Breaking Barriers in Sustainability: Brooke Pettit’s Vision for ESG Leadership

The financial sector is evolving rapidly, with sustainability and ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) now central to business strategies. Leading this change at Bendigo Bank is Brooke Pettit, Head of ESG and Sustainability, and the recipient of WiBF’s 2024 ESG and Sustainability Initiative of the Year Award. In a recent podcast interview, Brooke shared her inspiring journey, her approach to driving change, and her vision for a sustainable future in finance.

A Moment of Pride

Winning the WiBF award was a transformative moment for Brooke. Surrounded by colleagues who erupted in celebration, she described the experience as “a goosebumps day.” For Brooke, the accolade symbolised collective achievement. “This award was for everyone in the bank,” she noted, emphasising that sustainability requires collaboration at every level, from executives to frontline staff.

This philosophy aligns seamlessly with Bendigo Bank’s purpose to feed into prosperity. Sustainability, Brooke explained, is integral to this mission, enabling the bank to create long-term positive impacts for communities, customers, and the environment.

A Career Rooted in Purpose

Brooke’s journey into ESG began with a passion for aligning her work with her values. A graduate of strategic communications, she started her career at Reconciliation Australia, contributing to significant nation-building moments like the national apology to the Stolen Generations and the launch of Reconciliation Action Plans.

“I learned the power of people and the potential for creating real, positive change when you bring communities along on the journey,” she said. This insight shaped her career as she transitioned into the corporate world, recognising that businesses, like communities, have the capacity to be powerful agents of change.

Her role at Bendigo Bank felt like a natural fit. As a self-described “sustainability generalist,” Brooke found resonance with the bank’s purpose-driven ethos and its focus on community impact. “It was the goosebumps job,” she reflected, highlighting her excitement to work with a team of like-minded individuals dedicated to doing good.

Sustainability: A Business Imperative

The finance industry’s approach to ESG has transformed in recent years. No longer a “nice-to-have,” sustainability is now a critical component of risk management and strategic planning. “Climate risk is already impacting our customers,” Brooke explained, citing examples of natural disasters and the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Bendigo Bank’s approach has been proactive. Under Brooke and her team’s leadership, the bank has developed robust frameworks to address ESG risks and opportunities. This includes integrating climate risk into decision-making processes, fostering trust through transparent reporting, and embedding sustainability metrics into core business plans.

A standout achievement is the bank’s voluntary climate change training, which engaged 53% of its workforce in FY24. “This fills my heart with so much joy,” Brooke said. “It equips our people to deliver their work more effectively every day.”

Overcoming Challenges

Driving sustainability within an organisation comes with challenges, especially when building the business case for enterprise-wide adoption. Brooke emphasised the importance of aligning sustainability goals with business objectives. “You need to position your work as an enabler for others,” she advised.

Her persistence and adaptability have been key to her success. By celebrating small wins and fostering incremental change, Brooke has contributed to a culture of continuous improvement at Bendigo Bank.

Leadership, Balance, and Legacy

For Brooke, effective leadership means being a change agent and a role model. She candidly acknowledged the challenges of maintaining balance, noting that self-care, whether through morning gym sessions or meditation, is essential for sustained impact.

Her advice to those aspiring to make a difference in sustainability is simple yet profound: “You don’t have to be a sustainability practitioner to create change. Engage with the principles of ESG in your current role, and look for ways to make a positive impact.”

A Future-Ready Vision

Looking ahead, Brooke is focused on maintaining momentum and ensuring transparency in sustainability reporting. She’s optimistic about Australia’s newly mandated sustainability reporting standards, which she believes will enable clearer comparisons across industries and build trust with stakeholders.

Bendigo Bank’s approach to sustainability exemplifies what’s possible when purpose, leadership, and innovation converge. Through her work, Brooke Pettit is not just shaping the bank’s ESG strategy, she’s inspiring the entire industry to think bigger, act bolder, and create a future that balances today’s needs with those of generations to come.