Alex Viladegut: From Bain's Iberia office, Alex is working with the World Economic Forum team in Geneva on scoping the “Circular Transformation of Industries” Project

“Sustainability is currently among the most relevant strategic priorities for every company worldwide, with Circularity being a key enabler to achieve their sustainability goals and commitments. Joining the World Economic Forum as a Fellow has provided me with a unique opportunity to increase my expertise on a topic I feel passionate about, while engaging in very high-level discussions with leaders from the most influential companies and other stakeholders in the world to understand their vision and their main challenges around circularity. In this particular project, we have been asked to scope a newly created joint initiative between the Forum, Cambridge, INSEAD and Bain, which is expected to become a vehicle to generate thought-leadership, drive public-private collaborations and support companies in our community to transform their value chains from linear to circular. Since day one, I have worked with a multi-disciplinary team at the Forum, which has been a very enriching experience as I have been able to meet very interesting professionals with different backgrounds and perspectives. The learnings from this fellowship will play a big role in my future career at Bain as sustainability becomes a key strategic pillar for us and our clients.”

Ann Siml: From Bain's London office, Ann is working with the WEF team in Geneva, in the first year of the "Net Zero Carbon Markets" Project.

“Ever since I studied Earth and Atmospheric Science at MIT, the imperative for the Net Zero industrial revolution has driven me. I am focused on the carbon and energy transition as a leader in Bain’s ESG and Energy/Natural Resources practices, helping clients achieve full potential through the transition. I have also served in various Bain internal roles to scale our own carbon and energy transition business.

To achieve Net Zero, the global system needs unprecedented levels of alignment between stakeholders. The carbon market has been very challenging to establish, yet would be a critical tool for channelling capital: Carbon credits are the essential “Net” in Net Zero to balance carbon accounts between emissions and reductions. I am excited to be working with the World Economic Forum to align sectors and scale investment in carbon markets, and correspondingly in Net Zero.”

Dharmendra Hiranandani: From Bain's Dubai office, Dharmendra is working with the WEF team in Geneva with their group on "Leaders for a Sustainable MENA"

“My work at Bain intersects with energy and sustainability, with focus on emerging pathways such as clean Hydrogen. The MENA region is also witnessing growing interest in decarbonization, in last 18 months, ~60% region’s emissions have been covered under Net Zero ambition, and with Egypt and the UAE hosting consecutive COP summits, the region is becoming a centre of global climate discourse. I am excited to be working with the World Economic Forum’s MENA regional group “Leaders for a Sustainable MENA” (LSM), which includes high level participants from ministries, businesses and financial institutions in the region, focused on accelerating the corporate led climate action and sustainability related topics. Our work focuses on the current corporate climate action gap in the region and tries to build a case for more action on energy, food and water sustainability in the region with an eye on upcoming COP28 in Dubai. Overall, the project is extremely energizing as it relates to one of the most significant challenges of our generation, and combined with WEF’s “power of convening”, aims to move the discourse beyond the plain-talk. It is heartening to see the 35+ members of LSM desire to drive the climate agenda and bring climate adaptation to the forefront. As the world moves towards COP28, LSM aims to create a platform for cross-border public-private partnerships to deliver a net zero transition for the region.”