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From Academic Theories to Climate Action: Meet Sophie Lambin, Founder & CEO of Kite Insights
Sophie Lambin is the founder and CEO of Kite Insights, Kite Academy, and creator of Hurd. She is recognized for her work in fostering insightful discussions and developing educational platforms.
Tell us about your journey.
I’m a Belgian-born, London-based entrepreneur, but more than anything, I’m a climber of figurative (as well as literal) mountains. My path has never followed convention. From academia to publishing, to thought leadership and to founding Kite Insights and now Hurd, I’ve always been driven by a single thread: turning knowledge into action. Along the way, I’ve learned to embrace being the outsider in the room – the one who asks the difficult questions. It’s what gives me purpose.
What pivotal experiences shaped your current path?
When my brothers — both nature & climate experts — said it was too late to save the planet, I remember thinking: Not if I can help it. That defiance became a life direction. Years later, I saw it again inside companies: bold climate goals, but with no processes or – crucially – people to drive them (a CSO or small green team alone is not enough). That disconnect lit a fire. I built Hurd to change that — to meet people wherever they are and to help them move from passive concern to active contribution.
What are the most valuable lessons you’ve learned about yourself through your life and career?
That you don’t need certainty to keep going. As an entrepreneur, I am no stranger to overwhelming challenges. I’ve stood at the verge of self-doubt, and have thought to myself many times, even in recent years, that I might not make it through. But when that happens, I remember something. I remember that I climb mountains. There’s always a moment, in mountaineering, when you think you won’t make it to the top. You’re staring into the distance at the summit you’ve set out to climb, soaring thousands of meters above you, and you think, ‘Impossible.’
The mountain metaphor is cliché for a reason: taking ‘one step at a time’ actually works. It also reminds us that there is immense strength in the exercise of vulnerability. When you only have yourself to rely on, the steps you take to adapt to that fact, both mentally and physically, can allow you to achieve extraordinary things. I’ve also learned that care — real, vulnerable care — is a strength. When we let ourselves feel deeply, we unlock purpose, creativity and courage. That’s where the real work begins.
What drives your desire to contribute and make a difference?
I’ve always felt a deep need to do something – to turn frustration into action. I’m driven by injustice, but also by possibility. Climate change can feel paralyzing, but when you give people the tools to act, you start to see sparks of hope. I want to help people realize their own agency –especially at work, where our potential for impact is greatest. If I can turn despair into action, in myself or others, that’s enough to keep me going.
If you could go back and advise your younger self, what would it be?
Don’t be afraid to be different. You won’t always fit in — and that’s okay. Keep following what feels meaningful, even when others don’t see it yet. Also: trust your restlessness. The discomfort you feel is often a compass, pointing you toward the place you’re meant to change. You won’t regret choosing purpose over comfort.
What are your highest hopes for democracy to unite and uplift and inspire?
My hope is that democracy reclaims its roots - not just as a political system, but as a shared commitment to dignity, voice, and agency. When people feel seen, heard, and empowered to shape their future, incredible things become possible. That’s the promise of democracy: not perfection, but participation - messy, creative, collective action in service of the common good.
How can GlobalMindED support leaders like yourself in achieving your goals and advancing your aspirations?
By spotlighting those who dare to care — and who are willing to ask the tricky questions. The climate transition needs more than strategy; it needs humanity, creativity, and courage. GlobalMindED can support leaders by helping us find one another, build momentum together, and remind us that we’re not alone. The more visible this collective becomes, the stronger we all are.
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