Gabrielle Bourret-Sicotte: Rising Sustainability Star

At a glance: 
Who:  Gabrielle Bourret-Sicotte
What:  Co-founder and chief executive officer
Where:  Greenr
When: Since June 2020
Why: To tackle climate change on a global scale 

The Challenge:  

Gabrielle Bourret-Sicotte, fuelled by a deep-seated commitment to combat climate change, recognised the urgent need for actionable solutions within the corporate landscape. As the co-founder and chief executive officer of Greenr, Gabrielle faced the formidable challenge of catalysing meaningful change in sustainability practices amidst a backdrop of escalating environmental concerns and entrenched corporate behaviours. 

Gabrielle envisions leveraging the transformative power of the 3.5% rule, acknowledged as the pivotal mass required to ignite a peaceful revolution. Through thorough research, she discovered compelling evidence that historical turning points, such as the suffragettes and the Velvet Revolution, were catalysed by the engagement of 3.5% of the population.  

Gabrielle aspires to apply this ethos to Greenr, aiming to convert 3.5% of all businesses into sustainable entities, thus “making climate-change history”. 

The Solution: 

Under the guidance of Gabriella’s visionary leadership, Greenr has pioneered two innovative sustainability solutions tailored to meet the evolving needs of modern businesses: the Employee Engagement App and the Greenr Dashboard. 

The Employee Engagement App, conceptualised and brought to fruition by Gabrielle, serves as a catalyst for team collaboration and collective action, harnessing the power of gamification to instil a culture of sustainability within companies. Meanwhile, the Greenr Dashboard, enriched with AI, neuro-linguistic programming and machine learning capabilities, offers clients actionable data and personalised recommendations to drive tangible emission reductions across their operations. 

Additionally, the company has forged strategic partnerships with industry titans such as Bank of America and Tandem Bank, while delivering an emission reduction equivalent to the growth of 565,000 trees over a year. 

Career Development: 

Gabrielle’s career trajectory, transitioning from academia to entrepreneurship as the chief executive officer of Greenr, underscores her commitment to sustainability leadership.  

Her vision extends beyond business success, aiming to inspire more women to join the sustainability sector. Notably, being named Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards has bolstered her confidence in advocating for increased female representation in environmental decision-making. 

Raising Industry Standards: 

Gabrielle’s dedication to advancing the global climate agenda is palpable through her strategic initiatives. By forging partnerships with educational institutions, she addresses the critical link between climate education and anxiety, ensuring that young minds are equipped to tackle environmental challenges. Her efforts have garnered international recognition, exemplified by accolades like the ‘Best Green Project’ award at COP26 in Glasgow, affirming her ability to catalyse action and set new industry benchmarks. 

The Judges said:  

“Gabrielle has demonstrated tenacity and overcome the challenges a company Founder faces. She is a role model for other aspiring sustainability professionals.   

“The two products that GreenR have developed have delivered significant impacts in both employee engagement and the reduction of carbon emissions.  We were particularly impressed by the partnerships she has established, her international influence and the growth of the business.”