Swaady Martin stands as a beacon of transformative leadership in today’s rapidly evolving world. A former Fortune 500 executive and a multi-award-winning entrepreneur, Martin has carved out a unique niche at the intersection of business innovation and conscious leadership. With over 25 years of experience spanning business management, brand building, and new business model development, her impact resonates through multiple sectors.
Martin’s career began at General Electric (GE), where she held significant leadership positions, including Director of GE Transportation for Sub-Saharan Africa. Her tenure at GE, marked by a global perspective and strategic acumen, laid the foundation for her subsequent entrepreneurial ventures. Departing from corporate stability, she ventured into the realm of African tea with YSWARA, a brand that has redefined gourmet tea by emphasizing African heritage and high-value production. YSWARA’s success is a testament to Martin’s vision of reversing the African commodity trap by transforming local products into global high-value commodities.
As a consciousness activist, she founded the Tounché Global Consciousness Summit & Events, which aims to bridge divides and foster dialogue among diverse groups. Her initiative, LovingKindness Boma, creates inclusive children’s literature that reflects diverse characters, while Divine Indwelling, an institute she founded, is dedicated to religious literacy and global peace.
Her academic credentials are equally impressive. An alumna of Harvard Divinity School, NYU Stern, LSE, HEC Paris, and HEC Lausanne, Martin is currently pursuing a PhD in Interreligious Dialogue and Diplomacy, focusing on counter-terrorism and deradicalization. She has been featured on magazine covers and recognized by Forbes and Oprah Winfrey for her influence in Africa. Her accolades include being named one of Africa’s “20 Young Africans Building Africa’s Future” and receiving the “New Leader of the Future” award from the Forum of Crans Montana. Martin’s achievements reflect her dedication to not only leading but also inspiring others to drive positive change.
Through Tounché, Martin is redefining global dialogues by creating safe spaces for inclusive conversations on pressing issues. The summit, held in locations such as South Africa and Bali, gathers leaders from various backgrounds to explore themes like unity in a polarized world and the harmony between humanity and nature. Her upcoming event in Cape Town will continue this mission, focusing on the interconnectedness of humanity and the environment.
