MBA Sustainability Leadership Bootcamp

This intense program includes a 4-day immersion in professional sustainability strategy using the Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development, and access to follow-up coaching calls with The Natural Step Canada staff.

Not only do the students tackle real-life sustainability cases in depth, there are also sustainability gurus like Bob Willard on hand to whip the Bootcamp participants into strategic sustainability shape. The coaching and mentorship continues after the training as you face the challenges of sustainable development in the working world.

Purpose

To train, empower, and create a network of 30 participants (per Bootcamp) who can help accelerate change towards sustainability.

Summary

Participants get to take their skills to the next level by applying their strategy, project management, sales, marketing, negotiation, and facilitation learning to the sustainability field through a week of applied exercises, simulations, and live case studies. They are inspired by a faculty of national sustainability leaders and authors. During this Bootcamp, participants have the opportunity to hone their skills through practical real-life cases which address current challenges facing a particular sector or organization.

Sample Agenda and Program

 

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Morning

- Welcome

- Sustainability Leadership Café

- All-Star Panel

- The Rock-Solid Business Case for Sustainability

- Sustainable Value Framework

- Case Study: Systems Mapping & Strategy

- Case Study: Creating an Organizational Culture of Sustainability

Afternoon

- Understanding Others' Perspectives and Engaging them as Collaborators

- Objections Handling Clinic

- Core Concepts of Sustainability

- Evening Networking Session

- Case Study: Stakeholders, Human Needs, and Sustainability

- Being a Sustainability Champion

Learning Synthesis & Close

The program includes the following components:

  • A one-year license to The Natural Step Canada’s Sustainability 101 e-learning course;
  • A dynamic, interactive, and intensive four-day in-person workshop; and
  • Two follow-up group coaching webinars for participants as they apply workshop learning to their studies or jobs.

During the workshop, participants will spend approximately half their time honing individual skills and expertise to become 'sustainability champions'. These skills will empower participants to bring forth change in their future organizations. The rest of the workshop will focus on case study assignments, where core concepts of strategic sustainable development are practiced, using real-life examples of sustainability challenges

Each MBA Bootcamp will focus on a specific sector. The process of applying the core concepts is universal to all sectors so participants need not plan to work in, or have any experience in the focus sector.

Learning Outcomes

The MBA Sustainability Leadership Bootcamp is about more than gaining theoretical knowledge. It’s about developing the skills, attitudes, and knowledge required to be effective sustainability change agents. At the end of the Bootcamp, participants will have:

  • Developed their sustainability leadership potential;
  • Practiced facilitating meaningful conversations about sustainability;
  • Explored how to lead internal sustainability processes;
  • Applied a tested methodology for sustainability: The Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development;
  • Practiced capturing the business value of sustainability through live case studies;
  • Experienced a robust toolkit of facilitation techniques to engage stakeholders, colleagues, and leaders; and
  • Built a strong sustainability-focused network of peers, mentors, academics, and corporate sustainability change agents.

Who Should Apply?

  • MBA students* or recent graduates who are interested in learning more about sustainability and becoming sustainability change agents; and/or
  • Early to mid-career professionals who want to develop their skills, gain practical experience communicating sustainability concepts, and become sustainability leaders to effect change in Canada.

*In some cases, students in related studies may be accepted if space allows.

MBA Bootcamp Summary Report

Our Bootcamps in Toronto, Calgary and Edmonton have been huge successes with generous funding from the Suncor Energy Foundation, TD Bank Financial Group, ENMAX, Vale, Cenovus, the City of Calgary, Sovereign General Insurance and the Landmark Group of Builders. Download the report below to learn more.

 

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Cancellation policy

All cancellations must be received in writing. The amount paid, minus a 20% processing fee, will be refunded for all cancellations received 30 days prior to the course start date. A refund of 50% of the price paid will be issued for cancellations received less than 30 days prior to the course start date. However, no refund will be issued for cancellations received within 7 days of the course start date. Note that we are not issuing credit notes at this time but that you may substitute another person if you are unable to attend.

Please note that we reserve the right to cancel the course within seven days of the course start date. If the course is cancelled we will provide a full refund however, we are not responsible for travel and accommodation costs.

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