Sustainability and Social Impact Certificate

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, ��񱦵� and the broader community. Chancellor Justin Schwartz recently launched an initiative to establish ��񱦵� 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, ��񱦵� and our Boulder 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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Sustainability and Social Impact Certificate

Executive Education Brings Sustainability to the Forefront

Introducing the Sustainability and Social Impact Certificate

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One Semester to Career-Long Networking

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More than 500 engaged and growing

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Advancing Your Career with ESG

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

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