“When I started Women in Sustainability and Environment (Wise) with a group of friends, we envisioned it to be a networking platform across different verticals of sustainability, and given our various areas of expertise, we could come together to collaborate, exchange ideas, and talk among ourselves about how sustainability could evolve in our own spheres.
An organisation like Wise is important because it gives voice to women in the sustainability space as consumers, as investors and increasingly, as professionals. It serves primarily as a networking platform, and we organise events for our members, which number about 150 so far (including a few men). We also look at mentoring the next generation of leaders in sustainability – young women who want to come into the industry and understand each vertical – and
we’re increasingly seeing women who want to pivot from whatever profession they’re already in – say, banking – and take on a role in sustainability.
Following its launch in November 2021, Wise kicked off the new year with its first event, the Sustainability 101 – Let’s Start with the Basics lecture. Last month, our knowledge partner, Singapore Management University (SMU), organised and invited us to its masterclass on sustainable finance.
For International Women’s Day, Wise is commemorating it on March 24, and Jacqueline Poh, the new managing director of Economic Development Board (EDB), will come to SMU to speak about EDB’s initiatives in sustainability, and the role of women for the future economy.
As we talk about sustainability, awareness and what we can do in our own lives, women’s voices are vital.
Trina Liang
I think it’s important to have a gendered perspective on sustainability. A 2019 report by PricewaterhouseCoopers states that some 70 per cent of brand consumption decisions are made by women, and an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development report that was just published said women are the most important influencers, whether in the family or the community. So as we talk about sustainability, awareness and what we can do in our own lives, women’s voices are vital.”
Photography: Veronica Tay
Art Direction: Ray Ticsay & Adeline Eng
Styling: Lena Kamarudin & Windy Aulia
Hair: Sean Ang, Angel Gwee, Shaikh Madiha Sadique Ahmed
Makeup: Lolent Lee using Shiseido & Angel Gwee