Michelle Strasburger
CEO, The Wellness Value
Colebrook, NH U.S.A.
Pledge 1% provides a framework for businesses to do good. Do you think it’s important for today’s corporate leaders to prioritize social impact? If so, why?
I believe that employees are seeking organizations that have similar values, are purpose-driven and will support their beliefs. Having a social impact strategy and a commitment to Pledge 1% is aligned with this and I believe it’s something that employees want to see. Employees want to feel good about where they work and they want to know they’re having an impact. Working for organizations that prioritize social impact will help with employee engagement and retention. It’s also just the right thing to do!
Do you give back to the community with your team and work? If so, what does this look like?
Yes! At The Wellness Value, we are committed to our community. We target our efforts towards education as that’s something that’s near and dear to my heart. We have taken the pledge and donate 1% of our profits to education and also donate much of our time. Another cause that’s important to me is hunger. I will volunteer at the New Hampshire Food Bank with my children from time to time.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Seek out feedback and give feedback. Thank those who are brave enough to give you feedback. Hold on to the feedback that will help you grow, throw away the rest of it!
“Seek out feedback and give feedback.”
This year’s International Women’s Day themes are focused on investing in women and inspiring inclusion. What can we do to make today’s workplaces more equitable and inclusive for women?
I believe that this is so important. Our workplaces, our policies, and our benefits are not designed to support women in the workplace. We need to take a harder look at women’s health issues and ensure that our benefits are built to support that.
In addition, the mandate to return to the office has a great impact on mothers. We need to rethink our strategies and our programs with women in mind. Our employees are diverse and our workforce is dynamic. It’s time to step up our policies, benefits, and strategies to be just as dynamic.
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
Build your personal board of directors. These are friends, families, co-workers, leaders, and other professionals who can help lift you up. They can help challenge you and challenge your thinking. They can open up your eyes to new ideas and new opportunities. They can be your best sounding board to help you as you travel on your journey.
What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
My goal is to make the world of work a happier and healthier place. There are a lot of exciting things happening at the Wellness Value that is helping us affect positive change in the world of work. I’m excited about this momentum and thrilled to see how it develops this year.
Masami Sato
Founder & CEO, B1G1
Singapore
If you could describe yourself in one word, what would that be and why?
Idealist (and optimist).
Pledge 1% provides a framework for businesses to do good. Do you think it’s important for today’s corporate leaders to prioritize social impact? If so, why?
Because what we do to (and for) our word everyday will definitely come back to us and for the future of our next generations. The speed of the direct return of our deeds is getting faster as well. We now have no excuse not to work together for a better future.
Do you give back to the community with your team and work? If so, what does this look like?
Everything we do here at B1G1 is actually an act of social contribution. We also link many of our business activities to global high-impact project activities, giving 1% of our revenue to charity organizations and social impact activities as well. But the true purpose of our work is to help many businesses in the world to take actions regardless of the type, size and stage of their businesses. If every business took small actions but did them together, we can make enormous impact collectively.
Two videos below conveys the vision, mission and methodology our work and journey.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
My mentor, Paul Polman said to me: “always ask for an action, keep it simple but clear.”
Here is our recent conversation.
This year’s International Women’s Day themes are focused on investing in women and inspiring inclusion. What can we do to make today’s workplaces more equitable and inclusive for women?
We actually found women get things done differently (different brain-wiring?) and their contributions are also crucial in creating sustainable, long-term success of companies. It’s important that we create changes in our companies in inclusive ways so every person gets respected and inspired to take part in uplifting our collective vision and actions (rather than judging and blaming one another).
When businesses truly understand the value of female leadership and its contribution to the sustainability of their business (financially as well) and the world around us, there is no excuse for them to not provide the same or greater level of support and investment into female workers’ development and advancement as leaders.
Change of mindset also can start from early age education where we teach and show children the importance of inclusive community and how we can all play a part in helping one another and making a difference for collective good. Providing access to inclusive childcare for working women is also important. In order for the workplaces to be truly inclusive (and not just saying it), families need to also understand the importance of education for girls and giving every child and every person (with other disadvantages) a choice for them to contribute to the society in their own unique ways.
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
Start small and simple, and keep going on your path with utmost authenticity and care. It’s better to do what we can do today than wait for big moments in the future.
When you are doing what you truly believe in and taking conscious actions every day, you will make progress and impact, more than you can imagine.
“Start small and simple, and keep going on your path with utmost authenticity and care.”
What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
Growing the impact and collaborating with many more like-minded change-makers.
Lachi
Recording Artist | CEO, RAMPD (Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities)
New York City
If you could describe yourself in one word, what would that be and why?
Authentic – I believe that life begins when one accepts the deepest part of themself society told them to be most ashamed. I believe that true ingenuity comes when we capitalize on what makes us most unique, and I pour this truism into every aspect of my creativity, career and advocacy.
Pledge 1% provides a framework for businesses to do good. Do you think it’s important for today’s corporate leaders to prioritize social impact? If so, why?
I believe it is paramount for businesses to center inclusion, equity, diversity and accessibility. I don’t believe these are “good”, I believe these are necessary for a business’s bottom line.
When creative minds with differing lived experiences are welcomed to the decision making table, this is when we see productivity skyrocket, revenue skyrocket, and businesses step into the lime light as ultimate problem solvers. Businesses need to support the narratives that today’s culture wants to see highlighted, from sustainability, to gender and ethnic parity, to social identity issues. The market dollars have spoken and decided that inclusion and sustainability is where we want to invest.
Do you give back to the community with your team and work? If so, what does this look like?
Yes. Our company RAMPD works to give paid opportunities, visibility and most importantly community to recording artists and music professionals with disabilities, neurodivergence and other chronic and mental health disabilities. Already this year, we’ve helped members of the RAMPD community attain recording gigs, appearances and keynotes at places like the GRAMMYs, the Folk Alliance International Conference and the Measure of Music Conference among other things.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“No” is just short hand for “Not yet.”
This year’s International Women’s Day themes are focused on investing in women and inspiring inclusion. What can we do to make today’s workplaces more equitable and inclusive for women?
Women are 50% of the population, so from the mail room to the green room to the board room, we should see women workers, creators and leaders who receive equal space, time , pay and respect. But I would go further to say that true inclusion is intersectional, as no one is a single issue human.
“This means we should not only see women at all levels, but these women should be diverse in race, ethnicity, disability, neurodivergence, gender-fluidity, class, beliefs and all other diversities.”
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
You deserve to take up space, be heard and be respected. Anyone that makes you feel otherwise is inconsequential.
What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
Apart from hitting the road using keynotes, music, humor and fashion to empower and advocate for women’s issues and disability pride at festivals, conferences, colleges and cultural centers, I’ll be working on my new book, a non-fiction called “I Identify As Blind” which explores disability identity and pop culture, writing my for my upcoming album “Mad Different” which leans into discussions on our unique struggles as diverse women trying to make a name for our selves, and recording for my role as host of the PBS American Masters series “Renegades” which celebrates disabled rebels who’ve shaped America.
Patricia Yuste
Global Marketing Services Director, Making Science
Spain
If you could describe yourself in one word, what would that be and why?
Entrepreneur. Because… I enjoy challenges. I am passionate about my job: “I put my heart and soul into my work”. I believe it’s natural to be constantly thinking about how to innovate, sharing knowledge with the team, and developing the people I work with. As a team player, I believe in human potential as the key ingredient to make a project successful.
Pledge 1% provides a framework for businesses to do good. Do you think it’s important for today’s corporate leaders to prioritize social impact? If so, why?
Yes, I believe it is increasingly important for today’s corporate leaders to prioritize social impact. Here are some reasons why:
1. Addressing societal challenges: Businesses have a significant role to play in addressing global challenges like climate change, poverty, and inequality. By prioritizing social impact, companies can contribute to building a more sustainable and equitable future.
2. Attracting and retaining talent: Top talent, especially younger generations, are seeking companies that have a purpose beyond just profit. Prioritizing social impact can help attract and retain skilled employees who are passionate about making a difference.
3. Long-term sustainability: Companies that prioritize social impact are more likely to be seen as responsible and trustworthy by stakeholders. This can lead to long-term success and resilience in a competitive market.
However, it’s important to remember that simply focusing on social impact without genuine commitment can be counterproductive. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives should be authentic, transparent, and aligned with the company’s core values and business strategy. In conclusion, prioritizing social impact is becoming increasingly important for businesses in today’s world.
Do you give back to the community with your team and work? If so, what does this look like?
The Making Science Foundation, founded in 2020 set out to promote various projects through social action, health, science, culture, education, training, environment, art or historical heritage, among others, not just in Spain but also internationally.
Additionally, I participate as Advisor in the creation of a project to promote sustainable consumption through a marketplace that allows the union of different brands working in sustainability.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
If you believe it, you can achieve it.
This year’s International Women’s Day themes are focused on investing in women and inspiring inclusion. What can we do to make today’s workplaces more equitable and inclusive for women?
1. Foster a culture of respect and inclusion: Encourage open communication and reporting of any discriminatory or harassing behavior. Develop clear policies and procedures for addressing such issues and ensuring swift and appropriate action.
2. Invest in women’s career development: Offer mentorship and sponsorship programs specifically for women, connecting them with experienced professionals for guidance and career advancement. Provide opportunities for professional development and training programs tailored to address the specific needs and challenges faced by women in the workplace. Support participation in conferences, workshops, and networking events relevant to women’s professional development.
3. Champion women in leadership: Actively promote and support women for leadership positions, including board seats and executive roles. Create opportunities for women to showcase their skills and expertise through public speaking engagements, conference presentations, and internal leadership development programs.
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
Develop your skills, build your network, don’t be afraid to take risks, advocate for yourself, build resilience, celebrate your accomplishments and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
“Remember, your career is a journey, not a destination. By staying focused, committed, and continuously learning, you can achieve your professional goals and build a fulfilling career.”
What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
I ask 2024 to continue enjoying my work and my life. To continue doing my bit to make the planet a better place and to be able to continue training the great leaders of the future.
Isha N. William
CHRO, Fexle Services Pvt. Ltd.
Jaipur, India
If you could describe yourself in one word, what would that be and why?
Dynamic.
Do you give back to the community with your team and work? If so, what does this look like?
- We’ve partnered with the NGO “Manna’s Children Home,” offering financial assistance and other forms of support.
- Our team dedicates time to providing technical training to underprivileged graduates, empowering them with valuable skills.
- We facilitate in-house learning programs for our support staff, such as housekeeping and security personnel, fostering their professional growth. Notably, one of our staff members successfully transitioned to our Sales Team through this initiative.
- We sponsor the education of some of our support staff members, ensuring access to opportunities for personal development.
- Previously, we’ve funded the education of several girls who were the sole children in their families, aiming to break barriers and promote education.
- During crises like the Kerala floods and for initiatives like cancer treatments and contributions to the PM National Relief Fund, we’ve organized fundraising campaigns.
- Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, we established a dedicated webpage on our website and deployed a team to work round-the-clock, providing crucial resources such as food packets, ambulances, oxygen cylinders, and other medical necessities to those in need.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
The best piece of advice I’ve ever received is to embrace social responsibility as a guiding principle in both personal and professional endeavors. By actively participating in initiatives that uplift communities and empower marginalized groups, such as women, not only do we contribute to a more equitable society, but we also foster our own growth and development.
There’s an interconnectedness between social responsibility and career advancement and it is transformative. It allows me to make meaningful contributions while simultaneously advancing my own journey towards success.
This year’s International Women’s Day themes are focused on investing in women and inspiring inclusion. What can we do to make today’s workplaces more equitable and inclusive for women?
Women empowerment and upliftment has always been at the core of FEXLE’s values. To create more equitable and inclusive workplaces for women, we can take concrete steps such as implementing mentorship programs specifically tailored to support women’s career advancement. Pairing senior female leaders with junior female employees can provide invaluable guidance, networking opportunities, and encouragement.
Additionally, conducting regular trainings for all employees can help raise awareness and promote a culture of inclusivity where women feel valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
For women just starting their careers, my advice would be to embrace confidence in your abilities and never underestimate the value of your unique perspective and contributions.
Seek out mentors who can provide guidance and support as you navigate the professional landscape. Additionally, don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself and pursue opportunities for growth and advancement.
“Remember that setbacks are a natural part of the journey, so approach challenges with resilience and determination. Lastly, prioritize continuous learning and skill development to stay agile and competitive in your chosen field.”
What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
This year, I’m eagerly anticipating a balanced focus on both personal and professional growth. On a personal level, I’m committed to prioritizing my health and well-being alongside my professional endeavors, ensuring that I maintain a sustainable work-life balance. Moreover, I’m excited about the prospect of expanding Fexle Team’s presence globally, contributing to the company’s success while also embracing our social responsibility by fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in our expanding global footprint.
Ines Garcia
Agile & Climate Coach, Get Agile
Wiltshire, UK
Pledge 1% provides a framework for businesses to do good. Do you think it’s important for today’s corporate leaders to prioritize social impact? If so, why?
Doing well and doing good. We’re used to operating by the maxim “you can have cheap, fast or good: pick two”, but with the triad of sustainability, happiness and profit you really can have all three. In fact, with those things as a focus they actually nourish each other. Companies are composed of individuals and we can do both, do good and do well. In fact, it’s more rewarding. The value of a company’s goods and services is relative to the waste it generates.
“Sustainability and happiness are not at the expense of profit but a means to it.”
Do you give back to the community with your team and work? If so, what does this look like?
See last year impact report includes showcase of Pledge as well to other organizations I support as Stop the Trafikk, Pepup Tech, Refugeeforce, Agile Alliance (Sustainability Initiative), Pledge1%, Business Declares, Doughnut Economics Action Lab, Work on Climate & Business of Purpose communities, The Mentorship Central & YeurLeadin.
This year’s International Women’s Day themes are focused on investing in women and inspiring inclusion. What can we do to make today’s workplaces more equitable and inclusive for women?
Rich functioning ecosystems are diverse. And it goes beyond gender and ethnicity. Some time back I came across a model of a diversity map; it accounted for how we relate and connect, how we think and process information, what we believe and feel, what we do professionally and also how we do it, physical traits and many others. A model which unfortunately I haven’t been able to locate again. Diversity is wide, it promotes health, vitality, productivity of ecosystems; just like in nature.
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
Bias, preconceptions, westerner old fashion culture, privilege, eco-chambers… that impact how one approaches challenging situations. The delicate and damaged very systems that sustain our life on earth, is a challenging situation. There is much ancestry and indigenous knowledge we can tap into, and also there is much we can learn from nature. The solutions are all around us, if we ‘quiet our cleverness’ and pay attention, as the mechanisms, strategies and functions to solve our problems are in living beings all around us, those that have evolved and refined over the last 3.8 billion years. Let’s break free from dualism, there is more to us than just one attribute. There are some fiscal and neurological traits we can tap into to evolve and speed the required work towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
Over the last year I have been crafting a programme with 3 other agile coaches. We are all freelancers and for this, we have created the Coalition of the Willing. With our first 4 weeks program we address how change agents today can embed sustainability into their daily practice, we have called it “Agile Sustainability in Practice: Navigating Circular Economy, SDGs, and Complexity Science”. With it we have also designed a “Pay It Forward” scheme for every registration supports towards someone who lacks the means, thus leveling the educational playing field. Basically, the USP is to evolve current agile practices to account for natural and social capital. Essentially skilling up for what’s on demand and what we ought to achieve within the next 6 years: The legally binding Paris Agreement. Not long at all now!
Virginia Tenpenny
President, North America and Chief Impact Officer, Goodera
Nashville, Tennessee
If you could describe yourself in one word, what would that be and why? Please explain with a short story or example.
Hopeful. I’m hopeful not because of a natural disposition but because I had the privilege of working among leaders who instilled an understanding of what hope is and how to cultivate it on and off the job. As a team, we nurtured the elements that make hope possible: agency, worth, possibility, connection and openness. This was a profound gift that delivered results for the business and continues to enrich all spheres of my life from leadership on the job, how I parent, and the belief I have in a brighter future for all.
Pledge 1% provides a framework for businesses to do good. Do you think it’s important for today’s corporate leaders to prioritize social impact? If so, why?
Social impact is vital for companies who want to hire the best talent, build trust with their customers, and who have ambitions for the business to endure beyond this decade. An effective social impact strategy helps to future proof the business and sets conditions for mutual thriving across the workforce, the business and the communities it serves.
Do you give back to the community with your team and work? If so, what does this look like? Please feel free to add a specific story or experience.
Engaging in volunteering has been a part of every role I’ve held for over twenty years. I now have the opportunity to work for a company that makes it even easier for businesses to engage and deploy their best asset – their people – into communities to help advance change. As part of my job, I get to join colleagues to test new volunteer experiences, as well as join volunteer projects with our clients and their employees.
Beyond the job, I continue to serve on the board of directors for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, which has provided me with the experiences and skills to help be a better leader on the job.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
“Get out of your comfort zone”. Don’t be afraid to fail and trust that every experience is teaching you something that will serve you as you move forward.
This year’s International Women’s Day themes are focused on investing in women and inspiring inclusion. What can we do to make today’s workplaces more equitable and inclusive for women?
Creating equitable and inclusive workplaces for women requires a comprehensive approach that is reflected across policies, programs and company culture. Companies need to address structural issues from pay transparency to equity across pay and benefits. And people need to “see it to be it”, meaning leadership teams need to reflect the diverse workforce and it’s important for women to see leaders who may also be working moms or in a caregiver role.
Two-way mentorship is also important for leaders to understand challenges women face in the workplace and understand what support they need from their employer – from flexible schedules to training and mentorship programs. Focusing on creating a more inclusive workplace for women, or any specific population, accelerates the creation of a more inclusive workplace for all.
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
My career advice is to follow the superpower + passion + priority formula.
“Reflect on your unique superpower: what are you particularly good at or enjoy doing? Embrace it and develop it. Next, reflect on your passion: what causes get you out of bed or issues do you find more intellectually engaging? Then find a company or team within a company where that cause is a priority.”
What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
I’ve dedicated 2024 as my learning year and seek to learn as much as I can on the job, off the job as a parent, and to learn to play pickleball (and ultimately beat my husband).
Dayo McIntosh
Founder & CEO, Yateou, Inc
Sparks, USA
If you could describe yourself in one word, what would that be and why?
Resilient.
Pledge 1% provides a framework for businesses to do good. Do you think it’s important for today’s corporate leaders to prioritize social impact? If so, why?
Yes, I think it’s really important for corporate leaders today to focus on making a positive impact on society. Our world is complicated and marked by both chaos and injustice, so it’s crucial for business leaders to actively work towards positive change. Programs like Pledge 1% provide a good structure for businesses to contribute to making society better. When corporate leaders prioritize social impact, they’re not just doing it because it’s the right thing, but they’re also playing a big role in creating a future where the next generations can thrive. Making a commitment to positive action is a key part of moving towards a world that’s fair and inclusive, where everyone is recognized for their value.
Do you give back to the community with your team and work? If so, what does this look like?
As a socially conscious business, we contribute 10% of our profits to empower women, supporting initiatives both in the US and globally, particularly in underprivileged communities. Data shows that when women are supported, community success skyrockets. We aim to play a vital role in moving the world forward positively.
Additionally, we’re committed to closing technological gaps in marginalized US communities. Personally, as a black woman, I understand the struggle of lacking resources and representation. It’s hard to dream big when you can’t see yourself in certain places. I partner with organizations like Girls on the Run, showcasing my robot. The interest level and response from the girls always resonates and brings everything full circle for me. Being able to inspire the next generation is surreal and energizing, I am determined to keep showing up so that little girls and boys who look like me can hold their heads a little higher.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“What would you do if you weren’t afraid”? Do it!
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
For women initiating their careers, I recommend seeking mentorship within your company, industry, or from someone following a career path aligned with your aspirations.
“Developing connections with accomplished professionals in influential roles not only secures an advocate within your field but also affords valuable insights, aiding in a more strategic navigation of your career journey.”
Additionally, consider embracing opportunities that may be overlooked by others, as this approach can distinguish you and contribute to your professional growth.
What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
I am very excited about this year as it signifies the culmination of extensive efforts spanning five years. The highlight is the upcoming launch of our first-ever experiential robotic kiosk, set to debut in Vegas. With our unique patented robotic application, we aspire to create a network of interconnected kiosks in bustling places like airports and malls.
These kiosks go beyond being operational hubs for manufacturing; they are integral to our marketing and sales strategy. Picture this: you’re in a mall, and a robot is crafting personalized skincare products, on demand! The kiosks serve as a gateway to attract and engage people, aiming to convert them into long-term customers. This launch signifies the full realization of Yateou, a groundbreaking fusion of beauty, artificial intelligence, and robotics.
Christina Andreou
Head of Global Sustainability, o9 Solutions
Amsterdam, NL
If you could describe yourself in one word, what would that be and why? Please explain with a short story or example.
Courageous. Since a young age, I was always curious to try new things and continuously learn and grow. Twelve years ago, I left Athens, my home country to pursue a Masters in Sustainability in Geneva, a choice that opened to me a whole new world of possibilities. Six years later, feeling quite limited in the choices I had there, I decided to take a job and move to Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Every time I move, there is always an element of discomfort and fear, but by making these moves, I discover new aspects of myself, along with different cultures.
Pledge 1% provides a framework for businesses to do good. Do you think it’s important for today’s corporate leaders to prioritize social impact?
Nowadays on the one hand the advancement of technology is unprecedented, with generative AI as an example. On the other hand, inequalities as well as huge challenges for nature and the environment continue to exist. The need for businesses to step up and use their resources to do good is needed as ever.
We as a company have Paul Polman’s “Net Positive” as North Star, we want the planet to be a better place because of o9’s positive impact, we make that happen first and foremost by utilizing our technology to streamline the supply chains of the most impactful companies in the world and we are well aware that we cannot make that happen without being an integral part of communities such as Pledge 1%, as well as Climate Pledge and UN Global Compact.
Do you give back to the community with your team and work? If so, what does this look like? Please feel free to add a specific story or experience.
At o9, we have built an employee impact program as part of the Pledge 1% community of WePledge. We support employees to donate time and funds to causes that inspire them, while at the same time we are evolving our company’s philanthropic efforts. In 2024, we are launching for the first time the “o9 Grant”, a program that will enable a selected non profit, in this case Make a Difference (MAD), to scale their technology capabilities of their programs to the community. I am very proud of the team that has put this program in place and is continuously striving to be best in class and also partner with other stakeholders in the philanthropy community to scale our impact.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
It comes from my MBA program. That the first draft of anything we prepare, should never be the final one. Even though that specific tip was regarding academic paper drafts, it highlights the importance of patience and iterations of our work. In the beginning any project is not perfect, but as we work on it, we have the chance to improve it and make it excellent.
This year’s International Women’s Day themes are focused on investing in women and inspiring inclusion. What can we do to make today’s workplaces more equitable and inclusive for women?
I think the best thing is to not expect them to think and behave like men, but rather to embrace their way of working and leading. And also to promote the idea of men supporting women, it’s not only about women supporting women.
“I think the best thing is to not expect them to think and behave like men, but rather to embrace their way of working and leading. And also to promote the idea of men supporting women, it’s not only about women supporting women.”
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
To follow their intuition. Oftentimes, there is a little voice telling us what to do next, we should not be afraid to follow it. Even if a step in your life or career doesn’t make rational sense, if it makes sense to you at the given time, then do it, because you will be more authentic.
What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
Yes, many! Professionally, this is the year that we implement many strategic initiatives especially around our ESG transformation so I am eager to see what we achieve by the end of this year. Personally, first of all I signed up for a sprint triathlon in my home country in Greece in May, not sure why (!) as the training is quite demanding, but I am always looking to extend my limits and build my self confidence with these types of athletic initiatives.
Hobby wise, I am an electronic music DJ so it would be great to also play at some nice occasions as well.