Testimonials

Glory Keong, Senior Manager, Corporate ESG Strategy, BDO Canada

The things I really loved about this program: 1) the various sectors represented in the cohort allow the diversity of thought and insights into other industries I would not have been exposed to, 2) the connections I made with the rest of the cohort will extend beyond the program and 3) the program offered various relevant ESG topics in today’s professional environment, I appreciated the breadth of issues.

Class of 2022/2023 – Capstone Project: Embedding Sustainability Principles in Enterprise Real Estate. Nominated for the President’s Capstone Awards.
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Paul McQueen, Vice President, Wealth, Libro Credit Union

Learning in all areas of ESG, Sustainability, Social Impact, and the “Thought Leader” instructors are areas that will have a profound impact on me going forward.

I really want to encourage my peers in the financial industry to step outside their comfort zone of money focused conversations, and think about their potential for larger, and more personal impact. Don’t stop the RI/ESG train, and consider all the stakeholders along the route.

Class of 2022/2023 – Capstone Project: Leveraging Canadian Retail Investor Attitudes on Sustainable Investing. President’s Capstone Award Nominee.
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Marley MacDonald, Director, Responsibility & Sustainability, Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation

Was: Manager Sponsorships & Community Engagement

This program gave me the foundational knowledge I needed to advance both my personal understanding and professional credibility in sustainability and social responsibility. The program’s access to leading industry experts and its diverse community of practice is invaluable, and I look forward to championing ESG with the support of my new practitioner network.

Class of 2022/2023 – Capstone Project: NSLC Path to Corporate Sustainability – APPLYING AN EMBEDDED STRATEGIES FRAMEWORK. Winner, President’s Capstone Awards for Advancing Organizational Sustainability.
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Susan Kapetanovic-Marr, Now: Director – Climate and Decarbonization Practice Co-Lead, North America

Was: Principal, Sustainability Specialist, Morrison Hershfield

The Social Responsibility & Sustainability program gave me the perspective I needed to dig deep into my personal convictions on ESG. The program drew in individuals from diverse professions, all connected by a set of shared values – we are all in pursuit of “doing good”. The lessons learned and colleagues met are what made this diploma program an excellent life choice for me.

Class of 2021/2022 – Capstone Project: Aligning Purpose with Profit: Starting with Materiality Assessment.
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Lee Lawrence, Now: Founding President, Gemba Safety Solutions Inc and Environmental and Sustainability Policy Advisory Committee Member, City of Brantford

This program will allow you to meet and connect with intelligent and motivated professionals from all sectors and industries, while challenging you to broaden your perspectives on what part you can play in the sustainability of your industry.

Class of 2021/2022 – Capstone Project: Sustainability Audit Success in a Small Canadian Manufacturer Using an ISO-based Integrated Management System.
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Siobhan Barrie, Now: Senior Manager, Social Impact & Sustainability, LCBO

Was: Community Manager, Mejuri

This course has proven to be truly transformative for my personal and professional development. It has allowed me to not only make the pivot in my career that I was looking for, I have also gained an incredible group of professional connections with my fellow students who have already shown in many ways how valuable their connections are. I’m so pleased I pushed myself to take this course and am so excited to continue relationships and friendships with others in the program.

Class of 2021/2022 – Capstone Project: Raising The Bar Spirit of Inclusion Initiative – LCBO Internship Program. President’s Capstone Honourable Mention.
Learn more about Siobhan

Pierre Salameh, Now: Innovation Manager (Sustainability), Compass Group

Was: Director of Food Services, Compass Group

This program opened the door for me to enter the field of Sustainability Innovation with a proof of concept project that saved our company money and reduced our GHGs.

Class of 2021/2022 – Capstone Project: Sustainability by Innovation.
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Sara Gelgor, Now: Director, Human Rights, Enterprise ESG Strategy, RBC

Was: Chief Compliance Officer & CAMLO, Wyth Financial

“I am extremely proud to have received my Graduate Diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility and I am deeply grateful to my program mentor Karen Clarke-Whistler of ESG Global Advisors Inc. for her support and guidance in my research and writing of my Capstone Paper, “Climate-Related Risks and Opportunities: Building An ESG Strategy”. The program offered a rigorous and highly engaging consideration of a broad range of ESG-related topics. It is unique in Canada and attracts ESG practitioners from coast to coast as well as from abroad.”

Class of 2020/2021.
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Adnan Zaman, Now: Community Relations Superintendent at IAMGOLD

Was: Community Engagement Coordinator, The Salvation Army in Canada

“I highly recommend this program to anyone who is wants to advance their career in Corporate Sustainability, ESG, CSR or Social Performance. Despite having several years of Social Performance experience internationally, I struggled for months to secure a job in the corporate sustainability field in Canada. As part of the strategy to advance my career in the field, I wanted to deepen my understanding of the corporate sustainability landscape in North America. An extensive search led me to the incredible Graduate Diploma program @USMC that offers lectures on various ESG tools, frameworks, and best practices but also provides opportunities to work on group assignments and a Capstone project to gain hands-on experience. The nine-month internship that I did to complete my Capstone helped me solve real-life ESG problems faced by the CSR function of a mining company. My networking capabilities, soft skills, experience gained from the internship, and theories that I learned from the program, helped me land an ESG role with a consultancy that focuses on corporate sustainability – all before graduating.”

Class of 2020/2021.
Learn more about Adnan

Jodi Baxter, Senior Manager, Fund Development & Partnerships, TELUS Friendly Future Foundation

Was: Director, Corporate Partnerships, Canada’s Children’s Hospital Foundations

“This program was key to transitioning my career to the corporate sector after 15+ years in non-profit. In fact, I received three job offers within two weeks of graduating from the program and have just started a new social purpose role with TELUS. The program content was engaging, relevant and included case studies featuring Canadian best practices. As well, it was inspiring to be with other like-minded people who are committed to making the world a better place. I’m grateful for the experience and highly recommend it to others who are seeking to learn more about CSR & Sustainability.”

Class of 2020/2021.
Learn more about Jodi

Kate Gardner, Now: Manager, Institutional Communications, Loyalist Colleg and Co-Founder and CEO, myRESET

Was: Communications Specialist, Loyalist College

“Given my previous experience in non-profits and government, I have always been passionate about the immense potential to create social impact by leveraging the profitability of strategic multisector partnerships. The USMC CSR program and corresponding Capstone Project had a hugely positive impact on me, both personally and professionally. The curriculum created an opportunity for me to refine and focus my existing skills and experience and empowered me to merge my passion and purpose with my career.”

Class of 2020/2021.
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David Rutherford, Vice President, ESG Services, NEI.

“I wanted to deepen my knowledge and understanding of the sustainability field as I came into my new role as VP, ESG at NEI. The Diploma Program in CSR and Sustainability was a perfect fit. I really have to commend the program’s leaders for taking a curatorial approach to enrollees in the program…the highest value of the program to me was the group of truly exceptional leaders enrolled in the program. They served to amplify my learning, both during the program and since.”

Class of 2019/2020.
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Shahin Hirji, Now: Principal – Sustainability and ESG, Optimize Group Inc.

Was: Mining Consultant, Distill Consulting

“Warning – This program will light a fire in you and empower you to pursue your goals towards a more sustainable planet. You (and the world) may never be the same again.”

Class of 2019/2020.
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Shawna Peddle, Now: Associate Vice-President, Citizenship at Co-operators

Was: Program Director, Co-operators Community Funds

“The connection of the program to the real world, the quality of the instructors and the calibre of the students was unparalleled – I learned so much and could see myself and my work in every aspect of the program.”

Class of 2019/2020.
Watch a Video with Shawna’s Testimonial / Learn more about Shawna

Eric Saarvala, Now: Head, Corporate Sustainability, Raymond James Ltd. and Executive Director, Raymond James Canada Foundation

Was: Impactalyst Consulting, Corporate Social Responsibility & Philanthropic Services

“This program was central to transitioning my career to Corporate Social Responsibility/Sustainability. I made valuable contacts and landed a CSR contract during the program. The learning from the faculty, materials and my classmates has been invaluable as it strengthened my existing areas of expertise and closed the gap in others. The outcome was a skill-set to be a catalyst for impact and create economic, social and environmental value through sustainable business.”

Class of 2017/2018.
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Pamela Cone, VP Global Corporate Responsibility, Milliman

“This program has been so influential on my organization and career. Soon after joining the program I was promoted to VP, Global Corporate Responsibility. I presented my Module 2 Global Diversity and Inclusion Benchmarks evaluation to my senior leadership team to inform our strategy, and I passed the Sustainability Associate exam with the International Society of Sustainability Professionals during the program. My Capstone project was a study of CSR/Sustainability practices in professional service firms. The results outline a path forward. This program is helping me make a real difference.”

Class of 2017/2018.
Learn more about Pam

Sabina Di Risio, Now: Director, Research and Development, EcoSynthetix Inc.

Was: Technology Scouting Manager

Thank you again for a life-changing program. I enjoyed every minute of the journey. I will miss the space for reflection and the community we co-created. I hope we stay in touch.”

Class of 2015/2016
Learn more about Sabina

Janet Piper, Now: Senior Director, Corporate Engagement, Catalyst

Was: Manager, Promotion & Philanthropy | Marketing, Mackenzie Investments

“I absolutely believe the Certificate was instrumental in getting me a job with a CSR focus. When my boss introduces me to new colleagues he mentions the Certificate nearly every time!”

Class of 2015/2016
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Merling Sapene, Director, Education, Governance, Achieving Excellence, Process & IT Support, Product Life Cycle, Bombardier Aerospace

“During my major project at the Certificate in Corporate Social Responsibility I engaged local and global partners to encourage youth to be interested and passionate about science and technology. I led a team that developed “Passion for from Within” (primary school) and “Passion for Flight” (secondary schools).

This program will be launched in early 2015 in the School Boards Marguerite-Bourgeoys and Lester B. Pearson. And in April 2015, it will be part of the competition in the 10th anniversary of the Ligue d’improvisation en science et technologie. In the future, it will be deployed more widely in other school boards in the Montreal metropolitan area and the rest of Quebec. The Certificate in Corporate Social Responsibility Program at the University of St. Michael’s College really launched my leadership in Corporate Social Responsibility and Community Investment at my company. Now I have led and nutured a program that will inspire students everywhere – it all started at the University of St. Michael’s College.”

Rachel Guthrie, Now: VP, Corporate Sustainability Group, Export Development Canada

Was: Senior Manager, Corporate Responsibility, TD Bank Group

Definitely worth the investment. The tutors create an engaging forum to explore the complexities of applying CSR theory to the practical realities we all face in business.

Class of 2012

Mary Ann Kenney, Manager, Corporate Responsibility Strategy & Reporting, Enbridge

The St. Michael’s Certificate Program in CSR helped me build deep, meaningful and long-lasting connections: between the social, environmental and economic facets of CSR; between business, the community, and myself as an individual; and, most importantly, with the many like-minded individuals I met with a passion for CSR. I highly recommend it.

Class of 2012

Renae Addis, Now: Renae Addis, Director of Development, ErinoakKids Centre for Treatment and Development

Was: Manager, Community Investment, RBC Royal Bank

A rewarding and transformational learning opportunity. I encourage those that work in the field or have an interest in the field of CSR and Sustainability to consider the program. It supported my career goals and catapulted my next steps.

Class of 2004

Brenda Stasuik, Now: Chief of Staff, Office of the CEO, Farm Credit Corporation

Was: Director, Corporate Social Responsibility, Farm Credit Canada

I am pleased to recommend the Corporate Social Responsibility Certificate program to anyone wanting to learn more about all aspects of CSR. The program featured excellent content from current CSR practitioners, and attracted a range of students from many industries, and at varying levels within their organizations.

Class of 2010

Cathy Gallagher-Louisy, Director, Knowledge Services, Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion

The St. Michael’s CSR Certificate program was an incredibly transformative experience for me – both personally and professionally. Through the program, I increased my business acumen and gained a more holistic understanding of CSR and Sustainability. After graduating, I used what I learned in the program to create a business case for the creation of a full-time job leading CSR and diversity in Canada with my employer.

Since then, the knowledge I gained through the program has been useful and impactful in my day-to-day work, the connections I made in the program have become long-time trusted colleagues and friends, and the well-recognized credential has become an important part of my professional brand for speaking, teaching, and consulting opportunities. I have recommended this program to many colleagues and friends seeking to expand their knowledge and credentials in CSR and Sustainability.

Class of 2007