Exploring Sustainability and Diversity at Standard Chartered

“Diversity brings creative solutions, and organisations flourish when contributions are made with passion and excitement,” Marisa Drew, Chief Sustainability Officer for Standard Chartered, spoke to myGwork about her personal journey into sustainability, and why diversity is an increasingly important factor in the ongoing campaign against climate change. As part of our Earth Day activity, she provided a valuable insight into the role banks can play in progressing renewable and sustainable solutions.

Prior to joining Standard Chartered, Marisa has built a 35-year long career in banking, working in leveraged finance and investment banking. Though she has had a life-long passion for progressive attitudes, it wasn’t until 2017 when she received a phone call from her then-CEO that provided her with the opportunity to truly extend that passion into her work. Whilst it wasn’t directly discussed as ‘sustainability’ at first, this meeting was focused on the opportunity of bringing together “purpose and profit” in the banking industry and the role capital could and should play.

Marisa Drew, Chief Sustainability Officer at Standard Chartered

“It was a light-bulb moment”, described Marisa. “I could tell this was going to be everywhere, and that sustainability was going to be at the core of the future of businesses and financial services.”

This enthusiasm for combining sustainability and the convening power of the financial industry further motivated Marisa as she joined Standard Chartered in 2022. Inspired by the bank’s commitment to further diversity and inclusion, Marisa is excited by the opportunities that come from the bank’s unique market footprint. Unlike many other organizations that have a more western focus, Standard Chartered has its home in 59 markets globally, many of which are developing economies and are disproportionally impacted by climate change. As the inaugural Chief Sustainability Officer, she is helping to continue new and progressive ways of thinking at the company – a natural characteristic of