Executive excursion program to drive sustainable transformation across industries
In a new program from Stanford University and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, business executives and senior leaders will gain insight into the environmental, economic, and social dimensions of sustainability to drive business value.
The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, in collaboration with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), has launched Driving Sustainable Transformation: An Immersive Experience for Executives. This in-person program brings business executives and senior leaders on excursions across Northern California to equip them with the strategies needed to enhance their organization’s operational 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,” said Arun Majumdar, dean of the school. “We’re pleased to collaborate with WBCSD to offer this unique opportunity to help leaders drive business value and resilience.”
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 10 days, participants will integrate academic rigor with hands-on exploration. Through engaging discussions with leading experts and researchers on the Stanford 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 include:
- The latest sustainability science and global trends related to climate, nature, and human well-being
- Exploration of the intersection of sustainability with a range of different business functions, including marketing, finance, and operations
- Insights into key global regulations and policies related to sustainability and implications for business operations, compliance, and corporate governance
- 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 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,” said Rodney Irwin, chief education officer at WBCSD. “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.”
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.
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) is a global community of over 225 of the world’s leading businesses driving systems transformation for a better world in which 9+ billion people can live well, within planetary boundaries, by mid-century. Together, we transform the systems we work in to limit the impact of the climate crisis, restore nature, and tackle inequality.
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