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Leading the Way

Becoming a Sustainability Change Agent

Christy Bozic, PhD, PMP

Leading the Way: Becoming a Sustainability Change Agent is designed to help you craft a meaningful career that aligns with your values and drives real change in organizations, communities, and industries. Drawing from insights shared by sustainability professionals across diverse roles, you will explore your own leadership style, understand how to build resilience and influence within complex systems, and learn how to position yourself for impact in any industry. Offering an authentic, behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to become an effective sustainability change agent - whether you’re early in a career or looking to expand your influence, this course is ideal for connecting purpose with practice, and discovering how to play a more intentional role in advancing sustainability.

This course was developed in collaboration with Siemens Digital Industries Software and is part of the "Design for the Circular Economy" collection. Learners who complete and pass the course can receive an industry-recognized digital badge.

The “Design for the Circular Economy” microcredential and graduate certificate are developed around the educational goals of providing technical, business, and leadership knowledge and skills that inspire the transformation towards a more circular economy. This includes gaining technical knowledge to apply circular economy principles in product design, minimizing waste and maximizing impact; developing business acumen to implement innovative circular economic models that prioritize sustainability and resilience; and acquiring leadership strategies to communicate effectively and inspire change within an organization.

This course can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Engineering in Engineering Management (ME-EM) degree offered on the Coursera platform. The ME-EM is designed to help engineers, scientists, and technical professionals move into leadership and management roles in the engineering and technical sectors. With performance-based admissions and no application process, the ME-EM is ideal for individuals with a broad range of undergraduate education and/or professional experience. Learn more about the ME-EM program at https://www.coursera.org/degrees/me-engineering-management-boulder.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Becoming A Sustainability Change Agent

Welcome to the course, Leading the Way: Becoming a Sustainability Change Agent. In this first module, you will explore what it means to be a sustainability change agent and how people from all backgrounds can lead change without needing a formal title. You will be introduced to the course, connect with peers, and reflect on your own values and opportunities for impact. Through video, readings, and discussion, you'll begin building the mindset and skills to lead from where you are.

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Career center

Learners who complete Leading the Way: Becoming a Sustainability Change Agent will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Circular Economy Strategist

A Circular Economy Strategist leads the transformation towards more sustainable and regenerative economic models within an organization or across industries. This involves developing innovative approaches to product design, resource management, and business operations that minimize waste and maximize resource utility. The course, "Leading the Way: Becoming a Sustainability Change Agent," is particularly pertinent given its explicit connection to the "Design for the Circular Economy" collection. It helps you acquire leadership strategies to communicate effectively and inspire change, alongside developing business acumen to implement innovative circular economic models. Learners can leverage insights on how to position themselves for impact and lead sustainability efforts from wherever they sit, crafting a professional narrative that emphasizes their role in this vital field. This career often typically requires an advanced degree.

See salaries and explore the career path for Circular Economy Strategist

Sustainability Consultant

As a Sustainability Consultant, you guide organizations in developing and implementing their environmental, social, and governance strategies. This role involves analyzing complex systems, identifying leverage points for change, and advising clients on how to integrate sustainable practices into their operations and products. The course, "Leading the Way: Becoming a Sustainability Change Agent," is highly relevant as it equips learners to drive real change within organizations, communities, and industries, aligning purpose with practice. It helps you explore your leadership style and understand how to build influence within complex systems, crucial for designing impactful solutions and communicating their value to diverse stakeholders. This career often typically requires an advanced degree, such as a Master of Business Administration or a Master of Environmental Management.

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Product Sustainability Specialist

As a Product Sustainability Specialist, you focus on integrating environmental and social considerations into the design, development, and lifecycle management of products. This involves applying circular economy principles to minimize waste, reduce environmental impact, and enhance resource efficiency. The course, "Leading the Way: Becoming a Sustainability Change Agent," is highly relevant as it focuses on gaining technical knowledge to apply circular economy principles in product design. It also helps you develop leadership strategies to communicate effectively and inspire change within an organization, essential for influencing product teams and bringing sustainable innovations to market. This course helps you to explore your own leadership style and understand how to position yourself for impact in any industry.

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Environmental Social Governance Lead

An Environmental Social Governance Lead is responsible for integrating ESG principles into an organization's strategy, operations, and reporting. This role demands strong leadership to influence stakeholders, manage complex data, and ensure accountability for sustainability performance. The course, "Leading the Way: Becoming a Sustainability Change Agent," is designed to help you drive real change in organizations by exploring how systems work and where influence exists. It equips you with frameworks like organizational mapping and spheres of control, influence, and concern, empowering you to effectively communicate ESG initiatives and inspire action across various departments. This course is ideal for connecting purpose with practice, helping you to position yourself for impact and lead with purpose in the sustainability space.

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Corporate Sustainability Manager

A Corporate Sustainability Manager oversees and implements an organization's overall sustainability strategy and initiatives. This involves coordinating efforts across departments, setting goals, measuring progress, and communicating achievements to internal and external audiences. The course, "Leading the Way: Becoming a Sustainability Change Agent," provides crucial insights into leading sustainability efforts from wherever you sit in an organization, helping you build resilience and influence within complex systems. It helps you define your personal leadership style and develop strategies for sustaining change and empowering others, which are essential for driving long-term impact within a corporate setting. You will gain greater clarity on your leadership potential and a strategy for taking the first steps as a sustainability change agent.

See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Sustainability Manager

Supply Chain Sustainability Manager

A Supply Chain Sustainability Manager works to identify, assess, and mitigate environmental and social risks throughout a company's supply chain. This role involves collaborating with suppliers, implementing sustainable sourcing practices, and optimizing logistics for reduced impact. The course, "Leading the Way: Becoming a Sustainability Change Agent," is instrumental in understanding how systems work and where influence exists within complex networks like supply chains. It helps you develop leadership strategies to communicate effectively and inspire change in organizations, critical for fostering collaboration and driving adherence to sustainability standards across a global network. Learners will explore their own leadership style and learn how to position themselves for impact.

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Sustainability Project Coordinator

As a Sustainability Project Coordinator, you manage specific initiatives aimed at advancing an organization's sustainability goals. This role involves planning, executing, and monitoring projects, often requiring collaboration across various teams and stakeholders. The course, "Leading the Way: Becoming a Sustainability Change Agent," provides valuable insights into leading change without needing a formal title and how to position yourself for impact. It equips you with practical frameworks for organizational mapping and identifying leverage points, which are crucial for effective project planning and execution. The ability to define your personal leadership style and develop strategies for resilience and adaptability will be highly beneficial in navigating the challenges of project coordination in the dynamic field of sustainability.

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Sustainability Communications Director

A Sustainability Communications Director crafts and disseminates an organization's sustainability story, engaging both internal and external audiences. This role involves translating complex environmental and social efforts into compelling narratives, building brand reputation, and fostering stakeholder trust. The course, "Leading the Way: Becoming a Sustainability Change Agent," provides crucial leadership strategies to communicate effectively and inspire change within an organization, which is at the heart of this role. It emphasizes exploring your own leadership style and understanding how to build influence, vital for shaping public perception and mobilizing action around sustainability initiatives. Learners will craft a professional narrative that clearly communicates their purpose, capabilities, and desired impact.

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Green Technology Innovation Lead

A Green Technology Innovation Lead drives the research, development, and adoption of new sustainable technologies and solutions within an organization or for market introduction. This role involves fostering a culture of innovation, managing cross-functional teams, and navigating the technical and business challenges of bringing novel green products to life. The course, "Leading the Way: Becoming a Sustainability Change Agent," helps you develop technical knowledge to apply circular economy principles and gain business acumen to implement innovative circular economic models. It also helps you acquire leadership strategies to communicate effectively and inspire change within an organization, crucial for championing new technologies and securing resources for their development and implementation.

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Sustainable Business Development Manager

As a Sustainable Business Development Manager, you identify and cultivate new business opportunities that align with an organization's sustainability goals and market demand for eco-friendly products or services. This role demands an understanding of sustainable economic models and the ability to articulate their value to potential partners and clients. The course, "Leading the Way: Becoming a Sustainability Change Agent," helps you develop business acumen to implement innovative circular economic models that prioritize sustainability and resilience. It also helps you craft a professional narrative that clearly communicates purpose, capabilities, and desired impact, enabling you to effectively position new sustainable offerings in the market. You will explore your own leadership style and learn how to position yourself for impact in any industry.

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Climate Change Policy Analyst

A Climate Change Policy Analyst researches, evaluates, and contributes to the development of policies aimed at addressing climate change at local, national, or international levels. This role requires understanding complex environmental systems, policy frameworks, and the ability to influence stakeholders and decision-makers. The course, "Leading the Way: Becoming a Sustainability Change Agent," may be useful for learners by helping them explore how systems work and where influence exists. It can also help in developing leadership strategies to communicate effectively and inspire change, which is vital for advocating for policy adoption and implementation. This career often typically requires an advanced degree, such as a Master of Public Policy or a Master of Environmental Policy.

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Renewable Energy Development Lead

A Renewable Energy Development Lead spearheads projects focused on developing and implementing renewable energy solutions, such as solar, wind, or geothermal power. This role involves navigating complex regulatory environments, managing technical teams, and securing resources to bring sustainable energy initiatives to fruition. The course, "Leading the Way: Becoming a Sustainability Change Agent," may be helpful by offering leadership strategies to communicate effectively and inspire change within an organization, crucial for gaining buy-in and overcoming project hurdles. It aids in understanding how to build resilience and influence within complex systems, which is essential when dealing with project approvals and stakeholder engagement in the energy sector. This career often typically requires an advanced degree.

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Organizational Change Manager with Sustainability Focus

As an Organizational Change Manager with a Sustainability Focus, you facilitate transitions within an organization to adopt more sustainable practices, technologies, or business models. This demands a deep understanding of human behavior, organizational dynamics, and strategies to overcome resistance to change. The course, "Leading the Way: Becoming a Sustainability Change Agent," is specifically designed to help you lead change without needing a formal title and understand how to build resilience and influence within complex systems. It helps you develop strategies for sustaining change and empowering others, essential for successful long-term transformation in sustainability. Learners will gain greater clarity on their leadership potential and a strategy for taking the first steps as a sustainability change agent.

See salaries and explore the career path for Organizational Change Manager with Sustainability Focus

Sustainability Education and Outreach Coordinator

As a Sustainability Education and Outreach Coordinator, you design and deliver programs or campaigns to inform and engage various audiences on sustainability topics. This role involves developing educational materials, organizing events, and inspiring behavioral change within communities, schools, or internal organizational settings. The course, "Leading the Way: Becoming a Sustainability Change Agent," may be useful in building the mindset and skills to lead from where you are, and for empowering others through leadership and mentorship. It can help you explore your own leadership style and learn how to position yourself for impact, crucial for effectively motivating and engaging diverse groups in sustainability efforts. Learners will gain greater clarity on their leadership potential and a strategy for taking the first steps as a sustainability change agent.

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Environmental Impact Assessor

An Environmental Impact Assessor conducts detailed analyses to predict and evaluate the potential environmental consequences of proposed projects or policies. This role requires meticulous data analysis, adherence to regulatory frameworks, and the ability to present findings clearly to decision-makers and the public. The course, "Leading the Way: Becoming a Sustainability Change Agent," may be helpful for understanding how systems work and where influence exists, which is important when assessing the broader implications of projects. It may also aid in developing leadership strategies to communicate effectively, ensuring that complex environmental findings are conveyed persuasively to inspire change. While technical skills are paramount, the course's focus on impact and influence will complement this role. This career often typically requires an advanced degree.

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Reading list

We've selected 50 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Leading the Way: Becoming a Sustainability Change Agent.

Thinking in Systems

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This is widely considered an essential introductory text to Systems Thinking. It clearly explains core concepts like stocks, flows, and feedback loops using relatable examples. is highly recommended for anyone seeking a broad understanding and serves as a strong foundation for further study. It is often used as a foundational text in academic settings and for professionals new to the field.

Leading the Way

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