A Chartered Accountant by profession and having worked close to two decades in the Finance sector, Manjula Basant Rai, Founder, and CEO of Spaanda, always felt something was missing and sometimes questioned the purpose of her journey. While at Tesco, she stumbled across sustainability by chance, and that was her light bulb moment. In a flash, she knew what she could do and what she had to do. “Spaanda was born in my thoughts and over time I gave it shape and form in my own head.

Malea Chavez, CEO of Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, has always been motivated by innovation and creative new ways of problem-solving. As a Staff Attorney, she was limited to the number of people she could assist. Still, when Malea learned about the impact of being a leader and shaping policy on the whole community, she was inspired to move into a leadership role.

Leadership with a sense of responsibility is a valuable trait. It is often associated with individuals who are accountable, reliable, and committed to their roles and the people they lead. Such leaders prioritize the well-being of their team members and strive to create a positive work environment that fosters growth, collaboration, and innovation. What motivated Ioanna Fergadiotou, Head of Athens Lab, Inlecom, to become a pioneering leader was a sense of responsibility to positively impact her country during the recession by creating new job opportunities and combating brain drain. Additionally, she was driven by a strong desire to lead a dynamic team towards excellence in applied research and innovation.

Deniz Bruce is no ordinary leader. Her professional background is enriched with extensive experience in various pharmaceutical and medical device organisations, where she has held global leadership positions overseeing diverse product portfolios. Her expertise centres on strategic planning and execution within medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and biologics.

Dana Lasenby is on a mission to inspire hope, empower people and strengthen communities. She is doing this by being part of Oakland Community Health Network (OCHN), a provider service network that assists approximately 27,000 Oakland County citizens at more than 300 service sites across the county. Dana is a Behavioral Health Care Executive and Limited Licensed Psychologist with more than 25 years of experience in the public and private sectors of the behavioral healthcare industry.

Christine McHugh, the Managing Principal of White Strand Development, believes Sustainability, Community, and Innovation are the building blocks which align best with her company’s culture. “Tomorrow belongs to those shaping today’’. Sustainability is fundamental because it ensures resources are used in a way that preserves them for future generations.