initiatives in the world. TotalEnergies was founded in 1924. It is one of the biggest energy companies in the world. The company aims to go net zero by 2050 and Hasnaâ is the key player in its sustainability initiative.
8. Diana Sibanda
Diana Sidbanda is a pioneer and leader in ESG, sustainability, and environmental sciences. She is extremely passionate about creating a positive impact on the economy. Her other areas of interest include decarbonization, efficient use of energy, conservation, and development of communities that are sustainable. She is also a strong believer in economic inclusivity. Through her journey as the head of Sustainability, she has become the diver, guide, and advisor of different sustainability matters.
9. Nompilo Morafo
She is the Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, at MTN Group. Nompilo Morafo is a woman of many specializations. She is a master in communications, public affairs, policy, regulatory affairs, and sustainability. She worked in diverse industries in the last 16 years. Today, she leads the sustainability initiatives and corporate affairs of the MTN Group. Her main areas of focus include diversity inclusion and decarbonization.
10. Katja Schreiber
As the SVP of Sustainability, at Adidas, Katja Schreiber specialises in communication, marketing, human resources, and sustainability. Katja Schreiber has a tremendous passion for driving engagement, performance, belonging, and inclusivity. She strives to embed sustainability throughout the supply value chain. During her role as the Senior Vice President of Adidas, she has led and driven the end-to-end sustainability program to ensure the company elevates its goals for changing lives through sports.
Conclusion
Sustainability in our world is certainly a pressing issue today. The list of aforementioned women have certainly taken it upon themselves to drive more consciousness in our minds about our choices and their consequences. The role of these women acts as a source of inspiration for us to take action and play our part in preserving the resources and beauty of our planet.
Prachi, an accomplished Chief-Editor at The Sustainable Brands Journal, has 15+ years of experience in Europe, the Middle East, and India, managing 90+ global sustainable brands. She’s a prolific writer in sustainability, contributing to various publications. Prachi’s unwavering passion and expertise make her a recognized authority, driving positive change and inspiring a sustainable future.
