Andrea Amozurrutia Casillas
Head of Finance and Sustainability, Grupo Herdez
Mexico
Latin America and the Caribbean
Embracing the superhero within: Becoming an SDG Pioneer is like becoming a sustainability superhero, fighting to make our world greener and fairer. What's your special power for this mission?
That would be my X-ray vision or quantum analysis to see through the problem and solve it effectively.
Origin story: Please briefly describe your journey towards becoming an SDG Pioneer (background, education, professional journey, etc.).
My professional spinal cord is finance. That’s what I studied and worked on for the first 15 years of my career. As part of my role, I was head of investor relations and understood very early (in 2011) that our industry needed to be as transparent as possible in sustainability (which was not even called that!) as we were in our financial reports. Over the years, I became aware of the responsibility that a large corporation with a prestigious reputation maintained. Our work has a significant effect on people’s well-being and the planet, and that, along with my position as a leader, resulted in a personal commitment to drive change.
Turning passion into purpose: Your SDG Pioneer recognition shines a spotlight on your incredible work. Please explain the work for which you are being recognized as an SDG Pioneer and how your interest in this field developed.
I have always been a very curious person and a sharp problem-solver. That’s how I became Head of Finance and Sustainability simultaneously. Now I see them as inseparable. I am passionate about financial metrics, while at the same time, I am convinced that sustainability can and should have a financial foundation to accelerate the change that is so deeply and urgently needed. I am committed and passionate about changing people's mindsets towards sustainability.
Every epic tale has its share of challenges: Please share some challenges and battles you've encountered while pursuing your SDG ambitions.
Since this has been a very long journey already, the main challenges have been dealing with disbelief and misalignment, but the reward has always been bigger and greater. I cannot describe in words the emotion that arises when we become an inspiration for others and demonstrate that change can be made despite any challenge or obstacle.
Accomplishments: As part of your SDG journey, what stands out as the most rewarding? Please describe a moment that made you feel like you were unlocking a new level of impact.
The most rewarding moment for me was my recognition by the UN Global Compact as an SDG Pioneer. Throughout my journey, I never stopped to recognize the impact and the results that my work had achieved. It has been pure passion and conviction that have motivated me to take this path. However, this recognition forces me to stop and recognize myself and the accomplishments I have achieved in the past 10+ years.
Next chapters: What’s next in your career and journey? Please give us a sneak peek!
I will continue to pursue initiatives, programmes and projects that contribute to a more balanced and sustainable planet for all. I don’t know which path this passion will take me on. However, I am excited to see the opportunities that this passion will bring and the new avenues that it will open.
