Leadership Journeys [226] - Tessa Clarke - "The current system is profoundly and fundamentally broken"

Choosing Leadership with Sumit Gupta

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

What if your next leadership breakthrough came from a snowy day and a bag of leftover food?

In this episode, Tessa Clarke, co-founder and CEO of Olio, shares how she turned a moment of frustration into a global movement against food waste.

You'll hear raw insights about leaving a corporate career, building something from scratch, and leading with values in a world that often rewards short-term thinking.

This isn’t just a story about sustainability—it’s a masterclass in courage, clarity, and solving real problems with bold leadership.

Tune in if you're ready to challenge the status quo and lead with purpose, even when the path isn’t clear.

You can find Tessa Clarke at the below links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessaclarkeolio/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/olio-share-more-waste-less/

In the interview, Tessa shares

• "A snowy day and a bag of unwanted food sparked the idea that would become Olio. Innovation often begins with frustration."
• "Don't obsess over ideas—focus on the problems that truly matter. That’s where real innovation lives."
• "Every entrepreneur starts small. Baby steps can lead to massive change if you're consistent."
• "You don’t need to have all the answers—just the courage to take the first step and the resilience to keep going."
• "Values aren’t just words on a wall. At Olio, they guide our decisions, fuel our culture, and shape our impact."
• "Sustainability isn’t a trend—it’s a necessity. Even when the market wavers, our mission stays clear."
• "Building a community and a business at the same time isn’t easy—but it’s where the magic happens."
• "The future belongs to those willing to act—not just talk—on the big issues facing our world."