CESR Executive Education News

Executive Education Brings Sustainability to the Forefront

Justin Michael Forbis — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 20:13:03 +0000

Executive Education Brings Sustainability to the Forefront Justin Michael… Mon, 10/28/2024 - 14:13

Introducing the Sustainability and Social Impact Certificate

Leeds is committed to shaping future business leaders for sustainable and impactful careers. In that spirit, the Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility (CESR) has updated its executive education program with a new name but the same vision: preparing tomorrow’s decision-makers to drive solutions to corporate environmental and social challenges. The Sustainability and Social Impact Certificate aligns with the values and passions of our professional community, covering areas like environmental sustainability; ESG reporting; diversity, equity and inclusion; ethical AI; impact finance; policy advocacy and corporate philanthropy.

“It’s our responsibility to help develop leaders with business expertise complemented by an understanding of sustainability and social impact issues and opportunities.” - Kathryn Wendell, executive director of CESR

Sustainability is important to Leeds, CU ��«��Ƶ and the broader community. Chancellor Justin Schwartz recently launched an initiative to establish CU ��«��Ƶ as a national and global leader in sustainability. This includes hiring a vice chancellor for sustainability, implementing an ambitious decarbonization and clean energy plan, and augmenting expertise in climate science research.

“Aligning our program with Chancellor Schwartz’s vision of our university as a global leader in sustainability is important to our mission at CESR and at Leeds as a whole,” said Kathryn Wendell, executive director of CESR. “Leeds, CU ��«��Ƶ and our ��«��Ƶ partners are all committed to driving innovative solutions to the tough environmental and social challenges facing our world today. It’s our responsibility to help develop leaders with business expertise complemented by an understanding of sustainability and social impact issues and opportunities.”

Environmental sustainability is a critical concern for business, whether in the form of adapting to climate change, managing carbon emissions, complying with regulatory requirements, risk management or addressing community concerns. Social impact is also an opportunity to strengthen companies and organizations by leveraging diverse perspectives and investing in the communities where employees live and work. Leeds and CESR will continue to empower business and nonprofit leaders to catalyze positive change in these areas.

The certificate program is offered during spring and fall semesters, with 14 live, 2.25-hour online sessions. The course features both an afternoon and evening cohort, allowing students to choose the option that best fits their schedule. The curriculum is refreshed every semester based on the latest trends, information, news and scientific research.

Over the past seven years, this program has educated more than 600 professionals to become environmental sustainability, social responsibility and impact business leaders. Previously known as the Certificate in Corporate Social Responsibility and the Certificate in ESG Strategy, the Sustainability and Social Impact Certificate reflects the most current curriculum and aligns our program with important industry trends.

The Center's for Ethics and Social Responsibility launches a new name for its longstanding successful executive education program. The new name of Sustainability and Social Impact Certificate better reflects current trends within the industry.

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One Semester to Career-Long Networking

Justin Michael Forbis — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 19:44:23 +0000

One Semester to Career-Long Networking Justin Michael… Tue, 08/20/2024 - 13:44

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

Program alumni assembled for a sustainability tour of the Denver Botanic Gardens

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

Colleen Maleski, 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.

Learn more about this certificate program

The Certificate in ESG strategy program attracts professionals interested in building a strong, supportive career network with others who care about corporate responsibility and social impact, while expanding their knowledge through education that aligns with personal values. If you would like to discuss your professional development goals and how this certificate can build your skills and partnership opportunities, our certificate instructor, Jennifer Forman, is happy to schedule a one-on-one meeting so you can learn more and share any questions you have.

The Sustainability and Social Impact Certificate has a strong alumni network that continues to grow and develop ongoing professional opportunities for its members.

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Advancing Your Career with ESG

Justin Michael Forbis — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 19:22:06 +0000

Advancing Your Career with ESG Justin Michael… Fri, 07/12/2024 - 13:22

Developing new ESG skills and refining the ones you have helps align your values with your job.

Naisa Beaumont’s heart has always been in sustainability.

Beaumont, who has a background in environmental science and spent years in compliance and policy, is the Impact Manager at BarkleyOKRP, an advertising firm that works with purpose-driven clients.

Beaumont completed the Certificate in ESG Strategy from Leeds with the desire to shift careers to be more involved in strategic planning around ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance). She wanted to upskill and add a certification to her toolkit to increase opportunities and job advancement in roles more aligned with values, impact, sustainability and corporate social responsibility.

“I love this field. It’s a field that requires constant upskilling and relearning,” Beaumont said. “It is always shifting and changing, so it’s important to stay on top of things. I enjoy all aspects of the field and bringing everything together. I love this world of ESG and got so much personal and professional fulfillment in the discussions I had with other students.”

Upskilling and advancing with ESG

Beaumont, who vetted a few other similar programs, appreciated how the timing, topics and schedule of the Leeds ESG program fit with her life. Having the certificate and new experience carried her through the interview process as she explored opportunities.

“Just being able to talk the talk and use industry speak—it felt very familiar and comfortable to me and the role I wanted. The program also helped narrow my focus on roles and responsibilities as I applied for new jobs.”

Career pivots to social impact

Beaumont appreciates that everyone in the ESG certificate program comes from different backgrounds and brings different skills and perspectives. Understanding how to create valuable, transferable skills is important. Her advice to professionals seeking ESG opportunities is to make a running list of their strongest skills and remain knowledgeable about how those skills can be applied to a variety of roles. “One of the topics we talked about in the program is reading job descriptions and understanding their required experiences, exploring how to develop the expertise to meet those qualifications. One thing that is understated is that while young professionals need to add skills to their toolkit, later-career professionals also benefit from upskilling and developing transferable skills.”

Learn more about the Certificate in ESG Strategy

The Certificate in ESG strategy program attracts professionals interested in expanding their knowledge and making career changes that align with their personal values related to social impact and sustainability. Learn how to build a plan to ask for employer financial support or consider scholarships and discounts to help you in your professional development journey. If you would like to discuss your professional development goals and how this certificate can build your skillset, we encourage you to schedule a 1:1 with our certificate instructor, Jennifer Forman.

Learn all about Naisa Beaumont advanced her career by learning critical ESG skills that align with her values and in her career

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Measuring Business in Dollars and Values

Anonymous — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 18:04:36 +0000

Measuring Business in Dollars and Values Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 07/01/2024 - 12:04

More and more, ESG is shaping business to align profitability with social responsibility

Nobody understands what a community needs more than the people who live and work there.

Every community has its own rhythm, heartbeat and needs. In Colorado and communities everywhere, city officials work closely with nonprofit partners to solve complex issues and co-create thriving places to be.

Adeeb Khan, executive director of Denver Economic Development & Opportunity (DEDO), oversees economic and workforce development for the city, including bringing in new programs, promoting general business growth, supporting entrepreneurs and developing small businesses.

Khan, who has more than a decade of experience building programs and working with nonprofit leadership communities, also helps connect job seekers with opportunities. He works with city leaders to look at Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles holistically: governance to provide accountability for appointed positions; a social focus to create the right programs for people who need them; and an environmental lens to address complex issues like climate change.

Nonprofits driving corporate social responsibility

Khan sees nonprofits as integral, trusted partners in the city’s work who drive economic growth and corporate social responsibility. He emphasizes that nonprofits are leaders when it comes to engaging with important populations such as youth, homeless and veterans. Listening to nonprofit experts is vital because they are much more in touch with the needs of the most vulnerable and are already set up to serve.

“Nonprofit communities and leaders understand the needs of community better than most,” Khan said. “They create solutions and impacts that start with the deep knowledge of living and working in the communities they serve. Nonprofits are community-first and community-led. You can’t solve social impact issues without investments and partnership with local nonprofits.”

Social responsibility is always in fashion

Kyle Copp is one of Denver’s nonprofit leaders using ESG education to create progress and forge the type of impactful community partnerships that Khan promotes.

Copp, the operations and sustainability manager for the nonprofit Project Angel Heart, studied fashion merchandising in college and always had an interest in renewable materials and sustainable practices in the fashion industry. Copp’s interest in sustainability and diverting waste from landfills led to networking and volunteering time with groups that are passionate about corporate and environmental responsibility.

He earned a certificate in ESG Strategy through the program at Leeds. He invested in the program because it resonated with his commitment to sustainable practices and aligns with his organization’s values.

“I was interested in creating a materiality report for my organization and thought I could use more education,” Copp said. “I want to create a stronger commitment to improvements and work with our board of directors to foster involvement. There needs to be a larger commitment to sustainability – not just one person.”

Using ESG strategy in the nonprofit sector

Copp said the marketing sections of the ESG Strategy program especially resonated with him as a nonprofit professional. He plans to use the skills he acquired to promote storytelling and sharing the impact of sustainability initiatives.

“One thing I am finding is that volunteers love being involved and working with nonprofits dedicated to sustainability,” he said. “Having volunteers participate in some of our green days and recycling initiatives resonates with them and is something we want to continue to build.”

Copp appreciates that the instructors and guest speakers for the ESG certificate program are working professionals who can draw from personal and professional experiences. Breakout sessions with peers during class were one of the biggest benefits. Copp found that class discussions came to life when others shared their perspectives and experiences. He believes large corporations must lead the way in investing in the future through environmental efforts.

“Nonprofits are a great way to show innovation and creativity when funding ESG initiatives,” Copp said. “With most fundraising going to advance missions, there is little money for ESG and sustainability. You must be creative and innovative to advance these areas.”

The Certificate in ESG strategy attracts nonprofit professionals and those interested in social impact and sustainability. For many nonprofit professionals, we recognize that there may be a need for financial support. Learn about our discounts and scholarships to help fund your path in ESG.

He adds, “We don’t allow lack of funding to stop us from trying to find grants and make changes to the organization to make us as sustainable as possible. There is always something more you can be doing. Showing that commitment to sustainability shows your commitment to the community.”

Khan echoes Copp’s thoughts about the value of the Certificate in ESG Strategy from Leeds. He notes that ESG fundamentals and skills can be implemented at any career stage and are transferrable across sectors.

“It is a great opportunity to learn key components of the ESG world,” Khan said. “ESG is shaping how business operates and how we measure overall value that a company and nonprofit brings. For nonprofits, it’s great for building knowledge on how to collect corporate dollars and identifying mission-aligned businesses that will invest in your nonprofit. Younger people are more likely to invest in values-driven businesses, and it’s an area that’s going to continue to grow."

More and more, ESG is shaping business to align profitability with social responsibility

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When business meets passion meets opportunity

Justin Michael Forbis — Tue, 14 May 2024 20:34:30 +0000

When business meets passion meets opportunity Justin Michael… Tue, 05/14/2024 - 14:34

One conversation can be a catalyst for career development.

Stephanie Ly met Leeds School of Business instructor Jennifer Forman at a United Nations sustainability event about a year ago. That meeting gave Ly the initial information she needed to know that earning a certificate in Environmental, Social and Governance Strategy (ESG) aligned with her learning preferences, career goals and where she’s at in life.

It’s just one example of the power of sharing what we’re passionate about through networking.

Ly, who now is earning her certificate in ESG through the Leeds program, was head of impact for a clean tech startup where she helped mitigate risks and identify trends in the ESG space before seeking a career shift that would help her focus on diversity in ESG leadership and corporate sustainability.

"We need leaders and businesses to continue to pioneer the path forward in ESG"

“Right now, I am networking with professionals to make a transition into venture capital,” Ly said. “The hope would be to work in VC as a platform lead, supporting the missions of founders and helping with things like building brands, tech stacks, networking and to take my experience in impact and ESG in the startup space and apply it to the founder space. I want to learn how to navigate headwinds in the industry and stay resilient. We need leaders and businesses to continue to pioneer the path forward in ESG.”

“My classmates are doing incredible things in different industries,” she said. “I have been impressed with the depth of my classmates and what they’re doing and learning alongside and from them. They carry incredible expertise and passion in what they do. Being able to connect with them outside of structured class times through coffee chats in-person and via Zoom have been a very important and valuable part of the course.”

Opportunity for continuing education

Ly went to UCLA for her undergraduate degrees in environmental science and geography. One constant in her education has been scholarships.

“As a first-generation student, it was so helpful to be able to pursue the opportunities that I wanted without being weighed down by financial implications and how to afford to advance my education,” Ly said. “I would not have felt as empowered to pursue mission- and purpose-driven career opportunities without the impact of scholarships. Scholarships help with the means and experience to shepherd students in the process.”

Ly is enrolled in the ESG certificate program through a scholarship partnership program with B:CIVIC, an affiliate of the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation, B:CIVIC provides a community where you can access connections, expertise, and education on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and ESG.

“Our ability to provide scholarships for this certification is integral to our mission, to elevate business for good,” said Jess Welser, director of B:CIVIC and CSR at B:CIVIC. “At B:CIVIC, we are thrilled to increase access for community leaders like Stephanie to share their experience and make the business case to advance ESG throughout their careers. We look forward to following Stephanie’s journey and how she will continue to lead with ESG.”

“As a minority woman in startup/vc there are additional challenges,” said Ly. “I have been energized and ready for the ESG course and gained tremendous networking benefits. Not everyone has the financial means or employer support to pursue these kinds of opportunities, so thank you to CU and B:CIVIC for sponsoring continued education.”

Why an ESG certificate is worth it

Ly said the ESG program might be a good fit for anyone who is looking for holistic and engaging experiences built on practical knowledge, noting that the format of the course is helpful and beneficial for working professionals.

“The content is relevant, and the materials are fun and engaging to learn,” said Ly. “Every class features a guest speaker from well-known companies who are impactful in their industry. Being able to hear from practical experience and getting access to industry professionals is very beneficial. The hands-on practical workshops and interactive nature in class are fun ways to practice what we learn through mini business case studies.”

Ly notes that ESG can be broad and cover a lot of different things, so it helps to be very intentional about what you’re hoping to accomplish and take away from the experience.

For Ly, she wants to inspire more good.

“Forcing the function that enables business to do more good in the world is necessary,” Ly said. “It’s important to do more good. ESG is a good way to measure profitability and financial performance, reputation and branding. Businesses have the capacity to do more good, so why not?"

Learn more about the ESG Certificate

For those looking to pursue a path in ESG and need financial support, learn more about our scholarship opportunities and discounts to help with affordability. If your organization is interested in sponsoring education in ESG, please connect with us and we can help set up scholarships in your organization’s name. The Fall 2024 cohorts in ESG Strategy are open for registration.

A fortuitous meeting at a sustainability event led Stephanie Ly to know that the certificate in Environmental, Social and Governance Strategy (ESG) aligned with her learning preferences, career goals and where she’s at in life.

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Corporate Sustainability Certificate Helps Alum Land an ESG Job

Anonymous — Fri, 26 Jan 2024 17:40:27 +0000

Corporate Sustainability Certificate Helps Alum Land an ESG Job Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 01/26/2024 - 10:40

Jacob Gorovoy

Graduating from The University of Arizona with a pre-med degree, a field she admittedly had no desire to pursue further in her career, Marisa Mendenhall (CESG ’22) has now successfully carved her way into the sustainability space with her work as Manager of Commercial Real Estate ESG Programs and the President of the DEI Committee at Re Tech Advisors, a sustainability consulting firm with the mission of addressing climate change and transitioning to a low carbon economy. Mendenhall attributes much of her smooth transition into the sustainability field to CESR’s Certificate in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance) Strategy, a 16-week executive program that assists professionals in getting a broad understanding of corporate ESG and sustainability practices.

During an interview with Mendenhall, she provided meaningful insights into how the ESG Certificate has helped her enter the sustainability space, the emerging trends related to sustainability, and tips for establishing a quality network within the field.

CESR: To begin with, could you talk a bit about your experience with the Certificate in ESG Strategy with CESR, and what you took away from it?

Marisa Mendenhall: Overall, it was a super positive experience. Every week we received readings that were applicable to the topic of ESG being discussed that week and then we had a guest speaker came in to elaborate on those readings. Following the guest speaker, we participated in group activities, which allowed us to apply the information we learned from the reading and guest speaker. Everyone in the group came from different backgrounds, so we wear also able to learn from our classmates on what they were doing and how they were relating ESG to their careers. I thought the speakers were all very high-quality and were big names in the sustainability space. Everyone was very helpful and the program certainly had a good culmination of resources.

Could you take me through your career a bit before and after the ESG Program?

Marisa Mendenhall: ESG is the fourth chapter of my career story. Careers are often non-linear and can take you in roundabout ways to get to where you want to be. I left college with a pre-med degree knowing that it wasn’t something I wanted to do going forward. I then joined an IT firm to gain business experience and later transitioned into sustainable building material and technology sales in the commercial real estate industry. After that, I began consulting for startups in the building technologies space. I completed the ESG Program prior to joining Re Tech, which ultimately helped me receive my current position consulting for CRE companies on their ESG strategies with Re Tech Advisors. I can say that I am very passionate about real estate and sustainability.

"In the future, ESG will not be siloed anymore, but rather the way businesses operate moving into the future."

-says Marisa Mendenhall

What advice can you give anyone wanting to enter into the sustainability space?

Marisa Mendenhall: I would say just reach out and talk to as many people as you can. People in the sustainability space are generally really nice and are typically open to informational interviews. Also, build your network and build your credibility, with opportunities like the Certificate in ESG Strategy with CESR. Also, see if there are any projects you could do in your current role to gain experience with sustainability. This could help build your resume and begin the transition with what you are currently doing.

Do you see any prominent trends forming in the sustainability space?

Marisa Mendenhall: I think that simply being a responsible business and managing energy responsibly will become normal. In the future, ESG will not be siloed anymore, but rather the way businesses operate moving into the future.

"I think the way the world is going and what people care about demonstrates that people want to invest in businesses that are acting responsibly both for the environment and people."

-says Marisa Mendenhall

ESG has recently been receiving quite a bit of backlash from some politicians and media outlets. What are your thoughts on this controversy?

Marisa Mendenhall: I think it's silly that ESG has become politicized. Initially, ESG was really meant as a way to measure financial performance, but later the term took off more towards the sustainability and CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) field. I think the way the world is going and what people care about demonstrates that people want to invest in businesses that are acting responsibly both for the environment and people. I do not see ESG work going away, we will just change the words we use.

For the many individuals who would like to pivot into sustainability roles, such as Mendenhall, CESR’s Certificate in ESG Strategy provides a broad overview of corporate sustainability and social responsibility, as well as, connections to an active alumni network in the field. Her work with Re Tech Advisors demonstrates that professionals from diverse backgrounds can find sustainability roles where they can make an impact.

Explore the Certificate in ESG Strategy and other CESR Business Resources here.

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Building Community and Strategizing for the Future: The Stories of Rachel Bigby and Lauren Roadman

Anonymous — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 15:34:42 +0000

Building Community and Strategizing for the Future: The Stories of Rachel Bigby and Lauren Roadman Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 11/06/2023 - 08:34

Sena Kavi

Rachel Bigby and Lauren Roadman are alumnae of CESR's Certificate in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Strategy course. They recently sat down with CESR to discuss their careers, their hopes and insights for the ESG landscape, and their vision for the Certificate in ESG Strategy alumni group.

CESR: What is your career background, and what do you do for work now?

Lauren: I started my career in nonprofits. I worked for a small cancer research foundation, but that foundation has a really impactful global footprint, so it was really exciting to start my career there. I got to see what the nonprofit world of hats looks like. I still sit on the board of the organization because I love it so much and couldn’t let it go. When I transitioned out of nonprofits, I went to Breckenridge Brewery, where I had previously worked part-time in the restaurant. I went to them and pitched a job – they had another position that was open, which I applied to, but I told them what I wanted to do in addition to that. That’s how I created the community engagement piece of my career and leveraged that experience into what I do now at Ball. I work at Ball Corporation – located in Westminster – and sit on a global community relations team with one other teammate. I oversee global community relations programs, and our internal benevity benefit program as well as community partnerships that align with various different teams. We really are a tiny and mighty community relations team.

It is really important to know that people in this field are really passionate about what they do. I’ve always held people as the most important factor of the world. Companies can’t operate without employees, employees can’t operate and live without jobs. Together we have to figure out this balance of how companies can benefit people and benefit the world, whether it’s through environmental action, or through corporate philanthropy and their programs that directly benefit the population where they live and operate.

Rachel: I’ve worked in the sustainability field for over 13 years now. Since my first introduction to permaculture design and farming in New Zealand in 2008, I’ve always been interested in the human dimensions of sustainability work; as humans, we’re the centerpiece of everything – we’ve created our current climate change reality, and we’re the only ones that can change our course.
I began my career working in the local, wild, and sustainable food systems world. As the first employee at a San Francisco startup, our mission was to connect people to the story behind their food and the bounty of wild and edible landscapes all around them. This role opened my world up to the possibilities of the nexus of food and sustainability.

After completing my Master’s degree in Sustainable Development at a small international school, I worked for an Oregon municipality where I led the Sustainability Program for three years. This role taught me the essential skills needed to be an in-house sustainability professional. This experience propelled me into my next role managing sustainability partnerships, building our ESG career development office, and supporting students in their own sustainability careers at CU ��«��Ƶ’s Masters of the Environment (MENV) graduate program, the program which ultimately connected me to the Certificate in ESG Strategy program. What I learned from both the Certificate of ESG Strategy program and working at CU ��«��Ƶ was that I really missed doing the work, and my ultimate goal became getting back to being a practitioner rather than working with people peripherally on capstone projects and all of these really incredible projects that have a direct influence on community and companies. I started a side hustle to build my consulting experience and soon after was hired at Tetra Tech, a 25,000-person engineering consulting firm, where I was brought on to build their ESG consulting practice for one part of the company. This was an incredible leadership experience that taught me how to hone my skills in influencing, project management, efficiency, and sustainable project delivery.

For many years, I have wanted to get back to the food industry and could not be more thrilled to have joined the Frutura team in August as their Senior Sustainability Manager for US operations. Frutura is a vertically integrated holding company that provides six fruit commodities 365 days a year. My role includes leading our B Corp Certification efforts for our US portfolio, building our Responsible Supply Chain Program, and leading our corporate sustainability work in the US. We have the incredible opportunity to lead and support the fresh produce industry towards a more sustainable future as we hopefully become the largest fruit company to become B Corp Certified. For the first time, I truly feel like I am exactly where I am meant to be in my career and that’s an amazing feeling.

"The biggest advice Rachel and I give to people whenever we talk to alumni who are on this journey is that we [as industry professionals] are creating the field now. As they go on the journey of trying to build a career in CSR, a lot of companies are figuring it out as we are too."

-says Lauren Roadman

CESR: You are both alumni of the Certificate in ESG Strategy/CSR course. How has your participation in this course impacted your career?

Rachel: The Certificate of ESG Strategy course served as a pivot point for me. It both reignited my desire to move back into a practitioner role, and it expanded my knowledge and network across a wide variety of topics and skill areas under the wide ESG umbrella. I have been involved with the program since taking the course, and that’s because it supported my career goals at the time I needed it most. I want to continue to inspire and support others to do the same.

Lauren: I think the course was really impactful to my career for a lot of different reasons, but you'll probably hear the throughline in all my responses is the community it's created. To what we were just saying in our last question is that there are many different paths you can take in terms of the field you go into field, whether it's within a sustainability-focused, corporate philanthropy, volunteerism, and even government relations, but there are also a lot of different paths you could take in terms of how that job is created.

The biggest advice Rachel and I give to people whenever we talk to alumni who are on this journey is that we [as industry professionals] are creating the field now. As they go on the journey of trying to build a career in CSR, a lot of companies are figuring it out as we are too.

So going back to the impact that the Certificate of ESG Strategy has had on me: one, the education piece and learning about the different facets of CSR and how you can find a niche role within it, but then also the community. Rachel and I saw the value early on and continue to see the value in the alumni network through this group. We're able to leverage knowledge and experience and brainstorm on programming and successes and to honestly discuss the hurdles that we all face because it's a new field and because companies are dipping their feet in and developing these teams and programs as we're coming into this industry. In addition to being a professional network, we've also developed close personal relationships as the first and maybe second generation of CSR and ESG professionals.

CESR: What are your goals and vision for the future in creating the Certificate in ESG Strategy/CSR alumni group?

Lauren: Honestly to continue the amazing experiences that we've already had. In our field, no matter what role you're in, you have to be flexible and have the ability to adapt as social expectations change, as policy changes… CSR and ESG is not concrete. It's definitely flexible in terms of what the world and the community needs. The vision that I have for this group is that we'll continue to flex to meet the needs and meet the desires of what the alumni network wants, whether the alumni want more networking opportunities or education, or something else. A lot of us work on tiny and mighty teams; Rachel is a team of one, overseeing a whole global operation of fruit sustainability and I'm on a global team of 2 and I know many people who are on teams exactly our size for companies of the same, if not larger, employee base. Having this network is a great professional resource and sounding board. I envision that community piece being the core value of the future of this group.

Rachel: I'm definitely in agreement on all of that. I think of the network as being the classroom beyond the classroom. The class time itself was so incredibly valuable – that's where we get the inspiration, the formal education, and some of the network, but the community that's built and the skills that grow and evolve afterwards are so important because that’s where the rubber meets the road and we turn theory into practice. Overall, the network is for information and skill sharing. Coming back to what Lauren said about this being an ever-evolving field – panel discussions and skills workshops are super important for that – it can be hard to manage trends that are ever-evolving, whether you are new to the industry or have been around for a long time.

"We've all been in a place where it feels like we're never going to get where we want to be or we keep hitting the same wall and we keep just like having to break through the obstacles to get there. For me, there's nothing more rewarding than being able to mentor and support other people that have been in that position and saying, “I have been there, and I know you will get through this.”

- says Rachel Bigby

CESR: What have you been able to take away from/get out of leading the alumni group?

Lauren: When I was trying to transition into a more full time CSR role, I was connected to a mentor who spent months sitting down with me and coaching me on how to advocate for myself. In general, not everybody is great at speaking highly of themselves and particularly women usually have a harder time with it, so I spent a lot of time talking to her about how to talk about my strengths and how I could make myself “sellable” on paper. Her mentorship really helped me get to where I am in terms of how I operate, how I work, and the strength and the confidence that I bring day to day into my job. One of the biggest takeaways I have is being able to meet with alumni who are looking for advice and being able to share some of what she taught me with other people – especially women – in the industry and help people grow in their career. It has been incredibly valuable to have an outlet to share the support that I've gotten and pay it forward.

Rachel: When you look around the room – whether in the certificate program, any of the happy hours, or other events, it is 90 plus percent women. There's something really special about that. CSR and ESG roles are really dynamic roles that cross so many departments and functional areas in an entire organization. Knowing the hurdles that we face as women, it's really amazing to be part of a group that has a very strong female focus. We've all been in a place where it feels like we're never going to get where we want to be or we keep hitting the same wall and we keep just like having to break through the obstacles to get there. For me, there's nothing more rewarding than being able to mentor and support other people that have been in that position and saying, “I have been there, and I know you will get through this.” That brings me a ton of joy and at the end of the conversations that Lauren and I have had, there's always such appreciation for how helpful the conversations have been. Getting into that feedback loop of sharing and always saying yes to those conversations is the best thing that we can do in terms of the larger CESG and CSR community.

"Gen Z is completely unapologetic about what they want and what they demand and I love that. That’s what we need."

- says Rachel Bigby

CESR: What are some sustainability trends that you are excited about right now?

Lauren: For many years, sustainability has been growing as a field, and there has been a question of what that looks like for companies, how they should hold themselves accountable and how the consumer wants them to be held accountable. With that, it's been really hard to benchmark companies against each other because there has never really been a standard of the data points and metrics that companies need to be tracking in terms of things like their carbon footprint. The B Corp does that, but it's not very common, especially for larger companies, to get B Corp certification. Having new regulations – which are overwhelming but very exciting – create that standard for every company to meet with data points they have to report on. From a consumer standpoint, knowing how you're evaluating a company and being able to understand that because it's all the same across the board is really exciting for the sustainability world.

Rachel: There are two big shifts that we're seeing right now. One is the shift in the regulatory landscape. Sustainability is a compliance requirement, whether that's in the EU, Australia, California, or eventually at the US federal government level, we’re seeing a monumental global shift. We also have a consolidation of ESG standards and best practices that's happening at the same time. The regulatory piece is both very exciting and also challenging in particular for global companies such as Frutura, who are operating all over the world where the requirements differ.

We’re also seeing the Gen Z population pushing their sustainability and social equity agenda through their power as consumers. They are demanding that products and services take a triple bottom line approach to business that we have never seen before. Millennials teed that up, but Gen Z is just elevating it to a new level.

CESR: What gives you hope in the arena of sustainability work?

Lauren: I am going to go back to what Rachel mentioned about Gen Z for this question. I'm so excited for Gen Z to be in the workforce because, to Rachel's exact point, I think Millennials, we had these big ideas and we have a lot of hope and a lot of drive and with the way the world is, it just wasn't ready for us. I'm so excited to see what Gen Z does. I work for a company that makes aluminum products and while we're a B2B company, we make a product that B2C companies use and it's really exciting to see the consumer driving the expectations. To see consumers choosing sustainable aluminum products and to see consumers choosing something that they know can be recycled, I'm very hopeful for the future. Companies will adjust as they see fit and if a consumer wants a sustainable product, then they'll get there.

Rachel: Gen Z is completely unapologetic about what they want and what they demand and I love that. That’s what we need. The other thing that gives me hope is innovation. We can look at where we are at in terms of carbon dioxide parts per million in the atmosphere and we know we're well above where we need to be, and we're hitting the guardrail and all of that, but what we can never truly account for is innovation. That gives me hope in terms of us making serious strides towards where we need to be with the climate emergency.

"It is really important to understand how CSR and ESG roll up to the overall business strategy and how it benefits the business, the community, and the environment but also how it aligns with how your business operates. If we all focused on the same three things, so much would get left to the wayside, and so developing the ability to strategize is also a great tool for any potential future professional in this field."

- says Lauren Roadman

CESR: Do you have any advice for students who are looking to pursue a career in sustainability?

Lauren: I would say be flexible. The field is not only still developing, but it changes drastically every few months as the social and political environment develops as well. Be flexible in positions and seek out companies that have a sustainable mindset and while an ESG position may not be fully created at a company, I think most companies are on their way there. If it's a company that seems like they could really leverage an ESG position one day, how do you get your foot in the door and create that position?

Also, it is important to be flexible in the types of roles you are seeking. If I were to compare 10 different job descriptions, the job descriptions could be the exact same for 10 companies and all 10 titles could be different. I think being flexible and not expecting a title, but expecting an experience, because the title can come later, is my advice.

Rachel: I would say one of my biggest pieces of advice I have is to not seek perfection. Sustainability is an evolving field and we're constantly learning and realizing that best practice standards are changing as we gather new information. Keep doing the work and we'll continue to improve over time.
Also, similar to what Lauren said, advocate for yourself, whether in your current role or to get that next role that you want. And always make sure your title evolves with your work – this is a great lever that should not go untapped.

The last thing I'll say is something that I experience daily in my current role, which is to learn to demonstrate the business case for why to pursue a particular action or direction. What's the associated savings? What’s the return on investment? Take a holistic approach when building the case that equally considers people, planet, and bottom line. For me, this is something I've learned moving away from local government, academia, and startups and being in the corporate world. Not everyone is going to have the same motivation to do the work – maybe it's just the financial or risk mitigation aspects that are the primary driver. Always, always know your audience and pitch your case directly to them based on their unique perspective and interests.

Lauren: I'll actually add to that. Making the business case is huge, if people don't understand what CSR is or what the roles are, they have a very generalized view that it's just kind of “over here.” This person's just giving out money, or this person's just trying to buy things to make the company more sustainable, but really there's a whole strategy behind it. It is really important to understand how CSR and ESG roll up to the overall business strategy and how it benefits the business, the community, and the environment but also how it aligns with how your business operates. If we all focused on the same three things, so much would get left to the wayside, and so developing the ability to strategize is also a great tool for any potential future professional in this field.

Interested in the Certificate in ESG Strategy?

The program is currently enrolling for the Spring 2024 semester!
Learn more about alumni, faculty, and guest speakers by exploring other articles about sustainable business executive programs at Leeds.

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ESG training supports alum’s new social impact career

Anonymous — Mon, 14 Aug 2023 20:49:24 +0000

ESG training supports alum’s new social impact career Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 08/14/2023 - 14:49

Julie Waggoner

"The impact I hope to make is to make life easier for people who are overlooked," says Sonia Khan, an alum of the Certificate in ESG Strategy executive program.

Khan gained confidence to take on her new role as a CSR manager through learning core concepts and collaborating with peers across industries in the Certificate in ESG Strategy executive program at Leeds. (image courtesy Sonia Khan)

Sonia Khan completed the Certificate in ESG Strategy executive education program in spring 2023 with a group of colleagues from the HR tech company Checkr. She recently spoke with CESR about her role as a CSR Manager, transferable skills for social impact jobs, and how the program helped her to build confidence and understand the foundations of ESG.

CESR: Tell me a little bit about yourself.

Sonia Khan: Social impact is the third career I’ve embarked on, but the impact I want to make on the world has been a common thread through all of them; retail banking, recruiting, and now social impact. I’m the child of immigrants and navigating my career path has been really challenging because I lacked resources. The impact I hope to make is to make life easier for people who are overlooked. In all of these roles, I’ve been able to serve people in that situation.

CESR: How did you find the Certificate in ESG Strategy program? What attracted you to it?

SK: I’m on the Checkr.org team, Checkr’s social impact arm, and we took the program together. Learning and development is huge at Checkr. All employees get a yearly stipend to invest in their growth. The VP of Checkr.org found the program and encouraged all of us to participate. We see this as a huge year for growth at Checkr.org, since we’ve hired more staff than in previous years, and we wanted to make this investment in our knowledge to fuel that growth.

“It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been working in ESG; everyone is on the same journey. Everyone is getting up every day and trying to find ways to do better for the communities they serve and for the world,”

says Khan.

CESR: Tell me about your current role at Checkr.

SK: I’m the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Manager for Checkr.org. I started in a temporary capacity in December, and I’ve been full-time in the role since February. My role involves both strategic thinking and execution at the same time.

I’m responsible for managing all our Pledge 1% initiatives. We’ve committed to giving 1% of employee time, product, equity, and profit to the mission of enabling fair chance hiring, the practice of employers hiring people with arrest or conviction records. Right now, I’m focused on time, which means volunteering and giving back for all our employees in the U.S. and globally. Employees at Checkr have 20 hours of volunteer time off (VTO) per year to spend giving back to the community. One of our current key focus areas is to partner with nonprofits who provide employment training and support for justice-impacted individuals.

Our mission focus on Fair Chance is material for us as a background check company. Typically, background checks are used to screen people out based on arrest or conviction records. Because of this reality, it can be very difficult for people who have an arrest or conviction record to get hired, even when they have the relevant skills. What makes Checkr different is that we provide transparency and advocacy for the potential new hire through the background check process. We want to screen people in and give applicants a fair chance at the roles that they are qualified for.

“To do social impact work well, you need to align what’s important to employees and what’s important to the business,”

says Khan.

CESR: How did you make the transition from a career in technical recruiting to working in CSR?

SK: Last year, Checkr posted an opportunity to join the social impact team in a temporary capacity. I applied and advocated for myself to be selected. I looked at my recruiting skills and saw that they were transferable into social impact. In both roles, you need to have a deep understanding of the business, including the mission, the product, and the impact the company wants to make. This is how you engage candidates and employees. It’s always changing and evolving, so you’re always learning. To do social impact work well, you need to align what’s important to employees and what’s important to the business.

I always called myself an empathetic, data-driven recruiter, and that link between empathy and data has transitioned well into social impact work. When you’re talking with a candidate, you’re understanding their journey and who they are. Backgrounds aren’t always linear, and many factors impact each person’s growth. You must really listen to the candidate and understand their background. Then you work with hiring managers to ensure that all candidates have a fair chance when it comes to interviewing. Hiring managers are asking both does this person have the skillset, and what did they have to overcome to get there? Then it’s using data to drive decisions, identify problems, make changes, and improve.

CESR: Tell me about your experience in the Certificate in ESG Strategy program.

SK: It was great to have my team in the class with me. We would have discussions as a team the day prior to the class to talk about the readings and key takeaways. Plus, simultaneously while we are learning in class, we were doing the work. I learned about how ESG elevates the strategy of a business when it’s done well. I was grateful for the class because I learned the basics of ESG, like materiality and reporting standards. Now, I know what people are talking about in meetings because I have that foundation.

“Start now. There's no perfect timing in life,”

says Khan.

CESR: What is your most valuable takeaway from the program?

SK: All the guest speakers were awesome. To this day, I go back into the recordings to listen to the speakers. I still talk to my instructor, Pete Dignan. He’s been a great thought partner when I’m trying to figure out the next step in a project. I enjoyed having my team in the class with me, discussing the readings ahead of time and talking about how to apply our learnings to our work. Plus, most of my classmates were in ESG in some capacity, but across industries, so we could learn from each other.

CESR: How has your experience in the program impacted your work?

SK: I gained more confidence in my role. I learned that no matter where you are in ESG, every company is trying to figure it out. There’s no playbook. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been working in ESG; everyone is on the same journey. Everyone is getting up every day and trying to find ways to do better for the communities they serve and for the world.

CESR: What advice do you have for people seeking a career in ESG?

SK: Start now. There’s no perfect timing in life. Even if you’re not in an ESG role, you can still learn about what companies are doing and what kind of impact you would like to make. Reach out to people who are doing work you’re interested in. In this space, a lot of people are welcoming and want to provide advice and help.

Meet other alumni, faculty, and guest speakers by exploring other articles about sustainable business executive programs at Leeds.

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Top 5 Steps to Start Your Organization's Climate Action Journey

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 21:44:49 +0000

Top 5 Steps to Start Your Organization's Climate Action Journey Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 02/23/2023 - 14:44

Julie Waggoner

Solving the climate crisis is the biggest economic opportunity of our lifetimes, and essential to ensuring that future generations are able to thrive on this planet. All organizations from small start-ups to multinational corporations have a role to play. If your company is just beginning to work in this space, these tips will give you a sense of the first steps to take action on climate, beginning with measuring emissions.

“Stakeholders expect every company, large and small, public and private, to have a climate action plan at this point in time. To be effective, your plan must align with science, with climate justice, and with the principles of a just transition. There’s no time to waste,”

says Pete Dignan, who co-teaches the new Climate Action for Business executive program at Leeds.

The program goes into the below steps and more in additional detail. It serves as an informative crash course in climate solutions for companies that are just starting out.

Measure your emissions

As is the case in any area where you are trying to make change, the process has to start with understanding your baseline. In the case of climate action, this means developing an understanding of your GHG (Greenhouse Gas) emissions. You will want to use the Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard, from the GHG Protocol, which provides the accounting platform for virtually every corporate GHG reporting program in the world. You will be accounting for three types of emissions, Scope 1 (mainly emissions from fuel burned in owned or controlled assets), Scope 2 (emissions from purchased electricity), and Scope 3 (all other indirect emissions).

Set a science-based target for emissions reduction

Once you understand your company’s baseline, the next step is to set a goal for improvement. This goal must be based on science so that your work contributes to the global goal to cut emissions in half by 2030 and reach net-zero emissions by 2050. These steps would mean we avoid the catastrophic impacts of climate change by ensuring that global warming will not exceed 1.5°C. Companies can set appropriate goals through the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).

Engage internal stakeholders

To meet ambitious science-based targets, the whole company needs to be involved. Boards need to add members with climate expertise, train current members and be in alignment with climate goals. Climate goals need to be tied to executive targets, KPIs and compensation. Companies need to take steps to make every job a climate job by identifying how each functional area can contribute. All of this requires providing educational opportunities, aligning incentives with climate solutions and fostering a culture of innovation.

Reduce emissions

The steps to take to reduce emissions will vary for each organization. Some actions that many companies take include improving energy efficiency, reducing physical space, electrifying buildings, shifting to use electric vehicles, improving IT practices (data centers, cloud storage), sourcing renewable energy and reducing Scope 3 emissions. Scope 3 is by far the largest source of emissions for most organizations, as it includes both upstream and downstream emissions. Work in this area involves influencing, supporting and innovating with suppliers to measure and reduce their emissions, along with considering the climate impact of all business choices, from food and travel to investments. The Clean Energy Buyers Alliance is a great resource for purchasing renewable energy.

Disclose progress

Disclosure, or reporting, is key to success and accountability in pursuing climate goals. Disclosure should be transparent, third-party verified and include both areas where the company is meeting targets, and places where it is not, along with plans to improve. Several frameworks exist for how to report on environmental impacts, including CDP, the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), and the GHG Protocol. In March of 2022 the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed new rules to enhance and standardize climate-related disclosures. The rules would require all public companies, regardless of size, to report Scope 1 & 2 emissions, and require larger companies to disclose Scope 3 emissions in some cases.

These steps are just the beginning of work companies can do to leverage the opportunity of addressing climate change and to save our planet for future generations. Policy advocacy is an important part of ensuring all organizations contribute and we limit global warming to 1.5°C. Companies can gain the most benefit and be the most effective in taking action on climate change by transforming their business model to embed climate solutions throughout operations and shifting their priorities from short-term profits to long-term health of the organization.

Grow your knowledge of these topics, begin to understand how to put them into practice, and create a climate action plan for your organization in the Climate Action for Business executive program, enrolling now.

The steps outlined in this article are based on the Project Drawdown Solutions at Work Framework.

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"Big Sustainability," Environmental Social Governance (ESG), and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 16:17:45 +0000

"Big Sustainability," Environmental Social Governance (ESG), and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 01/13/2023 - 09:17

Julie Waggoner

Jennifer Forman recently sat down with the Leeds Business Insights podcast to talk about Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and “Big Sustainability.” Jennifer is the ESG Program Lead at Splunk and an Instructor for the Certificate in ESG Strategy (formerly called the Certificate in Corporate Social Responsibility) executive education program at Leeds.

Tune into this 20-minute interview to get Jennifer’s take on the differences between ESG and CSR, gain career advice on how to break into the field of sustainable business, and tap into key trends for what’s on the horizon for 2023 and beyond. Learn more about Jennifer’s background and her passion for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in this profile from our archives.

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