The intersection of success, impact, and justice – in conversation with Climate Reality Leader Roschelle Marshall

Work in climate justice and sustainability is often associated with a passion for creating a better, healthier, and more just world. However, the notion that success in this space can manifest itself in immaterial as well as material ways is still novel. We recently spoke to social innovator and founder of Honor Impact, Roschelle Marshall, about her journey towards becoming a Climate Reality Leader, how the training has influenced her personal and work life, her leadership style, and the importance of impact measurement and communication to ensure progress and success in the climate space.  

Roschelle also delves into the importance of guiding and educating the next generation towards making good decisions and uses her two tamariki (children) as examples.  
With a deep knowledge and passion for purpose-driven work, she shares her thoughts on the unique, systemic, and disproportionate challenges faced by Pacific Island Nations in light of the climate crisis. She argues that prosperous, strong Pacific communities are needed to face the challenges at hand.

Climate Reality: Roschelle, what initially motivated you to become a Climate Reality Leader, and how has this influenced your approach to sustainability within your work and personal life? 

Roschelle Marshall: I had recently been appointed as a sustainability manager in a large financial services organisation and was keen to learn more about solutions towards combatting climate change. However, the Climate Reality Leadership Training gave me so much more and I came away with connections, facts, and inspiration to do more.  ​

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In my work, the training prompted me to think about motivations and intent towards climate action and whether businesses wanted to do the bare minimum to mitigate against climate risk or saw it as an opportunity to invest and create positive environmental outcomes.  

During my time in corporate, I became impatient with the pace of change as I wanted to create more of an impact. During the COVID pandemic, I worked for a local food rescue organisation, and I got to experience first-hand how saving food from landfill can be redistributed to feeding those in need. Being in the community, you get to see and feel the impact every day which was hugely rewarding. It was during this time that I also went back to tertiary study to learn more about leading change ‘for good’. I learnt about social enterprise and Indigenous business as a way to create sustainable impact and I was hooked. Now, I feel incredibly fortunate to support leaders, founders, and entrepreneurs to scale their social, cultural and/or environmental impact. ​

For me personally, you can see that I’ve already been on quite the learning journey! I was already an advocate for slow fashion but have since worked towards a waste-free kitchen, transitioned to more sustainable transport, and more plant-based foods (which at times feels minuscule compared to the changes that are needed) however, setting good examples and educating my two tamariki to guide them towards nature-based choices is hugely important for me. They are our future. 

Climate Reality: You have mentioned believing businesses can be both profitable and forces for good. Can you elaborate on how you help organisations achieve this balance, specifically in the context of sustainability? 

Roschelle Marshall: Seeing the rise of impact enterprises, whether they are Māori business, trading charity, or social enterprise, provides an incredible amount of hope. My role is to support these organisations to scale their impact and build their internal capability to become outcomes-led organisations; as the business succeeds, the impact increases.  

For example, I supported a family-run horticulture nursery for intellectually disabled people who were looking to grow their operation. As part of their action plan, they ran their first crowd funding campaign to finish building a new, purpose-built space to increase their capacity. With this capacity comes the ability to increase the number of people they can support, providing enormous social benefits, and environmental outcomes through their horticultural activities. This organisation is an example of how leaders can put people and the planet at the center of how they do business. 

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Climate Reality: You have also highlighted the importance of measuring positive outcomes. Can you share some effective strategies or frameworks you use to measure the impact of climate-focused initiatives? 

Roschelle Marshall: What gets measured, gets managed, right? In my practice, I have seen several community organisations doing great work. However, they are not focused on measuring the positive changes they create, rather they measure inputs and activities. Conversely, there are large businesses who are very measured on their actions but transparent on their targets, progress, and goals for climate action.  

To support measurement, I typically use a theory of change to map the activities to outcomes that are being created, then look to measure the priority outcomes using a variety of data sources to better understand the scale of impact. Over time, it provides valuable evidence that positive change is actually occurring and a better evaluation of the effectiveness of your activities.  

I also believe that communication is a powerful tool for change because there is no final destination with this work - we’re all on a journey and sharing our evidence and stories inspires others to either join us or start their own journey. 

Climate Reality: As a leader, how do you inspire and empower others to act on climate change, particularly in the Blue Pacific and Aotearoa (New Zealand) region? ​

Roschelle Marshall: I have found that my style and ways of empowering are usually through one-on-one conversations with those who are open-hearted to change by giving them the confidence to change the things that matter to them. I also believe that ‘leading from behind’ enables others to be empowered and tell their stories of inspiration.  
Aotearoa (New Zealand) and the Pacific has some really smart people doing really brave things and I think hearing their lived experiences provides incredibly rich insights for others.  

Climate Reality: Pacific Island nations face unique vulnerabilities due to climate change. What specific challenges and opportunities do you see for these communities in addressing climate change? 

Roschelle Marshall: I think this is the issue that keeps me awake at night! The challenges that each island nation will face are unique, systemic, and completely disproportionate to their own emissions.  
 
I believe that at the heart of this, Pacific communities hold the solutions to their challenges - as long as they are enabled to do this - and I think honouring this, alongside investment partners, will be challenging. I’m also intrigued about technology to address climate issues like the example of Tuvalu where they are already harnessing the metaverse to preserve their island and culture as the world’s first digital nation.  ​

Climate Reality: Could you share some key lessons or advice you've gained, especially for young people interested in making a difference? 

Roschelle Marshall: Al Gore said to use your ‘voice, vote, and your dollar’ towards climate action. I will build on this and add in ‘your head and hands’. 

Voice - using your voice can come in many ways and I would implore people to use your strengths to find this voice whether that’s letters to your local MP, joining a local committee or action group, or Tik Tok.  

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Vote - for the environment and the people and policies that will protect our planet. 

Dollar - be super conscious about who and where your money goes. Your superannuation investments, where you buy your food, your electricity provider - it can all make a difference. 

Head - whether you’re a teacher, engineer, playwright, or business owner, you can infuse sustainability principles into your work. This is not about perfection either, more about thinking creatively and getting started.  

Hands - immerse yourself and get into it - beach clean ups, rescued food sorting, tree planting - experience impact! You will find the thing you love in your community that will trigger your desire to do more, and this can start at any age.  ​

Climate Reality: Looking ahead, what are some exciting projects or initiatives you're involved in, or where do you see your future contributions to sustainability and social impact?  

Roschelle Marshall: I have just started my own business - Honor Impact - which is focused on helping leaders and organisations to create and communicate positive impact. I see a gap when it comes to evidencing outcomes and I’m keen to see more positive good news to inspire more change. 
 
I’ve also completed my Masters of Change and Organisational Change which focused on enabling more Pacific entrepreneurs. Like all Indigenous business, Pacific views on wealth is multi-dimensional and wealth is shared among families and communities to uplift everyone. A lot needs to be done to strengthen this entrepreneurial ecosystem and I’m keen to collaborate with others to build this.  
 
We need prosperous, strong Pacific communities to enable not just those living in Aotearoa but all people of Te moana-nui-a-kiwa. 
 
Resources: 
 
Tuvalu
Honor Impact 

Image descriptions:

Image 1: Fair Food Ngā Kaihautu (Leadership Team - Roschelle Marshall, Tracey Pirini, Deb McLaughlin) November 2021

Image 2: Impact Hub Amsterdam with Social Enterprise World Forum 2023 attendees Nancy Lang (Three Leafs Tea) Avinash Bhavnani (Curious Green Humans) learning about https://www.thecoolbricks.com/
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Image 3: Social Enterprise World Forum 2023 attendees - Manawa Udy Ngāhere Communities, Roschelle Marshall, Helene Malandain - Chair of Social Enterprise World Forum
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