Bold Women, Sustainable Futures
Leadership Lessons in an Age of Resistance
by Supriya Verma

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What do we do now? How do we move forward in a world moving backward? Around the world, women bear the brunt of the climate crisis—yet remain the least likely to hold positions of power or decision-making in shaping its solutions. As women face the compounding pressures of the climate emergency, global rollbacks on DEI and ESG policies, and the revival of cultural misogyny, Bold Women, Sustainable Futures: Leadership Lessons in an Age of Resistance offers a powerful and timely exploration of the progress, potential, and power of women in sustainability leadership to drive inclusive and systemic change. Amid the growing backlash against climate action, gender equity, human rights, and DEI, women in leadership positions find themselves facing new and unprecedented challenges—from burnout and backlash to exclusion—while still struggling to navigate systems never designed for them in the first place. Years of research show that sustainability and sustainable development are best supported by leadership rooted in collective progress, justice, and inclusion—values women often bring to the table. But how do we continue to support and encourage women to lead in the face of such persistent and mounting opposition? Bold Women, Sustainable Futures addresses this dilemma, serving as both a guide and a call to action—for women stepping into leadership roles, as a tribute to those who have come before, and as an invitation to the next generation of sustainability leaders. It begins by profiling nine women leading across climate science, governance, business, media, advocacy, and the arts—including Helle Bank Jorgensen, Roberta Boscolo, Honourable Rosa Galvez, Tensie Whelan, Dr. Shawna Pandya, Sylvia Yu Friedman, Dr. Dianne Saxe, Dr. Deborah Rosati, and the author herself—weaving in her own deeply personal reflections on leadership, identity, and transformation as a woman of colour navigating voice and visibility throughout her journey so far. The second half takes a hard look at the global backlash against DEI and ESG, revealing the historical cycles of gendered progress and regression while offering strategies, solutions, and concrete steps for meeting this moment head-on. A powerful, fiery fulcrum chapter, “The Turning Point,” brings together diverse reflections from extraordinary women around the world across sustainability, business, and justice movements, offering wisdom and guidance on leading with courage when the systems we thought were shifting begin to turn back. The book ends with practical tips and strategies for navigating the current backlash, aimed at existing female leaders, emerging and aspiring leaders, students, and allies. Beautifully written, evidence-based, and told through women’s real-life experiences, Bold Women, Sustainable Futures serves as a mirror revealing how far we still have to go—exposing the systemic barriers women face in leadership—and counters them with actionable strategies, inspiring stories, and a message of hope. This book is a playbook for navigating uncharted territory, rewriting the rules of power, and leading with courage toward a sustainable future—especially when the world pushes back.

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“Supriya Verma brings together extraordinary women leaders and their lessons in a way that is both inspiring and deeply practical.” -- Helle Bank Jorgensen, Global Managing Director, Board Development at Board Intelligence, United Kingdom & Founder of Competent Boards “Bold Women, Sustainable Futures is the book we need right now — a powerful call to action (and lessons learned) for how to be courageous leaders at a time when they are indispensable.” -- Tensie Whelan, Distinguished Professor of Practice, Business and Society & Director, NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business, New York University, United States “There is no great society without strong women at the top, and now more than ever, women’s voices must be heard to reinvent our world. This is exactly what Supriya is doing brilliantly by amplifying their voices to scale up a new kind of leadership: one that is truly positive.” -- Maya Colombani, Chief Sustainability, Human Rights and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, L'Oréal Canada, Canada “This book is an inspiring testament to the transformative power of women leading with purpose — every page fuels hope and action for a better tomorrow.” -- Roberta Boscolo, Head of Climate & Energy Unit, World Meteorological Organization, Switzerland

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Supriya Verma, WELL AP is an award-winning corporate executive, global sustainability leader, speaker, author, and social entrepreneur dedicated to reimagining leadership for a more just and sustainable world. She is the author of Bold Women, Sustainable Futures: Leadership Lessons in an Age of Resistance—a groundbreaking book that explores how women around the world are redefining courage, leadership, and systemic change in an era of global backlash. As the founder of The SustainabilityX® Magazine, she has built an influential global platform that amplifies women’s voices and advances courageous, inclusive leadership across sectors and generations. She has spoken at multiple international events, such as UNESCO's World Press Freedom Day Conference and Cornell Keynotes, and has served as a Board Member at Fojo Media Institute's Sustainable Journalism Partnership at Linnaeus University in Sweden, and as a member of the International WELL Building Institute's WELL Faculty. In 2019, she was recognized as one of Canada’s Top 30 Under 30 in Sustainability Leadership by Corporate Knights, and awarded McMaster University’s prestigious Alumni Arch Award in 2021 for unique and significant contributions to society. She was recognized as one of The SustainabilityX® Magazine’s inaugural Global 50 Women in Sustainability Awards™ awardees (2022), as one of The Peak's Emerging Leaders (2024) as a young leader under 40 shaping Canada's economy, culture, and society, and also named a Global Impact finalist in the Women Empowerment Awards (2024). Supriya is also a distinguished member of Nature Canada’s invite-only Women for Nature network—a prestigious group of women from across Canada united in their mission to protect the nation’s natural treasures, safeguarding Canada’s rich natural heritage for generations to come. Find out more about Supriya at www.linkedin.com/in/thesupriyaverma

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