Unlocking the potential of ESG: The essential role of leadership

Von Ute Laun

Marzena Wieckowska, former Head of Global Communications and Community Impact at Amazon, has been a driving force in the company’s ESG initiatives. Her foundation in Sustainable Leadership and experience with international projects have equipped her to tackle complex environmental and social challenges. Marzena believes that leadership is key to successful ESG transformations, emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices and a culture of responsibility. At the upcoming Integrity Europe Conference, she will highlight how effective leadership can embed ESG principles into business operations for long-term sustainability.

Which milestones or key experiences in your personal development led to your engagement in the field of ESG and your current position?

I would underline two. My studies in Sustainable Leadership laid the groundwork for understanding the complexity of ESG and its impact on business. The second was my work on international projects, which exposed me to diverse environmental and social challenges that required innovative and tailor-made solutions. And where there are challenges, there are even more opportunities. I thrive when given hard tasks and work to resolve them.

What are currently the major challenges for multinational corporations with regard to responsible leadership?

The first challenge would be navigating varying regulations across different countries while maintaining consistent standards. However, I don’t see this challenge as fundamentally different from other regulatory requirements multinationals need to comply with. The second challenge is balancing the sometimes conflicting interests or opinions of stakeholders. ESG standards are still at a relatively early stage of development, and are not yet universally understood and embraced.  

What is the key message you want to deliver at the conference?

Leadership plays a pivotal role in driving ESG initiatives. By championing sustainable practices, fostering a culture of responsibility, and leading by example, it’s the leaders who hold the key to successful ESG transformations of their organizations.

We are delighted to welcome Marzena Wieckowska as a keynote speaker at Integrity Europe 2024. Join her for a discussion on sustainable corporate responsibility and future challenges in the global economy. Marzena will share her insights on the importance of leadership in implementing ESG principles and explain how sustainable practices and a culture of responsibility can promote long-term sustainability.