Episode 3: Innovation For Positive Sustainable Development with Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva in Positivity Strategist Podcast by Robyn Stratton-Berkessel
Positivity Strategist injects a good dose of optimism and possibility into your career. It seeks to marry the ideal with the practical, at home, at work and at play.
Conversations with thought leaders and everyday people shine the light on what works and amplifies the every day, micro-moments of positivity, irrespective of what else is going on.
How to Power Innovation in a Resource-Deprived World
In this optimistic and thought-provoking episode of Positivity Strategist, Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva explores the deep personal and professional journey that led her to become one of the most influential voices in sustainability and reinvention. From surviving the collapse of the Soviet Union to advising Fortune 500 companies and launching global youth movements, Dr. Nadya shares how we must redesign our systems—not just to survive disruption, but to create smarter, sexier, and more sustainable businesses.
This episode takes you behind the ideas that shaped Overfished Ocean Strategy—and into the future of circular innovation, intelligent resource use, and value creation beyond endless growth.
What You’ll Learn
You’ll learn how sustainability moved from a feel-good side conversation to a central business imperative—and why today’s most successful companies are shifting from linear to circular models. Dr. Nadya unpacks five strategic principles to reinvent products, operations, and leadership mindsets in a world where every resource—from clean air to social stability—is under pressure. Whether you’re a startup founder, corporate executive, or student of change, this conversation will challenge how you think about strategy, systems, and your role in co-creating the future.
Who This Is For
- Leaders navigating sustainability, ESG, or impact strategy
- Product and operations teams seeking resource-smart innovation
- Consultants and coaches working with mission-driven organizations
- Educators and students interested in systems thinking and circular economy
- Entrepreneurs designing future-ready business models
3 Key Takeaways from This Episode
1. Linear Models Are Dead—It’s Time to Think in Circles
From Nike’s knit technology to circular fashion models like Mud Jeans, the future belongs to companies that design products with reuse and regeneration in mind. Dr. Nadya explains how moving from a linear to a circular economy unlocks not just sustainability, but superior business performance.
2. Strategy Begins With Resource Intelligence
Innovation isn't about chasing trends—it starts with understanding the limits of your resource base. Whether it’s bees affecting banking or farmers impacting coffee chains, companies must master horizontal thinking across the full value chain to survive and lead in a resource-deprived world.
3. Sustainability Must Be a Mindset, Not a Department
The companies thriving today embed sustainability into every role, not just one team. Dr. Nadya shows how mindset shifts, competency development, and cross-functional ownership can transform sustainability from a reporting function to a strategic growth driver.
Resources Mentioned
- Overfished Ocean Strategy: Powering Up Innovation for a Resource-Deprived World by Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva
- Business as an Agent of World Benefit (BAWB) at Weatherhead School of Management
- Mud Jeans
- Circular economy case studies from Nike
- Challenge:Future Youth Think-Do Tank: https://www.challengefuture.org
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