Not Your Average Sustainability Expert
By Natalie Sifuma
Honeysuckle memories effortlessly float into Shreya Ghodawat’s mind when she recounts her childhood. Growing up in a village in India exposed her to a lot of things that worked to define her character. For starters, if she broke something, she learned to fix it; if she wasn’t happy with how things were going, she spoke up about it; and if she wasn’t borrowing tips and tricks on recycling various items, she was tucked away in a corner, head bent over one book in particular: Chicken Soup for the Soul.
The traditional setup of her upbringing also allowed Shreya to witness and subsequently understand the sustainable traditions of a conventional Indian household, and having lived close to the grassroots shaped her perspective towards the planet. Her curiosity inched her closer to the world beyond her everyday bubble, and in time, gave her a well-rounded worldview. It was therefore no surprise that by the time she was 17, Shreya was a climate entrepreneur by her own right.
When she turned 18, she moved to Singapore to pursue an undergraduate degree in Sociology. Here she saw a world different yet similar to the one she’d been nurtured in. University lectures and engagement with other students introduced her to terms that were new to her vocabulary, but that rang true to her personality and experience. One such eureka moment was during one of her modules on the Sociology of Food which helped Shreya dive into veganism with all her might. The class taught her about the devastating effect of climate change on dairy and meat, and this caused a shift within her. Overnight, Shreya adopted a new diet - as a vegan. But this was only the beginning.
School further exposed her to concepts around feminism, environmental activism and gender inclusivity. These gave Shreya a heightened sense of belonging and purpose, adding meaning to what her peers once perceived as mere rebellion. But what convention calls ‘rebellious’ is often just a brave woman chalking her own path amidst the roadblocks of naysayers. Her version of this rebellion was to challenge herself further, by taking a double major in Gender Studies and Sociology.
Her choice of focus, some would say, was bold – but Shreya is the kind of woman who has a sense of steel that compliments her gentle and kind nature. After school, she affirmed to build her professional profile and was resolute in her decision to do work that was impactful for both women and the planet.
Backed by her values, Shreya dipped her toes in Sustainability Communications, before venturing off into the Fintech space, where, once again, sustainable practices and solutions were at the core of her entrepreneurial values.
Because her work was taking her to different parts of Europe and Asia, an ever-proactive Shreya was encouraged to start Sustainable Guides, a digital magazine and travel guide provider that prioritized sustainable travel. As she built her experience, so did she build her resilience as a young, brown-skinned woman. Navigating waters designed to be chartered by men was far from easy, but Shreya’s stubbornness wouldn’t let her back down whenever she was faced with incidents that undermined her ability to get things done.
Her voice, like her mind, is her weapon, and one she uses to uplift women and marginalized communities – particularly those from her home country.
In the progression of her career, Shreya has constantly challenged her own capabilities, venturing into new territories that fuel the climate awareness she intends to create. Using her voice for the greater good, she often leverages the platforms she is invited to speak on- to spread the word for climate action. She also works closely with local government bodies to implement and execute key SDG strategies. Having authored a series of soon-to-be-published sustainable guides for travelers and seekers alike; Shreya is also at the precipice of an ambitious podcast launch.
Her new ventures aim to break the barriers of communication across gender, age and identity gaps, making climate conversations easier, more accessible and open to all who wish to make an impact.
Early in 2023, Shreya’s work was introduced to SHE Changes Climate. Her values stood out too, and she gracefully accepted to be our SHE Changes Climate Ambassador in India. On 8th March 2023 she organized an event for International Women’s Day in India, and on 5th June, she joined us in Geneva for World Environment Day to share insights and solutions on how countries and organizations in the Global North can work closely with communities in the frontline of climate impacts for a better, more sustainable future.
Shreya is a climate optimist, and her solution driven approach reflects her vision, making it hard to not see the hope for a better future.
