Leading Voices in Global Sustainability
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Susan McPherson
Founder & CEO, McPherson Strategies
10 Questions to Change The World
February 2022
How do you think climate change and the global sustainability agenda will impact your industry over the next 3-5 years?
It will impact EVERYTHING. We are already on the path where ESG and sustainability will be embedded in all parts of the business just as accounting is. Almost every decision the CEO and board will make will be tied to global sustainability.
What is one ‘sustainability hack’ you’d recommend to an organisation wanting to transform into a more sustainable operation?
Apply to be certified as a Bcorp. The process alone will teach you so much and open your eyes to what you can be doing as an organization.
We are already on the path where ESG and sustainability will be embedded in all parts of the business just as accounting is.
Why have you embraced sustainability in your professional career?
Because it’s the right thing to do and eventually will be the only way to grow.
What are some of the wins you have achieved in your career to date?
Almost every decision the CEO and board will make will be tied to global sustainability.
Founded a company at age 48 and have grown it successfully over 9 years. Wrote a best-selling book and most of all, made giving back and investing in others my absolute priority.
What do you want to have achieved before you retire?
This is a question I ponder every day. With maybe 10-12 years to go, I want to be sure that I’m supporting, inspiring and growing those on my team, funding female entrepreneurs with their start-ups, and continue donating to causes that matter. (And hopefully falling in love!)
What advice would you give for people looking to start or advance their career in sustainability?
Apply to be certified as a Bcorp. The process alone will teach you so much and open your eyes to what you can be doing as an organization.
So many leaders: organizations such as BSR, Center for Corporate Citizenship, CECP, GreenBiz, Triple Pundit, FT Moral Money, CERES and more. Individuals such as Aron Cramer, Tim Mohin, Dave Stangis, Bea Perez, Anisa Kamadoli Costa and Jeannette Astorga.
Connect, reach out to others, be curious and ask questions.
Who do you go to for inspiration in this space?
- McPherson at the #BlogHer Biz event in NYC -
How do you offset your own footprint?
Limit my use of single-serving plastic, walk everywhere possible, recyle, shorten showers and turn down the thermostat.
What is your one ‘guilty / non-eco’ pleasure? (that you can’t live without)
Blowing bubbles in my pup’s tummy!! And cuddling with her every day.
If you had to choose one person to lead the world in sustainability, who would it be and why?
We can’t place such a challenge/burden on one person. It is all of our responsibilities.
"If working apart we are a force powerful enough to destabilise our planet, surely working together we are powerful enough to save it. In my lifetime I have witnessed a terrible decline. In yours you could - and should - see a wonderful recovery.”
-​ Sir David Attenborough