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This fall, the Center for Sustainability & Excellence (CSE) successfully completed its Certified Sustainability (ESG) Practitioner Programs in the United States and Canada, welcoming a diverse group of professionals from sectors including real estate, energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, and finance.
Led by Nikos Avlonas, CSE President, alongside John Grehmer (U.S. cohort) and Rosalinda Sanquiche (Canadian cohort), the CSE Fall 2025 ESG Programs empowered participants to develop strategic approaches to ESG, combining practical insights with global frameworks.
Business-driven training equips professionals with the tools to transform ESG strategy and reporting
Attendees lauded the presenters’ expansive knowledge in corporate sustainability and ESG, emphasizing the value of learning from each other’s challenges and best practices. The interactive nature of the sessions encouraged participants to connect, share real-world experiences, and explore cross-sectoral collaboration.
“Sustainability is not a one-size-fits-all journey, it requires strategic alignment and stakeholder engagement across the entire organization,” said Nikos Avlonas, highlighting the programs’ emphasis on systems thinking and applied ESG integration.
Program Focus: From Strategy to Measurable Action
The U.S. training program focused on embedding sustainability within core business operations. Modules included:
- Materiality and Stakeholder Engagement: Identifying and prioritizing key sustainability issues based on business impact and stakeholder relevance.
- Sustainability Strategy Design and Implementation: Building and executing sustainability roadmaps aligned with organizational objectives.
- Net Zero and Carbon Accounting: Measuring and reducing Scope 1–3 emissions through credible carbon reduction strategies.
- Sustainability Reporting and Ratings: Understanding the latest frameworks, including GRI, SASB, TCFD, and ESRS, and how to align with investor expectations.
- Case Studies and Sector Analysis: Examining real-life examples from leading North American and global corporations implementing ESG strategies effectively.
Meanwhile, the Canadian program addressed region-specific ESG priorities such as responsible resource management, community impact, and ESG integration in regulated sectors. Participants explored:
- Corporate Governance and Ethics in ESG Decision-Making
- Climate Risk and Resilience Planning
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Sustainable Business Models
- Circular Economy and Innovation in Supply Chains
Both cohorts benefited from hands-on exercises, breakout discussions, and individual sustainability projects designed to translate knowledge into measurable action.
Networking and Collaboration: Learning Beyond the Classroom
Sustainability and ESG require a system-wide approach, and CSE’s programs are built around collaboration. Each session encouraged dialogue among participants representing diverse stakeholder groups, from corporate leaders and sustainability officers to consultants and technical specialists.
Experience has shown that a single participant’s perspective, whether from a government agency, private firm, or nonprofit, can bring critical insights into complex ESG challenges. This dynamic exchange of ideas fostered new partnerships and cross-sector learning opportunities.
With a strong focus on business realities, networking remains a key feature of the Certified Sustainability (ESG) Practitioner Program. Attendees’ engagement evolved through group projects, scenario-based problem-solving, and one-on-one consultations with trainers.
CSE’s Unique Training Model
What distinguishes CSE’s programs is their integration of global ESG frameworks with applied business strategy. Each module is research-based and updated twice a year to reflect evolving regulations and investor expectations.
Participants gained access to CSE’s proprietary resources, including:
- The ESG Ratings & Reporting Toolkit for improving disclosure quality;
- The Carbon Reduction Strategy Framework, which guides organizations in achieving credible emission targets; and
- Exclusive research insights from CSE’s North America and Europe Sustainability Reporting Trends studies, which confirm the direct link between sustainability performance and financial success.
“Our goal is to give professionals not just the knowledge, but the tools to lead ESG transformation within their organizations,” said Rosalinda Sanquiche, Senior Trainer at CSE.
Expanding Access: C-Suite and In-Person Opportunities
As demand for ESG expertise continues to grow, CSE’s digital and hybrid formats ensure accessibility for executives and teams across the globe. The organization’s C-Suite ESG Leadership Programs regularly reach full capacity, reflecting a growing recognition that sustainability is a strategic business priority.
In response, CSE is gradually reintroducing specialized in-person trainings, offering deeper engagement and tailored consulting opportunities. These sessions allow participants to focus on sector-specific challenges and explore advanced sustainability reporting and impact measurement techniques.
Enroll in the next C-Suite ESG Training with a focus on Europe here.
Claim your spot early or contact [email protected] for in-house training opportunities tailored to your organization’s ESG goals.
About the Center for Sustainability and Excellence (CSE)
CSE is a boutique training and consulting firm supporting companies and organizations worldwide to improve their business performance and maximize their social, economic, and environmental impact through the integration of sustainability (ESG) principles into their culture, operations, and products.
As a research-based firm, CSE conducts annual Sustainability Reporting Trends studies in North America and Europe, analyzing ESG performance, ratings, and disclosure practices while confirming the correlation between sustainability leadership and financial results.
CSE’s mission is to help companies grow, innovate, and maximize their social, economic, and environmental impact for a better future and the wellbeing of the planet.
