‘It’s Important to Me Not to Rest on My Laurels’
Uliana Kisataeva, a student at the HSE Graduate School of Business, was one of the winners of the UN Global Compact PRME 2025 Business Case Competition supported by the United Nations. As part of the competition, Uliana presented a digital platform called Green B2B Match, which can help businesses reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to the development of responsible consumption. In an interview with the HSE News Service, she spoke about her project, the competition, and her victory.
How It All Began
I was accepted onto the LEAP Leadership Programme 2025—a flagship leadership initiative organised by oikos International and the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) initiative. The programme lasts six months and focuses on developing leadership and project management skills. It includes monthly workshops, group learning, and individual coaching sessions, where we worked on abilities such as active listening, effective communication, and conflict management. I was an active participant in all the activities, and when I learnt about the case competition, I decided to take part. I wanted to put the knowledge gained through LEAP into practice and test my idea in front of experts.
About the Case Competition
The PRME Business Case Competition aimed to generate meaningful business ideas that address complex challenges of sustainable development. Participants had to design a project that could be implemented in the private sector, in society, or at the community level, and then defend it before an expert jury to advance to the second stage. The competition had two stages: first, submitting an application with a project description and a 10-minute video presentation; and second, an interview with a presentation before a panel of four judges. The goal was to demonstrate that your idea could be scaled up, that it benefits society, and that it aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
About the Project
My project is called Green B2B Match—The Sustainable Business Connection Platform. It is designed to help companies seeking to reduce their environmental impact find verified suppliers and service providers that follow sustainable practices. Using AI-based matching and ESG-standard filters, businesses can more quickly identify partners whose values and operations align with their sustainability objectives. Suppliers are to be verified according to international standards to eliminate the risk of greenwashing. I was inspired by the idea of creating a tool that makes sustainable business more accessible and effective. The project supports SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) by offering a concept that can genuinely help companies build environmentally responsible supply chains.
About the Victory
I did not know exactly how many applications there were, but with around a hundred participants on the programme, the competition felt quite strong. To make my project stand out, I decided to take a creative approach—for example, I designed a background with the project’s name for my video pitch so that the presentation would look more cohesive. During the interview, I tried not just to answer questions but to engage the judges, be natural, and speak honestly about why this idea matters to me. I was a bit nervous—public speaking with follow-up questions is always stressful, especially when it is about such a complex topic as sustainable development. When they announced the winner, I felt both joy and surprise—it was incredibly rewarding that my project was recognised both for its concept and for its potential for practical application.
Winning offers a unique opportunity to present my project internationally at the Thought Leadership Summit, with full funding for flights, accommodation, and related expenses. There, I will be able to present my idea to an audience of business and academic leaders and receive valuable feedback and support that can help bring the project to life. The programme also includes coaching and mentoring sessions to prepare for the presentation and strengthen my professional skills. Taking part in the case competition is valuable not just for the sake of winning—it is a chance to develop strategic thinking, presentation skills, and see how your idea can genuinely impact business and society. Even the process of preparing and defending a project is already meaningful—it opens up new opportunities for growth and professional development.
About HSE University and Master’s Studies
Studying for a master’s degree at the Graduate School of Business (GSB) is very engaging and dynamic. I am currently on a mobility programme in Germany, at FAU University, where I am spending the winter semester. I have been adapting to the new academic environment for two weeks now, and there are many exciting projects and courses ahead. I am truly grateful to my programme for these opportunities. For example, in the winter of 2025 I took part in a winter school in Hungary, and that experience inspired me with new ideas and research directions.
Master’s studies combine academic depth with practical projects and international initiatives, which help me to develop analytical and leadership skills, explore my values and career goals, and apply my knowledge in practice.
Future Plans
I try to make full use of all opportunities for professional and personal growth. Recently, I completed two programmes—LEAP 2025 and the Online School on Human Rights, which provided me with new knowledge and skills in leadership, sustainable development, and human rights. At the moment, I am involved in a joint project with Goa University, where we are preparing a report on the creation of sustainable and safe workplaces in Russia and India. In addition, I regularly keep track of new university and external programmes, competitions, and initiatives related to my interests, and I try to take part in those that offer practical experience and allow me to apply what I have learnt in real life. It is important for me not to rest on my laurels, but to keep developing my ideas and competencies.
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