Having an impact, making changes – it resonates with an increasing number of young professionals, seeking purpose in and beyond their careers. But making an impact often feels overwhelming: Where to start? Volunteering? Funding? Which issue to prioritise? Am I doing too much? Am I not doing enough? In this series of interviews, CEMS meets different people working for NGOs and discover how they turn the world around, one step at a time, and their main advice to CEMSies who wish to get involved. For this first interview, we meet with Maria Sangder, Executive Director of UN Global Network Finland, Chairman of the Board of Fairtrade Finland and CEMSie of 2009 (NHH/Aalto).
And it is the issue that sits at the core of the Fairtrade organisation, says Maria Sangder, Executive Director of UN Global Compact Network Finland, CEMS alum and Chairman of the Board of Fairtrade Finland.
In Finland, Fairtrade is piloting a new approach to addressing human rights risks in the country’s seasonal berry industry, she explains: ‘Berries grow freely in the forests of Finland, and local companies typically hire seasonal workers from Thailand and elsewhere, to pick them. We are rolling out a nationwide pilot, collaborating with the whole supply chain, to support fair and decent conditions for these people.’
Fairtrade Finland’s core mission is to support producers in low- and middle-income countries by promoting sustainable livelihoods and decent working conditions through certification. It offers local retailers and manufacturers the chance to opt in to purchasing and selling certified products and ingredients—Fairtrade cocoa, coffee, flowers, sugar, cotton as well as wine, spices, and fruits. In exchange, these manufactures are entitled to use Fairtrade certification mark.
‘This is a brand with real clout,’ says Maria. ‘We operate and insist on super strict criteria for farmers in overseas markets, so that Finnish manufactures that opt in know they are working to make trade fairer for the people who grow our food. We own our certification programme which means we can ensure that farmers and producers conform to our standards. And when local manufactures partner with us to purchase from Fairtrade suppliers, they can be confident that the farmers have received at least the Fairtrade Minimum Price and the Fairtrade Premium for their products—ensuring a more equitable trade...’
Fairtrade Finland punches above its weight in the global Fairtrade network: despite being a small market, it is one of the most significant branches—known for its ambitious and innovative approach, she adds. Here there are plans afoot to roll out a slew of development cooperation programmes in tandem with the Finnish government, to build capabilities for suppliers in Africa among other priorities. But while they work with government, it is end-consumers who provide the bulk of Fairtrade’s finance, says Maria.
‘The biggest impact for certified farmers comes from high-volume products purchased by households and customers, and so customer awareness is a major priority for the organisation. We have a real mission to get people thinking about the supply chain and asking critical questions about where food comes from and if it’s grown locally, is it grown fairly. It’s a message that we want to promulgate as loudly and broadly as possible.’
Maria took up her role as Chairman of Fairtrade Finland in January 2025, and was nominated for the position on the back of her consolidated experience as CEO of Gaia Consulting, and Finnish-based consultancy focused on sustainable business and development.
‘I was invited to give a talk on renewing and transforming value-based organisations at a business breakfast event, where I met the Executive Director at Solidarisuus, a NGO launched in 1970. Solidarisuus works for women’s rights in East Africa, against gender-based violence, and promoting sustainable livelihoods. They then invited me to speak at one their events and then referred me to the selection committee for the Fairtrade Board. When the position was offered to me, I could see the instant synergies and possibilities; I could see the alignment. I felt an immediate sense of curiosity and I wanted to see what I could do to support this challenging work.’
Being a non-executive Chairman does imply a certain degree of juggling, that said. And although the role does not require her to get involved in the day-to-day management of the organisation, there is still a significant commitment required of Maria to plan a monthly one-to-one with her CEO and chair a minimum of five yearly meetings.
‘For me, the timing has been great as I’ve taken a sabbatical to transition from my last job into a new position with the United Nations as Executive Director of UN Global Impact. Even so, you have to organise and dedicate your time responsibly. It falls to me, for instance, to ensure that the organisation is doing what it is supposed to do—which is not difficult in the case of Fairtrade Finland as they are exceptionally well structured and efficient. I do lend my support to certain issues as they arise. But I believe it’s easy to find time for something when you are passionate about it and you feel the desire to commit to it.’
Read the full article: Turning the world around: Maria Sangder, Executive Director of UN Global Compact Network Finland, CEMS alumnus and Chairman of the Board of Fairtrade Finland | CEMS
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