By Business & Finance 
Justyna Banasik, as the Head of Sustainability at Allianz Ireland, oversees the implementation of strategies focused on climate change and the environment. She supports Allianz’s customers and community partners on their own sustainability journies
What was your first job?
My first job was helping out my aunt – I helped her renovate her home a lot as a teenager. She was an architect and always revamping her home, almost every 12 months. She would hire me as help over the summer, it was the first time I remember having responsibilities, I had a start time and finish time, it was great and taught me a lot about discipline. The DIY skills came in handy when I bought my home in Ireland.
What pushed you to pursue a career in this field?
I got a job in an Allianz call centre many years ago and at the time it was temporary, I said I would give it a year and see what would happen. It became clear to me early on that opportunities were abundant at Allianz and there were many areas in which I could work and grow my knowledge.
I never thought I would spend as long in the field, not many people grow up and dream of working in insurance, I didn’t know enough about the field to see it as a long-term option, but I had the chance to work in many areas and saw the role insurance plays in every aspect of life.
What would you regard as your greatest achievement to date?
I am proud of lots of things but professionally, it has to be my current role as the first Head of Sustainability in Ireland. It has been a huge undertaking and with sustainability being particularly important in our conversations in the corporate world and beyond.
Allianz’s sustainability strategy emphasises supporting community cohesion, employee engagement, and sustainable business practices. I have been working to embed ESG considerations across all areas of the business, to ensure that Allianz Ireland can optimally manage ESG risks, and seize ESG-related opportunities.
Career-wise, would you do anything differently?
In short, no. I’m happy with how my career worked out! I moved around the company a good bit. It meant I had good knowledge of how the different areas of the business worked. It prepared me for the role I have today. If I hadn’t had learned what I had in Allianz, I wouldn’t be where I am now.
In one sentence, how would you define success?
For me it’s, success is enjoying what you do, getting good at it and delivering positive change.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
The best piece of advice I have ever received is to be open-minded and continue to learn. It is a cliché, but it is true. This is something I have carried into the role I have now; sustainability is an area that is relatively new (in business terms), and it is something which is flexible in definition and is changing meaning every day.
How do you motivate yourself and your staff?
The new role has made me think about how and why I choose to lead the team in the way I do. It is very easy to motivate myself every day. I have gotten very used to not becoming reliant on my to-do list and learned to become reactive to the business’s needs. The spontaneity makes it easier to be motivated.
How do you handle adversity?
There will also be challenges in your professional life, especially in our industry, but it is about keeping perspective and focusing on the practical solutions and trying to keep a level head.
How do you relax?
Being outdoors is important to me. I find great peace being in nature and walking my dog, Maya. I live between the sea and the mountains so there are beautiful sights where I can put down the phone and touch base with reality.
What is your favourite (non-business) book?
The crime or detective genre is always a winner. Any murder mystery or detective novel will get me hooked; I am not fussy about the author or plot. I also enjoy Ross O’Carroll Kelly for a good laugh.
What are your aspirations for the future of the business?
Our goal is to be the leader in the market for sustainability. We are prioritising supporting our employees, customers and partners on their sustainability journey. Delivering a positive environmental and sustainable impact is incredibly important to Allianz, this is evident through our various partnerships and initiatives such as Climate Safe Homes and Rebuild Better and working even closer with community partners including Women’s Aid, the DSPCA, the GAA, the Olympic Federation of Ireland and Paralympics Ireland.
The future of the business is captured in our slogan “we secure your future” and I think we are taking steps to ensure that we fulfil the prophecy and support our customers for years to come. I know that sustainability is going to play a big part in this.
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