“We need leaders who can endure, connect and inspire us to take a holistic leap”

In 2015, I completed a Fellowship program with the Centre for Sustainability Leadership. We were interviewed on completion of the program and here are some of my responses (which still feel relevant, many years later!)

Why are you passionate about sustainability? What was the moment or event that made you decide to become a ‘change maker’ in your field?

It’s pretty simple to me really – living in balance with other people and the planet is fundamental to the survival of all living creatures. I’m particularly passionate about seeing climate change as an opportunity to re-imagine the way we live.

I don’t think there was a particular event or moment where I decided to become a “change maker” – I’ve always been driven to make a positive contribution to the world.

How did CSL play a role in directing your current path or project?

About 6 months before starting CSL, I started to ask myself a lot of deeply challenging questions about capitalism, development, globalisation and personal ambition. It compelled me to seek a structured program that might help me find some of the answers to these questions and the personal contribution I could make to achieving a better world. I haven’t left CSL with “the answer” but in fact doing this program helped me realise that, paradoxically, there are no answers and that the answers are within us if we sit still long enough to listen to them. I’ve learnt to trust my professional judgment (it’s got me to great places so far) but to truly value the importance of reflection, self-care and living the questions.

In 25 words or less, tell us why leadership for sustainability is important.

The world is out of balance and we need leaders who can endure, connect and inspire us to take a holistic leap.