Canberran joins World Economic Forum's young leaders

The young leaders forum groups together movers and shakers from 42 countries to deliberate on big picture issues, such as the coronavirus pandemic and displacement.

With alumni including New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, French Present Emmanuel Macron and Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin, the forum functions as a who's who on the rise.

Sophia Hamblin Wang, the chief operating officer of Canberra-based Mineral Carbonation International (MCi), has spent the last couple of years gaining traction as a spokesperson for carbon capture and utilisation.

MCi converts carbon dioxide emissions into solid materials, which can be used in construction and building materials, chemicals, cements, concretes and household consumer products.

The company is part of Canberra's growing cleantech scene, looking for a piece of Australia's technology-led response to climate change.

Media-savvy, Ms Hamblin Wang has landed an array of feature articles, a spot on Q&A as well as a TEDx talk, and an invitation to the UN's 2021 climate conference, where she delivered a winning pitch for clean energy start-ups.

Speeches at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos 2020 and the UN's Climate Action Summit in 2019 helped to cement her inclusion in the class of young leaders.

Ms Hamblin Wang, a graduate of the Australian National University, was endorsed by vice chancellor Brian Schmidt during the selection process.

Speaking to The Canberra Times last year, she said corporations had real weight in achieving emissions reduction.

"What we're also seeing is that the largest companies and leading companies in the world, when it comes to climate are starting to have people on their boards who are responsible for climate change and sustainability," she told The Canberra Times last year.

"That is probably one of the biggest impacts, the biggest levers for change that we'll see when it comes to emissions reduction on a corporate level," she said.

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The World Economic Forum's network of young influential people comprises 1400 members and alumni, representing 120 nationalities.

This year's class is made up of people under the age of 40 who are active across sectors including green energy, health equity, refugee rights and education reform.

Those selected participate in a three-year leadership development program intended to help them reach new heights.

"The leaders celebrated today have demonstrated exceptional ingenuity and vision across their fields," Mariah Levin, head of the Forum of Young Global Leaders said.

"While they represent diverse sectors, regions, and issue areas, they are united in their commitment to lead towards a more inclusive and sustainable world."

Ms Hamblin Wang and Caroline Blanch Israel, the managing director and partner of Boston Consulting Group, are the only two representatives from Australasia and Oceania.

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