Gayatri Divecha’s career at the Godrej Group is a compelling narrative of principled leadership, data-driven sustainability, and a relentless commitment to social impact.
Her work has been pivotal in embedding Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) frameworks within one of India’s most respected conglomerates.
Over nearly six years as Head of Sustainability and CSR, Divecha has been instrumental in transforming abstract goals into tangible outcomes that balance business growth with ecological stewardship and community wellbeing.
Early Career and Foundations
Gayatri’s journey into sustainability leadership draws upon a diverse background in development practice, academia, and corporate social responsibility.
With over 15 years of experience prior to joining Godrej, she cultivated expertise in social development and sustainability communication across sectors, including stints at HSBC India and consulting for global institutes.
She brought a rigorous, analytical approach grounded in academic insight from a master’s degree in Development Studies, coupled with hands-on field experience.
Her early work emphasised building lasting partnerships and evidence-based impact themes that would become central to her approach at Godrej.
This foundation gave her a unique ability to navigate the complex interface of business objectives and community needs with clarity and compassion.
Shaping Godrej’s “Good & Green” Vision
At Godrej, Gayatri led the strategic development and scaling of the “Good & Green” vision, the Group’s holistic sustainability platform focused on environmental conservation, livelihoods enhancement, health, and equity.
Under her leadership, the Group made measurable commitments and translated these into action on the ground.
Her mandate included spearheading initiatives across multiple divisions, ensuring that sustainability was integrated into product development, manufacturing, and procurement.
A key part of her role was embedding sustainability metrics within core business functions, influencing everything from plastic reduction in packaging to energy efficiency in operations.
Realising Tangible Outcomes
Gayatri’s leadership helped Godrej surpass numerous milestones that demonstrate the power of focused CSR. For instance, the company achieved a 22% reduction in plastic packaging surpassing its set target years ahead of schedule.
Additionally, Godrej ranked among the top three global FMCG companies on the prestigious Dow Jones Sustainability Index in 2024, outshining over 13,000 peers worldwide.
Beyond environmental gains, the impact on social welfare is equally significant. The Group’s CSR programs, under Divecha’s stewardship, reached over a million youth through skills development and entrepreneurship programs aimed at rural upliftment.
Healthcare campaigns and ecological conservation efforts extended their reach to millions more, demonstrating a holistic approach that links human and environmental health.
Navigating Compliance to Leadership
In her public engagements, Gayatri often stresses that CSR must transcend compliance. “Chasing social impact, not compliance,” she advocates, arguing that compliance is merely the foundation upon which genuine, transformative work must be built.
This deeper philosophy has underpinned Godrej’s sustainability strategy, emphasising transparent reporting, continuous improvement, and community collaboration as pillars of responsible business.
Programs under her leadership are not isolated philanthropy but are strategically connected with business priorities, supporting sustainable consumption and aligning with global goals such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Driving Biodiversity and Ecosystem Stewardship
One of Godrej’s standout sustainability achievements under Gayatri’s tenure is the conservation of the largest privately managed mangrove forest in India.
This ecosystem, located in Mumbai, sequesters over 60,000 tons of carbon annually and supports rich biodiversity.
Divecha’s team developed innovative conservation tools, partnering with organisations such as WWF India and Stanford University to launch the Mangrove Health Index a tool for monitoring ecosystem vitality.
This initiative not only highlights ecological responsibility but also showcases how corporate stewardship can contribute to global climate change mitigation efforts, melding local action with international priorities.
Championing Inclusion and Empowerment
Gayatri’s work places community empowerment front and center. Women’s economic inclusion, healthcare access, and support for informal workers are pillars in Godrej’s approach to equitable growth.
Programs promoting menstrual health awareness, training for waste pickers, and water management in rural areas exemplify an integrated model that balances social justice with pragmatic business solutions.
Her team’s efforts facilitate partnerships that enhance local capacity and embed sustainability principles within community cultures, fostering resilience and self-reliance.
Thought Leadership and Advocacy
Gayatri is a recognised thought leader who contributes to thought-provoking dialogues on the future of CSR in India.
She frequently participates in interviews, podcasts, and panel discussions where she shares insights on evolving CSR from regulatory compliance to strategic societal impact.
Her thought leadership underscores the importance of measuring real outcomes and engaging transparently with stakeholders, setting new benchmarks for corporate responsibility.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
From The Logical Indian’s perspective, Gayatri Divecha’s leadership encapsulates a strategic and ethical approach to sustainability that prioritises evidence, transparency, and inclusivity.
In a landscape where CSR can sometimes become a formality, her insistence on accountability and impact-driven programs sets a vital example.
Her tenure at Godrej represents how Indian businesses can not only compete on a global sustainability stage but also fundamentally reimagine their social contract.
Gayatri’s work reflects India’s emerging leadership in balancing rapid economic growth with environmental and social stewardship.
By embedding sustainability into the core of business, she challenges other corporates to elevate their commitments beyond philanthropy towards systemic, measurable change.
She also demonstrates the power of long-term vision combined with operational rigour a blend that many Indian companies must adopt to drive meaningful progress.
Her journey highlights that true leadership in CSR comes from consistent action, not rhetoric; from stakeholder collaboration, not isolated initiatives; and from a continuous learning mindset that adapts to new challenges with an unwavering commitment to integrity.
Gayatri Divecha’s tenure as the CSR head at Godrej Group outlines the evolution of corporate responsibility from intent to impactful action.
Her approach, rooted in factual evaluation and community collaboration, provides a blueprint for Indian and global companies striving to harmonise business success with societal wellbeing and environmental custodianship.
Her story is a powerful testament to how sustainability can become a core business driver an integral part of the future Indian business landscape.
