Unlocking the Circular Economy: Your Blueprint for Sustainable Action with Dr. Leyla Acaroglu

Nov 27

For those immersed in purpose-driven business in the past decade, The Circular Economy isn't a new concept. If you're a leader just encountering it, consider yourself fortunate. You're on the brink of discovering an economic paradigm poised to revolutionise business as usual, all with a singular focus: guaranteeing a planet that thrives in health and abundance for generations to come.

Now, in offering a glimpse into The Circular Economy's potential, envision a future where waste is minimised, sustainability is paramount, and resources are efficiently used in a closed-loop system. Now, this shift from the traditional use-and-discard pattern to continuous use and reuse not only champions environmental responsibility but also brings a wealth of opportunity. The ultimate goal is to elevate our quality of life while safeguarding the future.

As a leader navigating the monumental shift towards circularity, it's understandable if you find yourself grappling with the challenge of dismantling years of entrenched capitalist thinking, but if you are a purpose-driven leader it is crucial to recognise that though circular thinking and action-taking you have the power to reshape the future today.

As economist Kate Raworth aptly puts it, "Today we have economies that need to grow, whether or not they make us thrive. What we need are economies that make us thrive, whether or not they grow”.

The real question is: How do we set these social circles in motion? The good news is that today's guest has devoted her life to equipping us with the toolkit. In my view, she is nothing short of world-class in decoding the path forward for purpose-driven pioneers striving to own their part in the creation of a more sustainable world.

Her name is Dr. Leyla Acaroglu (agaralou) and she challenges people to think differently about how the world works. As an award-winning designer, sustainability provocateur, social scientist and entrepreneur, Leyla developed the Disruptive Design Method and creates educational experiences, toolkits, and social enterprises that help design a sustainable, circular and regenerative future.

She's a mainstage TED speaker, LinkedIn Changemaker and was named UNEP - Champion of the Earth in 2016 for her work in advancing science and innovation for sustainability.

She is the founder of the UnSchool, Disrupt Design, the CO Project Farm, and Swivel Skills — an enterprise-level sustainability skills development platform. In addition to her entrepreneurial initiatives, Leyla is the Chief Circular Designer for Circular Australia.