WBCSD and Stanford University announce new immersive program to drive sustainable transformation across industries

Geneva & Stanford, 13 December2024 —  The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, in partnership with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), has launched Executive Leadership for Sustainable Transformation: An Immersive Experience. This groundbreaking in-person program is tailored to equip C-suite executives and senior leaders across industries with the insights and strategies needed to steer their organizations towards sustainable success in a rapidly changing world.

The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability holds among our highest ambitions the goal of providing best-in-class sustainability education for the world. We’re pleased to collaborate with WBCSD to offer this unique opportunity to help leaders drive business value and resilience.

Arun Majumdar, Dean of the school

The program’s curriculum combines Stanford’s world-class academic resources with WBCSD’s expertise in sustainable business transformation, while also providing an enriching blend of classroom learning and immersive experiences.

Over the course of 10 days, participants will integrate academic rigor with hands-on exploration. Through engaging discussions with leading experts and researchers on Stanford’s campus and accompanying local field trips, attendees will gain firsthand insight into the environmental, economic, and social dimensions of sustainability to drive business value. For example, a session about the ocean’s role in climate regulation and economic development will bring participants to Stanford’s Hopkins Marine Station in Pacific Grove, the oldest marine laboratory on the West Coast. Other excursions may include pivotal sites for understanding wildfire impacts, the energy transition, and more.

Highlights of the program will include:

• A solid foundation in the latest sustainability science and global trends related to climate, nature, and quality of life.
• A robust exploration of the intersection of sustainability with a range of different business functions.
• Insights into key global regulations and policies related to sustainability, and their implications for business operations, compliance, and corporate governance.
• A strong focus on the strategies that will position companies to lead in the context of sustainability transformation and thrive in a rapidly changing market.
• A range of excursions that will showcase environmental and social challenges and solutions firsthand.
• Networking with senior executives and thought leaders from across industries and geographies as part of an active leadership cohort.

At WBCSD, we recognize that achieving a sustainable future requires visionary and courageous leadership equipped with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in sustainability. This program in collaboration with Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability provides a unique experience for senior leaders to learn, connect, and grow. By blending academic rigor with real-world immersion, we aim to empower executives to lead their organizations through sustainable transformation with confidence and impact.

Rodney Irwin, Chief Education Officer at WBCSD

Program Dates and Enrolment

• Program Dates: August 3-13, 2025
• Application Deadline: April 15, 2025

Executive Leadership for Sustainable Transformation: An Immersive Experience will take place Aug. 3-13, 2025. Applications are open now and will be accepted through April 15, 2025. For more information and to apply, please visit the program website.