Leadership Program

Registration Open

 

Sustainability Leadership Program

March – May 2026

 

Available to participants across the state of Colorado. Apply Today to be considered for the 2026 cohort. Tuition is $750 and applications are due no later than February 1st.

APPLY TODAY

Through this program, leaders learn powerful new strategies for enacting leadership that positions sustainability as a driver of organizational engagement, innovation, and change-capability.

What You'll Learn

The Sustainability Leadership Program illustrates how businesses can thrive and grow while simultaneously solving some of the world’s biggest challenges—and how you, as an individual, can make a difference.

This three-month program provides participants with the knowledge and tools to become purpose-driven business leaders and explores the different business models that companies can use to drive change. You will learn how to influence management and other key stakeholders on the competitive advantages of being a purpose-driven business, and how to integrate your values into your work so that you can help transform businesses into catalysts for change.

Learning Outcomes

.

UNDERSTAND and analyze the business models that drive change

COMMUNICATE the competitive advantages of being a purpose-driven leader to management, leadership, and other key stakeholders

EXPLORE why collective efforts matter and how business can be a catalyst for system-level change in the face of significant global issues, such as climate change and income inequality

.

EXAMINE the broader environmental, political, and social landscape in which you operate, including the role of government, suppliers, and customers

ENGAGE in meaningful thought partnerships on shared problems and opportunities

DETERMINE what you can do in your career to become a purpose-driven leader

Integrate sustainable management into your business strategy and become a leader in a field that is fundamental to business success across all industries.

Who Will Benefit

Purpose-Driven Professionals

Learn how businesses can effect change, and how you can influence others using a values-driven approach.

APPLY NOW

CSR Professionals

Identify strategic opportunities and articulate the business case for sustainability to achieve corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals within your organization.

Leaders & Entrepreneurs

Take a values-driven approach to business and learn how you can succeed financially while also playing a role in solving some of the world’s most pressing problems.

  • This is a program that not only elevates one's skills and level of awareness, but provides inspiration and value along the way.

    - Shelley Bayard de Volo - Environmental Coordination Specialist, Larimer County

  • This program provides a great opportunity to step away from your day to day job duties, reflect on how sustainability topics overlap with your responsibilities, and develop strategies on how to champion sustainability efforts within your organization.

    - Elliot Dale - Senior Buyer, City of Fort Collins

  • Sustainability needs to assume its proper place in business and our personal thought processes and this program can help spur it.

    - Steve Roalstad - Communications and Marketing Manager, Platte River Power Authority

  • This program has left me with a long list of initiatives that I am excited to take back to my company to get us to a new level of eco-consciousness. Both the people and the program have been truly inspiring!

    - Jacob Sanchez - Sustainability and Compliance Program Manager, Hewlett Packard

Program Structure

The Sustainability Leadership Program consists of a combination of virtual and in-person trainings, consisting of 40 hours of content. Our thought provoking presenters take you through 20 engaging sessions over a three-month period from March through May.

chuttersnap-nXJyZLBnyUQ-unsplash

Segment 1 – Driving Change

  • Orientation
  • What is the triple bottom line and why does it matter?
  • Pursuing Purpose in Addition to Profit
  • Frameworks for Leadership
mika-baumeister-3XjMwxUHx0Q-unsplash

Segment 2 – Resource Management

  • Energy and Efficiency
  • Waste Reduction
  • Water in Colorado
  • Leadership Values
pexels-fauxels-3184360

Segment 3 – Policy and Action

  • Policy and Advocacy for Business
  • Sustainability through Wetlands
  • Moving Towards a Regenerative Model
  • Local Governments Addressing Energy Issues
Who, what, why copy

Segment 4 – Equity and Analysis

  • Advancing Racial Equity
  • ROI and Cost Benefit Analysis
  • Engaging Stakeholders
  • Tour of Rawhide Power Plant
digital-marketing-g2a659b4ed_1920

Segment 5 – Goals and Strategies

  • ESG Management Systems
  • Colorado’s Roadmap to GHG Reduction
  • Sustainable Business Approaches
  • Managing a Machine or Leading in a Living System
Passion

Segment 6 – Coming Full Circle

  • The Environmental Movement in Sustainability
  • Conservation Leadership
  • A Regenerative Mindset: Evolving Inherent Potential
  • Graduation
2026 Course Schedule
Program Details

Tuition for this program is $750 and the application deadline is February 1st. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, Apply Today!

This training is transformative. - Jensen Morgan, City of Fort Collins, Business Analyst

VIRTUAL CLASSES meet on Thursdays from 9:30-11am as scheduled, with THREE IN PERSON DAYS from 9am-4pm.

 

APPLICATIONS ARE REVIEWED AS THEY ARE RECEIVED. We encourage you to submit your application early during this competitive process.

 

ENROLLMENT ELIGIBILITY is confirmed within one week of application.

 

INCLUDE A COPY OF YOUR RESUME and answers to the essay questions with your application.

 

LIMITED TO 20 PARTICIPANTS, teams are encouraged.

 

ORIENTATION WILL BE HELD VIRTUALLY on Thursday, March 5th from 9:30-11am. A GRADUATION CEREMONY will be held at the end of the program.

Participants who would recommend this program to colleagues0

This program provides information that can be directly applied to your organization0

Enhances participants ability to promote the case for sustainability0

APPLY TODAY
Presenters

.

OUR PROGRAM PRESENTERS are selected for their proven track record as engaging, relevant, and cutting-edge Sustainability Leadership Providers from across Colorado.

.

COLLECTIVELY, THIS ARRAY OF THOUGHT LEADERS AND PRACTITIONERS will inspire, challenge, and prepare participants to rise to the critical leadership demands to successfully integrate sustainability into business.

            

  • The Nature Conservancy
  • School of Global Environmental Sustainability
  • Lotus Engineering and Sustainability
  • Colorado State University
  • Geosyntec Consultants
  • Trebuchet Group
  • Patagonia
  • Colorado Institute for Social Impact
  • Ducks Unlimited
  • City of Fort Collins
  • Good Business Colorado
  • Namaste Solar
  • Institute for the Build Environment
  • Republic Services
  • Marathon Leadership
  • Eco Products
  • Western Urban Sustainability Advisors
  • NoCo Climate Reality Chapter
What People are Saying

The Sustainability Leadership Program is an opportunity to learn about various and diverse perspectives regarding sustainability, which helps broaden our minds and goals in terms of how we can make a difference either in our careers or in our personal lives. – Laura Quattrini, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies

The Sustainability Leadership Program was a fascinating dive into applying the triple bottom line to inform real world solutions. The content is expertly curated, delivered by professionals in their far-ranging fields, and unifies seemingly disparate industries with the core tenet of sustainability. I came away from the program with tools that will continue to help my organization’s sustainability efforts and priceless connections to the other participants. – Cat Zummer, Training and Development Specialist, Organic India (B-corp)

 

 

This program is wonderful. If you want to learn more about sustainability for yourself or your organization, this is a holistic way to learn all the different aspects of the triple bottom line. Very informative and several takeaways from every class! – Kaitlin Swift, Program Manager, Otter Products

 

 

The Sustainability Leadership class was instrumental in helping the City pilot and improve its “Triple Bottom Line Scan” tool through a meaningful service project.   We are excited about future opportunities to partner with the leadership program participants on other timely issues as well, to capitalize on their expertise and support sustainability in our community.  – Jackie Kozak Thiel, Chief Sustainability Officer for the City of Fort Collins

 

 

This program renewed a passion in me to be a strong advocate on behalf of social and environmental sustainability movements. It can be wearing to face constant opposition to a cause that I truly believe in.  Having  gone through the course, I met a lot of great people, picked up some useful tools and I have been re energized in my beliefs. Thank you. – Todd Parker, Director of Development, Brinkman (B-corp)

 

 

The Sustainability Leadership Program is a very insightful program that breeds discussions on how to improve business practices and drive impactful change. -Aubrey McCormick, Vice President, Sustainable Business Consulting

View Past Participants
IMG_5279 copy

RAWHIDE POWER PLANT TOUR

Garden Group

COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE TOUR

Larimer County Landfill Tour

LARIMER COUNTY LANDFILL TOUR

This program provides training that will set you apart. Upon completion you’ll walk away with the ability to overcome barriers and seize opportunities associated with operating a sustainable business.  You’ll build new networks and have the resources to support you on your professional journey and drive your career forward.

APPLY TODAY