Leading Actions
for change

Adeife is the Global Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Wellbeing Director. She partners with all business areas and levels to help organisations in their journey of in creating an inclusive working environment for all. She is a global DEI and people expert and speaker with an MSc from King’s College London in Human Resource Management and Organisational Analysis. She is a chartered fellow CIPD and a sought-after thought leader on DEI & People and Change with experience in working across several industries and sectors, including the FSTE 350 and not-for profit to provide advisory expertise through workshops and talks. She sits as an advisory board member for the Elim Bridge Autism and Neurodevelopmental Foundation (based in Nigeria) and a board member for Resonated Well (based in the UK). She is a wife, mum, mentor, and coach and created a community supporting mothers navigate motherhood, careers and wellbeing.

After growing up in Mauritius, I lived in Paris for ten years, where I completed my university studies at the Sorbonne up to doctorate level, and where I began my professional experience in the corporate world, first at Le Monde newspaper, then at Editions Gallimard. I then lived for some fifteen years in Dubai, a city I describe as a laboratory of globalization. There, I taught philosophy while setting up my own business as a lecturer and corporate trainer. In July 2023, I returned to my native island to devote myself fully to the development of corporate philosophy.

Anya Dundoo is dedicated to sustainability transition, circular economy, and creating community-building opportunities driven by impact. She has proven experience in developing capacity-building programs and strategic partnerships. At Made in Moris, her work contributes to supporting the transition of the Mauritian industrial sector toward more responsible production and consumption. Passionate about fostering cross-sector collaborations, Anya has successfully led impact-driven projects that connect entrepreneurs, tourism, and industry stakeholders to drive innovation, sustainability, and economic resilience.

Bertrand Badré is Managing Partner and founder of Blue like an Orange Sustainable Capital. Previously, Bertrand was Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of the World Bank.

Prior to joining the World Bank, he was Chief Financial Officer of Société Générale and Crédit Agricole, and was a member of President Jacques Chirac's diplomatic team as the President's Deputy Personal Representative for Africa. He worked for seven years at Lazard, in New York and London, then in Paris as a managing partner, where he successfully co-led the restructuring of Eurotunnel.

Jess leads Partnerships for Africa and the Middle East for the Embedding Project, a global non-profit research initiative supporting companies to embed sustainability into their operations and decision-making. She is a trustee and facilitator with the Sustainability Institute in South Africa and faculty for Stellenbosch Business School Executive Development and the Institute of Directors South Africa. Jess has a BSc in Ocean and Atmosphere Science and Environmental and Geographic Science, a MPhil in Sustainable Development, and a PhD in Business Administration. She brings a wealth of research and practice knowledge from past and current leadership roles in both the private and non-profit sector.

Elisabeth Moreno is a woman of impact and a figure of inclusive leadership. A former Minister for Equality between Women and Men, she embodies courage and innovation in the service of the common good. She began her career at the age of 20, setting up a company in the building and thermal insulation sector, before joining multinationals such as Orange, Dell Technologies EMEA, Lenovo France (CEO) and Hewlett Packard Africa (VP), where she steered major transformations. Today, as head of LEIA Partners, she supports companies in their transformation towards responsible and sustainable governance. She also chairs Ring Capital and Ring Africa, promoting impact investing. Holder of the Légion d'honneur and co-author of “Femmes ministres et féministes”, she declares: “Through my career and my commitments, I want to inspire a new generation of leaders to combine ambition, inclusion and impact to build a fairer, more sustainable future.”

Emeline Fasolato is Director of Job Foresight & Research at Les Nouveaux Géants, a training and action-research organization specializing in the ecological transformation of professions. With a multidisciplinary background (strategic management, physics/chemistry, law) and expertise in sustainability, she analyzes how skills evolve in response to environmental challenges.

She led the "Ecological Transition at the Heart of Every Job" study (2024) and supports companies and institutions (Opcommerce and Institut du Commerce) in developing skill frameworks and tailored training programs. Committed to research and the operationalization of ecological transition, she collaborates with public actors to maximize the impact of her work.

A sustainability practitioner for over two decades and named as one of the Time 100 Climate Leaders in 2023, Ms Esther An is instrumental in building CDL’s sustainability leadership since 1995.   She published the first sustainability report in Singapore in 2008 and issued the first green bond by a Singapore company in 2017.  Conferred the 2018 SDG Pioneer for Green Infrastructure and A Low Carbon Economy by the UN Global Compact, Ms An sits on the boards of various international organisations, including the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures and Global Reporting Initiative.  She also chairs the World Green Building Council Corporate Advisory Board and Asia Pacific Real Estate Association’s ESG Committee.  She founded Women4Green and Youth4Climate networks to empower women and youths to champion climate action and sustainable development.

Fabrice Bonnifet is Director of Sustainable Development & QSE (Quality-Safety-Environment) for the Bouygues Group and Chairman of the Collège des Directeurs du développement durable (C3D), Director of The Shift Project and co-author of the book on Contributive Enterprise, reconciling business and planetary limits (published by DUNOD). His mission is to lead and coordinate the Bouygues Group's sustainability approach: climate and biodiversity transition plan, responsible purchasing, CSRD compliance, Taxonomy, duty of care and human rights, QSE management system..... He also ensures dialogue with the Group's stakeholders. Last but not least, it works towards the advent of the regenerative business model.

François Gemenne is a specialist in environmental geopolitics and migration governance. He is a professor at HEC Paris, leading the Master in Sustainability and Social Innovation, and a senior research associate at the University of Liège, heading the Hugo Observatory. He co-directs the French Ministry of Defence’s Observatory on Defence and Climate and was a lead author for the IPCC's 6th Assessment Report. He teaches at Sciences Po and Sorbonne University. His research focuses on climate-induced migration and adaptation policies. He holds a doctorate in political science from Sciences Po Paris and the University of Liège, and master's degrees from the University of Louvain and the London School of Economics. He is president of Climate Voices and the scientific council of the Fondation pour la Nature et l’Homme. Additionally, he is a radio columnist on France Info and La Première.

Harald is an internationally renowned circular economist. He is advising the United Nations in several countries and and is working with top companies on their road towards circularity. Harald has co-iniatied the global yearly “Circularity Gap Report”, one of the most referenced publications in the field of circular economy. Harald has extensive consulting experience as  CEO of the the do-tank Circle Economy in Amsterdam. And he spearheaded the circular transition in his home country Austria when he served as Circular Economy Accelerator for the Austrian Government in 2022.

Ifedolapo Runsewe, a trailblazing woman leading the forefront of FREEE Recycle limited, a groundbreaking tyre recycling company in Nigeria. Driven by her passion for sustainability and commitment to fostering a circular economy, she is transforming waste tyres into valuable resources. Ifedolapo Runsewe’s educational journey includes a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Madonna University and a Master’s Degree in Public and International Affairs from the University of Lagos, she also had a successful career in the banking sector, enhancing her blend of business acumen and environmental expertise. Her innovative initiatives not only mitigate waste and environmental impact but also empower local communities through economic opportunities. Her tireless efforts are paving the way for a greener and more sustainable future in Nigeria and beyond.

Isabelle Delannoy is co-founder and president of L'entreprise symbiotique. Trained as an agricultural engineer, Isabelle is the scientist who wrote Yann Arthus Bertrand's film Home in 2009, and the author of L'Economie Symbiotique (Actes Sud) in 2017. In this work, which has become a reference, she highlights the worldwide emergence of a regenerative economy of living and social ecosystems, and defines its principles and laws. For over 15 years, Isabelle has focused her research on this economy and its operating methods. She has carried out numerous missions and experiments in France and around the world, and throughout these experiences has developed methods and tools that encourage people to take action.

Jacqueline Sauzier, CSK, is the first woman to serve as General Secretary of the Mauritius Chamber of Agriculture since its inception in November 1853. She began her career in 1993 as Project Leader at the Mauritius Marine Conservation Society on a UNEP-funded project focused on marine mammal awareness.

From 1994 to 2014, she managed the Mauritius Deer Farming Cooperative Society Ltd. and from 2009 to 2014, she served as Secretary/Treasurer of the Mauritius Meat Producers Association. Since April 2012, she has been the full-time General Secretary of the Mauritius Chamber of Agriculture, representing the Association on various boards and committees.

In July 2016, she was awarded Chevalier de l’Ordre du Mérite Agricole by the French Government. In March 2022, Mauritius conferred on her the title of Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (CSK) for her contributions to agriculture.

Jasper Eales is a creative problem solver, with a passion for people and planet. He is authentic, honest and full of energy in his everyday approach. With a degree in Industrial Design from CPUT, Jasper founded JEO Design Studio in 2012.  Soon after JEO’s establishment his designs received multiple national awards. As a founding member of Sealand in 2015, Jasper has driven the creation of this responsible brand, receiving Design Foundation ‘Maker to Market’ Award, TWYG’s ‘Sustainable Fashion Accessory’ Award, and V&A Waterfront ‘Our Better Nature Sustainability’ award. Jasper has a large heart for adventure and the great outdoors, which inspires his environmentally responsible decisions and approach to life.

Jerome is the founder and Managing Partner of Inside Capital, a generalist private equity fund that provides growth capital to companies in Southeast Africa. With over 20 years of experience, Jerome leads Inside’s investment strategy across various sectors, including energy, agriculture, and waste recycling, with a focus on sustainable development. Inside has supported projects such as Wecyle, a waste recycling initiative in Mauritius. Prior to founding Inside, Jerome worked as a management consultant at Accenture, specializing in financial and industrial systems for global companies. Jerome holds a Business Law Degree from Paris II University and an MSc in Management, specializing in Finance, from E.M. Lyon

Karen Basiye is a sustainability expert with over 15 years experience.

She has not only driven impactful change but has also contributed to a more sustainable and equitable society. She is the Director Sustainable Business, Social Impact and the Foundations at Safaricom PLC.

She holds a Joint Master of Environmental Science, Policy and Management degree from Lund University (Sweden), University of Manchester (UK), Central European University (Hungary) and University of the Aegean (Greece) and a Bachelor of Environment Science degree from Kenyatta University.

Karen attributes her success to three personal qualities: passion, learning agility & adaptability, and integrity.

I am an experienced risk manager with a strong background in financial services. I have led the Climate Risk division in Nedbank Group Risk since November 2022.  I have a passion for risk management as subject, leading the execution of risk strategy, and identifying innovations in risk management. Committed to sustainability and Nedbank’s purpose of using our financial expertise to do good for individuals, families, businesses, and society, I drive initiatives that ensure Nedbank's financial practices contribute to a healthier planet.  My personal philosophy revolves around being a forever student, continuously exploring new opportunities and learning experiences to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.  Guided by the motto, "Everything seems impossible until it’s done.

"He places people at the center of his life and has a genuine appreciation for learning from their cultural diversity. He draws immense inspiration from nature, a connection he has nurtured daily since early childhood.   A B Corp Ambassador in the region and a Senior Consultant in Local and International Business Development, he has spent the past 20 years traveling the globe, learning, and sharing knowledge. He channels his energy and ambition into using business as a force for good.   Through his work with Mauritian companies over the past five years, he has demonstrated that adopting good business practices leads to greater success."

Dr. Myriam Blin is the Head of the Charles Telfair Centre, a think tank that promote the sharing of evidence-based knowledge on key SDG-aligned themes in the Western Indian Ocean region. An Economist by training, Myriam also sits on various Boards and Committees including the Board of Directors of LFL group and the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of Mauritius.

Myriam has over 20 years of experience in academia in the UK, UAE and Mauritius. She has numerous publications in the field of gender and the political economy of development. She holds an MA in Development Economics and a PhD in Economics from the University of Manchester (UK).

An Obama Leader and environmental advocate, Nassima champions sustainable development in Africa through entrepreneurship and investment. She co-founded Mo Angels and Living Labs Federation, organizations supporting impact startups. From her base in Mauritius Island, she promotes ocean conservation as a board member of Oceanhub Africa.   Her latest venture, AfroClimate, empowers African entrepreneurs developing climate solutions and biodiversity restoration projects, strengthening community resilience across the continent.

Patrick Samama is co-founder of L'entreprise symbiotique.

A creative director who has worked with major advertising agencies, film-maker and former vice-president of one of the world's leading anti-racist associations, Patrick has forged a vision of ecosystem-based communication adapted to the players involved in the regenerative economy and their values. He is the creator of symbiotic communication, an approach based on cooperation and the principles of the symbiotic economy. His work revolves around 3 axes: the competition of subjects in the public space, the competition of representations and the competition of imaginary futures.

Pavitray (Pavs) Pillay holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Wits University, majoring in Zoology and Archaeology with a minor in Paleontology. She furthered her academic career by earning Honours and Master’s degrees in Marine Biology from the University of Cape Town. With a strong commitment to conservation, capacity building, and behaviour change, Pavs has worked extensively across Africa, including Namibia, Angola, Mozambique, and South Africa, within multi-country regional programmes. She played a key role in managing the Marine Research Institute (UCT)’s Applied Marine Science Master’s programme. Her contributions to science were recognized in 2010 when she was named the SANCOR Science Communicator of the Year and one of the Mail & Guardian’s Young South Africans You Must Take to Lunch. In 2015, she joined WWF-SA as the Manager of the Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative and in 2018, she was appointed an International Ocean Witness by WWF-Netherlands. In July 2019, Pavs transitioned to the role of Environmental Behaviour Change Lead within WWF-SA’s Business Development Unit with a focus on shifting behaviour in corporate space. In 2024, she was promoted to Corporate Partnerships and Behavioural Science Lead, where she provides strategic direction for corporate partnerships, overseeing a portfolio of more than 200 corporate partnership. She leads a dedicated team focused on fundraising and joint sustainability initiatives, including market transformation, sustainable consumption, and responsible production. She is an active member of the WWF Global Behaviour Change Working Group and the UN Behaviour Change Working Group, where she contribute to global environmental solutions through research, publications, and reports for business, policy makers and consumers.

"A specialist in sustainable finance and its regulatory and operational implications, Pierre-Alexandre Moussa combines more than 16 years in finance, mainly in the financial markets (Agence Française de Développement, Crédit Agricole Cheuvreux, Exane BNP Paribas, Aurel BGC), and more than 6 years of project deployment at the heart of sustainable development, in the following sectors:  

• decarbonised air freight transport,
• agriculture without chemical inputs / free pesticides in local circuits,
•  renewable energies, particularly solar energy.

  Pierre Alexandre co-founded and manages Pure Farming Ltd, the first Mauritian company to be awarded the Bio Farming Development label. He is currently managing the Climate and Sustainable Investments Solutions department for the British group TP ICAP, a world leader in financial intermediation, based in Paris. He has a master’s degree in finance from the University of Paris-Dauphine, France."

Rachel has developped her expertise through her work with Mauritius and Reunion companies in the field of climate change and energy management systems. She supports organisations in their low-carbon transition through the realization of carbon footprint exercises and the definition of carbon transition strategy, helping them in the declination in operational action plans. Rachel also helps companies in the implementation and optimization of their management systems, in view of having highly efficient structures to support their sustainability journey.

Rosalind Gater is a development professional with 15 years experience working with Government, the private sector, civil society and academia to drive outcomes through programme delivery and coordination. Rosalind began her career as a teacher and later joined the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office as an Education Adviser where she led policy development, and the design and delivery of large aid programmes in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

Prior to relocating to Mauritius, Rosalind was Deputy Development Director in Rwanda where she oversaw teams delivering on human development, economic development, green growth and governance. In August 2024, Rosalind began her current assignment as Senior Technical Cooperation Adviser embedded in the Ministry of Finance to mobilise climate finance at scale.

Thierry has been a leader in sustainability initiatives in Mauritius for nearly 20 years, with extensive experience addressing the impacts of economic development. He holds a degree in Political Sciences and an MBA from IAE Paris.   As the founder of Dynamia, a pioneering consulting firm specializing in ESG and sustainability strategies, Thierry has led a range of impactful projects, including the development of Responsible Investment Policies, land use strategies and heritage conservation. He contributed to the creation of Mauritius's first Green Bond, and launched the B Corp certification in the Indian Ocean.   He recently founded the Indian Ocean Islands Foundation (IOIF), whose mission is to enhance the resilience of island territories.

Tim Coles is a passionate advocate for transforming business to benefit both people and the planet. As Head of Sustainability at Sealand, he leads initiatives in sustainable sourcing, supply chain traceability, responsible waste management, symbiotic partnerships and impactful reporting, ensuring positive outcomes for both beneficiaries and business. His work spans both international and African contexts, where he excels in communicating the critical importance of sustainability. With a strong foundation in environmental, social, and physical sciences, Tim is well-equipped to tackle the challenges of decarbonizing and humanizing the complex world of sustainable fashion.

Vincent Desvaux de Marigny is CEO of Attitude Hotels. He followed his passion for windsurfing before forging a career in marketing, branding and strategic management, working between France, the United States and Mauritius. Vincent’s passion for exploration – and a challenge – led him to join Attitude Hotels. He embodies Attitude’s vision as a purpose-driven company committed to responsible tourism. Under his leadership, Attitude has become a company with a mission. Convinced that people are the group's strength, Vincent’s ambition is to position Attitude as a responsible pioneer in the Indian Ocean. In 2025, Attitude will expand beyond Mauritius with a new Zanzibar hotel, marking its arrival in East Africa.

Yann provides strategic consulting and Asia GtM advisory services to corporates and startups with a focus on innovation and sustainability. He is also the founder of the Living Labs Federation, an accelerator for sustainable innovations which helps private and public organizations solve pressing challenges they face through acceleration programs for entrepreneurs. With over 20 years of international experience in aerospace and industrial MNCs, he is passionate about Climate Change, Science and Engineering, and is also a board member and investor in several tech startup.

Zinzi Mgolodela’ s work focuses on systemic inequality. She leads the Inclusive Justice Initiative (IJI) to foster social justice for inclusive workplaces, value chains, customer experience and impactful community development. Previously, as Director of Corporate Affairs, she built value creating partnerships with stakeholders across Africa. A member of the Council for Social Justice Champions.

Appointed in 2020 to the Commission for Employment Equity. Serves as Chairperson of the

Restitution Foundation. A mother of three, she champions social justice both professionally and personally.