Leading Sustainable Business Transformation

The Leading Sustainable Business Transformation program attracts professionals from diverse industries, including finance, investment, consulting, manufacturing, operations, and energy.

Participants hold roles in corporate strategy, regulatory compliance, finance, risk management, legal affairs, and supply chain management. The program is designed for senior and executive leaders – such as directors, department heads, senior consultants, and general managers –who drive transformation and business success. It also welcomes mid-level professionals and high-potential early-career specialists looking to build leadership skills and navigate complex business challenges.

The program fosters a dynamic learning environment, bringing together experienced leaders and emerging talent for cross-functional collaboration, strategic discussions, and practical tools to lead sustainable transformation.

Through interactive case studies, expert-led discussions, and real-world applications, you will explore how sustainability drives business value, regulatory compliance, and long-term resilience. Peer learning opportunities allow you to exchange insights with professionals from diverse industries and adapt best practices to your organization’s unique challenges.

Faculty with deep industry expertise will guide you in integrating sustainability from multiple perspectives – whether embedding ESG criteria into financial strategies, optimizing sustainability initiatives, or aligning sustainability with corporate governance and risk management.

Yes, the Leading Sustainable Business Transformations program is built around real-world applications. Participants gain practical tools, frameworks, and case studies that can be implemented immediately in their organizations.

The program includes industry-relevant case studies that highlight how businesses navigate sustainability challenges such as regulatory compliance, stakeholder engagement, and decarbonization. For example, sessions explore the impact of global sustainability regulations (e.g., EU Green Deal, Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism), helping participants understand how to integrate regulatory requirements into their company’s strategy.

Participants also engage in stakeholder mapping exercises, business case development for sustainability initiatives, and decision-making simulations that reflect real corporate challenges. Role-playing sessions, such as pitching sustainability initiatives to executives, help refine their strategic communication and leadership skills.

Additionally, the program introduces practical tools, including impact measurement frameworks, sustainability reporting guidelines, and risk assessment models, enabling participants to quantify sustainability performance and drive organizational change. Whether you work in finance, supply chain, strategy, or compliance, the program provides tangible takeaways that can be applied immediately to enhance sustainability integration within your company.

Yes, the faculty leading the Leading Sustainable Business Transformation program combine academic expertise with hands-on industry experience, working closely with organizations to navigate sustainability transformations.

• Laura Marie Edinger-Schons, Professor of Sustainable Business and Chief Sustainability Officer at the University of Hamburg, combines academic depth with direct corporate experience in leading sustainability initiatives. She specializes in integrating sustainability into corporate strategy and driving impactful business transformations.
• Dr. Christof Schenck, a natural scientist and Managing Director of the Frankfurt Zoological Society, has led large-scale conservation and environmental projects. His background enables him to connect scientific expertise with business-driven sustainability initiatives, guiding organizations in incorporating nature-based solutions into their strategies.
• Dr. Hanna Setterberg, an affiliated researcher at ESMT Berlin, applies a data-driven approach to sustainability, helping businesses link financial decision-making with environmental and social impact. Her expertise supports organizations in understanding the financial implications of sustainable business practices.
• Prof. Christian Kroll, a recognized sustainability expert and ESG advisor, works with companies to develop sustainability strategies, measure impact, and integrate ESG considerations into decision-making. His insights help organizations bridge the gap between strategy and innovation.  
• Prof. Vilma Luoma-aho, Vice Dean at Jyväskylä University School of Business & Economics, brings expertise in corporate communications, stakeholder engagement, and public affairs – critical elements for effective sustainability transformation. She focuses on how businesses can build trust, communicate their sustainability efforts, and manage stakeholder expectations.