Vaishali Nigam Sinha, Co-Founder and Chairperson – Sustainability, ReNew, has been elected as the President of the United Nations Global Compact Network India (UNGCNI) for the 2025–27 term. This marks the first time in over two decades that a leader from India’s private sector has been appointed to the role—traditionally held by representatives from large public sector enterprises such as ONGC.

The announcement signals a strategic shift in the leadership ethos of the Indian country network of the UN Global Compact, aligning with the growing emphasis on private sector participation in advancing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) agendas. Ms. Sinha’s appointment reflects her extensive experience in driving ESG frameworks, corporate strategy, and inclusive leadership within one of India’s leading renewable energy companies.

“As I step into this role, my vision is to make the UNGCNI the most influential force for inclusive and measurable action on sustainability,” said Sinha. “We cannot build a just and resilient future without those who have historically been excluded from the table. My focus will also be on catalyzing women-led leadership in sustainability and building platforms that go beyond dialogue to shape policy, unlock partnerships, and deliver collective impact.”

The newly elected 12-member Governing Council comprises leaders from corporations, academia, not-for-profit organisations, and consultancies, ensuring a robust, multi-stakeholder approach to promoting sustainable business practices in India. The council will be tasked with driving the adoption of the UN Global Compact’s “Forward Faster” initiative and advancing gender equality across the climate, water, and circular economy domains.

The newly elected regional vice presidents include Rishi Chawla (Carlsberg India) for North, Adhip Nath Palchaudhuri (Balmer Lawrie) for East, Sanjeev Kumar Verma (Grasim Industries) for West, and Thakur Pherwani (TVS Motor) for South. Key office-bearers also include Ganesh Reddy (Citizens Foundation) as Secretary, Abhishek Ranjan (Brillio Foundation) as Joint Secretary, and Dr. Nitin Dumasia (Growlity Pvt Ltd) as Treasurer. The Governing Council features prominent figures such as Gagandeep K. Bhullar, Dr. Ajit Parulekar, Sridhar L., and Jitendra Kumar Sarawgi.

With 361 members and active chapters in major metros including Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru, UNGCNI plays a critical role in aligning Indian corporate behaviour with the UN’s ten universally accepted principles covering human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption.

The network’s biennially elected Governing Council works to embed the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into Indian business practice. Under Sinha’s leadership, the council is expected to foster actionable strategies for inclusive growth and accelerate momentum on key ESG parameters.