Editor's Note
Inaneramarkedbyclimateurgency,shifting
geopoliticallandscapes,andrisingexpectationsfrom communitiesandconsumersalike,thecallfor sustainableleadershiphasneverbeenlouder.Itiswith greatprideandpurposethatCIOLookpresentstheedition of The Top 10 Influential Leaders Shaping Sustainability Worldwide, 2025 Thesevisionaryindividualsarenotonly redefininghowbusiness,policy,andinnovation intersect—theyareprovingthatsustainabilityisnotaside initiative,butthecornerstoneoflong-termglobalsuccess.
Thisyear’shonoreesrepresentdiversesectors—from renewableenergyandcirculareconomychampionsto advocatesforclimatejusticeandgreenfinancetrailblazers. Yet,theyallshareacommonthread:arelentless commitmenttocreatingimpactful,scalablechange.Their effortsreflectabroadershifttowardaccountability, inclusivity,andresilienceinfacingtoday’smostcomplex challenges.
Asyouexploretheirstories,you’llfindablendofbold strategyandhuman-centeredthinking—qualitiesessential todrivingmeaningfultransformation.Theseleaders remindusthatsustainabilityisnotonlyaboutpreserving resources,butalsoaboutempoweringpeople,fostering innovation,andbuildingequitablefuturesforgenerations tocome.
Wehopethiseditionservesasbothrecognitionand inspiration—atestamenttowhatispossiblewhen leadershipmeetspurpose.Mayitignitenew conversations,collaborations,andcommitmentsinyour ownjourneytowardamoresustainableworld.
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Honoring the Architects of a Sustainable Future PrinceBolton
N
Building
a
Sustainable World
DAVID FOGARTY'S
Leadership Journey at CBRE Singapore
From Awareness to Ac on
How to Become an Eco Influencer in 5 Steps?
From Advocacy to Ac on How to Support Clean Energy Leaders Effec vely?
18
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Deputy Editor Anish Miller
Managing Editor Prince Bolton
Art & Design Director Davis Mar n
Associate Designer Jameson Carl
Senior Sales Manager Wilson T., Hunter D.
Customer Success Manager Ward M. Sales Execu ves Tim, Smith
TECHNICAL
Technical Head Peter Hayden
Technical Consultant Victor Collins
AukeBoomsma DirectorSustainability Program
Brief CompanyName
ERIKS eriks.nl
BrendaHarvey ManagingDirector
DavidFogarty HeadofSustainability &ESGConsulting
Dr.RichieLee SeniorVP, Head,Sustainability,
IBM ibm.com
CBRESingapore cbre.com.sg
UOB uobgroup.com
MakolaM.Abdullah President VirginiaStateUniversity vsu.edu
MervynTang HeadofSustainability
Schroders schroders.com
NadimFarajalla ChiefSustainability
Officer
NeelamSandhu BoardMember
NinaWeiss SustainableBrand Development &Communication
LebaneseAmerican University lau.edu.lb
Leadscross-sectorsustainabilityprogramsfocusedonsystemic change.Drivescollaboration,circulareconomyadoption,and innovationinsustainabledesignandperformancemetrics.
ExperiencedinbusinesstransformationwithanESGlens. Advocatesfordiversity,ethicalgovernance,andclimateaction asfoundationsforresilient,future-readyenterprises.
Advocatesforclimate-consciousstrategies,drivingESG integrationacrossindustries.Knownforaligningcorporate responsibilitywithmeasurableimpactandregulatory complianceinglobalsustainabilityinitiatives.
Combinesresearch-drivensustainabilityknowledgewith leadership,advocatingforsystemsthinkinginenvironmental management,renewableenergyadvancement,andlong-term ecologicalhealth.
Educationaladvocatepromotingsustainabilityinacademia. Championsequitableaccess,interdisciplinarycollaboration, andenvironmentally-consciousleadershipacrossfuture generationsandinstitutionalframeworks.
Strategicleaderinsustainablefinance,aligninginvestment principleswithclimategoals.SpecializesinESGmetrics,risk frameworks,anddecarbonizationpathwaysforglobal portfolios.
Focusedonclimateresilienceandpolicy,heblendsacademic insightwithpracticalstrategiestoguideregionsand organizationstowardenvironmentalstewardshipand sustainabledevelopment.
MilaanFoundation milaanfoundation.org
NinaWeissFuture Communication nina-weiss.de
SophieGraham ChiefSustainability
Officer IFS ifs.com
Visionaryinsustainableinnovationanddigitalequity.Works attheintersectionoftechnologyandESG,fosteringinclusive growth,smartinfrastructure,andclimate-resilientsolutions.
Advocatesforclimate-consciousstrategies,drivingESG integrationacrossindustries.Knownforaligningcorporate responsibilitywithmeasurableimpactandregulatory complianceinglobalsustainabilityinitiatives.
Combinesresearch-drivensustainabilityknowledgewith leadership,advocatingforsystemsthinkinginenvironmental management,renewableenergyadvancement,andlong-term ecologicalhealth.
David Fogarty Head of Sustainability & ESG Consulting
CBRE Singapore
Building a Sustainable World
DAVID FOGARTY'S
Leadership Journey at CBRE Singapore
DavidFogartyisarenownedpersonality sustainabilityleadermakingaprominentmarkin therealestatesectorthroughouttheAsia-Pacific region.Withmorethan25yearsofglobalexperiencefrom theUK,Australia,NewZealand,andAsia,Fogartyserves asHeadofSustainabilityandESGConsultingatCBRE Singapore.Tohim,sustainabilityismorethana professionallabeloratrendtobeemulated;itisthe externalmanifestationofalifelongcommitment,bornofan abidingrespectfornatureandasenseofresponsibilityto futuregenerations.
Fromhisearlyyearssurfingandhikinginthewildernessto hispresentpositionleadingregionalESG(Environmental, Social,andGovernance)effortsforoneoftheworld's largestrealestatefirms,Fogarty'spathhasbeen characterizedbyadistinctiveintersectionofpersonal purposeandprofessionalaction.Histaleisnotmerelya reflectionofthechangingstoryofsustainabilityinbusiness, butalsoacompellingdemonstrationofresilience,vision, andthestrengthofcollectiveimpact.
EarlyConvictions,LifelongMission
Fogarty'scommitmenttosustainabilitydidnotstartina corporateboardroom,butbeneathopenskies.His upbringingwasspenthiking,camping,andexploring outdoors-activitiesthatsparkedapassionforthenatural worldandanintenseethicalmandatetopreserveit.These formativemomentsofdiscoveryandawesetthetonefor hisworldviewandlaidthegroundworkforalifetimeof purpose:integratingsustainabilityintotheveryfabricof thebuiltworld.
Thisaffinitywithnaturewouldlaterbethe beaconforhisprofessionalmission.“We have a responsibility to our future generations,”Fogartyinsists —a tenetthatstillinformshis
workandleadershipphilosophy.Forhim,sustainabilityis notaboxtobetickedoracomplianceexercise;itisan ethicalresponsibilityandacommitmenttothosewhowill inherittheworldwebuildtoday
BuildingtheFoundations:AustraliatoAsia
OneofthedefiningmomentsinFogarty'scareerwasin 2011,whenhespearheadedthelaunchofAustralia'sfirsteverSustainabilitypracticewithinCBRE'sProperty Managementbusiness.Thiswasadaringandvisionary step,placingFogartyatthevanguardofESGintegrationin theAsia-Pacificregion.
By2016,Fogartysensedanopportunitytotakethisvision evenfurther.HemovedtoSingapore,withamandateto developCBRE'sAsiaSustainabilitybusinessfromscratch. Whatstartedasasmalltwo-personunitsoonexpandedinto apowerhouseteamof27expertsinSingapore,withover75 spreadacrossthebroaderAPAC.Worldwide,CBREtoday hasover1,000ESGprofessionals —abenchmarkofboth marketneedsandtheinnovative,forward-looking leadershipthatFogartypersonifies.
“The early days were tough,”Fogartyrecalls.“There was a lot of climate denial, and sustainability was often seen as a costly afterthought. But through evidence-based value creation and relentless advocacy, we’ve shifted that narrative. Now, sustainability is seen as a source of competitive advantage and long-term value,”headds.
Fogartytookapragmaticandtenaciousapproach.He concentratedonestablishingcredibilitythroughresults —demonstratinghowsustainabilitycouldunderpin operationaleffectiveness,increaseassetvalue,andaddress changinginvestor,tenant,andregulatorexpectations.This emphasisonvaluecreationbrokethroughskepticismand fixedsustainabilityasaprimarybusinessimperative.
I've come to appreciate di erent points of view and working together to solve problems.
The nuances of sustainability require us to act with urgency as well as careful consideration.
LeadershipEvolved:Strategic,Inclusive,Purposeful
Leadership,inFogarty'sview,hasbeenapathofselfdiscoveryandevolution.Inhisearlyyearsinthe profession,hewasaction-orientedwithurgency —often actingspontaneously,takingboldmeasurestopushforward sustainabilityefforts.Withtime,hisleadershipbecame morereflective,strategic,andinclusive,withafoundation rootedintheidealsofcollaborationandsystemsthinking.
“I’ve come to appreciate the importance of different perspectives and working together to solve complex problems,”heexplains.“The nuances of sustainability require both urgency and careful consideration.”
Fogarty'svalues —Trust,Respect,Courage,Resilience,and Integrity-arethefoundationofhisleadershipphilosophy. Theynotonlyinformhowheleadsteamsbutalso contributetobuildingcredibilitywithclients,partners,and stakeholders."Sustainability is a team sport,"hestresses.
"It's not a departmental plan; it's a cultural shift that must seep into the entire organization."
Hefeelsthatgoodleadershipinsustainabilityinvolves empoweringothers,buildingasenseofcommonpurpose, andgeneratingasettingwhereaccountabilityand innovationcanflourish.Fogartyisdedicatedtoleadingby example —showingthatpurposeful,principledleadership canbothachievebusinesssuccessandgoodsocietal outcomes.
TheESGImperative:ChallengesandthePathForward
Withsustainabilitytakingcenterstageinthecorporate agenda,freshchallengesareboundtocropup.Fogartyis prompttoremindusthathighervisibilitydoesnot necessarilytranslateintomaturity."We've moved from being on the fringes to being in the center spot —but with higher expectations. Now we must deliver tangible, quantifiable results."
Amongtheindustry'smosturgentissues,Fogartyidentifies ESGgreenwashingrisk,disparatereportingstandards,and thetemptationtoviewESGasashort-termfadinsteadof anenduringtransformation.Hedemandshigher transparency,unifiedframeworks,anddata-driven responsibilityacrosssectors.
“We must go from intention to action,”hemaintains.
"Stakeholders are demanding impact, not promises. And for that, we require transparency, live data, and a culture of ongoing improvement”.
FogartyisavocalsupporteroftheuseofstrongESG metricsandtheembeddingofsustainabilitywithincore businesspractices.Heisconvincedthatonlybymeasuring rigorouslyandreportingtruthfullycanorganizations establishtrustandshowprogress."The future of ESG is about accountability and results,"hestates."It's about making a tangible difference, not just talking about it."
Technology,Data,andtheFutureoftheBuilt Environment
Lookingforward,Fogartyseesafuturewheretechnology, humanhealth,andsustainabilitycometogethertocreate smarter,moreresponsiveenvironments.AtCBRE Singapore,heisleadingthechargeininitiativesthat leveragedataanalytics,IoTnetworks,anddigitalplatforms toenhancesustainabilityperformanceinrealestate.
“Intelligent buildings that adjust to the needs of their occupants in real time —that's the future,”predicts Fogarty.“We are headed for a digitally empowered, low-carbon economy, and we need to speed that process along.”
Thisvisionextendstoenergyefficiency Sustainability,toFogarty,isnot justaboutenergyefficiency.
It'saboutmakingspaceswherepeoplecanflourish —spacesthatfosterhealth,well-being,andproductivity.
“Sustainability is about building spaces where people can flourish, not just get by,”hesays.“It's about increasing the quality of life for all the people who experience the built environment.”
Fogartyismostenthusiasticabouttheabilityoftechnology torevealnewpossibilitiesforinnovation.Withtheuseof advancedanalyticsandreal-timedata,organizationsare abletooptimizebuildingperformance,minimize environmentalimpact,andprovideimprovedoutcomesfor occupantsandcommunities.
AlthoughFogarty'sstrategicimpactisworldwide,his influenceisalsosignificantatthegrassrootslevel.In Singapore,hehasbeeninstrumentalinbuildingathriving communityofsustainabilitypractitioners,promoting collaborationandknowledgesharingacrossindustries.He isalsostronglycommittedtomentoringthenextgeneration ofESGleaders.
“Contribution and community aren't values—they're the basis of what I do,”Fogartyreplies.Throughtraining initiatives,industryforums,andsponsorshipofnextgenerationtalent,heinspiresyoungerprofessionalstobe bold,curious,andresponsibleintheirapplicationof sustainability
Hismessagetofutureleadersisdirectandconvincing:
"Know your industry's higher purpose. Form meaningful connections. Take smart risks. Be a lifelong learner. And above all, lead with purpose."
Fogartyfeelsthatdevelopingtalentandbuilding communityarekeytocreatinglastingchange.By empoweringothersandtheexchangeofknowledge, heaimstocreateanewgenerationofleaderswho willcarryonthelegacyofsustainability.
Sustainability is about building places where people can ourishnot merely get by.
CultureShift:EmbeddingESGintoBusinessDNA
OneofFogarty'sgreatestaccomplishmentshasbeenhis contributiontorepositioningsustainabilityasastrategic pillar,notmerelyacomplianceinitiative,atCBREandin theindustryatlarge.Hisworkhasservedtocatalyzeasea changeinorganizationalculture—embeddingESG considerationsintodecision-makingatalllevels.
"Sustainability is not someone else's responsibility,"he says."It must become everyone's. It's a path that demands awareness, engagement, and alignment from the boardroom to the front line."
Fogartyrecognizesthatculturaltransformationseldom comeseasily."There are always speed bumps along the way. There's resistance and blowback. But we keep moving forward, because the stakes are too high to be satisfied with the status quo."
Heisastrongsupporterofthetransformativepowerof storytellingandsharedvision.Byarticulatingthebusiness caseforsustainabilityandcelebratingsuccesses,Fogarty hasbeenabletobuildmomentumandasenseofshared ownershipthroughouttheorganization.
We need to honour our obligations to future generations.
TheClimateClockisTicking:UrgencyMeets Opportunity
Fogarty'scareerismotivatedbyanincreasingfeelingof urgencyregardingthetwincrisesofclimatechangeand lossofbiodiversity.However,heisfundamentally underpinnedbyoptimismthroughhisbeliefinhuman abilityforinnovationandadjustment.
“This isn't just about compliance—it's about legacy,”he ponders.“Each choice we make today determines the world we leave behind. If we succeed, ESG can be the driver for reimagining our cities, our economies, and our relationship with the planet.”
Heisinspiredbythecollectiveenergyanddedicationofhis peersandthebroadersustainabilitycommunity "Surrounded by committed professionals, I am optimistic. We are building something much bigger than ourselves together."
Fogartyisespeciallyheartenedbyincreasing convergencebetweenbusinessgoalsand publicgood.HeviewsESGasa
compellingforceforgood—onethatcanunleash innovation,generatevalue,andshoreupresilienceinthe faceofglobalchallenges.
ALeaderofConvictionandVision
DavidFogartyembodiesthebestofwhatthemodern sustainabilityleaderlookslike:purposeful,pragmatic,and visionary.Hisjourney—fromayouthwholovedcamping totheAsiaDirectorofSustainabilityforoneoftheworld's toprealestatefirms—isatestamenttocourage, determination,andthepowerofinfluencingchangeatscale.
Throughthoughtfulandprofoundlyhumanleadership, Fogartyhasenabledtheshiftinsustainabilityfroman afterthoughttoacentralbusinessimperative.Hislegacyis notjustintheteamsthathehasassembledorthesystems thathehasdeveloped,butinthethousandsofpeoplehehas inspiredtoviewsustainabilitynotasalimitation,butasa possibility
Inaworldcharacterizedbyclimatecatastropheand breakneckspeed,Fogartyisabeaconofresiliency, integrity,andunshakeableoptimism.And,ashepointsout, theworkisfarfromdone:"We must keep pushing boundaries. Sustainability is a journey and every step forward matters.”
Tanping Wang Senior Director, ML and AI Development
Jacqueline Karlin Senior Director of AI Product PayPal
Venkatesh Shivanna
Shardul Desai
Sandeep Jha
Eleonore Fournier-Tombs
Kailash Thiyagarajan
Naresh Dulam
How to Support Clean Energy Leaders Effectively?
Intoday’srapidlychangingworld,cleanenergyisnolonger
justaloftyideal—it’sanecessity Attheheartofthis transformationarethecleanenergyleaders:innovators, entrepreneurs,researchers,andpolicyadvocateswhodedicate theirlivestocreatingamoresustainableandequitablefuture. Theseindividualsandorganizationsarefightingonthefrontlines oftheclimatecrisis,oftenwithlimitedresources,highstakes, andenormouspressure.Supportingthemisnotjustanactof environmentalstewardship—it’samoralimperative.
Butsupportismorethanjustwritingacheckorsharingasocial mediapost.It’saboutunderstandingthehumanstoriesbehindthe mission,identifyingtheirneeds,andinvestingintheirpotential withsincerityandpersistence.So,howcanweeffectivelysupport cleanenergyleaders?
ListentoTheirStories
Beforewestrategize,wemusthumanize.Cleanenergyleaders arepeoplefirst—manydrivenbydeeplypersonalexperiences. Somecomefromcommunitiesdisproportionatelyaffectedby climatechange.Otherswereinspiredbymentors,orby witnessingthedestructiveimpactoffossilfuelsfirsthand.
TakeforinstanceMaria,ayoungengineerfromthePhilippines whodevelopedlow-costsolarkitsforflood-pronevillages.Her workstartedafteradevastatingtyphoonlefthertownwithout electricityforweeks.Whenwelistentothesestories,weconnect emotionally—andemotionalinvestmentfuelslong-termsupport.
ProvideConsistentFundingandFinancialStability
Fundingisthelifebloodofinnovation,yetcleanenergyventures oftenfacedauntingbarrierstocapital.Unliketraditionalenergy companieswithlong-standingbacking,cleanenergy startups—especiallythoseledbyunderrepresented individuals—oftenstruggletosecureearly-stagefunding.
Supportheremeansthinkinglong-term.Venturecapitalists, impactinvestors,andevengovernmentbodiesmustrethink theirapproachtoriskandreturn.Cleanenergyprojectsmay takelongertobecomeprofitable,buttheirsocietalreturnis massive.Grants,low-interestloans,andinnovation-friendly taxpoliciescanalsobegame-changers.
Individualscanalsocontribute.Crowdfundingplatforms thatbackcleanenergyinitiatives,communitysolarco-ops, orgreeninvestmentfundsallowordinarypeopletobecome partofthesolution.
CreateSpacesforCollaborationandMentorship
Cleanenergyleadersthriveinecosystems—notinsilos. Theyneedaccesstomentors,researchers,engineers, marketers,andpolicymakerswhocanamplifytheirimpact. Thisisespeciallytrueforthoseworkinginisolatedor underservedregions.
Buildingincubators,innovationhubs,orevenonline communitiesfocusedoncleanenergycancreatearich groundforideaexchange.Encouragingcross-sector collaboration—betweenuniversities,governments,tech firms,andgrassrootsgroups—canunlocknewsynergies.
Mentorshipisalsovital.Afirst-timefoundermightnot knowhowtonavigateregulatoryhurdlesorbuildascalable businessmodel.Pairingthemwithseasonedprofessionals ensuresthey’renotwalkingtheroadalone.
AdvocateforPolicyReform
Supportingcleanenergyleadersalsomeansfightingforthe policyframeworksthatempowerthem.Manyare constrainedbyoutdatedlaws,fossil-fuelsubsidies,oralack ofregulatoryclarity
Citizenscanwritetotheirrepresentatives,joinadvocacy campaigns,andvoteforleaderswhoprioritize sustainability.Advocacygroupscanpushforrenewable energystandards,researchgrants,andclimate-smart infrastructure.Andthemediacanelevatetheseissuesinthe publicconversation.
Goodpolicydoesn’tjusthelpprojectssucceed—itmakes cleanenergythenormratherthantheexception.
CelebrateTheirWins—BigandSmall
Asincerepatonthebackgoesalongway.Manyclean energyleadersworkinobscurity,withouttherecognition theireffortsdeserve.Publiclycelebratingtheir milestones—throughawards,storytelling,presscoverage, orcommunityevents—providesbothmoraleand momentum.
Wemustnormalizepraisingtheprocess,notjustthe product.Evenfailedexperiments,whenapproachedwith transparencyandresilience,arestepsforwardininnovation.
SupportTheirMentalHealthandWellbeing
Behindthespreadsheetsandsolarpanelsarehumanbeings oftenbattlingburnout,loneliness,andself-doubt.The emotionaltolloftryingto“savetheplanet”canbeheavy, especiallywhenprogressfeelssloworoppositionfierce.
Wecansupportcleanenergyleadersbyfostering communitiesofcare.Whetherit’speersupportgroups, leadershipretreats,therapygrants,orsimplymakingspace forvulnerability—empathymustbepartofthesolution. Sustainableleadershipstartswithsustainablepeople.
BeaCleanEnergyLeaderinYourOwnLife
Finally,themostpowerfulwaytosupportcleanenergy leadersisto join them Youdon’tneedaPhDorastartupto bepartofthemovement.Switchingtorenewableenergy, advocatinginyourworkplace,installingsolarpanels, drivinganEV,oreducatingyourchildrenaboutclimate changealladdweighttothecause.
Youractionssendasignal.Theyshowthatcleanenergy leadersarenotalone—thatsocietyismovingwiththem,not againstthem.
Conclusion
Supportingcleanenergyleadersisnotapassivetask.It demandsengagement,humility,andcompassion.It’sabout removingbarriers,buildingbridges,andcelebrating progress.
Let’srememberthateverywindturbine,everysolarpanel, everysustainableinnovationbeganassomeone’s dream—nurturedwithcourage,sacrifice,andhope.Ifwe canstandbehindthosedreams,wedon’tjustpowerhomes orcities.Wepowerhumanity’sfuture.
