Engine for Change: How Sandra Odendahl Is Mobilizing Social Impact and Inclusion for Every Future
From Our Partner, Insights, Scotiabank, Senior Executive, Senior Executives
Originally published on Women of Influence
By Shelley White
During these challenging times, many in the corporate world are asking: are we doing enough to make things better?
As Scotiabank’s Vice President of Social Impact and Sustainability, Sandra Odendahl thinks about that question a lot. She is constantly evaluating how the bank is embedding good environmental and community practices into its business and operations.
“The biggest positive impact we can have on society is through our business: the people we employ; the way we provide products, services and advice to customers; and how we help the economy,” she says. “But our community investment activities also contribute to positive benefits to society, and our business thrives when communities thrive.”
Sandra and her team divide their work between four key pillars: donations to not-for-profits and charities, academic partnerships, corporate sustainability, and overall corporate responsibility strategy. The pillars are part of an overarching goal to make a positive impact on the communities where we work and live.