Going Beyond Philanthropy: Natasha Kwakwa on Standard Chartered’s Role in Banking for Impact

"Philanthropy isn’t just about writing cheques anymore—it’s about leveraging every part of your business to drive impact." 

For Natasha Kwakwa, Global Head of Community Impact at Standard Chartered, the key element is to use the bank’s unique capabilities and global reach to create meaningful social change. Leading initiatives like Futuremakers by Standard Chartered, Natasha is focused on empowering underserved young people and leveraging the bank’s resources to tackle inequality and promote inclusive economic growth.

In our ChangeLeaders interview, Natasha shared how her personal purpose aligns with her work, the impact of Futuremakers, and the role companies can play in addressing global social challenges.

A Purpose-Driven Career: From International Development to Financial Services

Natasha’s career has spanned international development, the public sector, and now financial services—all with a consistent focus on creating opportunities for those who lack them. “I’ve never worked in a job that doesn’t align with my purpose,” Natasha explained. Her mission? Bringing opportunity to marginalised communities, particularly women, and promoting equitable development in regions like Africa, Latin America, and Asia.

Natasha’s journey to Standard Chartered began with her desire to influence large-scale change in the markets she cares about most. “I joined from the charity sector because I wanted to have a different kind of influence,” she shared. Today, as a key leader within the bank, Natasha is helping drive Standard Chartered’s impact in some of the world’s most dynamic and challenging markets.

Standard Chartered Driving Prosperity Across Emerging Markets

Standard Chartered is not your typical bank. Operating in over 60 of the world’s most dynamic markets, its unique business model connects finance from developed economies to emerging ones. “We work in what we call ‘the global south,’” Natasha explained. “Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity for our unique diversity.”

This mission is woven into every aspect of Natasha’s work. “We’re leveraging the diversity of the communities we operate in, enabling the benefits of the bank to extend beyond just direct financial gain,” she said. The goal? To reduce inequality and create opportunities for communities that might otherwise be left behind.

Futuremakers by Standard Chartered: A Global Community Initiative

One of Natasha’s proudest achievements is Futuremakers, Standard Chartered’s flagship global initiative. Designed to promote education, employability, and entrepreneurship, Futuremakers aims to support 140,000 young people in securing sustainable employment by 2030. “We focus on disadvantaged young women and micro-businesses,” Natasha shared. “In many of our markets, the number of young people entering the job market far exceeds the number of jobs available. We need to address both the supply and demand side of the equation.”

Futuremakers is more than just a philanthropic project. The programme leverages the bank’s expertise and networks to provide high-quality skills training and support to youth and micro-enterprises. “It’s not just about giving grants; it’s about using our capabilities as a bank,” Natasha emphasised. This includes employee volunteering, with every Standard Chartered employee given three paid days a year to contribute their skills to Futuremakers or other community initiatives.

Through strategic partnerships with ten charitable organisations, Futuremakers delivers employability and entrepreneurship programming tailored to the unique needs of each market. “It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach,” Natasha noted. The flexibility of Futuremakers ensures that Standard Chartered’s impact is relevant and responsive to local challenges.

The Power of Volunteering: Engagement Beyond the Office

For Natasha, employee volunteering is a vital component of personal and professional development. “Getting out into your community and connecting beyond your business environment is so valuable,” she said. Standard Chartered’s structured volunteer programme enables employees to share their skills as mentors, coaches, or trainers, making a tangible impact on the communities they serve.

“We’ve found that younger employees, in particular, are drawn to Standard Chartered because they want to connect with the communities we serve,” Natasha observed. Beyond personal fulfilment, volunteering offers a host of professional benefits. “It improves well-being, builds networks, and fosters a sense of purpose,” she explained. And the benefits extend to the company as well. Employees who volunteer are more likely to speak highly of Standard Chartered, which boosts the bank’s reputation and enhances its value proposition for attracting top talent.

Is Philanthropy Dying?

Standard Chartered is part of a growing trend of companies integrating social impact into their core business. “Philanthropy as a standalone concept is dying out,” Natasha explained. “It’s about how we can support communities in a way that aligns with our business purpose.”

One way the bank is doing this is by looking beyond grants to explore how other parts of its operations can drive impact. For example, Standard Chartered actively promotes diversity in its supply chain and advises high-net-worth clients on how to direct their philanthropy for maximum impact. “The purchase order is more powerful than philanthropy,” Natasha said, highlighting the role that inclusive procurement can play in promoting social good.

The bank also taps into the skills of its employees beyond traditional volunteering. “We have a large number of trained coaches within our HR team, and they support both our employees and our charitable partners,” Natasha shared. By leveraging these capabilities, the bank is able to create a multiplier effect, expanding the reach and impact of its programs.

Navigating the Future: Trends and Challenges in CSR

Natasha is keenly aware of the evolving landscape of corporate responsibility. “There’s a real shift toward integrating CSR into the business itself,” she noted. This shift means that companies are expected to address social and environmental issues through every part of their operations—not just through philanthropic efforts.

One major trend is the increasing focus on technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI). “AI is going to change the future of work,” Natasha emphasised. “It’s not just about what jobs it will create or replace. We need to think about how we’re preparing young people now for a future that’s rapidly changing.” She stressed the need for community programmes that build foundational skills like empathy, resilience, and collaborative problem-solving—skills that AI can’t replicate.

Another trend is the rising expectation for businesses to be vocal about social injustices. “It’s no longer acceptable for companies to stay silent on key social issues,” Natasha said. Companies must find ways to engage meaningfully with the world around them, using their platforms to advocate for change.

The Role of Business in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

Natasha believes that businesses have a critical role to play in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “The private sector has a key role in solving the financing gap for the SDGs,” she explained. “Without us, they can’t be resolved. It’s a collective effort.”

For Standard Chartered, that means using every tool at its disposal—from direct funding to employee expertise—to tackle complex challenges like inequality and youth unemployment. The key, according to Natasha, is to align impact efforts with business strengths. “Think about the skills and capabilities your company has, and how you can add value to what others are doing,” she advised.

Final Thoughts: Just Get Started

Natasha’s message for those looking to make an impact is simple: “Just do it.” She encourages employees to take advantage of opportunities to volunteer, mentor, or coach. “You have nothing to lose,” she said. “Use your time effectively and see where it takes you.”

For Natasha and her team at Standard Chartered, the journey to driving meaningful change is ongoing. But with initiatives like Futuremakers, they are proving that businesses can be powerful agents of social good—when they are willing to commit to purpose beyond profit.

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This is part of our ChangeLeaders interview series with corporate impact leaders sharing their journeys, learnings and lessons from making impact in the corporate world. If you are a ChangeLeader we should interview, please email us at info@wemakechange.org.

Interview: James Sancto & Laura De Alba (We Make Change)
Article: Laura De Alba