Bottled water is not considered a very environmentally conscious and progressive business, but Shweta Harit, global brand VP at Evian, is out to change that perception through action.

Harit has ramped up Evian’s efforts in reducing its environmental footprint. She led the charge in securing the brand’s global carbon-neutral certification, which it earned in April 2020. And she stands by its pledge to become a “fully circular” company by 2025, meaning every plastic Evian bottle will be made from recycled materials. All too often, sustainability “sounds like doomsday” to Harit, who believes eco-friendly messaging should be cool, easy to digest and approachable. She helped develop Evian’s “Bottled Made From Bottles” initiative—plain wording that reflects its position on recycling. Currently, close to 45% of Evian’s bottles are made from fully recycled plastic, on track to close 2021 at 50% and reach full circularity in four years. “Innovation is the way out of the mess we are in,” she says.

See all of Ad Age's 2021 Leading Women U.S. and Europe here.

What advice would you give your younger self?

In the early stages of my career, I was very conscious of being liked and sometimes I refrained from saying what I felt. Now, I’d tell my younger self to go for it, because you have convictions and life is not about winning the popularity contest.

What’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?

There are small risks that we take everyday, but I love taking risks on innovation. For Evian, take the (re)new water dispenser: it’s a new model, it’s direct-to-consumer, and rolling out an innovation like that always comes with risks.

If you weren’t doing your current job what would you be doing and why?

I would love to teach. I’m actually going full-circle here, because I am trying to teach now with a couple of classes at Imperial College, Hult Business School, and just working with young people when I can.

What should the industry do to encourage more women and people of color into its ranks?

To be honest, I think what Ad Age is doing, spotlighting people like me and other women of color to show what’s possible. For me, seeing role models growing up was very important, and as an industry, I believe we have the responsibility to shape culture.

Which campaign or other piece of work have you seen in the last year that you wish you had done? 

I really loved the Burberry “Singing in the Rain” campaign. It has the diversity angle, it shows London, and it just makes you feel good. We’re all looking for that little piece of joy these days.

See all of Ad Age's 2021 Leading Women U.S. and Europe here.