Meet Kookai Chaimahawong, Top 25 Women of Influence+ Award Recipient

Kookai Chaimahawong is the Executive Director of the Centre for Climate and Business Solutions at UBC Sauder School of Business. Established to equip businesses and emerging leaders with practical solutions for navigating the changing climate, the Centre has quickly become a leading hub for industry partnerships, hands-on training, and applied research. In just one year, it has helped businesses turn sustainability into a competitive advantage while advancing impactful, real-world climate initiatives.

One of the Centre’s standout initiatives is the SME Climate Clinic, which, with transformative support from the Bank of Montreal, provides small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the tools and expertise to turn climate action into business advantage. The Clinic pairs students trained in carbon accounting with SMEs, empowering them to measure and manage their emissions, build resilience, and seize new opportunities in the climate transition. This initiative reflects the Centre’s broader mission: making climate solutions practical, scalable, and impactful for both industry and future leaders.

Known for her bold vision to accelerate business-driven climate solutions, Kookai is committed to catalyzing innovation that turns sustainability into an engine for business success. A sought-after speaker and mentor, she supports global climate-tech startups and responsible investment communities in navigating solutions for the climate economy.