The world today often feels like it is moving backwards (or at best, stagnating) towards gender equality. While major corporations, and indeed certain global powers, backtrack on diversity and inclusivity policies, marking, celebrating, and truly understanding the need for International Women’s Day (8th March) is more important than ever.

UN Women states that at the current pace of progress, a girl born today will be almost 40 before as many women holds seats in UK parliament as men, and UN Environment finds that women are disproportionately impacted by climate change, reporting that 80% of people displaced by climate change are women.

Meanwhile, the lending arm of the European Union, the European Investment Bank, writes in an article by Barbara Balke and Thomas Östros, that “The best way to meet climate goals – and boost profits – is to put women in charge.” Its report found that women-led firms have higher environmental, social, and governance scores than other companies, and that businesses with greater representation of women in leadership positions have better track records of adopting environmentally friendly practices.

Women are inextricably linked with sustainability, whether it is because they are being impacted due to a lack of it or playing a crucial role in spearheading a sustainable future for generations to come.

At Products of Change, we are privileged to know and work alongside a great many of such women, so to celebrate International Women’s Day, we are spotlighting just a few of them, as well as the fantastic work they have been doing.

Caroline Petit, deputy director, United Nations Regional Information Center for Western Europe (UNRIC)

“I am proud to work for the United Nations, where we are committed to marching forward on women’s rights and gender equality. While progress has been made, it has been fragile and uneven. With just five years left to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, we need all hands-on deck. We can change mindsets and habits. Each one of us can contribute to building a future of rights, equality and empowerment, for ALL women and girls. The entertainment industry demonstrates how creative and empowered women can lead the way.” – Caroline Petit.

Harini Manivannan, managing consultant, environmental impact accounting, South Pole

As a Managing Consultant at South Pole, Harini helps businesses measure their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, set ambitious climate targets, and turn sustainability commitments into real impact. Sustainability isn’t just about risk management—it’s about unlocking future opportunities, says Harini. Companies that embed sustainability at their core won’t just outperform their competitors, they’ll shape the future of business and the world we want to live in. Harini sees sustainability not just as an ethical imperative but as a driver of innovation, resilience, and long-term success.

“Sustainability is the key to long-term business success. The companies that lead tomorrow won’t be those that treat it as a checkbox, but those that weave it into their DNA—driving innovation, resilience, and lasting impact. My hope is that one day, sustainability won’t be just a department—it will be how business is done.” – Harini Manivannan.

Brenda Seto, POC Ambassador for Canada and North America

“Working in this industry to help drive sustainability is both a professional commitment and a personal mission, inspired by my upbringing in an immigrant family with a deep respect for the earth, providing a better life for future generations. As the Ambassador for Products of Change in Canada & North America, I am dedicated to integrating sustainability and DEI strategies into projects, believing these are vital for positive global and local impact.  As a woman in the industry, it allows me to lead and inspire others to make a difference no matter how big or small to foster lasting change and economic well-being.  Empowering businesses and individuals for a sustainable impact is not just my role – it’s my passion.” – Brenda Seto.

Jo Seddon, design manager, Dunlem

“Switching materials to more responsibly sourced ones will only take us so far on our path to zero. We need creative thinking and collaboration to take us further. It’s so inspiring to connect with people who are driving innovation in circularity and material science within this industry.

“Following an established career designing products for the home, I am now using my creativity in a different role. My focus areas are Homes of the Future as we adapt to climate change, driving engagement on designing for circularity and collaborating on new technologies in manufacturing which can lower our impact.” – Jo Seddon.

Nicola Torode, head of operational compliance and sustainability, DK Books

Nicola has been spearheading DK’s sustainability journey, as it measures and reduces its carbon impacts, setting a climate neutral target.

“A focus right now is on supporting and educating our colleagues around sustainability and the actions they can take. We’re promoting the notion of collective responsibility as we recognise that the creation of sustainable products and ability to reach our climate neutral target is not something that one person, one team or one department can achieve alone.

“We want to embed sustainable design at the heart of all we do and are developing some really interesting internal training and tools to support our colleagues on this journey.” – Nicola Torode.

Jade Snart, senior manager, non-food sustainability, compliance and packaging, ASDA

Jade leads the sustainability, compliance, and packaging teams across Asda’s non-food side of its business.

“I am deeply passionate about the role I play, not only within our company but also within the wider sustainability community. Being a part of this network has expanded my understanding of the immense climate crisis we face. It also provides me with the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded individuals, industry experts, and work more closely with our customers, colleagues, and supply base. It truly is an honour to be an active member of this community within our industry.” – Jade Snart.

Katy Newnham, founder and director of Wastebuster

Katy founded the educational platform, Wastebuster, to equip and inspire children with resources and an active and positive mindset towards creating a more sustainable future. The resources on Wastebuster are used in schools across the UK, in assembles, lesson plans, and team activities, using film and storytelling to bring the subject to life.

Katy is a force of energy – exactly what the sustainability space needs. Years ago, she was an underwater photographer, capturing the beauty of the natural world, but on a trip to the Great Barrier Reef, she saw firsthand the devastating effects of climate change on our planet. Instead of simply documenting its decline, she decided to take action – and that’s how Wastebuster was born.

Ten years on, Wastebusters has grown into a thriving not-for-profit, providing free environmental education resources to over 27,000 schools and leading impactful programmes such as Switch Off Fortnight, What’s Under Your Feet, Waste Week, Water Week and most recently, Recycle to Read.

Helena Mansell-Stopher, founder and CEO of POC, says: “Katy’s energy, passion, and sheer determination are nothing short of phenomenal. Now, more than ever, we need businesses to support her work and help build a future we can all be proud of.”

And just to end with the UN Women’s theme for this year’s event: “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.”

Happy International Women’s Day to all across the world.