As the vice president of sustainability at Lancaster, Pa.-based Graham Packaging, Richa Desai spearheads global sustainability initiatives and comprehensive plans to assess the environmental, social and governance impact of its operations.
Her responsibilities include internal and external reporting on ESG topics, enhancing sustainability awareness, achieving top industry ranks in sustainability, tracking regulatory developments, ensuring compliance, and supporting sales and marketing teams with sustainability communications. "Furthermore, I work closely with customers to drive climate change mitigation efforts and transition to a circular economy, ensuring our packaging solutions meet both regulatory requirements and sustainability goals," she said.
Desai earned her bachelor's degree in interior design from CEPT University in India, master's degree in strategic design management from the National Institute of Design in India and master's degree in environmental sustainability from the University of Pennsylvania.
Desai's greatest accomplishment as a sustainability professional has been "leading Graham to secure the industry's top ranking in sustainability by Sustainalytics," which "reflects a series of strategic initiatives, cross-function teams and leadership efforts that significantly advanced our sustainability agenda."
Desai is also a published author of the article "A Systematic Review: Costing and Financing of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Schools" in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. "This study analyzed the financial aspects of implementing WASH programs in educational settings, offering insights into the economic challenges and solutions for improving hygiene standards in schools. Contributing to this research has helped advance global public health and education initiatives," she said.
Another career highlight was leading the sales, marketing and business development efforts for a German company to launch radiant heating and cooling ceiling panels in India.
"This role was a transformative experience that broadened my horizons. I gained invaluable insights from interacting with customers, navigating the challenges of the building industry and understanding the critical importance of sustainability," she said.
For Desai, breaking the mold means defying expectations and embracing authenticity. "I refuse to confine myself to the limitations imposed by societal norms or others' perceptions of who I should be. Instead, I strive to challenge stereotypes, explore unconventional paths and stay true to my unique identity. By staying true to myself and embracing the full spectrum of my identity, I hope to inspire others to do the same — to break free from the molds imposed upon them and to embrace their own unique paths with courage and conviction."