Impact Interview: Gayathri Unnikrishnan

Name: Gayathri Unnikrishnan

Role/Function: Founder, Liveable

What are you working on these days?

Every so often, a project comes along that reminds you why you do this work— and this year, I’ve been lucky enough to have more than one.

One of my biggest highlights was collaborating with the U.S. Green Building Council on their first-ever impact report in what will be an ongoing series. For me, this was a full-circle moment with an organization that’s shaped my career. Working with their incredible team, we sifted through thousands of data points and stories, capturing how USGBC transformed from a small group of visionaries into the global leader in sustainable building. It was an inspiring opportunity to reflect on their legacy and elevate the stories of the people driving this movement.

Another meaningful milestone has been partnering with the International Living Future Institute on a bold initiative to help the building industry rethink supply chains. While the details are still under wraps, it’s a project that will push our sector to take a broader view of social impact.

But what I’m most excited about right now? Relaunching my podcast with the amazing Kimberly Lewis, a force in sustainability and equity for decades. Together, we’re creating a fact based narrative-style show to spark genuine conversations from all perspectives. The podcast sits at the intersection of climate, equity, and well-being, and we are exploring how power and capitalism shape the spaces we create.

What was the “aha” moment that sparked your interest in social and environmental impact? 

The moment it all clicked for me was during a rather intense critique in my design master’s program in Stockholm. My classmates and I were a group of idealistic, coffee-fueled design students convinced we had a brilliant, human-centered solution. The room was freezing—typical Swedish winter—but we were fired up, confident in our design.

Then our professor asked a question that stopped us cold: "You’ve thought about the people who will use this space, but what about those who will clean it at 4 AM? Maintain it? Keep it running?"

We had no answer. In all our careful planning, we’d completely overlooked the very people who’d spend the most time in that space—the maintenance staff. These were parents working night shifts, students putting themselves through school, immigrants building new lives. They were as much a part of this project as anyone else, but we had somehow made them invisible.

That moment taught me a profound lesson in empathy and responsibility. I realized that our work isn’t truly complete unless it considers every life it touches. Now, whenever I start a new project, my first question is: Who are we not seeing? That question has become central to my approach — making sure that every project reflects a commitment to those often left out of the story.

How did you break into the impact space? What career advice would you give to professionals who are just starting out or looking to transition?

My journey into impact evolved through hands-on, human-centered design work across the building industry in Dubai and India.

The real turning point came when I joined the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) in New York, where I found my stride in creating spaces that genuinely improve lives. IWBI sets rigorous, research-backed standards for healthier, more equitable environments. My team and I worked to adapt these standards across 140 countries, discovering the nuances of cultural approaches yet seeing a universal need for people-centered spaces. By the time I took on the role of head of standard development, I was leading a talented team focused on redefining how buildings and workplaces could impact lives on a meaningful scale.

This experience became the foundation for Liveable, the company I launched in 2023. At Liveable, my team and I bring together global insight and deep technical expertise to help the building industry measure, communicate and amplify their impact. Our approach is holistic: with every project, we go beyond the surface to assess the full picture — the people, spaces, supply chains and communities that our clients’ work touches.

For those interested in transitioning into impact work, here’s what I’ve learned along the way: Impact exists in every sector. Sometimes, it’s just about finding opportunities for change right where you are. I’d recommend talking to people across different roles to pinpoint what genuinely resonates with you. And most importantly, start by asking yourself what gives you energy — is it connecting with people, diving into data or creating impactful stories? That is your starting point.

Working in impact is often about driving change. What is the skill or trait that has been most important for your work as a change agent? How did you learn or hone it?

Looking back at my journey so far, three skills have been crucial for me.

The first — and honestly, the hardest for me — is patience. I’m someone who likes to see results fast but I’ve learned (often the hard way) that real, meaningful change takes time. Lasting impact often doesn’t come from grand gestures — it’s built through small, regular changes and by listening to truly understand people’s needs and the system’s limitations.

The second is seeing things from different perspectives and adapting my approach. Moving from engineering to design to corporate innovation, alongside living and working across different cultures, taught me that there’s rarely one “right” way to do things. This adaptability has made me a better listener, helping me understand where people are coming from and meet them where they are.

The third is combining design thinking with a data-driven mindset. My engineering background lets me see patterns and structure while my design training helps me step back and look at challenges holistically. Together, these approaches have helped me create solutions that are both impactful and scalable.

What most excites you about the impact space right now?

It's hard to feel excited right now, especially with recent election results. But I'm seeing some fundamental shifts that give me hope for the long term.

We’re finally having real, open conversations about complex issues—whether it’s racial equity, mental health, or systemic barriers. Just a few years ago, these topics were largely avoided. Now, there’s a growing understanding that these conversations (though uncomfortable) are essential for meaningful change.

The building industry is a perfect example. We’re moving beyond the focus on ‘green buildings’ and starting to address the tougher questions about equity, health, and social impact. We’re asking who has access to healthy spaces, who maintains them and how our designs affect entire communities.

This shift is encouraging because it means we’re finally getting to the heart of the issues. When customers, employees and policies all start demanding real change, companies have to go beyond ‘greenwashing’ and commit to practices that are genuinely transformative.

This season, our Impact Interviews series features members of the Change Hub, our membership community for busy sustainable business professionals. Tap into trainings, tools and a trusted network of fellow impact practitioners (including Gayathri!) by JOINING US HERE.