BIG+BOLD OUR MISSION AT THE ERB INSTITUTE IS
1
6
Why a Dual Degree?
16 Alumni Network
2 The Erb Institute Timeline
Welcome Letter from our Directors
7
Meet Our Students
17 Erb Community
4
The Dual Degree
8
Co-Curricular Opportunities
18 Meet Our Faculty
4
The School of Natural Resources
10
Meet Our Alumni
20 Thought Leadership
& Environment
14
Careers and Resources
5
The Stephen M. Ross School of Business
and Business Engagement
21 Advisory Boards
…to create a sustainable world through the POWER of BUSINESS.
Welcome to the University of Michigan. As one of our nation’s great
as well as the most talented students and staff, of all backgrounds, so
public universities, Michigan is most proud of its astonishing breadth
we can further enhance Michigan’s academic distinction as well as the
and depth of academic excellence.
vitality of our campus.
At the very core of our excellence is our longstanding commitment to
The U-M Senate Assembly, the governing body representing faculty
build and nurture a campus community characterized by a diversity of
from the Ann Arbor, Flint and Dearborn campuses, has voiced its
people, heritage, academic disciplines and scholarly pursuits. We know
“commitment to the value of diversity and urges that all members of
that a broad spectrum of perspectives leads to richer educational
the University—faculty, students, staff and administration—work
experiences and intellectual engagement for everyone. Our many and
together to develop new approaches to maintain diversity as a critical
varied voices must all be heard and equally valued. They help us
component of student education, research and service at the
challenge one another’s preconceived notions and expand our
University of Michigan.”
understanding. The fabric of our community is simply more vibrant when it is a diverse one.
It is my honor to be part of an institution that has been a true leader in its continuous pursuit of diversity within higher education. We remain
We know, too, that as a public university we must strive to promote
committed to the highest aspirations for a diverse future. I invite you to
the diversity reflected in the state, the nation and the world
join this remarkable community, adding your unique perspective
we serve.
to our richly varied viewpoints and contributions.
We cherish the value expressed by the University’s first president,
Sincerely,
Henry Philip Tappan: “We must take the world as full as it is.” All of us
MARK S. SCHLISSEL, MD, Ph.D.
have and retain the finest faculty, ERB President S2 a responsibility to recruit, welcome THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN’S INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE ERB.UMICH.EDU
We believe that business—big companies, little startups, social enterprises, and the nonprofits that work with them—is the most powerful force in the world today. We aim to harness that power for social, environmental, and economic sustainability. In other words, business as a force for good! n We are looking for a select group of students each year who share our passion for bringing this mission to life. Erb’s dual-degree students study for an additional semester and receive both the MBA from Michigan Ross and the MS from the School of Natural Resources & Environment. n The Erb Institute offers a breadth of classes, hands-on workshops, field experiences, and business engagement opportunities to prepare our students for real-life impact as business leaders for sustainability. Erbers form a tight-knit community of some 65 students, supported by an Institute staff of six, three core faculty, and two advisory boards, along with postdoc researchers and visiting scholars. n Upon graduation, our students join a community of more than 400 Erb alumni, researchers, and business partners across 17 countries who aim to move the needle on business sustainability globally. n And the Erb Institute is proud to call America’s Great Midwest home! The University of Michigan is located in Ann Arbor—next door to the urbanrevitalization story that is Detroit. Ann Arbor is consistently ranked a best place to live by national media, and accolades abound, such as Livability.com’s Top 10 Best College Towns and USA Today’s No. 6 among Best Cities for Well-Being. n Welcome to the University of Michigan’s Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise!
Think big, go far, and GO BLUE!
JOE ARVAI
TERRY NELIDOV
Faculty Director
Managing Director
THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN’S ERB INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE ERB.UMICH.EDU 1
THE HISTORY OF THE
ERB INSTITUTE
2
THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN’S ERB INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE ERB.UMICH.EDU
Celebrating 20 years of impact!
1996 The Erb Environmental Management Institute is officially established with a signature donation of $20,000,000 made by Frederick A. and Barbara M. Erb.
S
ince its inception, the Erb Institute has expanded and improved its research, teaching, and engagement, with help from countless students, faculty, staff, board members, and other partners.
2000 Holcim Inc. pledges funding for a Professorship of Sustainable Industrial Ecology, a joint professorship at the Business School and the School of Natural Resources & Environment
2001
2012
The Erb Institute co-hosts
The Ross School of
a conference for 125
Business is ranked #1
North American mayors
in the MBA rankings: Top
who discuss global
schools in the U.S. for
environmental challenges.
Sustainability. (Bloomberg
Businessweek)
2005 The Institute is renamed the Erb Institute for
The Erb alumni body
Global Sustainable
now stands at more than
Enterprise.
2007 Net Impact awards the first of many Chapter of the Year honors to the Ross School of Business chapter.
(SNRE).
1998
Dow Chemical pledges funding to establish the
2016
2010
The University of Michigan
Dow Professorship of
is named a top-tier
Sustainable Science,
The Erb Institute passes a
school for Environmental
Technology and
double milestone, enrolling
and Social Impact
Commerce, a joint pro-
more than 100 students
Management. (Beyond
fessorship at the Business
and graduating its 200th
Grey Pinstripes Report)
School and SNRE.
student.
GRADUATES BECOME A PART OF THE ERB INSTITUTE’S NEXT 20 YEARS!
THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN’S ERB INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE ERB.UMICH.EDU 3
THE ERB DUAL DEGREE PROGRAM provides for the Master of Science (MS) degree from the School of Natural Resources & Environment and the Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Ross School of Business and can be completed in as little as one additional semester! The Erb Institute was designed with the intent to equip business professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary to create environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable organizations. Likewise, environmental organizations need management savvy and economic expertise to address issues that are an inevitable part of solving environmental problems, together with business and government.
SNRE SCHOOL OF NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT In 1950, the University of Michigan established the School of Natural
As part of the Master’s of Science program, students will choose
Resources, one of the first schools of its kind. Today the School of
one of six fields of study as their main focus:
Natural Resources & Environment (SNRE) remains a global leader in educating students to be innovative and effective stewards of
Behavior, Education, and Communication Conservation Ecology
the environment. SNRE views protection of the Earth’s resources and the achievement of a sustainable society as the ultimate goal. Through research,
Environmental Informatics: GIS and Modeling Environmental Justice
teaching, and outreach, faculty work to develop the next generation
Environmental Policy and Planning
of practitioners to manage and conserve our environmental resources
Sustainable Systems
to sustainably meet the full range of human needs.
As part of the degree requirements, SNRE Master’s students will
The school's home is the Dana Building, which completed a five-year
engage in a Master’s Project where they will demonstrate critical
LEED Gold renovation in 2006. The University continues to showcase
thinking and apply analytical problem-solving techniques to solve
the building today as an exemplar of sustainable renovation. Other
an environmental problem.
SNRE facilities include terrestrial, aquatic and analytical laboratories, as well as microcomputer, remote-sensing, and geographicinformation systems (GIS) labs. In addition, the University’s wealth of natural reserves and protected areas are available for research and field work.
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Master's Projects are interdisciplinary in nature, and are conducted by students working alone or in small groups. Projects range from 12 to 18 months, and the student teams work with client organizations to develop solutions to complex environmental issues.
THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN’S ERB INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE ERB.UMICH.EDU
ROSS ROSS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS The University of Michigan’s Stephen M. Ross School of Business
Multidisciplinary Action Project (MAP)
consistently ranks among the best business programs in the world.
Ross and the Erb Institute are aligned on the importance of action-
At Ross, you will both learn from, and contribute to, our continued
based learning. In the Ross MAP course you will spend seven weeks
drive for innovation and excellence. We believe that the possibility
on a full-time project seeking a creative solution to a real problem
for fundamental change lies primarily within the scope of those with
at a sponsor company. At the conclusion of the project, you will
the power and leverage to incentivize change—i.e., businesses big
be responsible for delivering clear-cut recommendations tied to
and small, here in Michigan and globally. At the Erb Institute, respect
expected outcomes that address the problem. There is no substitute
for all stakeholders and an ability to speak the language of business
for developing the on-the-ground skills to optimally evaluate
allows our students to leverage the power of business to make a
situations, develop new solutions, and put ideas into action.
positive difference in the world.
Students complete their MAP as part of their first full year at Ross. MBA — YEAR 1
FALL A
FALL B
WINTER A
WINTER B
Financial Acounting
Financial Management
Managerial Accounting
Applied Microeconomics
Marketing Management
Operations Management
Multidisciplinary Action Project (MAP)
Applied Business Statistics
Leading People + Organizations
Corporate Strategy
Elective Course or Degree Requirement
Elective Course or Degree Requirement
THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN’S ERB INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE ERB.UMICH.EDU 5
WHY AN ERB DUAL DEGREE? Businesses today are tasked with the responsibility to address an ever-increasing array of sustainability issues in their owned operations, as well as their global supply chains. Encouragingly, and increasingly, it has been demonstrated that business can be a force for good in addressing social and environmental problems. The Erb Institute MBA/MS program provides the practical tools, management approaches, and real-world experiences that business-sustainability professionals need to respond to these complex global risks and opportunities.
For Erb students, impact happens at the nexus of business and sustainability. Michelle Gross, MBA/MS 2017 Candidate Michelle started her career in the pharmaceutical industry as a marketing professional in Spain. Although she loved her job, Michelle knew that she wanted to return to the United States to pursue business school and develop her side interest in sustainability into a career with impact. Michelle evaluated top MBA programs with a strong emphasis on sustainability and social impact. Her top choice was the Erb MBA/MS dual degree at the University of Michigan. Michelle was, in her own words, “excited to find like-minded peers and business leaders who were champions of business at SNRE and environmental and social sustainability advocates at Ross, sharing a more holistic view of the world ... Seeing is believing. ‘Community’ and ‘network’ are not buzzwords here at Erb. After experiencing it, I knew I wanted to be a part of it.”
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THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN’S ERB INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE ERB.UMICH.EDU
MEET OUR Erb students have the ability to change the scope of their degree with the minimal addition of one extra semester beyond the traditional two-year program. Learn more about students who have immersed themselves in one of the most established and lauded business sustainability programs in the world.
Carissa De Young, MBA/MS Candidate 2018 Carissa grew up in Michigan and decided to come back to her home state to pursue her graduate education. She worked with Partners Worldwide in Ecuador for five years and was immersed in economic development and poverty alleviation. While teaching basic business classes for subsistence farmers in Ecuador, Carissa encountered firsthand the interconnected challenges of deforestation, farming on marginal land, and unequal income distribution along the value chain. A desire to find solutions to these issues influenced Carissa’s decision to consider the Erb dual-degree program for sustainable business. Tuition scholarships also helped make Carissa’s graduate education possible through funding opportunities, such as the Recruitment Scholarship and the Rackham Non-Traditional Fellowship. Since joining the Erb dual-degree program, Carissa has become close with Erb students who share her enthusiasm for sustainable food and agriculture. She has expanded her knowledge of sustainability through interaction with sustainability professionals and fellow Erb students, who are passionate in other areas such as energy and impact investing. Carissa sees the Erb MBA/MS degree as a starting point for a well-connected career in global sustainability, and expressed that “the Erb Institute network of students, alumni, and board members is a valuable resource for students, and helps to bring people together across sustainability disciplines.”
Joe Tate, MBA/MS Candidate 2017 Joe joined the program after his first year at Ross. Originally from Detroit, Joe hopes to stay in the area after graduation so he can continue his involvement in the revitalization of his home city. Prior to Erb, Joe served in the United States Marine Corps for four years. Joe initially came to the University of Michigan to attend the Ross School of Business for the two-year MBA program. He had known about the Erb Institute, but hadn’t considered joining the Erb dualdegree program until his summer internship with the National Park Service. During his internship, he recognized his passion for the environment, and this galvanized him into better understanding business sustainability opportunities at the Erb Institute. By the time Joe was back on campus after his summer with the National Park Service, he was officially a part of the Erb community. Joe has a specific interest in environmental policy and sustainable government initiatives, and he has been able to expand his knowledge in this area through his studies in the Environmental Policy and Planning track at the School of Natural Resources and Environment (SNRE). Joe believes “having two sets of experiences between Ross and SNRE provides Erb students with a multidisciplinary approach and a wider lens for how they view business sustainability.”
Pavel Azgaldov, Class of 2016 Pavel moved to the United States from Russia to pursue his graduate education after gaining experience in economics and policy in Russia’s utilities sector. During the Ross School of Business application process, he was introduced to an Erb student who encouraged him to consider the Erb MBA/ MS program. After researching similar options, Pavel decided to apply to the School of Natural Resources and Environment so he too could become an Erber. Pavel was attracted to the Erb Institute because there is “no equivalent to the Erb Institute in Russia that offers the unique combination of business and environmental education.” While at the Erb Institute, Pavel interned at SunEdison and further explored his interest in renewable energy through a go-to-market strategy for solar water pumps (SWPs). He was able to continue his research on a fact-finding trip to Morocco, co-sponsored by the Erb Institute and SunEdison, to understand market opportunities for SWPs. Pavel reflected on his trip and mentioned that “going to Morocco and speaking directly with stakeholders enabled me to verify my assumptions and make adjustments to the market-entry strategy for SWPs.” Pavel credits the Erb dual-degree program with providing the flexibility to tailor a global education experience to his specific career interests. Pavel graduated in May 2016 and will be joining the Boston Consulting Group as a consultant.
THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN’S ERB INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE ERB.UMICH.EDU 7
CO-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES Opportunities for practical, hands-on learning experiences are a hallmark of the Erb Institute. In the classroom, students gain business acumen while developing a systems-thinking approach to solving some of today’s most pressing sustainability challenges. Beyond the classroom, Erb offers a variety of experiences to bolster the learning that takes place between both schools.
Mark Tercek, CEO of The Nature Conservancy, and Sean Pavlik, MBA/MS Candidate 2018
C-SUITE SPEAKER SERIES
TOOLBOXES
The Erb C-Suite Speaker Series brings
STUDENT COMPETITIONS
As part of the process of equipping students
senior company and nonprofit executives
Erb students challenge themselves and put
to be practitioners in the field of sustainability,
to the University of Michigan community to
their newfound knowledge and skills from
the Erb Institute has developed a new set of
share strategies and real-life experiences in
Ross and SNRE to the test! Erb students
proprietary learning tools with the combined
managing sustainability risks and leverag-
have participated in the U-M Renewable
guidance of current field practitioners and
ing new business opportunities in a public
Energy Case Competition, the Nespresso
U-M faculty. Erb Institute Toolboxes are
forum. In addition, these senior executives
MBA Sustainability Challenge, and the
different from case studies in that they
engage and interact with Erb students
Morgan Stanley Sustainable Investing
seek to provide the step-by-step processes to
through small group workshops and meet-
Challenge, to name a few.
actually “do” sustainability. From Materiality
ings, allowing students to gain firsthand sustainable business insight on today’s most pressing issues.
8
Above: Climate CoLab Competition: Kristin Steiner (right), MBA/MS Candidate 2017, and business partner Brittany Szczepanik
to Human Rights Implementation, Erb Students are better prepared to hit the ground running and make an impact quickly.
THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN’S ERB INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE ERB.UMICH.EDU
“My Cool Projects experience reaffirmed my passion and ability to make an impact in the world.… I now know I can give back in ways I really didn’t think possible before.” Andi Waghelstein, Class of 2016 Caroline Larose, MBA/MS Candidate 2017
COOL PROJECT FUNDING The Erb Institute offers additional funding to all students who identify projects that support the mission of creating a more sustainable world through the power of business. Students are encouraged to think out of the box, to identify projects that will be impactful and which will provide learning experiences beyond the classroom. Cool Project funding has allowed students to learn firsthand about ecotourism industries in Costa Rica; attend a conference in Washington, D.C. on deforestation in Indonesia, contribute to emerging research on climate change adaptation among specialty coffee farmers in Latin America; conduct research on solar irrigation pumps for farmers in Morocco; and network with leaders in sustainability at conferences both in the United States and internationally, just to name a few!
ERB SEMINAR All incoming Erb students take the Erb Seminar during their first year. The Seminar is designed to give the modern day sustainability practitioner the tools they need to be successful. A combination of Erb lecturers, faculty, and guest sustainability professionals lead the class sessions as students grapple with real-time challenges and key sustainability issues. The course’s perspective on business sustainability covers a broad range of environmental, social, labor, and humanrights risks and opportunities for companies.
Jenna White, MBA/MS Candidate 2017
INTERNSHIPS Students routinely cite the opportunity to complete two full summer internships as one of the best benefits of the dual-degree program. Two internships allow students the chance to explore a variety of roles and seek out bold new opportunities. The Erb Institute seeks to develop leaders who are capable of contributing to many kinds of organizations, including nonprofits and government agencies,
Erb students have access to special lectures,
as well as private businesses. We encourage
workshops, and one-on-one chats with
students to utilize the second internship as
visiting leaders in sustainability.
a time to broaden their experience.
THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN’S ERB INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE ERB.UMICH.EDU 9
MEET OUR
ALUMNI 10
THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN’S ERB INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE ERB.UMICH.EDU
“I’ve seen firsthand how the Erb network of over 400 alumni and growing can amplify a student’s experience and career opportunities.”
RYAN WADDINGTON MBA/MS 1999 Co-founder and Partner, Huron River Ventures
“In 1995 I was looking for an MBA program with a sustainability focus, and the University of Michigan (Erb Institute) was ahead of the curve in terms of combining a top-flight business education, with sustainability-related courses through SNRE. “The Erb Institute emphasized then, as now, engagement with leaders in the field, which provided critical perspective and balance. I was fortunate to connect with Patagonia, which was setting new standards for business sustainability, and was particularly inspired by the real possibilities for sustainable enterprise. Faculty, classwork, and projects provided additional confidence to pursue a path that was consistent with a vision for the future that I believed in, but that others didn’t yet see. “The Erb Institute’s longevity also sets it apart from competing programs. As a graduate of one of the first classes, I know how difficult it can be to forge connections in new areas. As an External Advisory Board member for the past decade at the Erb Institute, I’ve seen firsthand how the Erb network of over 400 alumni and growing can amplify a student’s experience and career opportunities.”
THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN’S ERB INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE ERB.UMICH.EDU 11
“If your goal is a career in sustainability, this is the best investment of time and money that you can make.”
MAITE MADRAZO MBA/MS 2015 Consultant, Ernst & Young
Maite was working as a wind-power project developer in
CYNTHIA KOENIG MBA/MS 2011
Mexico when she decided to pursue a Master’s degree
Founder and CEO, Wello
from the School of Natural Resources and Environment
Erb alum Cynthia Koenig is the founder and CEO of Wello, an award-winning social venture best known for co-creating disruptive innovations in the drive for better, more reliable access to safe water. Entering Erb’s dual-degree program radically changed Cynthia’s career path. She explained, “I had no intention of launching a startup when I arrived at U of M!” However, working at the intersection of two degrees, in combination with opportunities for global field experience, provided exposure both to challenges and new ideas, and an epiphany in terms of career path. Cynthia credits the
(SNRE) at the University of Michigan. However, after learning about the Erb Institute dual-degree program and seeing the community in action, she decided to apply to the Ross School of Business as well. “My first internship was working at the Rocky Mountain Institute. It was a dream come true, but it helped me realize that attaining business skills and experience would be key for my long-term goals.” Today, Maite works as a strategy consultant for Ernst & Young and credits Erb for allowing her to not only gain a deep knowledge of key sustainability issues, but also for the development of the business and leadership skills to drive projects forward. “The Erb dual degree is unique and really honed my ability to balance both the science and business viewpoints. It
dual nature of her degree with aiding in the develop-
allowed me to tackle challenges from multiple angles.
ment of the early thinking behind Wello’s “human-
Being the person who understands both worlds puts
centered design strategies” as well as the ability to
you in a great position to provide credible and action-
simultaneously develop a viable and scalable business
able recommendations.”
model to aid people struggling with water scarcity. Cynthia’s extensive experience in rural markets has also
Her advice to anyone considering the dual degree? “Although I was very interested in Erb, I was concerned
given her a great vantage point for considering the future
about the financial investment. The Institute was helpful
of business and sustainability: “The pace of innovation and
in pointing me toward available resources, and I was
problem solving is accelerating. People have increasing
able to finance a significant portion of my tuition
access to information, and rural consumers have begun to
between a part-time job as a Research Assistant at SNRE
press for greater accountability from elected officials and
and the Dow Sustainability Fellows program. In talking
corporations, and better availability and access to basic
with fellow students, I found that I was not alone, and that
goods and services.” In short, barriers to sustainability
students had found funding both before and while they
are breaking down, and “real opportunities exist for
were at Erb. If your goal is a career in sustainability,
professionals with a passion for sustainability to have
this is the best investment of time and money that you
impact in the business-sustainability space.”
can make.”
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THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN’S ERB INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE ERB.UMICH.EDU
“I graduated with two degrees, access to a thriving network of professionals, and a clear understanding of the value that I bring to the business world.” MONIQUE OXENDER MBA/MS 2004
Erb Institute and enables graduates to actively participate
CSO, Keurig Green Mountain
in a system.
“Can you pivot your career? Absolutely. “In 2001, I was a high school science teacher, a mother, and an environmental advocate. Today, I’m a testament to the fact that the extra time and commitment of a dual degree to be a bridge to a new career can be managedand is worth the effort. The curriculum across the dual-degree
“Every day, I consider business opportunities in the face of shifting priorities along the value chain. My time at Erb allowed me to develop my ability to assess and reconcile short- and long-term needs, and has been absolutely vital to my success. “Between the academics and opportunities offered to Erb
program allowed me to think more holistically about the
students, I built a toolbox that enabled my success as an
issues that I was already passionate about. I wanted to
internal change agent. I graduated with two degrees, access
work in a place of intersection. I wanted to participate
to a thriving network of professionals, and a clear under-
in a system, not a silo. I believe that this intersection
standing of the value that I bring to the business world,
is the true value proposition of the dualdegree at the
and that opens doors.”
THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN’S ERB INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE ERB.UMICH.EDU 13
CAREERS AND RESOURCES Where do Erbers lead after their time at Michigan? Erb students and alumni have ventured into a variety of industries and functions. The range of opportunities for dual-degree students is significant and most, if not all, seek to bring some aspect of sustainability to their work—from entrepreneurs with a laser focus on specific ways they can derive impact, to others who seek to bring impact to scale by leveraging their sustainability expertise internally in corporations and businesses.
When you leave the Erb Institute, you will become part of a network of more than 400 sustainability professionals who are passionate about making a difference and who are willing to network, share their knowledge, and guide students. Each year, students cite that they found other Erbers, Erb alumni, and staff more helpful overall with finding internships and jobs than any other single resource. We strive to provide our students with access to increasingly more tailored career resources. The Erb Student Advisory Board (Erb’s own student government) organizes career webinars with Erb alumni with highly soughtafter expertise. The Erb Institute also provides access to a Sustainability Career coach, and has been hosting two-on-one career coffee chats with visiting leaders in various fields of sustainability. SAMPLE OF ERB ALUMNI EMPLOYERS
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THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN’S ERB INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE ERB.UMICH.EDU
WHERE DO ERBERS WORK?
Erbers work across the United
States, and around the world. The vast majority of alumni are employed by for-profit
ERBERS WORKING INTERNATIONALLY
organizations. The most popular industries are consulting and energy/raw materials, and you’ll likely find alumni in consulting, general management, and sustainability functions. Erbers tend to work in very small or very large organizations.
SECTOR
INDUSTRY
FUNCTION
SIZE OF ORGANIZATION
BY NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES
TYPE OF ORGANIZATION
16%
STARTUP
2%
BENEFIT CORPORATION (B-CORP)
Based on information for all alumni in the Erb community database; all other data is from the 2015 survey.
THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN’S ERB INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE ERB.UMICH.EDU 15
ERB ALUMNI NETWORK The Erb Institute now boasts a community of more than 400 alumni in 25+ countries. When you join the Erb Institute you become part of a global network of social entrepreneurs, business consultants, and strategists at every level, with exposure to cutting-edge areas of sustainability such as Human Development, Global Change, Conscious Consumption, and Governance issues. As alumni of the Erb Institute, there are several opportunities for continued personal and professional engagement with the Institute throughout the year.
Erb Returns: Michelle Lin, MBA/MS 2012
ERB RETURNS ALUMNI REUNION
ALUMNI REUNIONS & ROADSHOWS
ALUMNI STUDENT SUPPORT FUND
Every two years, the Erb Institute hosts
Informal summer events provide an
Erb alumni are generous donors! Each
Erb Returns. Alumni are invited back to
opportunity for Erb alumni to connect with
year, alumni donate money through the
Ann Arbor for a weekend of engaging,
fellow Erbers in cities across the country
Erb Institute Alumni Student Support Fund.
thought-provoking workshops, professional
and strengthen local community.
Every penny donated by alumni of the Erb
development opportunities and networking fun! Alumni have the opportunity to learn from each other regarding the trends and challenges of pushing the needle on sustainability issues and initiatives.
ALUMNI WEBINARS Erb alumni have access to a special webinar series to help them stay abreast of cuttingedge issues in sustainability. EXECUTIVE-IN-RESIDENCE
Institute supports co-curricular learning experiences for Erb students. These experiences are a valuable part of our students becoming sustainability change agents and could not be achieved without the support of alumni.
Erbers have access to networking contacts and career advising from Erb Executivein-Residence Tom Catania (retired VP of Corporate Affairs, Whirlpool).
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THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN’S ERB INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE ERB.UMICH.EDU
Erb Curling
Community Day, 2015
Erb Orientation, 2015
ERB COMMUNITY When you decide to pursue your dual degree from the Erb Institute, you will not be making the journey alone! You will find yourself part of a tight-knit community of students who are supportive of each other and energized about the possibilities for sustainable solutions. Our students are well networked when they arrive at Erb, and they find that those networks grow exponentially during their time here. Student interactions with alumni, faculty, advisory boards and, most important, other students, provide accessibility and connectedness. The formation of that community starts with Erb Orientation—an informative two days to discuss business sustainability, Erb resources, learning opportunities, and Institute expectations. Erb students are active, involved, and limited only by their imaginations in terms of planning events like skiing, “Friendsgiving� and holiday parties, and camping trips. Students also play in intramural sports leagues, and plan yearly Whirlyball and curling competitions.
The Erb Institute Percy Service Award is an annual award in recognition of extraordinary student contributions.
17
MEET OUR
FACULTY
Sustainability has come of age. When I was a student, “sustainability” was mostly about the pace at which people use natural resources, with a dash of altruism: Let’s make sure we don’t use our natural resources so fast that there will be nothing left for future generations. Things have changed. How we think about sustainability today is more inclusive, and it’s more sophisticated. It has grown to include society’s concerns about human rights and equality, health and well-being, hunger and poverty, commerce and infrastructure, and—last but not least— the health of our natural environment.
Now, think about this for a second: As the world’s sustainability
students—and learning from our partners—about the latest tools
challenges are increasing in prominence and importance, our
and trends for sustainability, with measurable impact as our North
collective ability to effectively respond to them seems to be stuck
Star. Our teaching is buttressed by a research and thought leadership
in neutral.
agenda, led by Erb Institute faculty and research associates, which
There are lots of reasons for this. As individuals, for example, we often fail to make the connection between how even small changes in our behavior, when scaled up across the whole of society, can help us to live more sustainably. And politics and governments have become so unruly and polarizing that course corrections in the direction of a more sustainable future happen only slowly—if they happen at all. How can we break through the logjam? Are there institutions out there that can influence behavior so that the outcomes of individual decisions can be more sustainable? Likewise, are there institutions whose long-term survival depends upon the ability to nimbly innovate
focuses on making progress in sustainability across four key pillars: conscious consumption, global environmental change, human and community development, and corporate governance.
The window is wide open for business to lead the charge in pursuit of a more sustainable world.
and change course in the face of rapid environmental and social change? The answer is yes. The answer is business.
That’s why we’re here. And we’d like you to join us.
At the Erb Institute, our mission is to leverage the power of business
JOE ARVAI, Faculty Director
to create a more sustainable world. We are about teaching our
Max McGraw Professor of Sustainable Enterprise, SNRE
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THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN’S ERB INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE ERB.UMICH.EDU
ANDREW HOFFMAN Holcim (US) Professor of Sustainable Enterprise Ross School of Business THOMAS P. LYON Dow Chemical Professor of Sustainable Science, Technology and Commerce, Ross School of Business
Left to right Panikos Georgallis, Jocelyn Leitzinger, Todd Schifeling, and Susan Kayser
ERB INSTITUTE STAFF from left to right Colton Babladelis, Student and Alumni Affairs Coordinator Carolyn Kwant, Marketing and Communications Manager Terry Nelidov, Managing Director Jackie Cabrera, Marketing and Communications Coordinator Emily Keeler, Student and Alumni Affairs Manager
POST-DOCS
THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN’S ERB INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE ERB.UMICH.EDU 19
ERB THOUGHT LEADERSHIP A big, bold mission deserves an audacious strategy! In 2015, Erb launched its Strategic Plan 2015--20, with our sights raised high: To cultivate bold business leaders who adeptly transform companies, industries, and entire economies for systemic sustainability. But where to begin?
RESEARCH & EDUCATION The Erb Institute conducts both scholarly and applied research.
is intentionally broad, and includes issues such as energy and climate
Our scholarly work pushes the envelope on sustainability science,
change, water security, land use and ecosystem services, among others.
while our applied research drives impact here and now through practical toolboxes, case studies, and management approaches.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE: Today’s companies are complex,
To deepen our impact on both fronts, we work across four
global systems of owned operations, contracted supply chains,
priority research areas:
and often many tiers of subcontracted suppliers. We aim to
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT: Erb Institute researchers are looking closely at the role the private sector can play in turning the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals—which include social, environmental,
understand how corporate culture, investment and decisionmaking strategies, radical transparency, and the ever-present risks of corruption affect performance. CONSCIOUS CONSUMPTION: We examine the role of the consumer
and economic progress—into reality. GLOBAL CHANGE: Erb Institute researchers are studying the role that businesses may play in reducing the risks society faces from global environmental change. Here, our focus
RESEARCH & EDUCATION
in advancing sustainability, particularly in the realm of purchasing decisions, and how these may be better informed in the interest of greater social and environmental good.
BUSINESS ENGAGEMENT
BUSINESS ENGAGEMENT We insert Erb students into the global dialogue on business sustainability in real time. We bring business leaders to campus to share their ideas and experiences, and we send our students
ROSS BUSINESS IMPACT GROUP: Sponsored by the Erb Institute, BIG is the Ross student club focused on social and environmental impact through startup and early-stage social enterprises.
out into the companies, nonprofits, and government agencies that
In 2016, Ross and Erb students worked with an agribusiness startup
are leading the charge on sustainability.
in Peru’s high Amazon to provide field insights, business plans,
In addition to our co-curricular opportunities—like Erb Seminar, student
and stakeholder engagements.
competitions, and Cool Projects—the Institute also engages with com-
DOW SUSTAINABILITY FELLOWS PROGRAM: This University of
panies across a number of platforms throughout the year. For example:
Michigan partnership with Dow Chemical supports graduate students
CONFERENCES & WORKSHOPS: Erb convenes small invitation-only events, large public conferences, and student-facing workshops that address the “Erb business sustainability cycle”—from stakeholder engagement and strategy, to materiality, metrics, and reporting.
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who are committed to finding interdisciplinary sustainability solutions on local to global scales. The tight network of fellows across campus brings together diverse interests related to climate change, energy, water, health, consumption, transportation, built environment, and public policy, among others.
THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN’S ERB INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE ERB.UMICH.EDU
ADVISORY BOARDS
STRATEGIC ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP
The Erb Institute is privileged to have two
DEDE HAPNER , Council Co-Chair
JOHN VIERA , Council Co-Chair
advisory boards, the Strategic Advisory
Vice President, FERC and ISO Relations,
Director, Sustainability & Vehicle
Council and the External Advisory Board,
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Environmental Matters, Ford Motor Company
MATT ARNOLD
NEIL HAWKINS, Sc.D
Managing Director and Head of Office of
Corporate Vice President and Chief
Environmental Affairs, JPMorgan Chase
Sustainability Officer, The Dow Chemical
which meet with the Institute annually to provide feedback on current programming as well as provide strategic direction which informs, guides, and allows for continuous
Company
improvement of the Erb MBA/MS Program.
WAYNE BALTA
The Strategic Advisory Council advises
Vice President, Corporate Environmental
KARA HURST
the Institute on sustainability trends that
Affairs and Product Safety, IBM Corporation
Director, Worldwide Sustainability, Amazon
ARON CRAMER
D. MITCH JACKSON
President & CEO, BSR
Vice President, Environmental Affairs &
are likely to impact global markets and the broader society, and their significant experience and invaluable insight guides our research and engagement.
JOHN DENNISTON
Sustainability, FedEx Corporation
Chairman, Shared-X
ANN KLEE
Former Partner, Kleiner Perkins Caufield
Vice President, Environment, Health &
& Byers
Safety, General Electric Company
projects, as well as a network for career
JOHN EHRMANN
MINDY LUBBER
advice. With more than 30 members, this
Founder and Senior Partner, Meridian
President, Ceres
board is much larger than the Strategic
Institute
The External Advisory Board advises, but also connects more closely with students to be a sounding board on internships and
Advisory Council and is comprised of lead-
GLENN PRICKETT
ing business-sustainability professionals
JOHN ERB
Chief External Affairs Officer, The Nature
and Erb alumni with hands-on experience
President, Erb Family Foundation
Conservancy
across a broad array of companies, such as Keurig Green Mountain, Dow Chemical, General Motors, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, US Renewables Group, USAID, Growth
WILLIAM L. THOMAS Counsel, Environment, Health and Safety Department, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
Capital Network, and Environmental Defense Fund.
THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN’S ERB INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE ERB.UMICH.EDU 21
Ross School of Business 701 Tappan Street Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1234 School of Natural Resources & Environment 440 Church Street Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1041
Contact Us erb.umich.edu erbinstitute@umich.edu 734. 647. 9799
Regents of the University of Michigan Michael J. Behm, Grand Blanc Mark J. Bernstein, Ann Arbor Laurence B. Deitch, Bloomfield Hills Shauna Ryder Diggs, Grosse Pointe Denise Ilitch, Bingham Farms Andrea Fischer Newman, Ann Arbor Andrew C. Richner, Grosse Pointe Park Katherine E. White, Ann Arbor Mark S. Schlissel, ex officio The University of Michigan, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University of Michigan is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, height, weight, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. Inquiries or complaints may be addressed to the Senior Director for Institutional Equity and Title IX/Section 504/ADA Coordinator, Office for Institutional Equity, 2072 Administrative Services Building, Ann Arbor, Michigan 481091432, (734) 763-0235, TTY (734) 647-1388. For other University of Michigan information call (734) 764-1817. Š 2016 by the Regents of the University of Michigan
Production Credits Project Managers Carolyn Kwant Jackie Cabrera Photography Marc-GrĂŠgor Campredon Design Susan Ackermann Contributors Mark Bialek Daina Fuson Mike Gould Michael Mahoney Michigan Photography SNRE/Dave Brenner Stacy H. Geiken Photography Printing ULitho, Ann Arbor, Michigan Printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper