In a decade where business has a critical role to play in accelerating sustainable action, they are also being called upon to demonstrate real impact. The challenge for many lies in moving beyond well-meaning messaging, or worse, purpose washing; to becoming an engine for change. Harris has been at the forefront of this shift, advising companies on how to integrate purpose authentically at every level of their operations.

In a recent conversation, Louisa shared her journey from climate activism to corporate advocacy. She explores how leading businesses think of purpose as more than a marketing narrative, embracing it as a holistic guiding principle that drives strategy, employee action and innovation, and ultimately sustainable impact. Ultimately, she has found that her role in making change happen is anchored in the power of thinking differently. “It’s taken a while for me appreciate that one of the greatest skills I have is being a weird, hybrid thinker who can design pragmatic pathways for change,” Louisa explains, “and that this can be the spark for shifting perspectives and being a catalyst for other people’s innovations.” It’s this philosophy of empowering others that underscores her approach, combining systems thinking and leadership to foster meaningful change across organisations.

From Climate Activism to Corporate Responsibility

Louisa’s journey into sustainability did not follow the typical path. Born and raised in London, she developed a connection to nature and sustainability in a roundabout way. Reflecting on her early years, Louisa shares, “I think to me, that proximity to nature, the anchoring and being somewhere a little bit quiet, is a huge part of who I am today,” though her connection to environmental issues truly deepened during university, influenced by climate activists and her participation in environmental protests. This background laid the groundwork for her understanding of the complexities and compromises involved in corporate responsibility.

Louisa’s transition into the business world came after a period of introspection and exploration. After working in an accounting firm, she was tasked with creating a sustainability service line—a radical move at a time when corporate sustainability was barely in its infancy. Recalling this experience, she explains, “It was a time when clients weren’t necessarily coming to us for this work. We had to help them see the potential of sustainability beyond compliance.” This early work shaped her understanding of how sustainability can be woven into the fabric of an organisation, rather than seen as an add-on or an obligation.

Embracing Purpose as a Core Business Strategy

Louisa advocates for a purpose-driven business model, where sustainability and responsibility are integrated into the core strategy rather than siloed or relegated to a single department. According to her,

“Purpose has to go beyond brand strategy… It should serve as a North Star, guiding a company’s actions, advocacy, and a catalyst for culture, innovation and systems change.”

In her view, purpose should not be a retrofitted element of an organisation’s identity but rather an evolving framework that drives meaningful decisions at every level.

Her experience with Brandpie and other consultancies has underscored the importance of embedding purpose authentically into the company culture. She explains that successful purpose-driven organisations approach purpose as a continuous journey, rather than a checkbox to be ticked. “When we see every employee as a designer of sustainable practices,” Louisa asserts, “we unlock collective potential.” In this way, Louisa emphasises the importance of cultivating an environment where every employee feel they have a role to play in driving sustainability, regardless of their official job title.

The “Purpose Dividend” and a New Way Forward

One of the key insights Louisa shared was the importance of business asking themselves “who is it that their purpose should serve?” and thinking more systemically about how they can use their platform for good. She references a UK study, The Purpose Dividend, which gives a powerful business case for how purpose-driven businesses contribute to broader economic and societal growth. The findings indicate that businesses committed to purpose not only foster innovation but also drive employee satisfaction and economic development.

However, Louisa acknowledges the challenges many organisations face in implementing purpose-led strategies and sustainability initiatives. She points to an industry-wide imbalance between innovation and reporting, noting that “ according to an IBM study, companies today spend 43 times more on reporting than on research and development,” a statistic she finds both unsurprising and disappointing. Compliance and reporting rightly are a huge focus for sustainability leaders, both in terms of time and budget. However, she argues, with limited resources this can often be instead of investing in creativity and innovation—the very ingredients necessary to address complex sustainability challenges.

Louisa’s solution to this issue is to take the time to embed sustainability and purpose into everyone’s role. fostering an imaginative, innovative culture.

“It’s about being willing to experiment,”

she says, urging businesses to cultivate a space where new ideas can flourish without fear of failure. For Louisa, rethinking corporate responsibility involves acknowledging that “crisis of imagination”— fire-fighting and mounting risks can be paralyzing. On a more fundamental level, despite all the science and targets we have to work towards, imagining how a more sustainable, equitable future will run in reality is a big leap for our imaginations, and one people really struggle with. By encouraging companies to “reimagine what is possible,” Louisa believes they can unlock new pathways to impact.

Building Capacity for Courageous Leadership

At the heart of Louisa’s vision for corporate sustainability is the idea of courageous leadership.

“It’s often a tiny percentage of an organisation, maybe 1 -5%, who think of sustainability as part of their role. Yet making change happen will need everyone, and skills from every function as well as the sustainability ream.

Louisa explains.

This emphasis on collective responsibility and therefore collective impact is part of Louisa’s broader approach, which she refers to as “systems change.” She advocates for equipping employees with the knowledge and skills necessary to integrate sustainability into their daily work, regardless of their department, where everyone can see themselves as a designer and innovator. “You’re designing your day, your service lines, your organisation’s structure,” Louisa says, highlighting how viewing every individual as a “designer” can transform how sustainability is embedded into an organisation’s DNA.

To foster this mindset, Louisa suggests creating opportunities for employees to engage with sustainability outside of their traditional roles. She believes this not only boosts morale but also strengthens the company’s sustainability efforts. “Purpose isn’t about a small team doing good on the side,” she insists. Instead, it’s about fostering a culture where sustainable thinking is the norm, not the exception.

Moving Beyond Compliance: The Role of Innovation and Advocacy

For Louisa, authentic purpose is far more than words and a meaningful sustainability strategy is more than just meeting compliance standards—it’s about rethinking the role of business in society. She encourages companies to take a more active role in advocacy, using their influence to drive systemic change at an industry level.

“Purpose should serve as a North Star, not only guiding internal policies but also shaping the organisation’s role in the broader ecosystem,”

she says.

Louisa’s advocacy-oriented approach calls on businesses to partner with industry groups, governments, and NGOs to tackle large-scale issues. For example, she points to coalitions in the banking and beauty industries that have come together to address challenges like net-zero emissions and sustainable sourcing. “Find the problems that you can’t solve alone, and work with others to shift the dial,” she advises. This collaborative, problem-solving approach is, in Louisa’s view, essential for making a lasting impact.

Creating a Legacy of Meaningful Impact

This podcast was recorded just as Louisa has founded her new project Curiously Liminal, focusing on activating courageous leadership, collective impact and systems innovation. Doing so is part of a moment’s pause and inquiry into where she can make the most impact. When asked what she would like to look back on and say her legacy has been she says: “I want to be able to look back and know that the interventions I chose to spend my time on in this critical decade, really did made a difference.” Her goal, she explains, is not just to help companies implement sustainable practices but to create a lasting culture of curiosity, courage, and collaboration.

In her view, this is the real promise of purpose-driven business—a way to align business strategy and skills with the pressing needs of society. Louisa’s message to organisations is simple: purpose is not a destination but a journey, one that requires constant adaptation, engagement, and a willingness to challenge the status quo.

As companies continue to navigate the evolving landscape of responsible business, Louisa’s insights offer a blueprint for those committed to making a genuine impact. By embracing purpose in your core business strategy as an engine for innovation , fostering a culture of courageous leadership, and prioritising collaboration over competition, businesses have the power to become agents of positive change in a world that urgently needs it.