We recently had the opportunity to interview Sarah Varghese, global city strategist, author, and executive leader. Bringing over three decades of global experience, her vision has remained the same: “Helping create cities that are sustainable, inclusive, resilient, and people-centred.”
Throughout her career, Sarah has worked with both public and private sectors, blending strategic vision with practical implementation. With exposure to different cultures from an early age, Sarah’s leadership is shaped by her deep appreciation for cultural understanding and collaboration.
Today, she continues to work with clients and institutions to address complex urban challenges, bringing together planning, design, infrastructure, and human experience to shape thriving, future-ready cities. Her work reflects a lifelong belief, “Successful cities are ultimately about improving the lives of the people who call them home.”
Spark Behind the Vision
We started the interview by asking, “What first inspired you to pursue your current industry or professional path? Was there a defining moment or influence that shaped your direction?”
Sarah shared, “I have always been drawn to cities, history, design, and people. Growing up in Africa as part of an expatriate family, I traveled extensively with my parents and was exposed to different cultures, communities, and ways of life from an early age. Those experiences gave me a deep appreciation for diversity and sparked a curiosity about how places shape people’s lives.
By the time I was in Year 8, I had decided that I wanted to study architecture. I was fascinated by the history and culture of cities and inspired by the opportunity to blend lessons from the past with contemporary thinking to create a legacy for future generations. After researching a range of university courses, architecture stood out as the profession that would allow me to shape the built environment, enhance quality of life, and contribute to places that endure for generations.”
Navigating through Uncertainties
We were interested in learning how Sarah Varghese overcame the challenging phases in her career. So, we asked, “Can you describe one significant challenge you’ve faced in your career or business, and how you successfully overcame it?”
She explained, “One of the most consistent challenges throughout my career has been navigating what is often described as a ‘double glass ceiling.’ As an Indian woman working in senior leadership roles across multiple regions, including Australia, the United Kingdom, the Middle East and Africa, I have experienced different cultural, gender, and societal biases (both conscious and unconscious) in each environment.
Rather than allowing those barriers to define me, I focused on building credibility through excellence, resilience, and results. I learned to adapt to different cultural contexts while remaining authentic to my values and leadership style. Over time, I found that consistently delivering impact, building strong relationships, and investing in people helped break down many of those barriers. The experience has also reinforced my commitment to mentoring and supporting diverse talent, because I believe organizations and cities are stronger when leadership reflects a broad range of perspectives and experiences.”
Trends that are Shaping the Future
As every industry is rapidly transforming, we asked Sarah Varghese to share the key trends or changes she foresees shaping the future of her industry over the next 3–5 years.
“Over the next three to five years, I believe the most transformative trend will be the convergence of real-time data, artificial intelligence, and smart technologies to support faster, evidence-based decision-making. Cities will increasingly use live data and predictive intelligence to optimize services, improve efficiency, and enhance citizens’ quality of life.
At the same time, there will be a much greater focus on public spaces, environmental quality, and biophilic design. As cities seek to improve physical and mental wellbeing, we will see growing investment in human-centred urban environments that integrate nature, promote walkability, and foster stronger community connections.
Another major shift will be the changing nature of work. Advances in technology and automation are likely to reshape how, when, and where people work, reducing the need for traditional workplace models and increasing flexibility. This will have significant implications for the design of homes, offices, and cities, requiring planners to rethink how urban environments support living, working, learning, and social interaction in the future,” she mentioned.
Plans in Pipeline
We then asked, “What are your long-term aspirations for your company or role, and what strategies are you implementing to reach them?”
Sarah added, “As a Partner and senior executive, I have multiple responsibilities to balance, including delivering business objectives, leading teams, developing talent, and driving performance. At the same time, I am a wife and mother, and I have learned that it is very easy to become completely consumed by work. One of my most important long-term aspirations is to achieve a sustainable balance between professional success, family, friends, and personal wellbeing.
Ensuring that I allow myself sufficient time to rest, recover, and recharge, particularly during the perimenopausal stage of life, is essential to maintaining the energy, resilience, and clarity required to perform at my best.
Professionally, I am focused on helping prepare my company and my team for the future. The pace of change in client expectations, in the way we love, work, and play, and in technology and artificial intelligence is unprecedented, and it is critical that we continue to evolve alongside it.
A key priority is understanding emerging client and city needs, embedding technology and AI into the services we deliver, and equipping our teams with the skills and capabilities needed to thrive in a rapidly changing consulting world.
Ultimately, my goal is to build a high-performing, future-ready business while fostering a culture that enables both exceptional client outcomes and the wellbeing of the people who deliver them.”
AI in Reshaping Industries
Technological advancements, particularly AI, have been actively influencing businesses. So, we asked Sarah Varghese, “How do you see artificial intelligence and emerging technologies influencing your industry or business model?”
“Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies have the potential to fundamentally transform how we plan, design, and manage cities. The ability to capture and analyse real-time data from transport networks, utilities, public spaces, and communities will enable city leaders to make faster, more informed decisions that improve efficiency, sustainability, and quality of life. AI can help us model future scenarios, predict demand, optimise infrastructure investments, and deliver more responsive urban services.
However, while technology will become increasingly important, cities must never lose sight of the fact that they are ultimately about people. The most successful cities of the future will not be those with the most advanced technology, but those that use technology to better understand human needs, improve wellbeing, foster social connections, and create more inclusive communities. AI should be viewed as an enabler rather than an end in itself.
For our industry, this means combining data-driven insights with human-centred urban planning. Technology can tell us how a city functions, but people tell us why it matters. The future of city planning lies in bringing together artificial intelligence, design, community engagement, and human experience to create cities that are not only smarter, but also healthier, more liveable, and more resilient,” Sarah explained.
Values that Define Success
Interested in learning the core values or guiding principles that influence Sarah Varghese’s decisions and the way her organization operates, we asked her to share a glimpse of the same with our viewers.
She mentioned, “My core values are rooted in integrity, honesty, transparency, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. I strongly believe in the importance of investing in people, mentoring future leaders, and creating opportunities for others to grow and succeed. Continuous learning, curiosity, and humility are also central to how I approach both my professional and personal life.
I believe that true leadership begins with listening. Understanding clients’ needs, challenges, and aspirations is far more important than selling solutions they do not need. This principle has shaped my approach throughout my career and continues to guide the way I work with clients, colleagues, and stakeholders.
Sustainability, inclusivity, and respect for different cultures are equally important values. Having lived and worked across multiple countries and cultures, I have developed a deep appreciation for diversity and the strength that different perspectives bring to problem-solving and innovation.
Finally, I believe we all have a responsibility to leave the world better than we found it. Whether through shaping better cities, mentoring others, promoting healthy living, or contributing to more sustainable communities, I am motivated by the desire to create positive and lasting value for future generations.”
From Innovation to Growth
Innovation is a crucial factor for business success. To learn more, we asked Sarah Varghese, “Can you share an innovative strategy or approach that helped your company stand out or achieve a breakthrough?”
She commented, “In the highly competitive consulting industry, where clients are under increasing budget pressures and expectations continue to rise, it is essential to continually reinvent both your services and the way you deliver them. Success depends on staying closely aligned with evolving market conditions, client aspirations, and emerging technological innovations.
One approach that has consistently helped us stand out is our focus on building high-performing, multidisciplinary teams that combine deep technical expertise with commercial pragmatism. We place significant emphasis on attracting industry-leading talent, fostering collaboration, and empowering our people to deliver work at pace without compromising quality. This enables us to exceed client expectations, create measurable value, and build long-term trusted relationships.
Ultimately, our greatest asset is our people. Their technical excellence, industry credibility, passion, and commitment to solving complex challenges differentiate us in a marketplace where many services have become increasingly commoditized. By combining exceptional talent with innovation and a relentless focus on client outcomes, we have been able to create a distinctive position in the market and deliver meaningful impact for our clients.”
Evolution of Sarah Varghese as a Leader
Lastly, we asked, “How has your leadership style evolved throughout your journey, and what lessons have shaped your approach to leading teams or businesses?”
Sarah reflected, “When I was younger, I tended to see the world in very black-and-white terms. I often wondered why some people seemed less driven or did not contribute in the same way as others, and I was quick to judge performance based on my own expectations. Over time, however, experience taught me that people contribute differently, bring different strengths, and add value in ways that are not always immediately visible.
This realization encouraged me to focus on the unique qualities each individual brings to a team and to appreciate the diversity of skills, perspectives, and experiences that drive collective success. Much like a jigsaw puzzle, every piece has its place and purpose; without one another, we are incomplete.
As a result, I have developed a far more empathetic and inclusive leadership style. Living and working across different countries and cultures has further reinforced this perspective. It has given me a deep appreciation for the many ways in which the same goal can be achieved and shown me that there is rarely a single ‘right’ approach. Embracing these different perspectives has not only enriched me personally but has also strengthened team performance, innovation, and productivity throughout my career.”
Connect with Sarah Varghese on LinkedIn to gain industry insights.
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