With a background in engineering and extensive experience in sustainability, Gunarani Ganasagaran has carved out a unique and multifaceted career path. Her professional background and career journey have truly been an adventurous ride filled with exciting opportunities and challenges. It all began with her graduation from the University of Malaya with a Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering, which set the foundation for developing problem-solving skills, fostering a strong work ethic, and promoting attention to detail.
She embarked on a brief stint as a chemical engineer before making a courageous leap into the realm of internal audit with a leading conglomerate based in Malaysia. Her career trajectory took a fascinating turn when she discovered her true passion for sustainability consulting during her tenure at KPMG in Malaysia.
Since then, she has honed her skills and specialized in crucial aspects of sustainability; this journey led her to assume senior roles at KPMG in South Africa and Ireland, allowing her to delve deeper into the global landscape of sustainability. Throughout her career, Gunarani has demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt to and excel in diverse environments. Her unique blend of engineering and sustainability knowledge has enabled her to tackle complex challenges with innovative solutions.
Currently, Gunarani serves as the Director of Sustainability Consulting for the Asia Pacific region at LRQA, the leading global assurance partner. In this role, she delivers sustainability solutions that not only meet the needs of clients but also contribute to the broader goal of creating a more sustainable future. By leveraging her expertise and experience, Gunarani and her team strive to drive meaningful outcomes that resonate across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
Gunarani’s strengths as a sustainability consultant have contributed immensely to her success. Her adaptability, patience, and determination have enabled her to deliver high-quality solutions that drive positive change. As she continues to navigate the progressive domain of sustainability consulting, her passion, expertise, and vow to ingenuity will undoubtedly position her as a trailblazer in the field, directing a more sustainable future for businesses, communities, and the planet.
Let us learn more about her journey:
Motivations and Inspirations
Gunarani’s journey into the domain of sustainability consulting is deeply established in her academic
background and intrinsic passion for the subject. From her early days in secondary school, where she excelled in physics and chemistry, to her pursuit of a degree in chemical engineering, Gunarani has always been drawn to solving complex problems.
Her fascination with sustainability issues can be likened to solving an equation, where various components, such as business interests and societal needs, must be balanced to achieve optimal outcomes. This analytical approach has guided her through a career dedicated to exploring the
intersections of key sustainability topics, including climate change, human rights, responsible sourcing, and sustainable finance.
Throughout her career, Gunarani has been inspired by esteemed mentors who have shaped her understanding of sustainability and reinforced the importance of her role as a catalyst for change. She states, “Their guidance has fueled my commitment to seeking innovative solutions and advocating for sustainable practices.”
In her current role, she utilizes her extensive experience to drive meaningful outcomes that resonate. across the Asia Pacific region and beyond. Gunarani is motivated by the opportunity to work in a rapidly changing and developing field, where every action has the potential to shape a more sustainable world for future generations.
LRQA’s Inception and Impact
LRQA has built a reputation as a trusted partner in providing comprehensive solutions supported by data-driven insights. With a presence in over 150 countries and a workforce exceeding 5,000, LRQA’s expertise spans compliance, supply chain management, cybersecurity, and ESG consulting. The company’s efforts are geared towards helping clients anticipate, reduce, and control risks in their operations, ultimately contributing to a safer and more sustainable future.
One of the foundations of LRQA’s impact is its commitment to enhancing the sustainability of businesses across various industries. The company’s team of 800 ESG specialists works diligently to address critical issues such as food safety, renewable energy, and human rights.
For instance, LRQA annually audits 20,000 food and beverage sites to ensure the security and ethical sourcing of the food we consume. Additionally, the company has supported over 600 renewable energy projects across 25 countries in the past two years, demonstrating its dedication to reducing environmental footprints.
Leading with Vision and Purpose
Gunarani’s leadership style is characterized by her belief in the unique talents of each individual and her commitment to fostering a solution-oriented mindset within her team. She recognizes that every team member possesses their own “magic,” which, when nurtured, can lead to innovative problem-solving approaches.
By providing support and guidance while allowing her team the freedom to explore their ideas, Gunarani creates a positive and productive work culture. Her approach is rooted in the understanding that motivated and empowered individuals are essential to delivering high-quality sustainability solutions to clients. Her greatest strength as a sustainability consultant lies in her adaptability, patience, consistency, and determination. These qualities have been the basis of her professional journey, driving her to continuously push boundaries and explore innovative solutions. Pivotal to her success, she firmly believes in “expanding the pie” rather than engaging in a share-gain dogfight, emphasizing the importance of growth and collaboration over competition.
Directing Complex Stakeholder Relationships
Sustainability projects often involve diverse groups with varying priorities and methodologies. Gunarani approaches these challenges by actively listening, analyzing the issues at hand, and providing solutions based on facts and data. She emphasizes the importance of convening meetings to openly discuss concerns and propose potential solutions, steering clear of setting overly ambitious project delivery goals or making infeasible promises.
“Maintaining transparency throughout the project lifecycle is crucial for building trust and credibility among stakeholders,” she asserts. Regular communication channels ensure that all parties are informed of progress, challenges, and decisions made, allowing for feedback and adjustments to be made promptly.
Setting Meaningful SustainabilityGoals
When setting meaningful and achievable sustainability goals with clients, Gunarani considers various factors to develop a tailored strategy. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the client’s business model, industry-specific challenges, and regulatory requirements.
By conducting comprehensive assessments and leveraging data-driven insights, Gunarani and her team identify key areas for improvement and develop actionable plans that align with the client’s sustainability objectives. This approach ensures that the goals set are realistic, measurable, and aligned with the broader sustainability agenda.
Overcoming Challenges withTechnology
One of the key challenges in sustainability consulting is navigating the increasing complexity of ESG regulatory requirements. Gunarani addresses this challenge by utilizing technology-driven supply chain intelligence tools and platforms like EiQ. These tools provide comprehensive solutions to enhance environmental, social, and governance visibility and risk management.
For instance, EiQ leverages machine learning and on-site data to empower companies, suppliers, and financial institutions to meet customer, regulator, and stakeholder due diligence requirements effectively. By utilizing such platforms, clients can streamline their responsible sourcing programs and facilitate sustainable trade, making compliance with ESG regulations more manageable and efficient.
Recent Developments Influencing Consulting
Recent developments, such as the newly released statistics from the Supply Chain ESG Global Risk Outlook Report 2024 by LRQA, have influenced Gunarani’s approach to consulting. The report highlighted significant areas of concern, such as the elevated risks of forced labor in supply chains despite increased regulatory scrutiny.
This underlines the ongoing challenges faced by organizations in managing supply chain risks effectively. Gunarani views this as an opportunity to further enhance her methodology and techniques to facilitate businesses in adopting robust measures and due diligence practices to address these concerning trends and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
Measuring Success and Impact
Gunarani employs various metrics and frameworks to track progress and demonstrate value to clients. These include assessing improvements in ESG performance, reductions in environmental footprints, enhancements in supply chain transparency, and advancements in human rights protections. By providing clients with clear and measurable outcomes, Gunarani ensures that the value of sustainability initiatives is tangible and aligned with the client’s strategic objectives.
Passion for Human Rights Economies
Gunarani is particularly fascinated by the concept of human rights economies, which presents a hopeful vision for a more equitable and just future. She believes that embedding human rights considerations strategically in policymaking and economic decision-making can lead to a more ethical and sustainable economic system. The increasing regulations on human rights risks, focused on export/import trade policies, sanctions, due diligence, traceability, reporting, and transparency requirements in supply chains, are crucial for shedding light on key risks and vulnerabilities.
Gunarani foresees these regulations forming the foundation for integrating human rights principles into various aspects of policy making, government budget decisions, tax systems, and economic performance metrics. This shift towards a more human rights-focused approach could lead to a more
balanced and inclusive economy that considers the well-being of all individuals, not just economic growth. On that note, she applauds and welcomes global initiatives such as the Taskforce on Inequality and Social-Related Financial Disclosures (TISFD) which will develop guidelines for businesses and investors to recognize, evaluate, and disclose their social and inequality-related risks, opportunities, and impacts.
Promoting a Culture of Continuous Improvement
Gunarani is a strong advocate for fostering a culture of continuous improvement within organizations. She believes that sustainability is an ongoing journey rather than a one-time achievement. To this end, she encourages her clients to regularly review and update their sustainability strategies, incorporating feedback from stakeholders and staying ahead of emerging trends and technologies.
“Sustainability is a dynamic field, and continuous improvement is key to staying ahead of the curve,” she notes. This proactive approach helps organizations remain resilient and adaptive in the face of evolving sustainability challenges.
Emphasizing the Role of Education and Awareness
Education and awareness are fundamental components of Gunarani’s approach to sustainability consulting. She underscores the importance of educating stakeholders about the benefits and necessity of sustainable Practices.
By raising awareness about the impacts of unsustainable behaviors and the positive outcomes of adopting sustainable practices, she helps foster a culture of sustainability within organizations. Gunarani frequently engages in workshops, seminars, and training sessions to impart knowledge and skills related to sustainability. “Educating stakeholders is crucial for driving long-term change and achieving sustainability goals,” she emphasizes.
Advice for Aspiring Sustainability Consultants
For those considering a career in sustainability consulting, Gunarani offers valuable advice. She emphasizes the importance of developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as sustainability consulting often involves complex challenges that require innovative solutions. Strong communication skills are essential for effectively conveying complex ideas, influencing stakeholders, and driving change.
Networking with professionals in the field can provide insights and opportunities for growth. Staying updated on the latest sustainability trends, regulations, best practices, and technologies is crucial for remaining competitive and effective in consulting work. Gunarani also highlights the importance of patience and persistence, as positive and lasting changes in sustainability take time and effort to achieve.
Embracing Continuous Learning and Innovation
Gunarani’s dedication to sustainability is deeply rooted in her commitment to continuous learning and improvement. She consistently seeks out new challenges and opportunities to enhance her expertise in the field. Her approach involves adopting innovation and staying updated on the latest advancements in sustainability practices, technologies, and regulatory frameworks.
By remaining agile and adaptive, Gunarani ensures that her consulting methodologies remain relevant and effective in addressing the evolving needs of her clients. Her passion for sustainability drives her to constantly seek out new knowledge and insights that can contribute to creating a more sustainable and equitable world.
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