Dr. Hema Surendranathan is a sustainability and ESG professional with more than ten years of experience leading transformative sustainability initiatives across higher education, TMT, shipping, and professional services. Her career spans a diverse range of organisations, including startups, research institutions, government agencies, publicly listed companies, and multinational professional services firms, giving her a unique ability to bridge strategic vision with practical implementation.
She has extensive experience advising and leading organisations on sustainability strategy, ESG integration, reporting and disclosures, supply chain sustainability, sustainable finance, energy management, and capability development. Recognised for her ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and engage diverse stakeholders, Dr. Hema has consistently helped organisations enhance ESG performance while creating sustainable business value.
At Grant Thornton Malaysia, Dr. Hema plays a key role in ESG advisory and assurance engagements, drawing on her broad industry experience to support clients across sectors. Her exposure to regional and international projects has strengthened her global outlook, enabling her to provide insightful, practical solutions that help organisations navigate evolving sustainability expectations and succeed in a rapidly changing business environment.
Areas of expertise:
- Sustainability and ESG programme management
- Sustainability reporting and sustainable finance
- Environmental ethics
Qualifications
- BA, Bryn Mawr College
- PhD, MFA, MA, Cornell University
- Graduate Certificate in Sustainability, Harvard University
