Dr. Ona Newton
Discussant
Dr. Ona Newton is a distinguished Global Strategic Change Executive with over 20 years of transformative leadership, renowned for her exceptional ability to drive large-scale organisational change and champion sustainability.Her career is defined by a deep commitment to sustainability, operational excellence, and social impact across diverse sectors including technology, insurance, healthcare, banking, and non-profits.
Renowned for her strategic acumen, Dr. Newton excels in transforming organisations, developing innovative business models, and implementing effective sustainability practices.
Her strategic expertise has empowered over 10,000 leaders across 20 countries. Her leadership has redefined and shaped governance frameworks for major organisations, including Amazon, Financial Conduct Authority, Microsoft, Lloyd’s and HSBC investment and Corporate Banks, and the National Health Service (NHS) in both England and Scotland. Dr. Newton’s strategic initiatives have notably enhanced sustainability practices within large corporations, achieving substantial reductions in carbon emissions and advancing green practices, including significant contributions to climate initiatives.
A dedicated sustainability advocate, Dr. Newton is the author of influential books, including “Sustainability: The New Frontier (Co-Authored) for Corporate Governance” and “COP 28: What It Means for Boards.” Her writings offer valuable insights into integrating sustainability into corporate strategies and addressing global environmental challenges. Additionally, she is authoring a series of children’s books designed to instill sustainability principles from an early age and including works focused on integrating sustainability into national curricula.
As the Chief Executive Officer of Tobams Group, Dr. Newton leads efforts to connect African tech talent with global standards, aiming to empower 10 million individuals by 2030. Her mentorship has supported over 100,000 youths, and her social impact initiatives have reached over 1 million tech talents and 100,000 women and girls through her NGO.
Dr. Newton’s thought leadership is supported by prestigious credentials from Harvard Business School, SUMAS University Switzerland and a Doctorate degree from Warwick University, alongside her affiliations as a fellow with the Chartered Institute for IT, the Royal Society of Arts, and the Strategic Implementation Institute. Her career is a powerful blend of strategic innovation, sustainability advocacy, and profound social impact, making her an influential voice in shaping the future of governance and sustainability.