The power of social purpose
The Sixty7.green family is growing and is delighted to welcome another Business in the Community Alumni to the team.
Sophia’s interest in the power of social purpose started with a university dissertation on 18th Century Philanthropy and the motivations for philanthropic giving, but she never thought studying the historical importance of it would lead her into a career focused on creating and delivering change for people and the planet.
Starting a career in London’s Legal and Investment Banking sectors, Sophia soon realised the opportunity to support leaders to recognise the power behind purposeful leadership. A post graduate qualification in charity management led her to a public speaking charity. In Sophia’s words, ‘giving people a voice and confidence to speak up and out is fundamental to equality and access to justice. It can also inspire greater social cohesion and reduce seemingly insurmountable barriers.’
Building on these foundations, Sophia went on to lead Business in the Community’s flagship responsible leadership programme - Seeing is Believing. This programme uses experiential learning to inspire business leaders to act on key social and environmental corporate responsibility issues. Proudly, the programme inspired a suite of similar initiatives right across The Prince’s Charitable Network and beyond.
‘In my experience, when people come together, with even a slightly open mind or curiosity, great things can happen. This is where innovation is often seeded, and then acted upon and cascaded.’ During Sophia’s time with Telefonica at Think Big, for example, young people were given permission and gained confidence to think outside of the box. This approach empowered them to take action and make change.
Similarly, during Sophia’s time with The Officers’ Association a collaboration with Deloitte led to Veterans Work, a collaborative campaign using the arts and media to encourage businesses to abandon negative stereotypes associated with employing ex-military personnel.
A more unconventional turning point in Sophia’s career was a sabbatical in Monestevole, Italy. This provided an opportunity to delve into the ever-expanding world of sustainable food and farming and led to Sophia working with an inspiring team at The Soil Association. Here they developed the Association’s Healthy and Sustainable Diets Strategy. This was at a time when access to good, healthy, nutritious and climate friendly food has never been more important. Programmes like Food For Life (which Sophia lead), demonstrated the power that consumers and individuals have to use food as a lever for change to an ever-increasing societal and economic global challenges.
And to now. Sophia says that she is ‘super-excited to be working alongside like-minded colleagues at Sixty7.green, many of whom I’ve previously worked with at inspiring charities, as well as with some extremely talented and motivated young people starting their career journey. My experience today, reinforces my belief that there is power behind bringing great minds together. And through this, change is possible.’
Sophia Koniarska is a senior responsible business consultant with Sixty7.green, based in the South West of England. When she is not consulting, she enjoys surfing, exploring the coast and supporting her partner running an equine hospital in Devon.
