Leading the way… sustainably

By Natalie Sifuma

As we continue working towards an equitable world for people and the planet, SHE Changes Climate seeds of hope are blooming in different parts of the world.  In Ireland, hope for the people and the planet rests on the shoulders of women leaders whose tenacious spirits guarantee a sustainable pathway. Among these women leaders is climate cardinal and SHE Changes Climate Ambassador, Zara Hussey.

Like most women leaders, Zara’s passion for nature stems from a place close to her heart. In her younger years she always found serenity by the ocean. The different hues of blue; the wind in her hair; the freedom of the birds as they flew about the ocean’s vicinity — she felt at peace being in nature.

Much later though, when she joined Trinity College in Dublin to study business, she was in pursuit of a deeper understanding of business challenges, and subsequently upskilling on her ability to solve them.  Zara’s time at Trinity presented endless opportunities, and she grasped as many as she could, eventually coining her personal mission to ‘fix systems from the inside out’. In many ways, it made sense, and it was no coincidence that her name – which means blooming flower – assured her of her purpose. 

While at College, Zara was introduced to and joined Justdiggit where she was reconnected with her interest in nature. The organization’s aim to cool down the planet displayed a worthy cause, and Zara was ready to learn and contribute her time to the cause. She gained entry-level experience within the organization’s Communications department before bidding for the Business Development Representative for Ireland. In 2023, she was awarded Trinity’s Inaugural Sustainability Leadership Award. Today, she’s working with the Climate Cardinals as Communications Lead and remains a proactive member of our global SHE Changes Climate network, as a representative of Ireland.

Zara Hussey at the ESG Summit in 2022