VERTified was set by Riva Walia, who has been working extensively to enhance bi-lateral trade between France and Canada as the Managing Director of France Canada Chamber. During her work, she has been passionately championing the best practices of France in Canada and realized there is a  no global platform that allows companies to not  only measure but accelerate their SDG goal achievement.  

With an MBA from Cornell University (ESSEC, Paris Campus) and Sustainability Program from Harvard University, Riva is recognized as an ESG Thought Leader. She is the Managing Director of France Canada Chamber of Commerce, where she chairs the Sustainability Think Tank- a pioneering platform of industry leaders supported by H.E Bob Rae, the Ambassador of Canada to the UN. Riva has been involved in numerous ESG activities including:

• Established strategic ESG roadmaps for Fortune 500 companies in Hospitality, Technology and Financial Services sectors
• Delivered execution excellence for an organization to create a capturing and reporting mechanism for GHG emissions
• Created a new product for an insurance company with sustainability at its very core
• Worked with global companies to help them with their enrolment and certification for UN Women Empowerment Principles
• Strategic advisor to an EV company for their sustainability goals
• Advisor to Co-Chair of G20 Sustainability Task Force
• Set up Sustainability Consulting business for large global companies

Nominated by the Ambassador of France as a Champion at “G7 Women”, Riva is a strong voice for DEI and social justice. She was appointed as a special advisor to the CEO of Women in Governance. 

She has won many accolades for her work in bi-lateral trade as well as ESG, notably:

• Recipient of Knighthood/Chevalier de L’ordre Nationale du Merite by President Macron, France
• Awarded the Top 20 Successful Women Leaders in North America