June recap | People at the center of sustainability

In June, Denominator engaged with global leaders, innovators, and changemakers at three landmark events: Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, US SIF Conference, and London Climate Action Week.

While each gathering had its own focus — from creative industries to sustainable investing and climate action — a unifying theme emerged: the growing recognition that social sustainability is inseparable from long-term success.

Here’s a closer look at where the conversations are heading.

Cannes Lions: From creativity to accountability

Denominator traveled to Cannes Lions for the second year in a row, and this time the conversation went far beyond advertising and brand storytelling. Social impact took center stage, and Denominator was honored to contribute to the dialogue.

Emma Helbo joined a transformative panel organized by the World Woman Foundation and Jam Session Agency, “Rethinking Gender Gaps through Insight and Action.”

The discussion moved beyond binary narratives — men vs. women — to explore the less visible divides between generations of women and the systemic barriers still holding back progress across industries.

Emma highlighted the power of data to reveal hidden inequities, particularly through intersectional lenses.

“When you look at the data, with a holistic view, and not to single things, then you start to realize patterns that you perhaps never thought about.”
— Emma Helbo

Other speakers, including Stephanie Ferguson from Microsoft and Frank Starling, underscored that progress requires moving past slogans to measurable structural change.

Among the key takeaways:

• Intersectionality must be central. Data should capture the overlapping effects of gender, race, age, and experience — not just surface-level metrics.
• Psychological safety drives equity. Without it, diversity efforts often stall or become performative.
• Reverse mentorship creates mutual growth. When rooted in curiosity and respect, it bridges generational divides.
• Data is a tool — not the goal. It is not enough to have data; it must inform actionable strategies and accountability.

Throughout the festival, conversations at The Female Quotient, Axios, and the Mastercard Villa explored how creativity can fuel sustainable growth.

Two highlights of the week:

• Financial Times x Nikkei anniversary celebration hosted by People Like Us – congratulations to Sheeraz Gulsher and team on the lion for the campaign #NameTheBias.
• Roundtable conversation at Goals House, “From Apathy to Action: Shaping the Climate Story We Need,” moderated by Ben Winkler (The New York Times) and featuring leading voices including Heather Mason (The Impact Lounge) and Darshana Myronidis (Virgin Group).

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Among the key takeaways:

• Intersectionality must be central. Data should capture the overlapping effects of gender, race, age, and experience — not just surface-level metrics.

• Psychological safety drives equity. Without it, diversity efforts often stall or become performative.

• Reverse mentorship creates mutual growth. When rooted in curiosity and respect, it bridges generational divides.

• Data is a tool — not the goal. It is not enough with having the data but create actionable strategies and accountability with it.

Throughout the festival, conversations at The Female Quotient, Axios, and the Mastercard Villa explored how creativity can fuel sustainable growth.

Two highlights of the week

• Financial Times x Nikkei anniversary celebration hosted by People Like Us – congratulation Sheeraz Gulsher and team on the lion for the campaign #NametheBias  

• Roundtable conversation at the Goals House “From Apathy to Action: Shaping the Climate Story We Need” moderated by Ben Winkler (The New York Times) and featuring leading voices including Heather Mason (The Impact Lounge) and Darshana Myronidis (Virgin Group).

US SIF Conference: Data driving sustainable investing

In Washington, D.C., Denominator participated in the US SIF Conference, one of the most influential gatherings for sustainable investing.

Amid a complex political backdrop, the conference emphasized the critical role of data. As Aniket Shah of Jefferies put it, “Data, not vibes.”

Investors are increasingly looking beyond financial performance to understand hidden social risks and resilience. The message was clear: rigorous social and human capital data is no longer optional — it’s essential.

London Climate Action Week: People at the center of climate action

To close the month, Denominator’s CEO, Anders Rodenberg, joined London Climate Action Week — a global space convening leaders to accelerate climate solutions.

While environmental innovation took the spotlight, it was inspiring to see discussions on human capital, equity, and social impact woven into the agenda.

After all, people are the force driving climate action forward, reminding us that social and environmental progress go hand in hand.

Conclusion

June highlighted how far the conversation on social sustainability has come — and how much work remains. Whether it’s driving social sustainability through creativity, using data to uncover social risks, or ensuring people are at the heart of climate strategies, the path forward demands consistent action and transparency.

At Denominator, we remain committed to equipping organizations and investors with the data and insights needed to build more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable futures.

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