As part of Reblue Ventures’ ongoing Nine Questions With interview series, we sat down with Anna Krotova—Chief Sustainability Officer at Picnic Technologies and a leading voice in strategic sustainability—to explore what it really takes to embed sustainability into fast-growing organizations. From her early days shaping global reporting standards at GRI to scaling green finance solutions in fintech, Anna has consistently operated at the intersection of purpose and performance. In this conversation, she shares how CSOs can balance compliance with transformation, make sustainability resonate with CFOs, and avoid green compromises in high-growth environments. She also unpacks the challenges of AI’s environmental footprint, the inefficiencies of sustainability data collection, and the mindset shifts required to drive real change. With a pragmatic yet values-driven approach, Anna offers a clear-eyed view of what the next generation of sustainability leadership must look like—strategic, system-aware, and rooted in impact.

As part of Reblue Ventures’ ongoing ‘Nine Questions With’ interview series, we interviewed Elin Bergman—often called the “Circular Economy Queen of Sweden”—to unpack what circular leadership really looks like when it’s done right. Elin, COO of Cradlenet and Co-founder of the Nordic Circular Hotspot, doesn’t sugarcoat the future. In this powerful conversation, she explains why the circular economy must become a core boardroom priority, how the Nordics are already reimagining value chains, and what most businesses still don’t understand about risk in the climate era. This isn’t about ticking ESG boxes—it’s about bold strategy, systemic change, and rethinking business models before they collapse under outdated thinking. Explore her insights in this latest edition of ‘Nine Questions With’, Reblue Ventures’ candid interview series with the world’s most forward-thinking sustainability leaders.

Joel Makower on Sustainability Leadership: From Incrementalism to Transformation In this candid 'Nine questions with' interview series with Reblue, sustainability pioneer Joel Makower reflects on 30+ years at the forefront of green business innovation. The founder of GreenBiz (now Trellis) challenges executives to move beyond "aggressively incremental" approaches that fall short of addressing urgent climate and biodiversity crises. Makower emphasizes that climate and biodiversity challenges are inextricably linked, requiring simultaneous solutions. He expresses optimism about AI's potential to tackle complex sustainability problems while advocating for circular economy models to replace outdated "take-make-waste" systems. Despite progress, Makower believes no company is truly "meeting the moment" with transformations at the necessary scale and speed. He highlights systemic change as sustainability's most stubborn barrier, noting that while many embrace the concept, implementation remains extraordinarily difficult for organizations. For business leaders, Makower's insights offer both challenge and opportunity: sustainability demands more than incremental tweaks, requiring fundamental business model reinvention and value chain transformation.

In 2009, as the UAE’s skyline reached new heights, Tatiana Antonelli Abella saw a paradox: a nation racing toward the future, yet tethered to unsustainable practices that threatened its very foundation. Plastic waste clogged the desert, water scarcity loomed, and the delicate balance between progress and preservation was at risk. For Tatiana, a young mother and expat, this wasn’t just an environmental challenge—it was a call to action. How could she ensure a thriving future for her children in a region facing such pressing issues? This question sparked the creation of Goumbook, a platform that would redefine sustainability in the Middle East. Today, the lessons learned from Goumbook’s initiatives—from cutting waste management costs by 30% to unlocking $200M in ecosystem services through mangrove restoration—offer a blueprint for businesses worldwide. In this 'Nine Questions With' interview, Tatiana distills lessons for leaders looking to turn sustainability from a compliance burden into a competitive edge. Key takeaways include: The ROI of Early Action— Why tackling plastic waste and water scarcity now can save millions in regulatory and operational costs later. Nature as Infrastructure— How mangrove restoration isn’t just about carbon offsets—it’s about protecting coastlines, boosting biodiversity, and creating sustainable livelihoods. Collaboration at Scale— Why cross-sector partnerships are the key to accelerating decarbonization and future-proofing supply chains. For executives navigating the sustainability economy, this interview provides a roadmap to: Turn regulatory risks into market opportunities Leverage nature-based solutions for ESG compliance and investor appeal Build partnerships that drive measurable, long-term impact “Sustainability isn’t a buzzword—it’s a $5 trillion economic lever,” argues Tatiana. Her insights reframe sustainability as a strategic asset: reducing operational risks, enhancing ESG compliance, and unlocking new revenue streams. For leaders, the message is clear: Early action isn’t idealism—it’s the new operational playbook. Read on: