Montreux, 7 April 2022: The four recipients of the 2021 Leading Women Awards (LWA) were announced in Montreux at the annual Liaison Delegate Meeting of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). The Awards are designed to recognize outstanding female leaders and to showcase their work in sustainability towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Every year WBCSD recognizes the outstanding business leadership of women who are working in ensuring that sustainability is embedded in their company’s strategy while addressing the world’s three most pressing challenges – the climate crisis, nature loss and mounting inequalities. This year as in 2020, we kept the special category open to businesses worldwide, to acknowledge women who have demonstrated exemplary leadership during the COVID-19 crisis.
The recipients of the 2021 Awards are as follows:
-
EXCELLENCE: a female leader for her sustained and outstanding contribution to advancing sustainability within a WBCSD member company.
- Hanane Mourchid, Executive Director Sustainability & Green Industrial Development at OCP Group (Morocco)
-
Exemplary leadership during the COVID-19 crisis: Recognizing women from businesses all over the world who are leading with passion and impact during the COVID-19 crisis
- Hassina Moukhariq, International Portfolio Lead at OCP Foundation (Morocco)
- Antonella Pellegrini, Sustainability and Community Relation Manager at ENEL (Chile)
- Latika Sharma, Procurement and Supply Chain Manager at NESTLÉ (India)
Each recipient receives a bursary for the 2022 LEAP program covering all of their tuition expenses.
LEAP is an executive program for women that strives to build the diverse and inclusive leadership that is needed to sustainably transform the systems that underpin our world. It aims to help women reach senior positions in their companies and ensure that sustainability is embedded in their leadership and included in their company strategy.
WBCSD’s work on advancing SDG 5 – ‘Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls’ - and driving transformation started in November 2016 with the launch of the LWA. The objective was to contribute to achieving gender equality, empowering all women and increasing the presence of women in leadership positions.
Quotes from the 2021 Leading Women Award recipients
Hanane Mourchid, Sustainability & Green Industrial Development Director at OCP Group (Morocco)
“It is a real honor to be receiving this award. I want to thank WBCSD on behalf of all my colleagues who are working hard to build a better future. I am truly fortunate to be part of OCP Group, with sustainability in its DNA, and an ecosystem harnessing the potential of diverse workforce. My gratitude goes to our Chairman and CEO Mr. Mostafa Terrab, who helped OCP women break the glass ceiling. Let’s #breakthebias.”
Hassina Moukhariq, International Portfolio Lead at OCP Foundation (Morocco)
“This award is not only an acknowledgment of OCP Foundation’s work, but also for the communities we work with. They are an inspiration as they work for brighter futures for the whole continent; especially women. Even against the challenges that COVID-19 has posed, their desire to progress is stronger than ever. Africans will not only increasingly solve Africa’s challenges, but we will help the world build a sustainable future.”
Antonella Pellegrini, Manager at ENEL (Chile)
“I am honored to be part of this community enhancing sustainability in different industries. I feel proud to share the LWA with Enel´s team, the Women Innovation Lab of Enel Chile and the women of the Chilean communities we work with - all extraordinary leaders who boost sustainable growth for everyone”
Latika Sharma, Procurement and Supply Chain Manager at NESTLÉ (India)
“We’re responsible for ensuring a sustainable planet for the future generations. This award is a perfect example of the numerous opportunities that Nestlé provides its employees to make a positive contribution. It’s a symbol of respect and acceptance of a greater responsibility for our entire team that worked relentlessly. Let’s be able to inspire!”
