☑️Topics: energy, clean tech, the role of digital technologies in supporting sustainable business model innovation, woman in energy, woman in blockchain, sustainable business principles, Ai, Blockchain technologies, ESG, impact investing

☑️A sustainable recovery from the COVID pandemic would have helped countries to build back better while driving economic growth and job creation. But the latest renewables reports paint a different picture: the transition the world had hoped for is simply not happening.

☑️COP26 – the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) saw a number of important commitments, including the UAEs roadmap net zero by 2050, announced a few weeks prior to the conference. The Middle East is now at the heart of the energy transition conversation with COP27 taking place in Egypt this year and COP28 in the UAE next year.

GUEST: Damarys ZAMPINI, Global Advisor Europe / LATAM, Ignite FUND

☑️Damarys has held extensive roles in Energy, business dev, and commercialization of large-scale projects worldwide. As CEO of SUSTRATEGY, Damarys builds and implements strategic growth plans for clients, working with innovative leaders to maximize cash flow while realizing their global potential including SaaS, AI, Blockchain, and Cleantech. Enabling inclusion and inspiring diversity is deeply in her DNA, as she co-founded Women in Energy, Women in Blockchain, and The Future of Energy & Youth Education program.

☑️Ignite Impact Partners Fund builds capital stack plans and acts as the financial catalyst for Climate Impact through our proven team and syndicate partners, bringing together ROI and social ROI.

  ☑️ The new reality given by the existing global crisis has triggered a reconsideration of several beliefs in the business world. Sustainability has become more than a common term. Its integration in every business decision regarding the development of a company is now a global trend to which more and more leaders from all fields are trying to apply a new way of doing business.

☑️ Connecting impact investors with social enterprises is the episode opening Re:Think Podcast ’s second season, talks that matter about social entrepreneurship, philanthropy, woman entrepreneurs, social impact investing, ESG, woman empowerment, and microfinancing with Sheetal Mehta Walsh, Global Advisor, Ignite Impact Partners Fund.

☑️ Sheetal has 25+ years of experience in tech and global investments, having worked with over 1,000 global companies across multiple industries as a founder, investor, and board member. Her past responsibilities include the creation and global implementation of Microsoft’s first VC Relations business for Bill Gates; being appointed Deal Maker for the British Government to advise and secure funding of GBP 1 billion for 900 companies worldwide; and founding Shanti Life, an organisation that has impacted thousands of women, through financial inclusion, to become leaders themselves. Sheetal’s highly coveted skill set has also put her in the seat of Senior Advisor for the UoA’s innovation fund. Her wide and diverse network provides deep global reach to solve our planet’s biggest obstacles and scale businesses.

☑️Ignite Impact Partners Fund builds capital stack plans and acts as the financial catalyst for Climate Impact through our proven team and syndicate partners, bringing together ROI and social ROI.

☑️Re:Think podcast’s mission is to inspire action and accelerate transitions to sustainable business models, inspire companies to reduce their negative impacts while enhancing their positive contribution to the Sustainable Development Agenda, and integrate ESG principles in their business.

☑️ Find out more: rethink-podcast.com

#dubaibusiness #esg #middleeast #investiment #uaebusiness #dubai #sustanability #future #economy #rethinkpodcast #sustainability #impact #socialentrepreneuship #impactinvesting #IgniteFund #cleantech

In today’s business world, being responsible for the environment and society is no longer an optional extra. When it comes to the attributes we value in companies, sustainability is moving higher and higher. What lies at the heart of sustainably conscious companies? Why do Companies with Sustainable Business Practices Succeed?

Topics: sustainable companies, sustainable business practices, ESG data.

Guest: Joanna Pydo, Investor Relations, and ESG Strategist, trusted Advisor to Board Members and Owners with 15 years capital markets experience in the following sectors: technology (software – SaaS, TSL, IoT, Blockchain, Fintech, Gaming), ICT distribution, energy/utilities (RES, energy distribution), wood-based panel industry and building materials, minerals and mining, healthcare (Medtech and Healthcare Services), real-estate (residentials), Private Equity and Private Debt. She has management experience with international multi-entity structures, and she has engaged in the numerous IPO, SPO, M&A, debt issuance, and refinancing transactions.

Degrees in Finance and Banking from the University of Economics in Poznan, Poland, and Master of Arts in Global Political Economy at the University in Kassel, Germany. She participated in executive training such as ‘Strategy implementation, Business development, Business Design, and Innovation management by the TUM School of Management and ‘Private Equity and Venture Capital by the SDA Bocconi School of Management.

Since 2019, Mentor to technology startups at the MIT Enterprise Forum CEE – program affiliated by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a voluntary expert at the Social Impact Alliance for CEE.

Since 2021, an Expert at the Climate Leadership powered by UN Environment - programme organized by the UNEP/GRID-Warsaw Centre.

In August 2017, after a decade working as an inhouse IR Officer, I decided start my own boutique advisory and integrate ESG into investor relations.

She successfully develops comprehensive global investor relations programs by taking a company strategy, corporate governance, and ESG factors, and turning it into a persuasive investment case in line with local and international regulations and best practices.

Since then, I’ve been advising companies on Environmental, Social, and Governance strategies, ESG reporting, and ESG storytelling to capital markets. I educate and bring awareness about ESG to C-Suite Executives, IR Officers, and Corporate Communications Department through strategic and operational ESG training and advice about increasing shareholders' activism in the environmental, and social area, and issue management (crisis communications).

Last year started with two other co-founders, a technology startup to build the best analytical tool to support business and management decisions in the ESG landscape and to transform environmental and social-economic data into a competitive advantage for business strategy and value creation for stakeholders – we are in the stealth mode and happy to talk how technology been changing ESG landscape and how ESG data is critical for corporates, private market, and financial analysts in unlocking long-term value and opportunity to grow the economy in new and diverse ways.

Privately, last 20 years vegan, passionate about longevity, and love activities such as sailing.

Topics: mental health, companies’ culture, communication, leadership, sustainability knowledge and competence within the company, the book ”Employee Engagement, What Else?”

Guest: Inge van Belle is the co-author of the book: “Employee Engagement, What Else?” published in 2021 at Die Keure (Belgium, Bruges). Written in Dutch. English translation available end 2022.

Inge van Belle is the Co-founder of Herculean Alliance, the Belgium and UAE based organisation that specializes in employee engagement.

Inge has been active in 10 countries advising organisations to tackle the challenge of disengaged employees. Her team’s approach is based on consulting, events and an HR tech platform. During the Corona crisis, Inge’s company has started the Employee Engagement Awards initiative. Together with partners like Nespresso, Microsoft and ISS, they encourage companies, small and big, to submit their extraordinary stories of employees going the extra mile during these challenging times. Inge’s tagline is: “We rise by lifting others.”

As the founder of Pink Ladies Games and Herculix Foundation, she is a strong advocate of social entrepreneurship. She actively supports and promotes the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, more specifically SDG 3 (Good health and Well-being) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

Edurne Gil De San Vicente, Programs Director, WaterAlliance. Edurne has been an advocate for sustainable practices and responsible consumption for 20 years. She has been promoting a systems shift pivoting toward Sustainability, working with different stakeholders in public, private, and non-profit sectors. Driven by impact, Edurne has developed programs, engaged in policy-making, and played advocacy roles across Europe and the UAE. She now focuses on youth empowerment through her work at Water Alliance, a Dubai-based NGO. Enabling and mentoring the next generation of water stewards, Edurne encourages youth to take action and become change agents in their communities for a more sustainable and inclusive future for all.

Water Alliance is a non-profit organization that started in 2014 that aims to bring together all sectors of society in the UAE to give water a voice. Working to ensure that the UN Sustainable Development Goals are achieved by 2030, with efforts to educate individuals on their water behavior starts with primary school students, through to universities and the corporate sector.

”Through art, we can give hope and we can shift mindsets."

Connecting art, technology, and finance to support social impact in climate change, health, and innovation is the subject of our newest Re:Think podcast episode with Roksana Ciurysek-Gedir.

Roksana Ciurysek-Gedir is an artist, entrepreneur and financier passionate about sustainability and future-led innovations. She is the Chairwoman of the Impact Advisory Board for the White Oak Global Advisors, founder of Possible X and global advisor to CEOs. She is known for fusing art, finance and technology to challenge the status quo across a number of different industries.

As a banker and financier, Roksana was Deputy CEO, Vice President of the Management of Bank Pekao S.A. in Poland and Head of the UK Ultra High Net Worth Client Team at Credit Suisse. Previously to this, she has managed large portfolios at Edmond de Rothschild, Merrill Lynch, JPMorgan and EBRD. Her banking experience ranges from corporate finance, and wealth management to investment banking.

As an artist, Roksana is fascinated with the relationship between photography, design, technology and ethically sourced gemstones. She is an Artist in Residence for Faberge where she explores the complex relationship between luxury, contemporary art and sustainability. She has collaborated with artists like Terry O’Neill, and her art has been exhibited all over the world, including the International Art Exhibition in Azerbaijan in 2010, Serpentine Pavillion in

London in 2019, World Economic Forum 2018 2020 as well as Saudi Cup 20 20. In 2008 she has been recognized by the prestigious Newsweek Poland Award for her efforts in deepening British Polish relations alongside Polish President in exile Kaczorowski, and historian Norman Davies. In 2014 she has been named Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.

She is a CFA ® Charterholder, and holds Bachelors in Engineering and Masters degree in Management and Economics from the Technical University of Gdansk, Poland.

As we look forward and prepare for a post-pandemic future, technology can be a source of tremendous optimism, it can help address some of our most pressing business challenges but most importantly it can help overcome some of the greatest challenges in our society: including climate change, famine, and disease.

”Every business and every entity has a mission to the world and has something to give back, regardless of how big or small.”  – the role envisioned by Mariam Farag, my guest for today’s episode. 

Mariam Farag is a businesswoman, media specialist, humanitarian and international keynote speaker. She is also the Founder of Humanizing Brands, through which she helps businesses and media develop and implement global strategies and values for sustainable, diverse and inclusive operations.

Prior to this, Mariam led one of the MENA region’s top media conglomerates, MBC Group, where she established impactful partnerships as the Founding Head of Brand Reputation, Communications & Social Impact. She also headed a number of CSR initiatives, including a Ramadan program centered on changing attitudes towards refugees that generated an audience of 25 million. 

Her previous roles involved initiating partnerships and outreach programs that addressed the problems plaguing the youth and community. She has also worked alongside global NGOs such as UNICEF and SOS Children’s Villages. Her efforts have been acknowledged, Mariam received the Humanitarian of the Year Award at the C3 Summit during the UN General Assembly in NYC.

Mariam is a global citizen having lived, worked, and studied in countries across the world. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a specialization in International Relations, as well as a Master’s in International Relations and Political Theory. Mariam is passionate about media for impact and harnesses technology to give a voice to the voiceless. She is often invited to speak at regional and international media and forums, such as TEDx, where she delivers motivational keynotes on tech for good, women empowerment, community impact, and youth development.

On a personal front, Mariam values humanity, positivity, and sparks conversations to build genuine relationships and a sustainable, empowered future generation with consistent attention, time, and love.

Episode 4 of Re:Think "UNITE Events & Promoting the Principles of Responsible Business" focuses on ESG initiatives within the GCC, impact investment, the benefits of supporting responsible business principles, ESG principles promoted and implemented by Formula 1 and why UNITE Events has chosen Monaco during the Grand Prix as a next event location.

The World is undergoing a paradigm shift and many aspects of business are changing and will need to change to allow us to continue our business journey in a safe, secure, and progressive manner. Today knowledge, sharing the correct insights and cooperation is vital for any business and region around the world. 

UNITE aims to reignite discussions and forge new partnerships so that physical interactions can only achieve. UNITE  is a concept that can also be found in Monaco, Zurich, New York, to allow both public and private sector wealth to meet and engage with other governments and private wealth from around the world. With a guest list of family offices, funds, U/HNWI, multinational companies, and fast growth businesses UNITE Events is set to raise the bar and bring together the pioneers and agents of change from the full global spectrum of business under one roof.

More on: https://www.uniteevents.net/ 

Marc Cirera: Founder & CEO of Companies for Good, a social enterprise designed to help businesses change for good.

Marc is a business ethics and CSR specialist with a clear vision: a world where companies operate in a more sustainable and responsible way.

Marc founded Companies for Good because he knows that good business practices help companies perform better. He knows businesses have the potential to solve some of the world’s most pressing issues. And he wants to help make these things happen.

Topics: Doing good, Transition to sustainable business, Ethics of business, CSR ecosystem in the region, Types of CSR activities & measuring the impact, Systemic changes, implications of a real change in society.