Episode 9
Ep. 9. "Why do Companies with Sustainable Business Practices Succeed?" with Joanna Pydo, Investor Relations, and ESG Strategist
☑️In Episode 9 of the Re:Think Podcast "Why do Companies with Sustainable Business Practices Succeed?" our host Nicoleta Talpes is joined by Joanna Pydo, Investor Relations, and ESG Strategist for a discussion about sustainable companies, sustainable business practices, ESG data.
☑️In today’s business world, being responsible for the environment and society is no longer an optional extra. When it comes to the attributes we value in companies, sustainability is moving higher and higher. What lies at the heart of sustainably conscious companies? Why do Companies with Sustainable Business Practices Succeed?
☑️Joanna Pydo is an Investor Relations, ESG Strategist, Trusted Advisor to Board Members and Owners with 15 years of capital markets experience in the following sectors: technology (software – SaaS, TSL, IoT, Blockchain, Fintech, Gaming), ICT distribution, energy/utilities (RES, energy distribution), wood-based panel industry and building materials, minerals and mining, healthcare (Medtech and Healthcare Services), real-estate (residentials), Private Equity and Private Debt. She has management experience with international multi-entity structures and has engaged in numerous IPO, SPO, M&A, debt issuance, and refinancing transactions.
☑️Joanna has degrees in Finance and Banking from the University of Economics in Poznan, Poland, and a Master of Arts in Global Political Economy at the University in Kassel, Germany. She participated in executive training such as ‘Strategy implementation, Business development, Business Design, and Innovation management by the TUM School of Management and ‘Private Equity and Venture Capital by the SDA Bocconi School of Management.
☑️Since 2019 she is a mentor to technology startups at the MIT Enterprise Forum CEE – program affiliated by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a voluntary expert at the Social Impact Alliance for CEE.
☑️Since 2021, an Expert at the Climate Leadership powered by UN Environment - program organized by the UNEP/GRID-Warsaw Centre.
☑️She successfully develops comprehensive global investor relations programs by taking a company strategy, corporate governance, and ESG factors, and turning them into a persuasive investment case in line with local and international regulations and best practices.
☑️Since then, she has been advising companies on Environmental, Social, and Governance strategies, ESG reporting, and ESG storytelling to capital markets. I educate and bring awareness about ESG to C-Suite Executives, IR Officers, and Corporate Communications Department through strategic and operational ESG training and advice about increasing shareholders' activism in the environmental, and social areas, and issue management (crisis communications).
Episode 8
Ep.8: "Employee Engagement, What Else?" with Inge Van Belle, Co-Founder Herculean Alliance
☑️In Episode 8 of the Re:Think Podcast "Employee Engagement, What Else?" our host Nicoleta Talpes is joined by Inge Van Belle, Co-Founder Herculean Alliance for a discussion about mental health, companies’ culture, communication, leadership, sustainability knowledge, and competence within the company, the book ”Employee Engagement, What Else?”
☑️ Inge van Belle is the Co-founder of Herculean Alliance, the Belgium and UAE based organisation that specializes in employee engagement. Inge has been active in 10 countries advising organizations to tackle the challenge of disengaged employees.
☑️ Her team’s approach is based on consulting, events, and an HR tech platform. During the Corona crisis, Inge’s company started the Employee Engagement Awards initiative. Together with partners like Nespresso, Microsoft, and ISS, they encourage companies, small and big, to submit their extraordinary stories of employees going the extra mile during these challenging times. Inge’s tagline is: “We rise by lifting others.”
☑️As the founder of Pink Ladies Games and Herculix Foundation, she is a strong advocate of social entrepreneurship. She actively supports and promotes the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, more specifically SDG 3 (Good health and Well-being) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).
☑️About the book “Employee Engagement, what else!”
• The book analyses the 12 drivers of employee engagement, illustrated by numerous inspiring customer cases.
• It also gives business leaders a useful toolkit to up their engagement game, by using best practices from other areas like marketing and technology.
• The book has been published end of January in Europe and is currently being translated and adapted to the UAE market with local cases and experts.
Episode 7
Ep. 7: "Water is the new gold: How Businesses and Society Can Address The Water Scarcity Crisis" with Edurne Gil de San Vicente, Program Director, WaterAlliance
☑️Re: Think Podcast Ep.7: Water is the new gold: How Businesses and Society Can Address The Water Scarcity Crisis with Edurne Gil de San Vicente, Program Director, WaterAlliance
☑️According to experts, in the 21st century, “blue gold” will replace “black gold” (oil). To businesses, all economies, and the ecosystems that provide the natural capital for those economies, water scarcity represents the most significant risk imaginable. The key threat inherent in scarcity is that water cannot be replaced.
☑️Climate change is already causing extreme events in many watersheds, impacting communities. Recent studies show that water is one of the most vulnerable sectors, set to impact the greatest number of countries relative to the other sectors. According to McKinsey, two-thirds of businesses face substantial water risk, indirect operations, or in their value chain.
☑️Our guest for this episode is Edurne Gil de San Vicente, Program Manager and Sustainability Enabler at Water Alliance. Join us for a discussion on How does water scarcity affects businesses? What is the impact of these water crises? What is the role of awareness-raising campaigns? What is the role of awareness-raising campaigns? How is UAE rethinking the use of resources?
☑️Edurne Gil de San Vicente, Program Director, Water Alliance has been an advocate for sustainable practices and responsible consumption for 20 years. She has been promoting systems shift pivoting toward Sustainability, working with different stakeholders in public, private, and non-profit sectors.
☑️ Driven by impact, Edurne has developed programs, engaged in policymaking, and played advocacy roles across Europe and in the UAE. She now focuses on youth empowerment through her work at Water Alliance, a Dubai-based NGO. Enabling and mentoring the next generation of water stewards, Edurne encourages youth to take action and become change agents in their communities for a more sustainable and inclusive future for all.
Episode 6
Ep. 6: "Connecting art, technology, and finance to support social impact" with Roksana CIURYSEK - GEDIR, Artist, Chairwoman of Impact Advisory Board at White Oak Global Advisors, LLC
☑️ In Episode 6: of ReThink “Connecting art, technology, and finance to support social impact” our host Nicoleta Talpes is joined by Roksana CIURYSEK - GEDIR, Artist, Chairwoman of Impact Advisory Board at White Oak Global Advisors, LLC for a discussion about Art, Technology & Climate Change.
☑️ Roksana Ciurysek-Gedir is an artist, entrepreneur, and financier passionate about sustainability and future-led innovations. She is the Chairwoman of the Impact Advisory Board for the White Oak Global Advisors, founder of Possible X, and global advisor to CEOs. She is known for fusing art, finance, and technology to challenge the status quo across a number of different industries.
☑️ As a banker and financier, Roksana was Deputy CEO, Vice President of the Management of Bank Pekao S.A. in Poland, and Head of the UK Ultra High Net-Worth Client Team at Credit Suisse. Previously to this, she has managed large portfolios at Edmond de Rothschild, Merrill Lynch, JPMorgan, and EBRD. Her banking experience ranges from corporate finance, and wealth management to investment banking.
☑️ As an artist, Roksana is fascinated with the relationship between photography, design, technology, and ethically sourced gemstones. She is an Artist in Residence for Faberge where she explores the complex relationship between luxury, contemporary art, and sustainability. She has collaborated with artists like Terry O’Neill, and her art has been exhibited all over the world, including the International Art Exhibition in Azerbaijan in 2010, Serpentine Pavillion in London in 2019, World Economic Forum 2018-2020, as well as Saudi Cup 2020.
☑️ In 2008 she has been recognised by the prestigious Newsweek Poland Award for her efforts in deepening British-Polish relations alongside Polish President in exile Kaczorowski, and historian Norman Davies. In 2014 she has been named Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.
☑️ She is a CFA® Charterholder and holds a Bachelors in Engineering and Masters degree in Management and Economics from the Technical University of Gdansk, Poland.
Episode 5
Ep. 5: “A Time to Humanize Business”- Mariam FARAG, Founder of Humanizing Brands & Global Keynote Speaker
☑️ ‘Re:Think – Talks that matter’ podcast brings together bright minds, thought-leadership insight, and inspiring sustainable development actions.
☑️ In Episode 4 of ReThink “A Time to Humanize Business” our host Nicoleta Talpes is joined by Mariam Farag, Founder of Humanizing Brands & Global Keynote Speaker for a discussion about tech for good, women empowerment and how can we raise awareness about mental health.
☑️ Mariam Farag is a businesswoman, media specialist, humanitarian and international keynote speaker. She is also the Founder of Humanizing Brands, through which she helps businesses and media develop and implement global strategies and values for sustainable, diverse, and inclusive operations.
☑️ Prior to this, Mariam led one of the MENA region’s top media conglomerates, MBC Group, where she established impactful partnerships as the Founding Head of Brand Reputation, Communications & Social Impact. She also headed a number of CSR initiatives, including a Ramadan program centered on changing attitudes towards refugees that generated an audience of 25 million.
☑️ Her previous roles involved initiating partnerships and outreach programs that addressed the problems plaguing the youth and community. She has also worked alongside global NGOs such as UNICEF and SOS Children’s Villages. Her efforts have been acknowledged, Mariam received the Humanitarian of the Year Award at the C3 Summit during the UN General Assembly in NYC.
☑️ Mariam is passionate about media for impact and harnesses technology to give a voice to the voiceless. She is often invited to speak at regional and international media and forums, such as TEDx, where she delivers motivational keynotes on tech for good, women empowerment, community impact, and youth development.
Episode 4
Ep. 4: "UNITE Events & Promoting the Principles of Responsible Business ": Alastair Lidel CEO & Founder at The Private Investment Group & UNITE Events
☑️ Episode 4 of ReThink "UNITE Events & Promoting the Principles of Responsible Business" focuses on ESG initiatives within the GCC, impact investment, the benefits of supporting responsible business principles, ESG principles promoted and implemented by Formula 1, and why UNITE Events has chosen Monaco during the Grand Prix as a next event location.
☑️ Our host Nicoleta Talpes is joined by Alastair Lidel CEO & Founder at The Private Investment Group & UNITE Events, a seasoned leader with vast experience in many verticals over the last 15 years. Specializing in Fundraising, Portfolio Advisory, Fund Placement, and Corporate Leadership and having lived and worked in London, Switzerland, Monaco and the Middle East enjoys one of the most enviable networks globally.
☑️ Mr. Lidel learned his craft working with some of the largest and most private Families throughout Europe and the Middle East, helping them to identify new emerging markets in which to diversify their portfolios to protect and ensure sustained growth.
☑️What is UNITE?
☑️The World is undergoing a paradigm shift and many aspects of business are changing and will need to change to allow us to continue our business journey in a safe, secure, and progressive manner. Today knowledge, sharing the correct insights and cooperation is vital for any business and region around the world.
☑️UNITE aims to reignite discussions and forge new partnerships so that physical interactions can only be achieved. UNITE is a concept that can also be found in Monaco, Zurich, New York, to allow both public and private sector wealth to meet and engage with other governments and private wealth from around the world. With a guest list of family offices, funds, U/HNWI, multinational companies, and fast growth businesses UNITE Events is set to raise the bar and bring together the pioneers and agents of change from the full global spectrum of business under one roof.
☑️Find out More
Episode 2
Ep. 2: "Renewables - the cheapest source of power" : Founder and Chair of the Masdar Institute Solar Platform (MISP) and Professor of Sustainable Energy at Khalifa University
Welcome to ReThink: the podcast offered to you by The Private Investment Group, that brings together bright minds, thought-leadership insight, and inspiring sustainable development actions. With each guest, we want to inspire action and provoke talks that matter.
Episode 2 of the podcast, "Renewables - the cheapest source of power" is dedicated to topics such as Net-zero Economy, SDG7:Clean Energy, Turning challenges into opportunities, Cutting-edge technologies, Long-term objectives.
About the guest: Dr. Nicolas Calvet, Founder, and Chair of the Masdar Institute Solar Platform (MISP) first facility in the UAE dedicated to concentrated solar power & thermal energy storage R&D. Professor of Sustainable Energy at Khalifa University. Representing the UAE at the SolarPACES Executive Committee, part of the International Energy Agency. Entrepreneur. Co-founder of Seramic Materials, pioneer in recycled ceramics.
BIOGRAPHY: Dr. Nicolas obtained his Ph.D. in Engineering Science (Energy and Environment) in 2010 at the PROMES CNRS Laboratory in France. His thesis was about different thermal energy storage (TES) materials and processes, using latent and sensible heat from low to high temperatures.
In 2011, he joined the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in USA working on heat transfer fluids in the concentrated solar power (CSP) group. In 2012, he joined the CIC Energigune Energy Cooperative Research Centre in Spain where he kept working on thermal energy storage materials and systems.
Finally, in 2013, he joined Masdar Institute of Science and Technology in the United Arab Emirates as an Assistant Professor. He is the chair of the Masdar Institute Solar Platform, the first research, and development platform in the UAE, entirely dedicated to CSP and TES. Finally, he is the official UAE representative alternate at the SolarPACES Executive Committee, a technology collaboration program from the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Episode 3
Ep. 3: "Join the Good Movement": Marc Cirera, Founder, COMPANIES FOR GOOD
Welcome to ReThink: the podcast offered to you by The Private Investment Group, that brings together bright minds, thought-leadership insight, and inspiring sustainable development actions. With each guest, we want to inspire action and provoke talks that matter.
Episode 3 of the podcast, Join the Good Movement" is dedicated to topics such as doing good, transition to sustainable business, ethics of business, CSR ecosystem in the region, types of CSR activities & measuring the impact, systemic changes, and implications of a real change in society.
About the guest: Mark Cirera is the Founder & CEO of Companies for Good, a social enterprise designed to help businesses change for good. Marc is a business ethics and CSR specialist with a clear vision: a world where companies operate in a more sustainable and responsible way.
BIOGRAPHY: A born entrepreneur, Marc was introduced into the business world at a very early age. At 19, Marc set up his first business in hospitality while studying Economy & Business Administration in Barcelona.
Marc ran the business for four years, then sold it and used the profits to pursue his Master’s in Business Ethics in Sydney. After graduation, Marc moved to London where he worked at a communications consultancy, Radley Yeldar, as an Employee Engagement & Sustainability consultant for 5 years.
He helped multinational companies, such as Rolls-Royce, ABB, Nivea, and Cargill, become stronger by putting ethics, values, and CSR at the heart of their organisations.
Marc landed in Dubai in 2015 and joined the sustainability team of the luxury retail giant Chalhoub Group. In parallel to the full-time job he developed and launched Companies for Good (in May 2017) and has been fully dedicated to the social impact start-up since November 2018.
Episode 1
Giving Voice to Sustainability in UAE: Obediah AYTON, Chief Operating Officer, TPIG
Welcome to ReThink: the podcast offered to you by The Private Investment Group, that brings together bright minds, thought-leadership insight, and inspiring sustainable development actions.
With each guest, we want to inspire action and provoke talks that matter. The first episode of the podcast is dedicated to topics such as sustainable business, sustainable investment, and ESG.
About the guest: Obediah AYTON, Chief Operating Officer for The Private Investment Group. With 7 years of private wealth experience, Obediah has a proven ability to successfully build and grow a business platform across sovereign wealth funds, government, corporate, and local family offices in all regions of the world.
What is Re:Think
In the last two years, we have experienced quite a period of disruption, and more than ever, the business environment needs to
rethink its ‘business as usual'.
We collectively realized the need to build a more inclusive and resilient society to the digital transformation and the urgency of
conserving limited resources and protecting nature.
The way out of the current crisis cannot be more of the same: the COVID-19 pandemic requires to move towards responsible business, with more emphasis on sustainability and circularity and accelerating the necessary transition to a low carbon economy.
At TPIG, we believe that adopting responsible investing principles and promoting through the business community the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards is an essential part of the long-term success of any business.
In line with this belief, we are announcing our podcast Re:Think - Talks That Matter: thought-leadership, insight, and debate alongside best practices and innovation, presenting solutions and inspiring sustainable development action with local and global insights.
Why?
Our mission is to inspire action and accelerate transitions to sustainable business models after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our objectives:
• Inspire companies to reduce their negative impacts while enhancing their positive contribution to the Sustainable Development Agenda and integrating ESG principles in their business.
• Providing executives with the essential tools to take a more conscious approach to impact and business.
• Change mindsets when it comes to financial decision-making presenting best ESG practices and research.
• Providing sustainability insights on the UAE region and globally.
How?
• Re:Think - thalks that matter - A Podcast by The Private Investment Group
• Bimonthly, 30 minutes interviews using for-profit approaches in surprising and creative ways to drive social and environmental impact.
• Covering subjects such as public and private equity and ESG best practices, news, and research, including the impact of climate on investing and corporate social responsibility.
Our Host
Nicoleta Talpes
Senior Key Account Manager at The Private Investment Group
Entrepreneur, business development, and strategic communications expert with a 14+ year track record of advising large companies, SMEs, and start-ups, creating growth and impact organizations.
As a promoter of strategic partnerships, she worked closely with government organizations and diplomatic missions in order to
promote policies that support sustainable development.
Nicoleta joined TPIG with a mission to mobilize capital for building a more global sustainable business environment and to make a positive impact on global society through the private sector.
