Hello! I'm Anita
I am passionate about sustainable change and transformation, working with public-private partnership models, and bringing together global communities to make a positive impact. I believe that through a systems thinking mindset, businesses can bring sustainable ideas to life. With the right culture of innovation and coordinated team efforts, this can turn into a powerful grass-root movement. Shared value and creating more equitable work cultures should not be treated as a social responsibility but a strategic way to create new market categories to achieve economic success and financial gains.
Anita Varshney
SDG Ambition
Strategy & Transformation
Purpose & Entrepreneurship Systems Thinking
Email:
EXPERIENCE
2008-2020
SAP
Global Vice President, Strategy SAP S/4HANA Sustainability
NOV 2020 - PRESENT
-
Contribute to SAP’s strategy on the Sustainability Management across SAP’s product portfolio, working closely with experts, and leaders across different board areas. Drive collaboration with our partners and wider ecosystem, accelerate innovation and deliver customer success on their sustainability ambitions.
Vice President, Purpose & Brand Experience
FEB 2020 - NOV 2020
-
Leading Responsible Business Series on SAP Purpose Network Live, a virtual platform that brings together purpose led communities to unlock the power of co-innovation at scale with companies, startups, purpose-driven partners, government agencies, non-profits, consumers and influencers.
-
Responsible for driving strategic collaborations across SAP, to build an authentic, compelling purpose narrative, bringing sustainable innovations, ideas and road map, to the forefront of our storytelling, ensuring our commitment to our customers' ambitious journey towards running sustainable business models.
Vice President, Strategy and Transformation, SAP Next-Gen
MAR 2019 - FEB 2020
-
Responsible for leading global strategic engagements with UN for SAP, creating new experiences with new audiences, supporting SAP’s strong leadership in Experience Management and the Intelligent Enterprise, making them core across our agendas, partnerships, and global communities.
-
Led SAP Next-Gen Innovation with Purpose global programs linked to UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with academic networks, fostering purpose driven entrepreneurs with global citizens, gender and sports agenda.
Strategy & Transformation Lead, SAP Next-Gen
MAY 2012 - MAR 2019
-
Responsible for the global strategy and execution for SAP Next-Gen, a purpose driven innovation university and community aligned with SAP’s commitment to the SDGs.
-
Grew SAP Next-Gen global community to include 3,700+ educational institutions in 116 countries, 150+ SAP Next-Gen labs/hubs at universities and partner & SAP locations, 160+ SAP Next-Gen Chapters, 25+ Innovation with Purpose communities in partnership with Startup Guide, global network of 40+ FQ Lounges in partnership with The Female Quotient.
-
Responsible for delivering SAP Next-Gen services and curating events globally, connecting companies and citizens to SAP Next-Gen global community and SAP experts, to re-imagine the future of industries, the intelligent enterprise and the experience economy; seed in disruptive innovation with startups; build skills for digital futures; and use new mindsets such as science fiction thinking.
Business Transformation Consultant
MAY 2008 - MAY 2012
-
SAP Advanced Delivery Management: Responsible for driving key strategic global programs for SAP Service Delivery Organization for high value services. Project lead for SAP Business Process Library for strategic industries.
-
Led Business Transformation Strategy with implementation road map, industry best practices & Organization Change Management for customers in Indonesia, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia spanning IMC, utility and automotive sectors. Delivered Procurement Shared Services project for utility sector client.
2006-2008
PwC
Process Improvement Consultant
MAY 2006 - MAY 2008
-
Supply Chain Project Manager, Change Management and Roll-Out Lead for a large customers in India spanning textile and industrial sectors.
SPEAKER ENGAGEMENTS
2020
Jul
-
Leading with Purpose and Role of Partnerships Talk for Barclays Leadership in collaboration with Common Purpose, Hong Kong
-
SDG Ambition: Scaling Business Impact for the Decade of Action with Green Biz, Accenture and UN Global Compact, Hong Kong
-
Democratizing Purpose and Building Ambitious Leadership at Future of Work (FoW) Asia, Hong Kong
Apr - Jul
-
SAP Purpose Network Live: Responsible Business Series, Global
-
07/20: SAP Purpose Driving Responsible Businesses supported by UNGC SDG Ambition Framework
-
07/20: The 10 Business Benchmarks of SDG Ambition by UNGC
-
05/20: Collective Cooperation and Sustainable Systems for a Better World with BCG
-
05/20: Purpose Frameworks for Businesses to create Shared Value post COVID with Shared Value Project
-
05/20: How can you create a World Cup built on Purpose with Global Goals World Cup
-
05/20: Public Private Partnerships with EY, Qualtrics and SAP
-
04/20: Supply Chain Resilience during Uncertain Times with Accenture
-
04/20: Sustainable Businesses and Systems Thinking with SAP
-
Apr
-
Innovation Breakfast Series: Strategies for the New Decade: Leveraging Data and Innovation to Drive Corporate Sustainability together with World Economic Forum, NUMA and NYC Design, New York
2019
Dec
-
AI & Big Data Leaders Summit – Data, Talent & Culture: Time to Decode and Women in Tech
-
Hosted Women's 5-A-Side Football Night For Good, with teams including HKFC Football, HKFC Moms, KPMG, AECOM, BNP Paribas, TEDxTinHauWomen and Macquarie
Nov
-
ReThink Hong Kong 2020 – sharing SAP’s vision on Sustainability and how our technologies are helping the world run better
-
Successful Partnerships and Negotiations with Common Purpose for American Express Leadership Academy to address the leadership development needs of the not-for-profit sector
Sep
-
Innovation Summit Asia – How is technology helping to effect positive change across key industries?, together with The Economist and McKinsey Global Institute
Aug
-
Sustainable Fashion – Innovating For Value In The Circular Economy workshop together with PwC
-
Café Conversations on Leadership & Resilience, together with Shared Value Project Hong Kong and VISA
-
Experts Talk on how can brands leverage innovation and create partnerships for scaling sustainability
Jul
-
World Law Forum Conference on Sustainability and Environment – New ideas, Innovation & Technology
-
Future of Workforce Leaders Roundtable at Mettā – How To Retain Millenials
-
Women In Tech Lounge Panel Session & Meet-up at RISE Summit – Female Leadership paving the way forward to a better world in partnership with HSBC
-
Fashion Sustainability Talk together with Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel – How technology got us into trouble and how it will help save us, orchestrated by HULA
Jun
-
she1K event on WomenChangemakers – Corporate level women executives sharing personal stories of big changes that impacted their lives
-
Global Startup Weekend Sustainable Revolution in collaboration with Fung Group's Explorium HK, focusing on unlocking the conversation around the circular economy
-
Innovative Leadership and Purpose Led Thinking Leadership together with Deloitte organized by Common Purpose for BNP Paribas
May
-
The Future of Sustainability together with GlobeScan – How purpose, plan, culture, collaboration and advocacy can elevate success in business with a focus on sustainability leadership
-
Cloud Expo Asia, Cloud & Cyber Security Expo, Big Data World, Smart IoT Hong Kong & Data Centre World – Value Creation with Intelligent ERP Cloud
-
SaaStock Asia – Diversity, Inclusion & You! Building Indestructible Company Culture for Long-Term Growth
Apr
-
Startup Launchpad – Future of Retail
-
What are the hurdles blockchain technology is facing in its implementation in the supply chain?
-
Strategy and policy to support the growth of the retail sector from government and industry
-
-
Impact Investing – Trends, truths and transitions at The Conscious Festival by Green Is The New Black
-
Innovation with Purpose and Global Goals for High School Girls from The Holy Trinity College including a Design Thinking Workshop on Smart Cities for Girls Go Tech Program
Mar
-
Data is the New Black – SAP Gender Equality programs and insights for She Loves Data Hong Kong
-
Techstars Startup Weekend Hong Kong – Bringing together 8 teams who worked on ideas solving local HK Community problems related to SDGs
2018
Oct
-
Food’s Future Summit – How Big Data can empower big brands to drive sustainable decisions and contribute to responsible consumption
-
Panel Discussion together with Société Générale on Gender Equality and empowering Women Entrepreneurs
Aug
-
Leadership Talk and mentoring session for Seoul National University
Jul
-
U.N. Global Goals Jam Hong Kong 2018 – Gender Equality Panel, co-organized by Loftwork Hong Kong, SUSTAINHK, World Economic Forum Global Shapers Hong Kong Hub, Garage Academy and MTRL HK
Jun
-
ORLANDO: #sheinnovates Leadership Talk and TFQ Panel Session on Women Leaders at SAP Sapphire
May
-
Career Talk for students and professionals on “innovation with purpose” and how to use the SAP ecosystem for purposeful career opportunities
Apr
-
Open Innovation Forum – Innovation with Purpose Keynote, with French Chamber of Commerce & KPMG
EVENTS
2018
2020
Jan
-
DAVOS: World Economic Forum: Launched SDG Ambition, in partnership with the UN Global Compact and Accenture. Curated 55 sessions including 42 sessions in the SDG Media Zone, UN’s TV studio together with Accenture
2019
Dec
-
HONG KONG: Women Leadership in Sports panel with WISE HK (Women In Sports Empowered Hong Kong), Hong Kong Rugby Union, Citi Bank, Sponge, Decathlon and Human at Work
Nov
-
DUBAI: Women Leading the World to 2030 alongside The Annual Meeting of the Global Future Councils with Google, EXPO2020, Johnson & Johnson, UBS, PwC, Everledger, Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund, Beijing Future Innovation Center and MiSK to talk about the role of communities and public-private partnerships in accelerating to Global Goals
Oct
-
DELHI: World Economic Forum: In partnership with UN Global Compact Network India and UN Technology Innovation Labs, aiming to foster next generation social entrepreneurs; support young women and girls in STEAM and inspire purpose-focused partners and citizens in using technology for good
Sep
-
NEW YORK: United Nations General Assembly Week: Curated 26 SAP events with 2,500+ attendees over the course of the UNGA week; 5 events at UN and 3 events at partner locations
Jun
-
HONG KONG: SheLovesData Meetup at SAP Hong Kong together with Colgate, L’Occitane, HGC Global Communications and eBay
Apr
-
HONG KONG: Sustainable Fashion Agenda event during Fashion Revolution Week together with BASF, H&M, VF Corporation and community members Retykle, Unspun, BasicsforBasics, Meraki, The Mills Fabrica
Mar
-
WiDS Hong Kong: Purpose-driven Women Leaders and Data Scientists accelerate our journey to 2030 SDGs together with Goldman Sachs, PwC, Accenture, HSBC, HKC and CLP
Feb
-
MUMBAI: Global Goals World Cup Mumbai, celebration of 10th Anniversary of Global Goals World Cup in Mumbai with 24 teams (1000+ students) including Dream Team together with Rouble Nagi Art Foundation and Premier India Football Academy (PIFA) director)
-
MUMBAI: The Equality Mindset - How Global Gender Equality in the Developing World is Powerful for Leaders of Tomorrow at Tata Institute of Social Science with LEAD School, UNDP, Maharashtra, Global Goals World Cup, Rouble Nagi Art Foundation and SAP
-
MUMBAI: SAP Next-Gen Science Fiction Book Launch and Purpose Led Data Science Careers at Datagiri Meetup with GreyAtom
Jan
-
DAVOS: World Economic Forum: SAP Events at Davos House, which was awarded one of the 2019 “Un-Davos awards” for best breakout venue: Davos House - Making low-ceilings and the United Nations cool again. 12 events: 7 at the Davos House, 5 at The Female Quotient Equality Lounge. 1000+ attendees: government leaders, royalty, philanthropists and impact investors, partners, customers and corporate leaders, academia, purpose driven NGOs, and the startup ecosystem
Nov
-
HONG KONG: Driving Corporate Innovation with Focus on SDGs & Sustainability at SAP Hong Kong with Customers – Swire, BASF and GlobeScan
Sep
-
HANOI: FPT University SAP Next-Gen Meetup including #sheinnovates Festival and Girls’ Lounge opening together with [Vietnam] WISE – Women’s Initiative for Startups and Entrepreneurship , UNDP Vietnam and UN Women
-
HANOI: SAP Next-Gen Innovation with Purpose Meet-up at eSpace Vietnam together with UNDP Vietnam and leading startups focusing on Social Entrepreneurship
Jul
-
BRISBANE: SAP Academic Conference APJ on Intelligent Enterprise and bringing “Innovation with Purpose” linked to the 17 UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development and Gender Equality
Mar
-
HONG KONG: #sheinnovates with Data Science with HKU Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, a satellite event of the HKU-NUS-STANFORD Conference in Statistical Science and Decision Analytics
PRESS & NEWS BLOGS
-
GreenBiz Blog: Insights for quantifying SDG Ambitions (Video)
-
Common Purpose Blog: Purpose-led partnerships are key to driving transformational change and pushing us to achieve our Global Goals
-
SaaS Blog: The 18 Awesome Women of SaaS in Asia
-
Blog: Common Purpose Blog - Café Conversations: Leadership and Resilience
-
HK Radio Talk: RTHK CIBS - Shakti-Empowering Women. The program focuses on Indian women in Hong Kong and their views on women empowerment to create an awareness in society.
-
SAP News: Denmark’s Global Business Hub for SDGs: A Winning Template
-
Internet of Stories: A sustainable future in view for brands? (Video)
-
Hula Journal Blog: Panel Discussion – Fashion Sustainability & How Tech will save us (Video)
-
US Radio: Coffee Break with Game-Changers Radio, Presented by SAP on The Future of Equality in Business, Technology and Innovation – PART 1 and PART 2
-
SAP Digitalist Blog: Role of Cloud Technologies in the Future of Societies and Ecosystems
-
SAP News: Transforming Communities and the World through Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Smart Cities
-
SAP News: Celebrating Women’s History Month by Scaling Impact for a Global Gender Agenda
-
Blog: #LittleGreenSteps: The Conscious Festival Returns To Hong Kong at the Kerry Hotel
-
SAP Digitalist Blog: Green Is The New Black Festival: Activating Purpose-Driven Mindsets
-
SAP Digitalist Blog: SAP Next-Gen and Encompass Hong Kong activates a Consciousness Mindset for Sustainable Fashion during Fashion Revolution Week with 15 Shades of Green
-
SAP News: SAP Next-Gen in Vietnam: Inspiring Rising Tech Entrepreneurs
