Irene Loucaides is the Founder and Managing Director of Grow Sustainability Consulting, a firm helping organisations align business with purpose through ethical, resilient ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) strategies. With over two decades of experience across communication, corporate leadership and social impact, Irene has become one of Cyprus’s leading voices in the sustainability space. Her journey is one of bold decisions, quiet conviction and a deep belief in long term change

Your career has been about more than just consulting – it’s about guiding others through change. When you look back, what was the moment you first realised that sustainability and impact would become the core of your life’s work?

It goes back about 25 years, when I was starting out in public relations. One of my clients – a multinational corporation headquartered in the US – was opening its first store in Cyprus. CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) was new here, but they asked us to find a local charity and chose the Make A Wish Foundation.

Delivering a computer to a young boy whose only wish was to have one changed me completely. The feeling of giving without expecting anything back was transformative. From there, we created the agency’s first CSR department, advising companies on social initiatives.

Years later, as the climate crisis grew urgent, I led my first corporate sustainability report. It showed me how sustainability touches every aspect of business, and soon after, I founded Grow Sustainability Consulting to help organisations operate more responsibly.

Many leaders describe a point in their journey when fear and excitement walked hand in hand. What was the boldest leap you’ve taken – and how did it shape the way you now lead?

Starting my own company during Covid 19 was that leap. I left a secure job in tourism and began from scratch, doing everything myself. It was daunting, but growth rarely happens inside your comfort zone.

I was lucky to have people who believed in me, and that gave me courage. Running a business is still a leap every day – that’s why I named the company “Grow”. If we’re not growing, personally and professionally, we stagnate.

This belief shapes how I lead today. I encourage my team to embrace challenge, take calculated risks and see uncertainty as an opportunity to learn and progress.

Sustainability work often requires confronting uncomfortable truths. How do you navigate those moments when the weight of responsibility feels overwhelming?

Some clients initially approach us just to meet compliance requirements or follow trends. That can be frustrating, but the real reward comes when they begin to see sustainability differently. It stops being a box ticking exercise and becomes part of their strategy and values.

I never try to force that shift – sustainability is a journey, and people come to understand its importance in their own time. Seeing that change happen is what keeps me inspired.

Who or what has most influenced your understanding of what it means to be a leader – and how has that vision evolved with time?

I’ve had the privilege to work closely with many exceptional leaders, and I’ve learnt a lot from them. The common thread among the most inspiring ones is consistency.

The best leaders are reliable in their actions and values. They treat people with respect, keep their commitments and lead by example. That reliability builds trust, and trust builds influence.

Over time, I’ve realised that leadership isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about showing up every day and setting a standard others want to follow.

You work at the intersection of business, society and the environment – but what sparks your own sense of wonder? What moments still make you stop and feel deeply inspired?

My children are my greatest source of inspiration and the reason I care so much about the future. I recently came across a quote by C.S. Lewis: “Children are not a distraction from your work. They are your most important work.”

Everything we do today shapes the world they will inherit. Remembering that, gives my work meaning and keeps me focused on why it matters.

Cyprus is both a backdrop and a stage for your work. What does this island mean to you personally – and how has living and leading here shaped your vision?

I was born and raised here, and now I’m raising my own children here. It’s home. For me, Cyprus represents balance – a safe and beautiful place to live combined with a strong base for business.

Professionally, it offers excellent opportunities, with a talented workforce and international connectivity. Where else in the world can you swim in the morning and ski in the afternoon? Cyprus provides a rare quality of life that inspires balance in everything I do.

When you think about the legacy you want to leave – not just professionally, but as a human being – what do you hope people will say you stood for?

Legacy is something I think about often. Before we act, I believe we should ask: is this the legacy we want to leave behind?

Too many decisions are made for short term gains without considering long term impact. Sustainability is about connection – recognising that our actions affect people, communities and future generations.

If I’m remembered for anything, I hope it’s for helping others think beyond their own personal profit and focus on creating lasting value and positive change for everyone.

Interview by Kateryna Bila

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