What really changes when economics and geopolitics rewrite the rules?

In this conversation, Michael Kobori and Sandja Brügmann explore how sustainability is evolving amid today’s macroeconomic and geopolitical pressures. Kobori highlights the growing need for sustainability leaders to align their work with core business and financial priorities, the power of collaboration across companies, and the role of innovation in driving systemic change. Drawing on his experience at Starbucks, he also underscores the importance of culture and leadership in embedding sustainability at scale. The discussion closes with a pragmatic yet hopeful outlook, calling for proactive leadership and stronger communities to shape the future of sustainability.

00:00 The Current State of Sustainability

03:49 Navigating Challenges in Sustainability Leadership

08:04 Corporate Responsibility and Systemic Change

11:59 Innovative Solutions and Collaborative Efforts

15:56 Case Studies in Sustainability Initiatives

24:07 The Future of Corporate Sustainability

33:00 Water Initiatives and Corporate Responsibility

35:59 Collaboration for Sustainability

39:07 Leadership and Culture in Sustainability

44:01 Systemic Change and Strategic Design

49:00 Hope and Action in Sustainability

00:00 The Current State of Sustainability

03:54 Navigating Challenges in Sustainability Leadership

07:26 Corporate Responsibility and Systemic Change

10:36 Innovative Solutions and Collaborative Efforts

13:43 Case Studies in Sustainability Initiatives

20:01 The Future of Corporate Sustainability

26:24 Water Initiatives and Corporate Responsibility

28:43 Collaboration for Sustainability

31:08 Leadership and Culture in Sustainability

34:30 Systemic Change and Strategic Design

38:35 Hope and Action

Links

Marc Carney’s full speach at Davos 2026 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btqHDhO4h10

The Culture Code https://danielcoyle.com/the-culture-code/

Michael Kobori on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-kobori-7a04b26/

Sandja Brügmann on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandja/

New Global Mind:Leadership for Systems Transformation

New Global Mind: A video podcast exploring brighter futures through leadership. A new series from The Passion Institute. Each episode explores innovative ideas, wisdom andstrategies with cross-disciplinary experts in systems science, strategic transformation, human behavior, consciousness, sustainability, psychology, economics, spirituality, and technology.

About Host SandjaBrügmann, Founder & CEO of The Passion Institute—astrategic transformation institute—a global visionary in leadership and strategic transformation, engages thought leaders and practitioners to shape our collective future. Named one of the "World's Leadership Gurus" by Lederne and known as 'The Board Whisperer' among leaders, she is renowned forher expertise in systems awareness and strategic sustainable transformation. She and team empower forward-thinking organizations and leaders to cultivate the skills and strategies crucial for the systemic transition.

About Michael Kobori Michael Kobori is a global sustainability leader committed to building a more just and sustainable world. He has held senior roles including Chief Sustainability Officer at Starbucks, Vice President of Sustainability at Levi Strauss & Co., and board director at Bunge Global SA.

He is currently a strategic advisor to Nationswell and an advisor to GaiaStar, a circular economy start-up. Michael is a Trustee of The Asia Foundation and a member of the U.S.–Japan Council, with prior service across leading industry, NGO, and UN initiatives.

A frequent speaker at global forums, Michael has also taught sustainability at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. He holds a Master’s in Public Policy from UC Berkeley and has studied sustainable finance at Oxford University.