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Learning doesn’t have to be linear, and it isn’t always on a time clock.

Sometimes our biggest lessons in life and business come quickly and leave a deep, lasting impact. It’s one of the reasons people choose the Leeds Certificate in ESG Strategy Program: it’s a thoughtful, intentional and single semester course that offers relevant and immediately applicable ESG education while providing career-long value through strong alumni engagement and networking.

Program alumni on a site visit to Red Rocks to learn about the history and sustainability practices

“The education you receive is great and helps how you approach CSR and ESG, but the network is what sets it apart,” said Lauren Roadman, specialist global community relations at Ball Corp., who completed the ESG certificate program in 2020. “Having a deeper pool of resources and fellow alumni to lean on for support, networking, feedback and ideation provides immense value.”

Today, Roadman holds a committee leader position on the ESG networking group team after playing a key part in energizing the alumni group through creating structure, committees and meaningful outreach and engagement opportunities.  

“The alumni network cares about investing in the continued professional development of leaders across organizations and providing opportunities for crowdsourcing and thought partnership from the alumni network.” 
- Colleen Maleski, Program Alumni

, senior associate at GBSM, completed the ESG certificate program in 2022, leveraging professional development funds. Now she pours her energy into nurturing a strong alumni network so the benefits of focusing on corporate sustainability and social impact grow over time. 

“I was seeking the opportunity to learn about the latest innovations in the social impact space. In an ever-changing field with new innovations and regulations constantly evolving, the class is designed to give you baseline information and involve you with what is happening in real time in the news, with an up-to-date perspective,” Maleski said. “The alumni network cares about investing in the continued professional development of leaders across organizations and providing opportunities for crowdsourcing and thought partnership from the alumni network.”

More than 500 engaged and growing

Program alumni assembling care packages for Colorado Coalition for the homeless

Roadman and Maleski say there are about 30 highly active alumni members, with an overall network that has grown to more than 500 professionals worldwide. Since the Certificate in ESG Strategy program is fully online now, there are more opportunities to tap into a larger network of resources, and one of the group’s goals is to continually increase participation outside Colorado.

“We live in a virtual world,” Roadman said. “There are a lot of similar roles out there—what better way to tap into an existing network and pick their brain for ideas and suggestions? We have an active and large hyperlocal contingent in the Denver metro area, but it’s only one piece of a greater whole. 

Program alumni hosted a panel of sustainability professionals for a networking event

Part of the success with this network is a conscious effort to create more inclusive opportunities and expand networking offerings beyond the traditional happy hours. The alumni group has also organized tours of Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre and the Denver Botanic Gardens to learn more about those organizations’ sustainability efforts. The group also completed a volunteer event supporting the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, for which nearly two dozen ESG alumni assembled care packages.

As the alumni network continues to grow, they’ll continue to look for even more ways to engage with members worldwide and continue to share knowledge and inspiration about corporate responsibility and sustainable practices. ESG alumni are always welcome to share networking ideas and opportunities.