Businesses of all sizes are waking up to the need to consider the risks and opportunities presented by climate change. With the pending regulatory requirement to report on emissions, many are now beginning to grapple with the climate crisis. Often the first step is to seek some formal education to inform their efforts.

For companies getting started in this space, it can be helpful to belong to a network of like-minded businesses committed to addressing climate change. is one such group. Staff at the Climate Collaborative had the opportunity to take the recently launched Climate Action for Business course offered by the University of Colorado’s Leeds School of Business in the fall.

“We seek to bring forward resources and tools that can support our community in deepening their climate action. Partnering with a top business school providing information on climate action was a great way to provide additional educational opportunities for our community”

Courtney Pineau, Executive Director of the Climate Collaborative

The team at Leeds applied their experience with the natural products industry to create a custom program for the Climate Collaborative that was relevant to their industry as committed companies and stakeholders worked on creating climate action plans.

"We seek to bring forward resources and tools that can support our community in deepening their climate action. Partnering with a top business school providing information on climate action was a great way to provide additional educational opportunities for our community,” said Courtney Pineau, Executive Director of the Climate Collaborative.

Over two half-days, 17 passionate and forward-thinking participants from around the U.S. engaged in interactive lectures and breakout discussions. �鶹��Ժ (all working professionals) learned about measuring emissions, setting targets for reduction, reporting to stakeholders, and more, all leading to the creation of a company climate action plan.  

As part of the process, students took part in a This simulation allows users to explore the impact that dozens of policy changes—such as electrifying transport, pricing carbon, and improving agricultural practices—have on global average temperature.

Not only were the attendees equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to drive positive environmental impact, but they also expanded their networks of sustainability-oriented professionals. The course was taught under the guidance of distinguished faculty Jeff York and Pete Dignan from the Leeds School of Business.

Program participant Sonja Gabrielsen from said “I appreciated the suggestions on increasing engagement both internally at my company and externally with customers. Having information like this - that shows ROI on climate action work like measuring corporate GHG emissions - helps justify budget and employee time to do this.”

The Leeds School of Business and the Climate Collaborative remain steadfast in their dedication to empowering businesses to tackle the urgent challenges posed by climate change. This partnership serves as a testament to the transformative power of collaboration and the potential for businesses to become agents of positive change in the fight against climate change.

In addition to custom program offerings in Climate Action for Business, the Leeds School of Business also offers open enrollment sessions, with the next one taking place August 22-23, 2023 with

  Why Leeds     Climate Action for Business

Participating in a case competition offers students an opportunity to take on real-world problems with the knowledge and skills they develop at Leeds. Pictured below are Kathryn Wendell, of CESR; the three MBA students in this year's Net Impact competition, from left, Erin Johnson, Chris Fogler and Austin Plagge; and undergraduate students Kyla Thomas and Colton Marschik.

It was 2010, but Kathryn Wendell still clearly remembers the case competition she entered as an MBA student at Berkeley’s Haas School of Business.

“It was really intense,” she said. “We had to pull an all-nighter to hone our pitch to the judges.”

Wendell, now executive director of the Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility (CESR) at the Leeds School of Business, was president of the Haas Net Impact chapter, which gave her a network of aspiring leaders who saw their education as a way to build a more just and sustainable world.

As it turns out, the Net Impact Case Competition (NICC)—a worldwide contest that challenges future leaders to make a positive impact on people and the planet—has always been held at CU Boulder. That year, the case involved helping Vail Resorts find a profitable way to deal with the effects of climate change on snowfall. Her team advanced to the final round, where they placed fourth overall.

Fast forward to today

While the format has evolved over the years, the NICC remains a rewarding, yet nerve-wracking, experience for students. For the chance to win up to $10,000, they’re required to think on their feet, quickly synthesize ideas, consider the business and moral merits, and put together a compelling pitch in front of a panel of corporate professionals.

“Case competitions present wicked problems. ... You’re expected to maximize the positive sum outcome for the largest number of stakeholders, while necessarily harming a chosen few. This is incredibly tough to do​.”

Chris Fogler (MBA’23)

“You cannot win by answering the questions the case raises narrowly,” said Justine Roberts, formerly the program manager at CESR and NICC’s co-organizer with MBA students. “Instead, it requires creativity, clarity of thought, thoroughness, compassion and a strong values decision-making framework.”

Today, many MBAs are driven by a passion for sustainability and social impact, including Erin Johnson (MBA’23), a Leeds student whose team made the finals this year.

“I wanted to apply my academic knowledge and passion for sustainability to real-world problems, including the complexities and challenges faced by businesses in the transition to clean energy,” she said. 

The case for coal

This year’s challenge centered on the transformation of the coal mining industry. Executives at Westmoreland Coal Company, one of the nation’s oldest independent coal companies, asked students how to reinvent the company in order to stay profitable as new regulations and shifting public sentiment give weight to clean power sources. 

Johnson’s team proposed converting a coal-fired power plant into a geothermal power facility.

“Balancing stakeholder needs with community impact was particularly important,” Johnson said. "Our solution had to satisfy shareholders focused on profit, the local community seeking economic benefits and job opportunities, and the broader concerns of nature and future generations.”

Chris Fogler (MBA’23), one of Johnson’s teammates, described the most challenging part of participating in NICC and other competitions: “They present wicked problems that require creative, critical thinking,” he said. “You're expected to come up with a recommendation that maximizes the positive sum outcome for the largest number of stakeholders, while necessarily harming a chosen few.”

That’s a tough balancing act, said Austin Plagge (MBA’23), another member of the team.

“We placed a strong emphasis on justice, equity, diversity and inclusion throughout our proposal to ensure that the local community and all people were included in the transition,” he said.

What does it take?

The student experience at case competitions appears to be universal, regardless of the subject matter. Kyla Thomas (Bus’23) is candid about what it took to participate in the Mulroy Real Estate Challenge in February.

“You’re getting up in front of these real estate industry professionals who know what they’re talking about, and have been doing this for years,” she said.

“They grill you because they want you to learn from it. They’re not going to say, ‘Wow, you worked really hard on this’; they’re going to say, ‘Where did you get these numbers?’, and you better be able to say where you got them from. It teaches you to really know what you’re talking about.”

Colton Marschik (Bus’23), who’s participated in a variety of competitions, said, “A strong competitor is one who learns from themselves as much as they learn from their competition. Every time you lose, you have a chance to emulate what the winner did.”

Payoffs of participation

The diversity of thought on multidisciplinary teams can be a revelation. Fogler, a former and future energy professional, found his experience at NICC enlightening.

“Seeing a problem that I thought I had a decent grasp of, from four totally different perspectives, made me critically aware of the importance of diversity of thought and backgrounds when trying to make decisions,” he said.

For Johnson, “it was an invaluable experience that honed my skills, expanded my professional network, and reinforced my commitment to promoting sustainable solutions.”

“Some competitions do have prize money,” Marschik said, “but what matters more is furthering those skills that our time during the COVID pandemic took away from us: communication and public speaking.”

The experience clearly left its mark on Wendell, whose work at CESR is just her latest role in a business career where she’s been a tireless advocate for sustainability.

“I bonded with students from around the country with the same values, learned to pitch ideas crisply and received feedback from executives,” she said. “It was fun, and it introduced me to this wonderful place called Boulder, where I now live.”

  Why Leeds     Leeds MBA     Undergraduate case competitions

Right Here, Right Now summit helps showcase the ways faculty, centers and alumni are taking on climate change. ​​

The Leeds School of Business will have featured discussions at Right Here, Right Now, but it's also long been integrating ideas like sustainability and ESG into its curricula, which helps prepare students for a business world of changing atttiudes and regulation. Below right is Kathryn Wendell, executive director of the Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility at Leeds and a moderator of a panel session.     

For almost as long as climate change has been part of the global discussion, there has been the suggestion—if not outright blame—that the crisis is largely the fault of business. 

“That narrative is starting to change,” said Kathryn Wendell, executive director of the Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility at Leeds. “Industry leaders are increasingly vocal about how their businesses can play a role in solving this crisis in a socially just manner. There’s a business case and a moral imperative driving the private sector’s commitments and action.”

As the University of Colorado Boulder and United Nations Human Rights kick off the Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit, Wendell said it’s important to understand that when it comes to solving this crisis, industry needs a seat at the table, rather than being told to stand in the corner. 

‘An incredible time’ to be part of innovative solutions

“We are going to see a lot of change over the next decade, especially as companies integrate sustainability—including climate and diversity, equity, and inclusion considerations—into their core business strategies,” she said. “For business students, it’s an incredible time to learn about the issues and identify innovative solutions.”

Wendell is facilitating a panel discussion on business’ responsibility in the climate crisis, especially from a human rights perspective, that will take place Dec. 3 at 4 p.m. The panel will be introduced by Yonca Ertimur, Leeds’ acting dean. 

“At Leeds, we have had a strong focus on values-based leadership for over 20 years,” Ertimur said. “It’s integrated into our curriculum, faculty research, corporate partnerships and pretty much everything that we do.”

A quick examination of Leeds’ unique differentiators bears that out. In addition to offering topical programming and events on business and climate, CESR serves as a bridge between Leeds and the sustainable business community in Boulder and beyond. The center also provides input that directs the creation of academic programs, including a new ESG and sustainability specialization for the MBA and a certificate in social responsibility and ethics.  

CESR also is an enthusiastic partner in working with other Leeds centers to address these pivotal issues. Last month, CESR and the Burridge Center for Finance hosted a panel discussion on careers in sustainability that featured professionals from Bank of America Merrill Lynch, PNC and others. The conversation touched on ESG, the financial innovations needed to make the case for so-called “green portfolios” and the changing regulatory environment around climate-related disclosures. 

That impact goes far beyond Leeds’ centers, though. Last year, when CU Boulder cut the ribbon on the Rustandy Building—the campus’ newest academic facility—it marked the physical link between the business and engineering disciplines, which already were collaborating in service of solving complex problems. 

Few problems are as complex as climate change, but the cross-disciplinary approach of Leeds and the College of Engineering & Applied Science has paved the way for impactful teaching and research.

Julie Gentile (EnvEngr’24) is part of the BE Women in Tech program, a cross-disciplinary cohort that offers technical, business and leadership training to female students. She’s excited to use what she’s learning to create practical solutions to the climate crisis. 

“I plan to develop products and systems that reverse or lessen the negative effects our industrial society has on the environment,” said Gentile, a research assistant on campus who’s interned with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. “But there needs to be collaboration with business for success.” 

At a Right Here, Right Now kickoff event, CU’s business and engineering faculty showcased some of the interdisciplinary research that’s addressing this crisis. Among the faculty presenting were Jeffrey York, research director for the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship and a firm believer in a future where founders figure out climate change. 

York co-authored a paper, forthcoming in Organization Science, that examines how entrepreneurship is a promising, but often overlooked, force for mitigating climate change. 

“Entrepreneurs create for-profit ventures that can address climate change in a way that government and activists cannot,” said York, who also is chair of the division of social responsibility and sustainability at Leeds. 

Research that influences classroom activities

That entrepreneurial emphasis is clearly felt in the classroom, too. A team of Leeds students won the campus New Venture Challenge Climate Prize for their business concept, Aagraze, which produces seaweed feed pellets for cattle that could drastically curb emissions. Another recent graduate created a nonprofit to inspire children to become passionate about ocean conservation. 

“Climate risk and resilience—not just how we reduce impact, but how we adapt—are moving to the forefront, which means new skills and ways of thinking are going to be valued.”

Colette Crouse (MBA’18), director of carbon services, Stok

In founding Sea the Change, Emma Pearson (Fin, EBio’22) honed the business skills she used as an intern with Boston Consulting Group, which she was eager to join after graduation, thanks to the company’s work in sustainability. 

“BCG is really focusing on their climate practice and their sustainability measures and initiatives,” said Pearson, an associate with the company. “I’m really excited to get involved in that, specifically in the conservation sector. It’s just so cool to work for a company whose values I really align with.”

Alumni of Leeds graduate programs also are applying Leeds’ emphasis on sustainability and social responsibility at work, where their knowledge and skills help companies set and achieve ambitious climate goals that are as good for the planet as they are for profits. 

Tim Weiss (MBA’16) went to grad school to better immerse himself in the Boulder community, but it helped him build the skills and network needed to co-found Optera, of which he is also chief operating officer. The company is a sustainability software provider that works with companies in tech, retail, oil and gas, and mining. 

Going after ‘those hard problems’

“We want to work with the companies that matter,” Weiss said. “When we work with a major manufacturer, or someone at the foundation of the supply chain in the corporate world, our impact is so much bigger, and it matters so much more. We’re trying to go after those hard problems.”

Colette Crouse (MBA’18) had a career in sustainability, but it was mainly in government and nonprofit. She chose Leeds for her MBA so she could make a broader business case for sustainability and create larger impact through her work. 

She’s director of carbon services at Stok, which offers clients expertise in areas like greenhouse gas accounting, regulatory and disclosure frameworks, supply chain strategy, and budgeting. Those kinds of services are poised to take off as regulatory conversations around climate impact start shifting.

“Traditionally, the industry has been forward-looking, focused on climate mitigation and reduction. Now, the conversation is slowly shifting toward what do we do now—because we’re in trouble,” she said. “So climate risk and resilience—not just how we reduce impact, but how we adapt—are moving to the forefront, which means new skills and ways of thinking are going to be valued. There will be a lot of opportunities for anyone interested in working in this space.”

That’s a sentiment Weiss echoed. 

“Many people think of climate change as a geopolitical issue. We look at it as an economic issue,” he said. “Even if regulation were to help solve this problem, that regulation would require action among companies—so we’re going straight to the companies to help them do business better.”

  Why Leeds     Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility     Right Here, Right Now

For the past three weeks CESR has been hosting a series of conversations about how the pandemic and the racial justice movement have been shaping workplace procedures and policies. We have explored how employers can support employees’ mental health needs during times of crisis, how the role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) departments is changing as companies re envision their workplaces in terms of worker safety, and how businesses acknowledgement of diversity in their workforce can lead to greater engagement and help build equity.

We have learned a lot from our expert speakers, and from the thoughtful questions asked by attendees. If you missed the series you can watch each of the panels at the links below: 

Here are a few takeaways from some of the panelists who participated in this series:

Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Delta Dental of Colorado

The one statement that keeps playing in my mind was a comment Russell Cropanzano made, “Anxiety collapses into depression.” This statement has led me to revisit things like the decline in our intranet engagement, water cooler talks, etc. Is it because people are busy, is it the summer, or are people feeling even more down and stressed out? Probably a combination of all three. I guess my point is to keep reinforcing those resources, dream up some new things and connect with people to see if they are okay. I’ve checked in with lots of team members since hearing that. I think it helps. 

Russell Cropanzano, Chair of the Organizational Leadership and Information Analytics Division / Chair of the Social Responsibility and Sustainability Division: 

• The pandemic is a unique crisis, as it is unfolding over a number of months. People are afraid of being sick, of course, but there is also secondary damage to well-being – job loss, lack of social contact, loss in earnings, etc. It’s the reverberating effects of the pandemic that worry me the most. This could be with us for many years.
• We know from research that supportive organizations can benefit people. It’s important to have regular communication and to maintain social networks. We discussed some ways to do that. However, as many Americans receive their health care through their jobs, this won’t reach many people. They are further hampered by the lack of a uniform and consistent national policy.
• People’s personal situation is important. Those who are older are at greater risk. Those engaged in elder care or who are living in multi-generational households could also experience a great deal of anxiety.
• Don’t underestimate the social effects. Being home effaces people’s support networks. Of course, if they lose their job, then this is even worse. 

Sabrina Volpone, Assistant Professor, Organizational, Leadership, and Information Analytics PhD Program Director

The topics that we talked about in the panel are universal - BLM, COVID, leading in a pandemic … they are impacting each and every one of us as workers in ways that we have not experienced work and life before. We can have a tendency to think 'this pandemic is impacting the careers of working mothers’ or focusing on one or two groups within the workforce. This is impacting everyone in different ways and it is necessary that organizations revisit their policies and procedures over and over again through multiple lenses to make sure that the experiences of all employees are being considered.

, Sustainability Community Engagement Coordinator, CESR

I appreciated the discussion in our panel on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion about how employees can rethink the boundaries between their identities in their private lives, and as employees. Working from home means that certain barriers have broken down - we see into each other’s private lives in new ways from a dog barking to a child asking for a snack. This is not necessarily a bad thing. It allows us to bring more of ourselves to work, allows us to be more authentic, and more empathetic. There is an opportunity here to recognize one another’s humanity and to make corporate decisions that respect and support our needs as people, not just as workers.

There is so much more in these conversations that is relevant and actionable. We hope you find the discussions as interesting as we did.

On March 17th, six student teams were challenged to apply their values and skills learned in Leeds classes to a real-world ethics case at CESR’s 5^th annual Business Ethic Case Competition. ANNA Consulting (Noah Green, Nathan Mpiana, Alexandra McPherson, Alex Schott) rose above the rest, placing first by successfully tackling the ethical dilemma presented:

Analyze the production practices and ethical and financial implications of a palm oil plantation and refinery in Indonesia, considering social and environmental issues including massive-scale deforestation, labor rights violations, and violation of indigenous people.

Winning teams

1^st place: ANNA Consulting (Noah Green, Alex Schott, Nathan Mpiana, Alexandra McPherson)

2^nd place: Labyrinth Consulting (Thomas Anderson, Yohannes Tilahun, Meredith Maney, Leilani Osmundson, Makda Fitsum)

3^rd place: Flatiron Consulting (Setu Oza, Lindsay Meehan, Emily Stock, Jack Wegerbauer, Vince Houghton, Brianna Huynh)

BECC 2017 Case

For the final round case, teams were introduced to Best Palm Oil (BPO), a multinational corporation that operates the fourth largest palm oil plantation and refinery in Indonesia and produces 15% of Indonesia’s palm oil exports. �鶹��Ժ were provided detailed information on the company and the palm oil industry, including the social and environmental impacts of the palm oil industry (massive-scale deforestation, labor rights violations, and violation of indigenous people).

BPO was looking to expand production into Malaysia to take advantage of economies of scale. In an effort to raise capital, the owners decided to take their company public. But pressure from potential investors and NGOs might require changes in practices and participation in overall industry reform.

Student teams were asked to act as consultants for BPO and analyze the ethical and financial implications of making no changes vs changing production practices, as the industry leader in responsible sourcing.

About the competition

The  enhances students’ learning and understanding of real-world ethical dilemmas. Participants analyze, create recommendations for, and present solutions to a real business case. Prize money is awarded to first ($6,000), second ($4,000), third ($2,000) and non-placing teams ($300 each).

The competition is closely related to the , which takes place each February and is sponsored by Tim Borden, a pioneering force in the development of ethical issues in corporate governance.

CESR would like to congratulate ANNA Consulting and thank everyone who participated in this year’s BECC.

Looking to enhance your knowledge on corporate social responsibility? Check out our upcoming events .

Often times our smartphones are our lifelines, containing everything from vacation photos to important work emails. What is commonly overlooked by us consumers are the work and material that goes into producing our favorite technology. Shockingly, for something as compact as a phone, the production consists of questionable work ethics from Africa to Asia and each one contains roughly 40 different minerals.

Smartphones aren’t the only issue though. Our everyday technological necessities can be a part of a dangerous cycle, but socially responsible companies and organizations are on the rise to combat these issues.

Meet Fairphone

The Android powered phone addresses the components that make up smartphones through identifying transparent sources of gold, sourcing tungsten from conflict-free exports out of Rwanda, tin from conflict-free exports out of the Democratic Republic of Congo and tantalum from conflict-free exports by working with . 

“Solutions for Hope …supports companies, civil society organizations, and governments working together to responsibly source minerals from regions experiencing conflict where market access is limited by opaque supply chains.”

is also very transparent with stakeholders when it comes to their product and company. This day and age consumers are becoming more and more conscious about where their favorite products come from, and companies that prove to be socially and ethically fair are advancing ahead of those who aren’t. Fairphone focuses on social entrepreneurship by maintaining strong relationships with consumers, showing where the materials come from and revealing what goes into manufacturing the product.

Apple’s socially responsible promise

As one of the top tech companies, Apple has recently promised a supply chain audit for . Working towards this goal since 2010, Apple has yet to completely achieve 100%, but guarantees that all mineral suppliers are now subjected to third-party audits.

What has taken Apple six plus years to achieve this? Apple Chief Operating Officer, Jeff Williams explained that by re-routing the supply chain and moving away from the conflict issues of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, specifically violent militia groups, Apple could have been successful many years ago, but that’s not what they wanted to do. Apple is pushing to make a difference in the world and how tech companies handle their supply chains.

Sephen D’Esposito, president of (an organization working towards creating solutions for social and environmental issues), further explained this concept by saying that manufacturers “should be working with suppliers to improve whatever conditions are happening because a de facto embargo would have negative consequences and undercut the effort to create a transparent supply chain”.

The fight for ethical technology production has clearly just begun and is far from being won. As consumers and companies both become equally as aware, these issues will continue to be solved promoting fairness among all stakeholders.

For more information on socially and ethically responsible technology click

In 2015 students pursuing CESR's Socially Responsible Enterprise (SRE) Certificate were introduced to the Marc Prisant and Heidi Heltzel Scholarship for Ethics and Social Responsibility. Among the first three outstanding students was Denver native, Jordyn Johnson. 

"Whenever someone believes in me enough to fund my education, I know that what I am doing serves a purpose bigger than myself. I am truly honored to be one of the recipients of the Marc Prisant and Heidi Heltzel Scholarship for Ethics and Social Responsibility, and I hope I can make them proud with my future accomplishments." – Jordan Johnson 

Dream job

When we spoke to Johnson last year she told us about her aspirations to work in the National Football League (NFL) in their community relations department, as well as starting a non-profit aimed at youth development through education and sports.

After graduating in May with a triple emphasis management major focusing on leadership, talent management and operations management, Johnson landed a position with the Denver Broncos as a marketing and sponsorship intern. Her responsibilities include event planning and execution, managing and growing fan databases, and engaging with fans on a regular basis. 

"People often get overly excited when I tell them who I work for, so I make it a point to first tell them what I do and why. A mentor of mine once told me that marketing in the sports industry is the ‘business of making memories,’" shared Johnson. 

Making sure fans have an enjoyable and memorable experience is a top priority for Johnson. "Whether I'm accompanying a player at an autograph session, running a drill at a Junior Training Camp...I strive to help fans make positive, lasting memories." 

The Marc Prisant and Heidi Heltzel Scholarship for Ethics and Social Responsibility

Introduced in spring 2016, the Marc Prisant and Heidi Heltzel scholarship is awarded to at least two students a year who demonstrate dedication to the Center for Education on Social Responsibility (CESR). Although Marc and Heidi never attended CU, they were inspired to start this scholarship through their friendship with Michael Leeds. They applaud the work being done at the Leeds School of Business, specifically at CESR given their passion for social responsibility. Marc and Heidi fund this scholarship with the goal of having it grow over time and motivate future generations through CESR's work.

About Jordyn Johnson

Johnson thanks CESR, specifically her learning through the , for helping her become more aware of the world. She was able to catch up with Heidi Heltzel prior to graduation to talk about the summer internship as well as Heltzel’s work with .

The CESR community congratulates Jordyn on her accomplishments and wishes her all the best with future endeavors! 

Apply

For more information on the Marc Prisant and Heidi Heltzel scholarship click here

Dr. Mark Meaney accepts leadership position with newly formed North American chapter involving over 150 business schools.
 

Jan. 26, 2016 – The Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado, Boulder, announced that Dr. Mark Meaney, Executive Director of the Center for Education on Social Responsibility (CESR), was elected as Chair of the newly established North America Chapter of the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education (UN PRME) initiative. Dr. Meaney was also elected to the UN PRME International Advisory Board.

Launched at the 2007 Leaders Summit in Geneva, the UN PRME initiative focuses on inspiring and championing responsible business management education, research and thought leadership globally. is comprised of 18 Canadian and 138 US business school signatories, and is part of a collective of over 600 business schools world-wide.

Key areas the North America Chapter will focus on include developing resources to foster student experiential learning in business ethics, and establishing and sharing best practices to align with UN sustainable development goals.

Dr. Meaney remarked, “This is a significant opportunity for a vast network of educational leaders to collaborate and make a difference in critical areas of student learning such as business ethics, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability. We have an opportunity to develop widely accepted best practices and contribute on a global scale." 

Dr. Meaney will be presenting at UN PRME’s 2nd North American meeting hosted in Atlanta, GA, February 4 to 6 to further establish the Chapter’s focus and engagement across participating schools.

Dr. Meaney has over 20 years of experience and an international reputation in business ethics. He is currently the Executive Director at the University of Colorado Boulder’s Leeds School of Business, Center for Education on Social Responsibility, which was founded through the support of the Leeds family. Under Dr. Meaney’s leadership, the Center focuses on developing socially conscious, values-driven business leaders to manage the ethical challenges of a global economy.

Keep up with CESR events and news: CESR Newsletter

January 26 – CESR Instructor, David Payne, and the MBA students of Topics in Sustainable Business host representatives from twelve local businesses for this year’s Sustainability Marketplace.

A requirement of Topics in Sustainable Business is a consulting-style project where MBAs select a company to advise and assist in a sustainability-based pursuit, although Payne is quick to make clear that this “isn’t just another academic deliverable. I want you guys to get psyched about this project and love what you choose to work on.”

Sustainably-minded companies, and those aspiring to be, visit and pitch their projects and ideas. Often, a number of these companies seek to become to display their hard work in developing more responsible business operations. Other companies propose projects in construction, product development, and market analysis. In recent years over 32 B-Impact Assessments have been completed by members of the  (LSIC) and MBAs from Payne's class.

�鶹��Ժ aren’t beholden to the projects pitched by these business, however. The opportunity for MBAs to design their own projects is available to those who already have business ideas or areas of interest to explore further. Among this year’s individual projects are rescue hydration for refugees, the growing industry of cricket farming for human consumption, sustainable and efficient beer production, hydrogen as an energy/fuel source, and resolving split-incentive issues in the commercial solar industry.

This year’s Sustainability Marketplace companies are:

Learn More about CESR's work with B-Corps
Keep up with CESR events and news: CESR Newsletter