In this episode, we sit down with Social Impact Pioneer, Darshana “Darsh” Myronidis, Director of Sustainability at Virgin Group — the HQ at the centre of one of the world’s most iconic and diverse brands. With more than 20 years of global sustainability leadership, Darsh has built a career dedicated to helping businesses deliver meaningful social and environmental impact. From renewable energy in the North of England to sustainable business strategy in Southeast Asia, brewing operations in South Africa, advisory work at the UN, and executive leadership across multiple industries, Darsh has become known for her rare blend of big-picture systems thinking and on-the-ground action.
At Virgin, Darsh leads sustainability across sectors as varied as travel, leisure, health, wellness, media, entertainment, and technology. In our conversation, she reveals how she brings coherence to such a vast ecosystem, why Virgin embeds sustainability into every business decision, and how Virgin places people and planet at the centre of its purpose – to change business for good.
We dive into what drives her as a leader, how impactful leadership shows up in complex organisations, and why she is so passionate about championing the next generation of sustainability leaders, particularly those from underrepresented and under-heard communities.
Looking ahead to 2026, Darsh offers insight into the biggest opportunities and headwinds in sustainability—from navigating geopolitical risk and supply-chain volatility to unlocking the power of regenerative thinking, radical collaboration, and AI for good. We explore the language that truly resonates inside businesses, how to communicate beyond jargon, and how to create momentum even during times of change.
Whether you’re a sustainability professional, business leader, or simply curious about what the future of responsible business looks like, this episode offers clarity, inspiration, and a powerful reminder: the actions we take today can shape a better, fairer future for all.
To hear more from Social Impact Pioneers try listening to Åsa from Ikea.
