We are not the typical crew.

Pavithra has 15+ years’ experience transforming global supply chains in the food, beverage, and fashion industries. Her career has spanned working on the IUCN Red List process, to facilitating multi-stakeholder efforts at the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, to the UN Global Compact.  

Specifically, in supply chains she’s worked across: 

• Global sectors: palm oil, sugarcane, soy, rubber, timber, leather, and now viscose. 

• Global production systems: directly with producers across most countries with tropical forests to meet different sustainability standards and policies.  

• Global sourcing systems: directly with brands, retailers, and manufacturers to build and roll out responsible sourcing programs, which has included policy development, implementation plan development, risk assessments, prioritization, and grievance management.  

More about me  

I was born in South India, brought up in Indonesia, and have lived, studied, and worked in the USA, UK, and China. I recently moved to Canada and am slowly learning the tricks for managing the cold and keeping myself entertained during the winters. 

My mission is to create the enabling environment needed to protect the forests and ecosystems that are remaining on Earth. One company, one industry, one stakeholder group cannot achieve this on their own. To get there, we need to ALL be willing to take that leap of faith — to try, to learn, and to figure it out together. 

I also strongly believe that one way for achieving this is to learn from the other sectors — there is so much experience, innovation and learnings from each of the different sectors. Imagine the progress that can be made if we build on those as a starting point!  

Why forests are important to me 
Animals are my heart and soul — whether they live in nature or are in the middle of the city. Their voices often go unheard, and their lives and the habitat they depend on are disappearing far too quickly.  

When we lose forests, we lose entire communities of plants, animals, and people, and the ecosystem services that go along with it. I keep returning to the idea of my own home: what it represents and the loss that comes when it’s taken away. 

So, I try to do what I can, even in my own backyard.  I rescue animals when I’m able, and provide a haven for urban ‘pests’ — which I know my neighbours’ aren’t always thrilled about. 

Why Canopy 
We already know what’s at stake, and what the future could look like if we don’t act now. While it’s important to support the private sector in transforming supply chains, it’s equally important to help connect the dots and bring real solutions to the table.  

We need to back the people who are taking that leap of faith, trying new things, and pushing change forward  

Ask me about 

I’m always happy to talk about my animal rescue stories and provide advice, my gluten-free/ sugar-free/ sometimes dairy-free baking experiments and tips, and art (e.g., paper quilling and mandala-dotting). 

What ruffles my feathers 

Water wasting!! Especially when I hear people leaving the tap running or when there is a water leak not being fixed. Sometimes I see RED. 

When ego gets in the way of collaboration. We simply don’t have the time to let misunderstandings or personal pride block progress and solutions.