Gabriela Maria Straka, Dr., Executive MBA

International management roles, business economist, keynote speaker, ESG auditor, editor-in-chief, supervisory board member, certified beer sommelier, brand and corporate communicator (Austrian Airlines, Elin, Heineken, Philips, Tobacco, Helvetia, Raiffeisen, U.S. Embassy, Austrian Foreign Trade)

Sustainability and profitability are no longer opposites; they are mutually dependent. Sustainable business practices are the driving force behind numerous innovations and competitiveness. This mindset will shape the course of the economy in the 21st century.

Shaping the Future Together

Investors and lenders are increasingly placing value on the sustainability of business models, taking into account not only financial key figures but also environmental and social factors. The financial valuation of a company is shifting from looking at short-term profits to long-term cash flows, whose volatility determines the risk and thus the profitability.

As a part-time graduate of the Vienna University of Economics and Business & University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, USA, I contribute my many years of international and national leadership and communication experience across various industries. Over the last decade, I was voted the best Austrian corporate spokesperson in the branded goods industry annually. Our projects in the area of sustainability and corporate communications have received multiple international and national awards. For my commitment to sustainable decarbonization, I was honored as the first Austrian female innovator by the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP 28.

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Currently, a number of significant legislative changes are taking place in Austria and the European Union. These particularly concern the areas of environmental and climate protection, sustainability, and waste management. As a member of the board of RespACT, Austrian Business Council for Sustainable Development, and editor-in-chief at Mani's publishing house (MANZ'sche Fachverlag) for the department "ESG  Sustainability in Companies", we support companies in their sustainability strategy, practical implementation, and effective communication.

The Power of "Green" Sustainability Communication

All stakeholders are increasingly questioning the actions of companies and demanding accountability, transparency, and ethical behavior. Given the rise of greenwashing, it is more important than ever to learn how to communicate ESG sustainability effectively. However, before companies can talk about sustainability, they must first practice it.

We are Bridge Builders: Sustainable Business Needs Strong Partnerships

Many positive examples show how the topic of sustainability can become a win-win situation for many involved. Resource-saving work is not only good for the environment; saved energy and saved water ultimately also mean saved money.

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There are many opportunities to get new ideas off the ground through fruitful partnerships and to inspire and motivate others to act more sustainably—they just need to be recognized.