Gazala Shaikh

About Gazala Shaikh

Ms. Gazala Shaikh is a purpose driven, dynamic Sustainability, ESG & Business Impact Leader with 22+ years of Global and multi sectoral experience. She has a diverse work experience ranging from non-profits, consulting and Corporate. She has worked with NGOs like Maitri and Population Services International and Corporates like Siemens, WNS & HDFC Life.She has a strong experience in building Impact culture in corporate through people\'s movement and by creating social change agents. She has a robust experience in designing and development of long-term Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability strategy and framework and has led Whistle blower process and Prevention of sexual harassment at workplace (POSH) process along with CSR.She has recently received the Mahatma Award for her Leadership in ESG and Social Impact as a Young Change Maker. A Fellow of the Swedish Institute Management Program on CSR & Sustainability and Aspire Circle (Social Leadership in India), she has a Masters in Social Work from the prestigious Tata Institute of Social Sciences. A Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Foundation Woman Exemplar program mentor in 2020, she is also a member of the CII Western Region sub-committee on Business Responsibility, 2024.Empathy being her strong suit, Gazala is also a mental health practitioner and diversity, equity & inclusion advocate.

Experience

1. Head Environmental Social Governance (Esg) Sustainability

   L&T Finance

   Nov 2022 — Present · Mumbai, IN

   Responsible for leading the ESG function, ensuring best in class ESG ratings for the company and access to low cost funds. Report to ESG Board committee.Crafted the Sustainability Roadmap for the Company using Double Materiality Assessment and Peer benchmarking with Maturity AssessmentSteered the Company to join Partnerships for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF) in 2025. First in the Indian BFSI sector to calculate and disclose Financed Emissions of select retail portfolios, FY24Pioneered calculation of Financed emissions for Micro Loan retail portfolioLeading industry best practices by supervising Business Impact study, TCFD & RBI Mandate on Climate, Value Chain engagement and SBTI Near term net Zero plan developmentDeveloped Company’s first Sustainable Finance Framework, strengthening capacity to finance social and environmental projects with a second party opinion from CRISIL. Oversight of ESG compliances for over INR Crore Sustainable finance portfolio with support from TreasuryThought Leadership in designing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion learning using forum theatre and gamified learning pedagogy for junior to leadership level employeesOrchestrated the formation of the Sustainability Steering Council strengthening ESG Governance in FY25Responsible for Integrated Annual Report, BRSR & other ESG Reporting, compliances and Assurance of the BRSR and Annual Integrated Report Accountable to keep Carbon Neutrality target (Scope 1 & 2) on track by energy audits, ensuring 1/3rd operations on renewable energy, energy efficient equipment, use of IRECs.Oversee delivery of 26 annual sustainability public targets from businesses and support functions along with Chief ExecutivesResponsible for Water surplus target and contribute to Health & safety Leveraging & collaborated on Sustainable product for business

Education

• Tata Institute of Social Sciences

  Master of Arts (M.A.), Social Work

  2001 — 2003

• Aspire Circle Fellowship

  Fellowship, Social Leadership

• Swedish Institute Management Program Fellowship

  Diploma of Education, CSR and Sustainability

Skills

• Sustainability
• Research
• Ngo Management
• Project Planning
• Ngos
• Team Development
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Csr Marketing and Communications
• Csr Policy and Process
• Strategic Planning
• Department Budget Management
• Business Responsibility
• Training
• Strategy
• Team Management
• Crm
• Management
• Project Management
• Program Management
• Leadership
• Corporate Social Responsibility
• Nonprofits
• Event Planning