Chief Sustainability Officer Program

Empowering Leaders to Drive Strategic Sustainability
Country/Region
Work Experience

Learning outcomes

This transformative program is designed for experienced professionals aspiring to become Chief Sustainability Officers (CSOs). It offers valuable insights into the impact of sustainable practices and their role in driving organizational resilience and long-term value creation, equipping participants with the tools and strategies needed to promote environmental, social, and governance initiatives and lead their companies toward a sustainable future.

The course features a blend of live online sessions, hands-on activities, interactive residential weeks, and practical assignments, creating a comprehensive learning experience. Led by MIT experts and faculty, this program prepares future leaders to stay ahead of sustainability trends, building organizations that are responsible, adaptable, and aligned with global sustainability goals.

Throughout this professional journey, you will:

  • Understand the meaning and evolution of a circular economy and the roles of material science, economic and institutional structures, and technology.

  • Formulate cogent and rigorous positions and arguments in order to make sustainability decisions within your organization.

  • Being able to elaborate pragmatic strategies that can be employed across different sectors to bolster sustainability.

  • Learn how to implement life-cycle sustainability assessments (LCSAs) to identify and develop new methods for boosting sustainability.

  • Understand what is sustainability, its root causes and how to measure it through different techniques.

  • Acquire the required leadership skills to drive and implement the sustainability agenda in your company.

Learning journey

The Program offers new and immersive learning for current managers and high-potential leaders with measurable expertise who aim to become successful C-suite executives. This program arises in response to the growing need for organizations to have more specialized leaders to improve decision-making and company benefits.

Blended Methodology

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Participate in two immersion weeks on the MIT campus, where you'll connect with MIT faculty, CEOs, business leaders, and fellow cohort members.

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Broaden your professional network by joining MIT Professional Education's alumni community and unlocking exclusive alumni benefits.

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Engage with MIT faculty during live online sessions and receive real-time feedback on your performance.

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Develop your Impact Project by collaboratively designing a business solution that addresses a real-world challenge, applying the tools and strategies gained throughout the program.

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Course overview

    Learning experience

    Premium Access to the MIT Professional Education Ecosystem

    You will have exclusive access to networking events, live online sessions with guest speakers, company visits, and the international MIT Alumni network. 

    Career Development

    You will participate in sessions with a career advancement coach who will guide you toward your goals and prepare you for new and exciting challenges.

    Digital Pathway Access

    You will have access to a gallery of webinars in multiple languages on a wide variety of relevant topics. Additionally, you will be invited to attend upcoming live webinars.

    Who is it for?

    This Blended Professional Certificate Program: Chief Digital Officer is designed for

    • Directors and VP responsible to setting and running the Sustainability agenda and strategy in their companies

    • Current and aspiring C-suite executives responsible for strategy

    • Senior consultants and entrepreneurs focused on sustainability

    • Policy makers and development markers that need a deep understanding about Sustainability and how to manage it

    Participants are required to have:

    • A minimum of ten years of experience working in a managerial position

    • At least 3 years of experience managing projects related to technology, innovation, or business development

    • International experience is appreciated

    Instructors

    MPE - Faculty - Sfreen Siddiqi
    Dr. Afreen Siddiqi

    Research scientist, MIT and Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School

    MPE - Faculty - John E Fernández
    Prof. John E. Fernández

    Professor of Building Technology Program in the Department of Architecture and Director of MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative

    MPE - Faculty - Olivier Weck - 1
    Prof. Olivier De Weck

    Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Engineering Systems, MIT

    MPE - Faculty - Jeremy Gregory
    Dr. Jeremy Gregory

    Director, MIT System Architecture Lab

    MPE - Faculty - Elsa Olivetti
    Prof. Elsa Olivetti

    Associate Dean of Engineering, Associate Professor of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at MIT, and Co-Director of MIT Climate and Sustainability Consortium

    MPE - Faculty - David Niño
    Dr. David Niño

    Senior Lecturer in the Daniel J. Riccio Graduate Engineering Leadership Program at MIT

    Key takeaways

    Key takeaways

    • Develop key managerial capabilities

    • Being able to develop strategies to promote sustainability

    • Implement the sustainability agenda in your company

    All the participants who successfully complete their program will receive an MIT Professional Education Certificate of Completion, as well as Continuing Education Units (CEUs)*.

    To obtain CEUs, complete the accreditation confirmation, which is available at the end of the course. CEUs are calculated for each course based on the number of learning hours.

    *The Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is defined as 10 contact hours of ongoing learning to indicate the amount of time they have devoted to a non-credit/non-degree professional development program.

    To understand whether or not these CEUs may be applied toward professional certification, licensing requirements, or other required training or continuing education hours, please consult your training department or licensing authority directly.

    I just felt like thanking MIT for pushing me to learn like “drinking water straight from the firehose,” the week was full of extraordinary learning moments like meeting the faculty in person, getting ...
    Isioma Asiodu-Otughwor
    Senior Advisor
    Grateful, motivated and inspired as we close an exciting week at MIT professional Education. Continuing to study and acquire new knowledge is always better if it is done from the best and when sharing...
    Diego Quesada
    Country Manager
    The course was aided with 2-residentials weeks on MIT campus. We had the opportunity to learn and interact with some of the top minds at MIT. However the best part of this journey was to become part ...
    Puru Naktode
    Domain Architecture Owner

    What is included in the fee?

    • The program fee includes teaching fees, access to online coursework and different activities taking place during the residential weeks.

    • The program fee does not include accommodations for the in campus week, travel expenses (domestic, international, visa fee, and more), and other expenses not specifically mentioned in the fees.

    Application process

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    Application

    Complete the application form and pay the non-refundable fee.

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    Interview

    Our Program Advisors will contact you to initiate the over-the-phone interview process.

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    Results

    Wait for the results from our Program Advisors. If accepted, you will be able to make a secure payment.

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    Confirmation

    Your place in the course will be confirmed and you will receive a welcome email with the next steps.

    Past Participant Profile

    Past participants of the Chief Sustainability Officer Program come from diverse backgrounds, industries, and experiences. The cohort’s diversity ensures that you interact with like-minded peers and gain new perspectives for your organization’s unique challenges.

    Average years of work experience
    • Less than 10 years: 14%

    • 10-15 years: 22%

    • 16-20 years: 28%

    • More than 20 years: 36%

    Top industries
    • Energy/Utilities

    • Consulting

    • Manufacturing

    • Construction

    • IT/Computers

    • Technology/Telecom

    Top functions
    • CEO

    • Chief Sustainability Officer CSO

    • Enviromental, Social and Governance (ESG) Manager

    • Engineering

    • Head of Corporate Responsibility

    • Security

    Top countries
    • United States

    • Saudi Arabia

    • United Arab Emirates

    • Canada

    • Singapore

    • India

    Be part of a Global cohort during your Residential Weeks

    *Note: Data from previous cohorts

    Frequently asked questions

    Register now and boost your professional trajectory.

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