Leaders Making a Difference
International Women’s Day (IWD)
As a part of our Leaders Making a Difference (LMD) interview series, every March and into April, dss+ draws special focus on women leaders from around the globe. Through engaging conversations, they share their insights and stories - and collectively reflect on the vast array of challenges faced by the business community. We’re proud to provide this platform, highlighting the incredible impact they all have, across a broad range of roles, sectors, and countries.
Meet the Leaders
2025
LMD IWD dss+ Ambassador
Cedric Parentelli
Managing Director, Asia Pacific
cedric.parentelli@consultdss.com
Cédric Parentelli, Managing Director at dss+, is the 2025 Ambassador for the dss+ Leaders Making a Difference initiative. With extensive experience in leading organisations and driving large-scale transformations, he has successfully guided teams and businesses toward higher performance and sustainable growth. Cédric celebrates great leadership practices, and believes that teamwork, happiness, and the ability to win hearts and minds are essential leadership qualities.
Born and raised on a Kuwaiti oil field, Sara Akbar’s early experiences strongly shaped her career. As a chemical petroleum engineer and one of the first women CEOs in the Arabian oil industry, Sara is passionate about female empowerment, mentoring tomorrow’s talent and championing her industry and country. Sara talks to dss+ about how determination, transparency and going the extra mile have helped support her journey.
Elim’s three-decade career has taken her from finance to forestry to sustainability. In that time, she has learned that true leadership comes from active listening, understanding different perspectives and having the confidence to drive change even in the face of challenges.
Wendi Bains, Chief Safety & Sustainability Officer at Fletcher Building, discusses the company's journey to a world-class safety culture. Following a reassessment after a series of fatalities, Fletcher Building shifted from compliance to commitment, empowered line-led safety, and achieved a remarkable 90% reduction in serious injuries.
Tina Van Hoecke, Global Senior Channel Manager Organised Chains for Arla Foods, possesses extensive experience, an open mindset, and a passion for the foodservice industry. Tina explains why she thrives in a dynamic, challenging, and exciting international environment and how resilience and cultural collaboration are key to shaping the future, driving value, and bringing solutions to organised chains.
Fuelled by curiosity and a passion for learning, Retno has launched herself into the male-dominated mining industry in Indonesia over three decades ago. Today, she is a fearless advocate of safety; and hopes to inspire the next generation through thoughtful guidance and mentorship.
Born and raised on a Kuwaiti oil field, Sara Akbar’s early experiences strongly shaped her career. As a chemical petroleum engineer and one of the first women CEOs in the Arabian oil industry, Sara is passionate about female empowerment, mentoring tomorrow’s talent and championing her industry and country. Sara talks to dss+ about how determination, transparency and going the extra mile have helped support her journey.
Elim’s three-decade career has taken her from finance to forestry to sustainability. In that time, she has learned that true leadership comes from active listening, understanding different perspectives and having the confidence to drive change even in the face of challenges.
Wendi Bains, Chief Safety & Sustainability Officer at Fletcher Building, discusses the company's journey to a world-class safety culture. Following a reassessment after a series of fatalities, Fletcher Building shifted from compliance to commitment, empowered line-led safety, and achieved a remarkable 90% reduction in serious injuries.
Tina Van Hoecke, Global Senior Channel Manager Organised Chains for Arla Foods, possesses extensive experience, an open mindset, and a passion for the foodservice industry. Tina explains why she thrives in a dynamic, challenging, and exciting international environment and how resilience and cultural collaboration are key to shaping the future, driving value, and bringing solutions to organised chains.
Fuelled by curiosity and a passion for learning, Retno has launched herself into the male-dominated mining industry in Indonesia over three decades ago. Today, she is a fearless advocate of safety; and hopes to inspire the next generation through thoughtful guidance and mentorship.
Driven by a quest for greater efficiency and a sharp focus on transforming organizational culture, Daniela serves as the Vice-president of Grupo SADA, overseeing various strategic areas and supporting over 30 companies within the Group.
Virginie Le Barbu is on a mission to convert as many people as possible into sustainability champions to accelerate the adoption of more sustainable business models and practices. Here Virginie shares her expertise and insights, discussing the role of the technology industry to drive global sustainability initiatives that will help ensure a more sustainable future.
For Sara Peña Astorquia, sustainability represents a way of understanding life and how the world should work. Now as Sustainability Director at Zelestra, an energy company on a mission to make decarbonisation a reality, Sara explains how empathy, communication, and international outlook have combined to ensure sustainability programmes make a lasting impact.
From managing complex industrial assets to leading cultural transformation projects, Mar Perrote is an enthusiastic advocate of multiculturalism, a mindset that has seen her work in five countries across three continents. Now, as a Global Head of Health, Safety, Environment and Quality (HSEQ) at Moeve, the new brand of the former company Cepsa, she talks to dss+ about drawing on her international experience to drive meaningful change.
A focus on ethical values, a clear ability to strategise and a passion for putting people and planet before profits have helped guide Anna Swaithes to her current position as Chief Sustainability Officer at The Crown Estate. Now working for an organisation responsible for a prime city and substantial rural portfolio, as well as the seabed and half the foreshore around England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Anna explains why being prepared to step into the boots of others and doughnut economics can help improve sustainability goals.
Driven by a quest for greater efficiency and a sharp focus on transforming organizational culture, Daniela serves as the Vice-president of Grupo SADA, overseeing various strategic areas and supporting over 30 companies within the Group.
Virginie Le Barbu is on a mission to convert as many people as possible into sustainability champions to accelerate the adoption of more sustainable business models and practices. Here Virginie shares her expertise and insights, discussing the role of the technology industry to drive global sustainability initiatives that will help ensure a more sustainable future.
For Sara Peña Astorquia, sustainability represents a way of understanding life and how the world should work. Now as Sustainability Director at Zelestra, an energy company on a mission to make decarbonisation a reality, Sara explains how empathy, communication, and international outlook have combined to ensure sustainability programmes make a lasting impact.
From managing complex industrial assets to leading cultural transformation projects, Mar Perrote is an enthusiastic advocate of multiculturalism, a mindset that has seen her work in five countries across three continents. Now, as a Global Head of Health, Safety, Environment and Quality (HSEQ) at Moeve, the new brand of the former company Cepsa, she talks to dss+ about drawing on her international experience to drive meaningful change.
A focus on ethical values, a clear ability to strategise and a passion for putting people and planet before profits have helped guide Anna Swaithes to her current position as Chief Sustainability Officer at The Crown Estate. Now working for an organisation responsible for a prime city and substantial rural portfolio, as well as the seabed and half the foreshore around England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Anna explains why being prepared to step into the boots of others and doughnut economics can help improve sustainability goals.
With a background in chemical engineering, Pınar Çağdaş Duran’s career has been shaped by a mission to raise the bar on safety. As Technical Safety Director at Tüpraş, she tells dss+ how a team approach and a focus on leadership qualities is the best platform for achieving higher safety standards.
With a background in chemical engineering, Pınar Çağdaş Duran’s career has been shaped by a mission to raise the bar on safety. As Technical Safety Director at Tüpraş, she tells dss+ how a team approach and a focus on leadership qualities is the best platform for achieving higher safety standards.
Born and raised on a Kuwaiti oil field, Sara Akbar’s early experiences strongly shaped her career. As a chemical petroleum engineer and one of the first women CEOs in the Arabian oil industry, Sara is passionate about female empowerment, mentoring tomorrow’s talent and championing her industry and country. Sara talks to dss+ about how determination, transparency and going the extra mile have helped support her journey.
Elim’s three-decade career has taken her from finance to forestry to sustainability. In that time, she has learned that true leadership comes from active listening, understanding different perspectives and having the confidence to drive change even in the face of challenges.
Wendi Bains, Chief Safety & Sustainability Officer at Fletcher Building, discusses the company's journey to a world-class safety culture. Following a reassessment after a series of fatalities, Fletcher Building shifted from compliance to commitment, empowered line-led safety, and achieved a remarkable 90% reduction in serious injuries.
Tina Van Hoecke, Global Senior Channel Manager Organised Chains for Arla Foods, possesses extensive experience, an open mindset, and a passion for the foodservice industry. Tina explains why she thrives in a dynamic, challenging, and exciting international environment and how resilience and cultural collaboration are key to shaping the future, driving value, and bringing solutions to organised chains.
Fuelled by curiosity and a passion for learning, Retno has launched herself into the male-dominated mining industry in Indonesia over three decades ago. Today, she is a fearless advocate of safety; and hopes to inspire the next generation through thoughtful guidance and mentorship.
Driven by a quest for greater efficiency and a sharp focus on transforming organizational culture, Daniela serves as the Vice-president of Grupo SADA, overseeing various strategic areas and supporting over 30 companies within the Group.
Virginie Le Barbu is on a mission to convert as many people as possible into sustainability champions to accelerate the adoption of more sustainable business models and practices. Here Virginie shares her expertise and insights, discussing the role of the technology industry to drive global sustainability initiatives that will help ensure a more sustainable future.
For Sara Peña Astorquia, sustainability represents a way of understanding life and how the world should work. Now as Sustainability Director at Zelestra, an energy company on a mission to make decarbonisation a reality, Sara explains how empathy, communication, and international outlook have combined to ensure sustainability programmes make a lasting impact.
From managing complex industrial assets to leading cultural transformation projects, Mar Perrote is an enthusiastic advocate of multiculturalism, a mindset that has seen her work in five countries across three continents. Now, as a Global Head of Health, Safety, Environment and Quality (HSEQ) at Moeve, the new brand of the former company Cepsa, she talks to dss+ about drawing on her international experience to drive meaningful change.
A focus on ethical values, a clear ability to strategise and a passion for putting people and planet before profits have helped guide Anna Swaithes to her current position as Chief Sustainability Officer at The Crown Estate. Now working for an organisation responsible for a prime city and substantial rural portfolio, as well as the seabed and half the foreshore around England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Anna explains why being prepared to step into the boots of others and doughnut economics can help improve sustainability goals.
With a background in chemical engineering, Pınar Çağdaş Duran’s career has been shaped by a mission to raise the bar on safety. As Technical Safety Director at Tüpraş, she tells dss+ how a team approach and a focus on leadership qualities is the best platform for achieving higher safety standards.
2024
