2017/2018 Cohort – Module 2 “Practical, Tangible, Insightful”

This May, participants in the Certificate in CSR/Sustainability reconvened to learn how to embed CSR/Sustainability in measurable, meaningful ways.

Goldcorp, Milliman, Royal Bank,OpenText, Hydro One, Lego, Port Saint John, Nova Scotia Lotteries, United Way, CAMH, Ontario Nature and others found Module 2 “practical, tangible and insightful”. “I learned so much this week from the instructors and my colleagues.” “I feel like I found my ‘tribe’…”

During the program CSR/Sustainability leaders from BMO Financial, The Co-operators, Scotiabank, Centerra Gold, Orenda, Softchoice, the Canadian Council for Diversity & Inclusion, and the Works Design shared best practices and led participants through the practical tools to developing, measuring and embedding CSR/Sustainability in organizations.

What participants are saying …

“This program has already provided me with a tremendous set of actionable items – which I have put to immediate use in the CSR program at my firm,” says Pamela Cone, VP Global Corporate Responsibility, Milliman in Washington. “In addition to the numerous resources made available through the coursework, I have found the cohort of fellow students to be a terrific group of supportive colleagues to turn to as well. Participating in this program has been a great experience for me and has substantially boosted the effectiveness of my CSR/Sustainability efforts.”

“This is a well-crafted program that creeps up on you,” agrees Samphe Lhalungpa, a retired UN development professional. “The first module is an introduction to the concepts and frameworks, in between there are some superb webinars from practitioners. In Module 2 things start to ‘rock and roll’ with some superstars of the CSR scene who share their practical experiences – the good and the bad. The group is varied and discussion reflects this diversity in experience and industry perspective. Through this program I have received a dynamic view of this evolving area and how to make a difference. I’m loving it.”

Others said the program “…caused me to stop, think and internalize (the learning)..something I often forget to do in my daily life”, “…discussions on stakeholder engagement, materiality and embedding CSR/Sustainability, made me realize the importance of influencing others without power…”, “Barbara (VP, Sustainability & Citizenship at The Co-operators), sat in on our table discussions. She was super insightful and brought a business point of view that was sometimes counterintuitive to the rest of us.”

What’s next for the group…

Program participants are currently working on Assignment 2 (some are pursuing the Sustainability Associate designation with the International Society of Sustainability Professionals) and completing their Capstone Projects, which they will present in November.

Check out more memories of Module 2 – CSR/Sustainability Certificate

Find your “CSR Family” Here

Find your CSR/Sustainability Family here – there is still time to join the next Cohort of the Certificate in CSR/Sustainability, apply now.