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In this podcast series, we explore key themes as they relate to the SDGs: leadership, innovation and youth. Dr. Márcia Balisciano, Global Head of Corporate Responsibility, interviews influencers and thought leaders across disciplines on how we can build back better to achieve the global goals.
Listen on Apple PodcastsIn this episode of “The World We Want” podcast series, Márcia Balisciano interviews Justin Worland, Senior Correspondent, TIME and Founder of Future Proof. They talk about climate change, global warming, climate technologies, and sustainable strategies for industries in alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals. Justin Worland Justin Worland, Senior Correspondent at TIME and founder of Future Proof, is an award-winning journalist covering climate change and its impact on business, policy, politics, and society. With more than a decade of experience covering climate and energy, he brings insights from global summits, corporate boardrooms, and communities on the front lines of a changing world, exploring the forces driving the energy transition. In 2022, Worland was named the inaugural Climate Journalist of the Year by Covering Climate Now. Justin is passionate about advancing informed and constructive conversations on climate action. In this episode, he shares insights on emerging climate technologies, effective sustainability communication, and the role businesses can play in accelerating progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals. He encourages leaders to communicate authentically, embrace innovation, and focus on meaningful action over perfection.
In this episode of the "World We Want" podcast, Márcia Balisciano interviews Isabelle Grosmaitre, Founder & CEO, Goodness & Co. They discuss how purpose-driven leadership can help businesses create long-term value through sustainable strategy, collaborative governance, and responsible decision-making. Isabelle Grosmaitre Isabelle Grosmaitre has a proven record of transforming organizations, boards, and ecosystems with purpose at heart to deliver growth and lasting impact. She is Founder & CEO of Goodness & Co., where she helps organizations shift purpose into practice and works alongside boards and CEOs to shape future-fit organizations. Previously, at Danone, she led the company's strategic transformation toward a more purpose-led model. Earlier in her career, she held leadership roles at BOIRON, including Executive Director for the International Division. A strong advocate for responsible business and collaborative leadership, Isabelle is Chairwoman of the Advisory Board of the Value Balancing Alliance and co-founder of The Board Member Program at ChangeNOW and Generation Glasgow. Through her work, she emphasizes that partnerships and collaboration are the new leadership model for accelerating system change and creating better futures. She is also the author of Business as a Force for Good and a LinkedIn Top Voice.
In this episode of the "World We Want" podcast, Márcia Balisciano interviews Maria Angela Capello, President, Red Tree Consulting LLC. They discuss how sustainability should guide long-term decision-making across oil, gas, and renewable energy sectors. Maria Angela Capello Dr. Maria Angela Capello is an international leader in geoscience, sustainability, and energy governance, widely recognized for integrating technical excellence with human-centered approaches to energy development. She is president of Red Tree Consulting LLC and has held senior leadership roles across Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East, including positions with PDVSA, Halliburton, and Kuwait Oil Company. Dr. Capello holds a PhD in Earth and Environmental Sciences from the University of Plymouth (UK), a master's degree in geophysics from the Colorado School of Mines (USA), and a BS in physics from Simón Bolívar University (Venezuela). A strong advocate for equity and education, Dr. Capello co-chairs the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) initiative on Women in Resource Management and leads programs that engage students and professionals in forward-looking conversations about energy, geosciences, and society. Through organizations such as the Society of Petroleum Engineers and the American Geosciences Institute, she promotes inclusion and sustainability.
In this episode of the "World We Want" podcast, host Márcia Balisciano speaks with Tim Gregory, nuclear scientist, author, and broadcaster. They explore how nuclear innovation can support a cleaner, more resilient world, addressing misconceptions, highlighting breakthroughs from Tim’s new book, and examining how atomic technologies can accelerate progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Tim Gregory Tim Gregory is a nuclear scientist working at the cutting edge of nuclear science and technology. He is also an author, a broadcaster, and a passionate science communicator. His new book, Going Nuclear: How the Atom Will Save the World (June 2025), outlines how nuclear technologies—from advanced reactors to medical and space applications—can help tackle global challenges. Through his research and public engagement, he advocates for informed conversations about the role of nuclear technologies in achieving a sustainable, low-carbon future.
In this episode of the "World We Want" podcast, Márcia Balisciano interviews Elizabeth Corse, Founder of DisCom. They discuss the need to move beyond “business as usual” and how empowering both citizens and company leaders is essential for real sustainability progress. Elizabeth Corse Elizabeth Corse has a background in climate, startups and tech at Tech Nation in the United Kingdom. She helps workplaces use sustainability to build trust through key stakeholder engagement on sustainability. With over a decade of experience in climate and five years at the heart of the UK climate tech ecosystem, she has built a curated network of more than 3,000 innovators and business leaders. Elizabeth calls for a shift from consumerism to collective wellbeing, emphasising the need for active citizens and strong internal champions to drive sustainability. She highlights how “business as usual” often stalls progress and notes that true commitment appears when leaders across an organisation—not just sustainability teams—speak and act on these issues. She sees SDGs as a valuable framework, pointing to the “Half Time Campaign” as a reminder that meaningful progress is still possible if we act collectively.
In this episode of the “World We Want” podcast, Márcia Balisciano interviews Professor Jurgita Malinauskaite, Professor of law and Head of Brunel Law School at Brunel University of London. They discuss the role of law, research, and collaboration in driving sustainability, from fair competition and energy transitions to circular economy solutions, all in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Jurgita Malinauskaite Jurgita Malinauskaite is Professor of Law and Head of Brunel Law School, with more than 20 years of academic experience. She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a strong advocate for gender equality, having led initiatives such as Brunel Law School’s Athena Swan Bronze Award. Her research focuses on competition law, energy law, and waste law, with a growing emphasis on circular economy and sustainable energy. She is passionate about equality, collaboration, and interdisciplinary research, believing these are key to solving today’s challenges. Jurgita encourages listeners to see the SDGs as both a global and personal call to action, and to combine their skills and values to help build a fairer, more resilient, and sustainable world.
In this episode of the "World We Want" podcast, Márcia Balisciano interviews Klaus Brun, Vice President of Products and Technology, Ebara-Elliott Energy. They discuss why clean, reliable energy is essential for global sustainability and what technologies—like turbines and hydrogen/CO₂ transport—are needed for the transition. Klaus Brun Klaus Brun is an internationally recognized expert in energy systems and Vice President of Products and Technology at Ebara-Elliott Energy, a global leader in turbomachinery. He has advised the U.S. government, Congress, and major international companies on energy technology and infrastructure. Previously, he held leadership roles at Southwest Research Institute, Solar Turbines, GE, and Alstom, authored over 400 papers and seven textbooks, and holds 16 patents. An ASME Fellow and recipient of multiple awards, including the R&D 100 Award and ASME Industrial Gas Turbine Award, he has chaired major industry conferences and serves on several technical committees. In this episode, Dr. Brun discusses how global peace and prosperity depend on reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy. Connecting his work to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, he emphasizes improving turbines, compressors, and pumps critical for transporting hydrogen, CO₂, and other clean fuels.
In this episode of the "World We Want" podcast, Márcia Balisciano interviews Mandi McReynolds, Chief Sustainability Officer and Vice President of External Affairs and Customer Advocacy at Workiva. They discuss corporate responsibility, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives, and the alignment of these strategies with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Mandi McReynolds Mandi McReynolds is an award-winning author and practitioner with 15+ years of leadership experience in building corporate responsibility and ESG divisions across four different industries. She currently serves as the Chief Sustainability Officer and Vice President External Affairs at Workiva. She helps companies and executives around the globe drive business value and societal impact through transparency, accountability, and innovation. Mandi views sustainability goals as core business objectives closely tied to the UN SDGs. She highlights that true financial transformation starts with customers and requires moving beyond outdated tools to focus on strategic, high-value work such as scenario planning and risk analysis. She notes that this shift involves both technological advancement—through AI, automation, and centralized data—and workforce development, addressing global shortages in finance professionals.
In this episode of the "World We Want" podcast, Márcia Balisciano interviews Simona Bianchi, Assistant Professor at the ReStruct Group in the Faculty of Architecture at TU Delft. They talk about advancing climate-resilient building technologies, sustainable urban development, and the critical role of interdisciplinary collaboration in aligning research with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Simona Bianchi Simona Bianchi, Ph.D., P.E., is an Assistant Professor at the ReStruct Group in the Faculty of Architecture at TU Delft. Her research focuses on risk assessment, climate and disaster resilience, performance-based design, and sustainable building technologies. She leads the Horizon Europe MULTICARE project, developing low-carbon, resilient solutions for buildings, and has been awarded prestigious grants including the EU Marie Curie Fellowship and NWO Veni grant. Simona is passionate about bridging science and practice to create future-ready infrastructure. Through international collaborations with public and private partners, she advances innovations that support the UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially in sustainable cities, infrastructure, and climate action. She encourages young professionals to pursue research with real-world impact and to embrace interdisciplinary collaboration as a path to building a more resilient world.
In this episode of the "World We Want" podcast, Márcia Balisciano interviews Mai Trinh, Head of Tax Risk, Reporting and Reputation, RELX. They talk about promoting responsible tax practices, sustainable economic development, and well-being, while emphasizing collaboration and transparency in alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals. Mai Trinh Mai Trinh is Head of Tax Risk, Reporting and Reputation at RELX. She leads initiatives to enhance tax transparency in Africa, including publishing consolidated tax laws, and collaborates with the World Bank to improve tax practices. Originally from Vietnam and a Cambridge graduate in development economics, her work is deeply influenced by her father's legacy as a former ambassador, focusing on sustainable growth in developing nations. She is deeply committed to sustainable economic development, tax transparency, and mental health advocacy, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, fairness, and workplace well-being. She encourages listeners to pick a sustainable development goal that resonates with them, channel their passion and energy, and work together with others to create a happy, healthy, and harmonious world.
In this episode of the "World We Want" podcast, Márcia Balisciano interviews Teresa Njoroge, Founder and CEO, Clean Start Africa. They discuss about Clean Start Africa’s efforts to provide employment training, psychological support, and vocational and entrepreneurship programs to communities affected by the justice system, helping them build sustainable livelihoods after release. About Teresa Njoroge Teresa Njoroge, Founder and CEO of Clean Start Africa, empowers women, girls, and children affected by the criminal justice system, promoting dignity and reintegration. Her organization provides training, psychosocial support, and entrepreneurship opportunities, helping over 4,000 women and families in Kenya build sustainable livelihoods post-release. Inspired by her own experience of wrongful imprisonment, Teresa advocates for sentencing reforms and prison policy changes. In this episode, she talks about Clean Start Africa’s three-month rehabilitation program focused on trauma healing, stigmatization, positive parenting, and reconnecting with children. The program raises awareness about incarceration challenges, supports reintegration, and advocates for systemic reforms. The organization addresses poverty and unemployment through economic empowerment initiatives, helping justice-impacted individuals achieve sustainable livelihoods while fostering family and community understanding and collaboration.
In this episode of the "World We Want" podcast, Márcia Balisciano interviews Luisa Cabeza, a professor and researcher at the University of Lleida. They talk about her research focus on thermal energy storage, energy efficiency, and integrating artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance sustainable energy systems and support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Luisa Cabeza Luisa Cabeza is a professor and researcher at the University of Lleida. She holds a master’s in industrial management (1995) and a PhD in industrial engineering (1996) from the University Ramon Llull, Barcelona, Spain. She was a postdoctoral researcher at the USDA at ERRC in Philadelphia (1996-1998). In 1999, she joined the University of Lleida, where she founded the research group GREiA, focusing on energy and AI. Cabeza’s work in thermal energy storage and energy efficiency aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by ensuring her developments do not harm the planet. Her focus is on clean energy, promoting education, increasing visibility for women, improving job quality, and mitigating climate change. She collaborates with AI experts to enhance control systems and design innovative components, which help in optimizing thermal energy storage. Cabeza advocates for the energy transition, supporting the use of all types of energy, with a long-term goal of fully renewable sources while maintaining modern comforts and behaviors. She has authored over 290 peer-reviewed publications and actively participates in international forums and addresses barriers to energy systems deployment.
In this episode of the "World We Want" podcast, Márcia Balisciano interviews three global experts, Ronald DiPippo, Andrew Chiasson, and Luis Carlos Gutiérrez-Negrín. Their book, the 2nd edition of Geothermal Power Generation, was recently published by Elsevier. They discuss the development and potential of geothermal energy as a reliable and sustainable energy source and how their work aligns with the UN sustainable development goals. Ron DiPippo, Luis Carlos Gutiérrez-Negrín, and Andrew Chiasson Ronald DiPippo is a renowned expert in geothermal power plants with over 48 years of experience and numerous influential publications, Andrew Chiasson specializes in geothermal and solar energy, with extensive research on energy-efficient building systems, and Luis Carlos is an acclaimed geologist with a distinguished career in geothermal energy and numerous leadership roles in geothermal organizations. In this episode, the experts explain the process of discovering and utilizing geothermal resources and the phased development of geothermal power plants. They explain the phased approach to developing geothermal fields, emphasizing the scalability and potential of smaller plants to collectively provide significant electricity. The role of governments and international bodies is crucial in advancing geothermal technology and mitigating initial financial risks. The discussion compares geothermal energy to other energy sources, highlighting its reliability and constant availability.
In this episode of the "World We Want" podcast, Márcia Balisciano interviews Catherine Neish, Associate Professor, Western University. In this episode, they discuss how women still face lower participation in many STEM fields and unequal opportunities in funding and senior positions. They also discuss initiatives to address this gender bias and what changes are needed to attract more women in science. Catherine Neish Catherine Neish is a planetary scientist specializing in orbital radar observations to study planetary geology, particularly impact cratering. Her work focuses on planets with thick atmospheres like Venus and Saturn’s moon Titan, using radar to reveal surface features not visible with optical data. She is involved in several spacecraft missions, including the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter’s Mini-RF, and was previously an associate member of the Cassini RADAR team. Catherine began her career at the University of Arizona, where she researched radar observations of Titan, Earth, and Venus. Her passion for exploration extends beyond space, as she also enjoys SCUBA diving. In this podcast, she explains how despite progress in gender representation, women’s contributions to research and innovation remain complex. Women’s representation has increased across all career stages, yet parity in participation does not equate to equality in opportunities like funding and senior positions. Women have gained more grants but not enough to match their growing numbers. They excel in multidisciplinary research, crucial for solving global challenges. However, fewer papers by women are published, and men’s publications are cited more, though this gap narrows with career advancement.
In this episode of the "World We Want" podcast, Márcia Balisciano interviews Michael L. Senna, founder and principal of ‘Michael L. Senna Consulting AB’, an expert in connected and automated vehicles, author of The Real Case for Driverless Mobility , and publisher and editor of The Dispatcher . In this episode they discuss about how and why we should be focusing on SDG goals that are directly related to transportation. Michael L. Senna Michael is an expert in connected and automated vehicles, digital map databases, and navigation, and holds degrees in architecture and urban planning from Princeton University. Since 1983, he has been running his consulting practice, serving clients globally. He has also been an expert delegate to the European and ISO committees on Intelligent Transport Systems. His efforts are focused on ensuring that everyone has equal access to transportation by implementing innovative vehicle designs that improve safety and affordability. Michael emphasizes on recognizing the importance of the United Nations’ SDGs and prioritizing transportation-related goals. Transportation, according to him, enables access to food, employment, and medical services, and contributes to a decent quality of life. He therefore aims to address the most critical SDGs related to transportation. His approach involves optimizing multiple goals simultaneously, rather than maximizing one at the expense of others. This comprehensive strategy ensures a balanced focus on climate, poverty reduction, and gender equality, guiding our efforts to support the United Nations’ objectives.
In this episode of the "World We Want" podcast, Márcia Balisciano interviews Marty Odlin, Founder and CEO, Running Tide. They discuss Running Tide's business model and how it plans to mitigate ocean acidification while remaining self-sustainable in the long run. Marty Odlin Marty Odlin is the founder and CEO of Running Tide, a global ocean health company. He is a systems engineer from a fourth-generation fishing family and founded the company in 2017 after witnessing the devastation caused by climate change in his own community. Running Tide, headquartered in Portland, Maine, creates and implements cutting-edge diagnostics and comprehensive interventions to help balance the carbon cycle, decarbonize global supply chains, restore marine ecosystems, and revitalize coastal communities. It aims to address some critical United Nations sustainable development goals, such as global hunger, by reducing ocean acidification and restoring ocean health. The company is expanding globally in partnership with leading investors, businesses, scientific institutions, and governments.
In this episode of the "World We Want" podcast, Márcia Balisciano interviews Dr. Ana Maria Porras, Assistant Prof of Biomedical Engineering, Crochet Artist, and Science Communicator. They discuss how biomedical engineering is helping develop better treatment strategies for tropical disorders, which have historically received very little attention. Ana Maria Porras Dr. Ana Maria Porras is an Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Florida and serves as an IF/THEN Ambassador for the American Association for the Advancement of Science. She is well-known for creating crochet versions of microorganisms to reach a larger audience, particularly children in her native Colombia. She was named a UF International Center Global Fellow in 2021, a Cornell Presidential Postdoctoral Fellow, 2019-2022, and an American Heart Association Predoctoral Fellow, 2015-2016. She co-founded the LatinX in Biomedical Engineering (LatinXinBME) community with Brian Aguado, a Professor of Bioengineering at the University of California, San Diego. Additionally, Porras has received the Society for Biomaterials Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award 2024, which recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions to the biomaterials field, mainly promoting anti-racism and fostering diversity in the STEM disciplines, especially in biomaterials. She has also been honored with the Early Career Award for Public Engagement with Science by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 2024. Dr. Porras has authored academic papers on the human microbiome, tissue engineering, biomaterials, global health, and infectious diseases. She intends to use her engineering expertise to create more complex models in the lab, bridging the gap between cells in a petri dish and animal models to test hypotheses and better understand tropical diseases through biomaterial-based approaches.
In this episode of the "World We Want" podcast, Márcia Balisciano interviews Marco Richter, Global Head of Customer Success, LexisNexis Intellectual Property Solutions. They discuss how businesses and policymakers can leverage intellectual property (IP) frameworks to promote environment-friendly technologies and practices. Marco Richter Marco Richter is the Head of Global Customer Success and Managing Director of LexisNexis® PatentSight®, a LexisNexis Intellectual Property subsidiary. He has over 15 years of experience in the IP space, starting in the IP consulting business and running projects for DAX 30 and Fortune 500 companies. He established the Data Harmonization Team and the Consulting & Customer Success Team at PatentSight, a German start-up, into a global software provider. Moreover, he also helped integrate the PatentSight application into LexisNexis IP Solution's SaaS and DaaS offerings. He has strong ties to academia and international patent offices and actively engages with intellectual property leaders and practitioners. He believes that SDG-related patent analytics can assist policymakers in understanding the involvement and identifying gaps in sustainable technological development, allowing them to develop strategies to foster and incentivize investment and innovation in these areas.
In this episode of the "World We Want" podcast, Márcia Balisciano interviews Karin Sempf, CEO and Founder of Innova Nation. The talk about how Innova Nation accelerates sustainability ideas from children and teenagers and provides a framework for transforming these ideas into reality. Karin Sempf Karin Sempf is the CEO and Founder of Innova Nation, an educational lab that motivates and empowers the next generation of entrepreneurs, innovators, and sustainability advocates. They provide interactive learning opportunities for children and teenagers, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities while also encouraging them to pursue their interests and ideas. Innova Nation has created its own methodology to nurture young minds' talent and potential while incubating ideas about entrepreneurship and sustainability. This framework enables children to identify the most pressing issues confronting our planet today and work toward achieving goals that will result in solutions.
In this special edition of "The World We Want," Márcia Balisciano interviews Diana Mbogo, the Founder and Managing Director of Millennium Engineers in Tanzania. Diana, an award-winning entrepreneur, focuses on renewable energy solutions and is currently implementing the Sardine Fishing Industry Business Project. The project aims to transition the traditional, environmentally harmful methods of the sardine fishing industry toward more sustainable practices using solar drying facilities. Diana emphasises the critical connection between access to energy, particularly for women, and the broader goal of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Throughout the discussion, Diana shares her journey, challenges, and the transformative impact of her work on communities, highlighting the positive changes brought about by her innovative approach to the sardine industry. Diana Mbogo Diana Mbogo is the Founder and Managing Director of Millennium Engineers – a 100% women founded and led social enterprise that specialises in renewable energy. Their primary focus is identifying untapped energy poverty markets across various sectors. They excel in creating tailored and innovative business solutions by analysing the requirements of specific industries, communities, or business value chains. Currently, Millennium Engineers is implementing the “Sardine Fishing Industry” business project which aims to transition the low-income sardine fishing industry in Lake Victoria, away from pressurised kerosene/LED lead acid powered batteries lamps and conventional methods of sardine drying towards more climate friendly solar drying facilities to ensure sustainable fishing practices in the region.