Katie Wood

I was able to pin down my core skills, experiences, networks and spheres of influence

What was the most valuable thing you got out of the program?

I was able to build a stronger foundation of personal wellbeing and a deeper sense of my values, leadership qualities and vision for sustainability

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

I fundamentally believe that we must value economic prosperity, social equity, environmental sustainability and cultural diversity simultaneously and equally in everything that we do. In this way, we will be able to find the most creative, holistic and effective ways of doing and being in the world and develop solutions to the greatest challenges of our world. It is not only the most effective and smart way to work, but it is the way that will ensure that we care for all peoples, beings and places across the world both now and in generations to come.

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

The program gave me a much stronger sense of my vision for a sustainable future and how I will contribute to this. I was able to pin down my core skills, experiences, networks and spheres of influence to hone in on the area of sustainability within which I can create the biggest impact and gain the greatest sense of fulfilment.
Ultimately my vision is about creating a world where social equity, economic prosperity, environmental sustainability and cultural diversity are valued equally and simultaneously in everything that we do. In order to move towards this world, I think we need effective ways of measuring the impact that we create in these spaces so that we can hold people and organisations accountable for negative impact and capture and improve positive impact. As such, my focus for the near future is one how we can start developing robust systems and frameworks to measure and value impact in both the non-financial and financial spaces.
I am well placed in the Climate Change and Sustainability team at Ernst & Young, with my skill set and experiences to take the necessary, tangible steps towards achieving this vision.

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

I think leadership for sustainability is important because ultimately, to have the most socially equitable, environmental sustainable, economically prosperous and culturally vibrant world, the frameworks and principles of sustainability must be at the heart of all decision making processes of our world leaders.
Additionally, frameworks and principles of sustainability encapsulate so many features of what good leadership is. It emphasises the importance of empathy, balance, communication, open-mindedness, holistic thinking, systems thinking, collaboration, consultation, evidence based research, creativity, progressive thinking. All of the core elements that make up the best leaders of our world.

What do you plan to do next on your sustainability journey?

For now, I want to focus on building my skills, experiences and networks even further in sustainability and specifically in the area of impact measurement. I am still very early in my career and have a bit more work to do in terms of laying the foundations to create truly sustainable impact. Slowly, through time, it will become clearer exactly what tanigble actions I can take to ultimately create a net positive impact in the world and to help others to do so as well. CSL has given me the tools and frameworks that I need to accelerate and support me in this clarification process.