Durante il picco della crisi dell'Ebola, il processo di recupero in Africa non stava andando secondo i piani. Un fallimento dopo l'altro hanno spinto Shalini Unnikrishnan di BCG a riconoscere che avevano approcciato la crisi dalla direzione sbagliata.

Shalini Unnikrishnan is the Global Lead for Societal Impact in the Consumer and Social Impact practices at Boston Consulting Group. 

Shalini’s work at BCG is focused at the intersection of the private, public, and social sectors. She is the co-author of “Total Societal Impact,” which explores how companies can gain business and societal value through their core operations. Shalini gained expertise in this subject through her work with private sector clients. She also supports public and social sector clients on private sector engagement. Shalini has worked extensively in emerging markets–on value chains of private sector companies in agriculture, financial inclusion, women’s empowerment, and economic development. Her experience includes supporting the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response in West Africa, working within presidencies in Africa as an advisor on economic development, supporting global health and education coalitions, and designing public-private partnerships for consumer companies. 

Shalini has taken leaves of absence from BCG (2009-10, 2012) to serve with former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair's Africa Governance Initiative (AGI). She was embedded within President Kagame's government in Rwanda to support private-sector development, and she was a day-to-day advisor to President Banda in Malawi. 

Shalini is a recent Presidential Leadership Scholar, a selective program led by former President George W. Bush, and she has written and published extensively on various topics in societal impact including a TED talk on new models for tackling humanitarian crises. She currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Tony Blair Foundation.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

  • Social impact
  • Humanitarian crisis response and pandemics
  • Public-private partnerships
  • Economic development
  • Strategy and scenario planning
  • Public education
  • Global health strategy
  • Women's empowerment
  • Governance

EDUCATION

  • MBA, health care management, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
  • MA, international relations, Johns Hopkins University, Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies
  • BA, economics and sociology, Davidson College

HONORS AND AWARDS

Publications and Videos

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A Circular Future for Glass

Achieving a 50% recycling rate in the US by the end of the decade is ambitious but possible. Here’s how we can accomplish it.
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How African Countries Can Forge an Inclusive Economic Recovery

Governments that can balance urgent economic stabilization with structural reforms supporting long-term development will build a stronger foundation for the future. Nigeria’s inclusive approach is a case in point.
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We Need a Global Agreement to Address Plastic Pollution

As the impact of plastic waste in the ocean reaches crisis proportions, businesses are joining the call for a UN treaty to address the problem.
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Biodiversity in Agriculture Makes Gains in the Boardroom

Big companies are working together to foster regenerative practices, revive high-value ecosystems, and increase the diversity of raw materials in their product portfolios.
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Sustainability Matters Now More Than Ever for Consumer Companies

Consumer and investor pressure is not going away. Companies must double down on sustainability as they emerge from the COVID-19 crisis.
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Three Principles to Guide Africa’s COVID-19 Response

African governments must develop a response that is comprehensive, adaptive, and implemented effectively in order to take fast action in several areas.
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Fighting COVID-19 in Africa Will Be Different

The impact of COVID-19 in Africa may be mitigated by the youthful population—but a constrained health system and high incidence of other health conditions will intensify the challenge.
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Shrimp Farmers Worldwide Must Adopt Sustainable Practices—or Risk Falling Behind

Major shrimp importers are demanding sustainability and traceability. To thrive in the coming decade, producers must change the way they do business.
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Want to Boost the Global Economy by $5 Trillion? Support Women as Entrepreneurs

Empowering women who own businesses by removing barriers to equality of opportunity could fuel massive global economic growth.
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How Mobile Money Agents Can Expand Financial Inclusion

Entrepreneurs who offer banking via mobile devices could finally put financial services within reach for 1.7 billion adults around the globe.
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Tackling the 1.6-Billion-Ton Food Loss and Waste Crisis

A stunning one-third of all food produced globally goes to waste—and the problem is growing. Companies that take aim at this issue can reap rewards.
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Total Societal Impact: A New Lens for Strategy

Contributing to society cannot be a side activity. Companies that use their core business to address environmental, social, and governance issues can create more value in the long term.
Profonda competenza, vasta esperienza