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Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)

If you would like to suggest of any news or achievements to feature, then please email masters@cisl.cam.ac.uk.


May 2023: Laura O’Donohue, PG Diploma alumni, is honoured at the Audubon’s Women in Conservation Luncheon with Rachel Carson Award celebrating the legacy of female leadership in conservation.


September 2021: Tor Burrows, PCSB alumni and Executive Director - Sustainability & Innovation at Grosvenor, is named Sustainability Executive of the Year in the BusinessGreen Leaders Award 2021.


January 2021: Abigail Herron, MSt alumni & Global Head of Responsible Investment at Aviva Investors, received the award for the best Master’s thesis for her research into “antibiotic resistance as a frontier topic in responsible and sustainable investment” at the FIR-PRI Finance & Sustainability 2020 Awards.


September 2020: Herman Bril, Director of Investments at a Global Pension Fund and MSt Sustainability alum, has co-edited a book entitled ‘Sustainable Investing; A Path to a New Horizon’.


June 2020: Katerina Fragos is an alum of the Master of Studies in Sustainability Leadership and has been recognised by Green Biz as one of their 30 under 30 workers, who are making strides in their sustainability efforts.


May 2020: Research conducted as part of the Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Business; Value Chains stream, has been published by alumni Michael Rogerson, PhD Candidates at the University of Bath together with Professor Glenn Parry, Professor of Digital Transformation, University of Surrey. Blockchain: case studies in food supply chain visibility.


May 2020: A paper written by MSt in Sustainability leadership student Anita McBain (Head of Responsible Investment at M&G Investments) exploring the links between biodiversity, population growth, climate change and the current (and future) pandemic(s) features in a Forbes article by Prof Bob Eccles (Visiting Professor of Management Practice at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford).


June 2019: Abigail Heron, Head of responsible Investment Engagement, Aviva Investors, listed in top 10 contributors making a positive contribution to sustainable investment according to Independent Research in Responsible Investment Survey 2019. 

Abigail is alumni of PCSB and a current MSt SL student.


March 2019: Mst in Sustainability leadership student Steven Greenfield has co-authored an article published in Social Marketing Quarterly, an internationally circulated journal focused exclusively on the theoretical, research and practical issues confronting both academics and practitioners.

The article, titled “To What Extent Is Social Marketing Used in Demand Reduction Campaigns for Illegal Wildlife Products? Insights From Elephant Ivory and Rhino Horn” is based on Steven’s dissertation topic for his CISL Master’s course.


November 2018: Congratulations to Laura Hannigan, IDBE Master’s graduate, for jointly winning the NextGen Rising Star London and SE Category at the British Council for Offices BCO NextGen Awards Ceremony recently.

The British Council for Offices (BCO) is Britain's leading forum for the discussion and debate of issues affecting the office sector. Their mission is to research, develop and communicate best practice. Laura is an Associate at AKTII.


October 2018: IDBE Master’s Graduate, Tanya de Hoog, receives University of Wollongong Alumni Award for Professional Excellence

Tanya de Hoog, CEng, FIStrutE, MIEAust, co-founding director of Thornton Tomasetti’s London office, has received the Alumni Award for Professional Excellence from the University of Wollongong (UOW) in New South Wales, Australia. The award was presented at the university’s Fellowship and Alumni Awards dinner on October 11. The UOW Alumni Award for Professional Excellence recognizes outstanding former students and their contributions to their professions, communities and the advancement of society.

Tanya has more than 20 years of experience in the structural design of a variety of building types across Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Australia. Some of her notable projects include the redevelopment of the Number 1 Court at The All England Lawn and Tennis Club in Wimbledon, U.K.; the 65,000-seat Basrah Sports City in Iraq; and the award-winning Windmill Hill Archive and Study Centre in Waddesdon. de Hoog recently launched the firm’s Doing Good Business initiative, which looks to utilize the firm’s core services and innovative approaches on projects that have a lasting positive impact on communities.

Tanya is a founding and steering committee member of The Equilibrium Network, a multi-disciplinary network of professionals working to address gender inequality in architecture, engineering and construction professions.

In 2014, de Hoog was named a Fellow of the Institution of Structural Engineers, the most senior grade of membership within the organization. She was also a Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Teaching Fellow for the IDBE Master’s Programme from 2012 to 2013, a distinguished position appointed by the University of Cambridge. 


September 2018: MSt in Interdisciplinary Design for the Built Environment student Ben Hickman co-authored an article on waterproof concrete for basements in the August issue of the Institute for Civil Engineers Construction Materials journal.

The article, ‘The efficacy of crystalline waterproofing additives for basement concrete: an industry perspective of the literature’ was based on his IDBE research essay. Ben also presented a paper at the Property Care Association's 2018 International Structural Waterproofing Conference on 13 September.


September 2018: MSt in Interdisciplinary Design for the Built Environment alumni Ulrich v. Türckheim will be presenting a paper at the Cambridge International Manufacturing Symposium at the Institute for Manufacturing on 28 September. 

Ulrich will be speaking on the topic of ‘Competitive advantage from unused capacity: Innovating business models to capture uncaptured value’ which deals with part of his IDBE thesis research, seen from a slightly different perspective.


May 2018: MSt in Sustainability Leadership alumnae, Shameela Soobramoney (formerly Ebrahim) has been elected Chair of the World Federation of Exchange’s Sustainability Working Group.

Shameela is a Senior Manager: Group Strategy & Sustainability at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange Limited.


April 2018: MSt in Sustainability Leadership alumni Ravi Fernando will be presenting at the Global Dubai Tea Forum at the end of April. 

Ravi will be speaking on the topic of 'Climate  Change and it’s impact on the TEA industry.


March 2018: MSt graduate Dr Rod Hanley appointed the next president of Lake Superior State University.

Dr Rod Hanley, a graduate of the MSt in Sustainability Leadership has been appointed as the next the next president of Lake Superior State University  (Michigan, USA)


Februray 2018: MSt student Alastair Marke is the editor of a new book on Transforming Climate Finance and Green Investment with Blockchains.


January 2018: MSt Student Steven Day spoke at TEDxBrighton on renewables.

Steven Day, Partner at Pure Planet and a student of the Master of Studies in Sustainability Leadership recently spoke at TEDxBrighton on the role of the community in building Pure Planet as a for-purpose business and how business can be used to do good for consumers, wider society and our environment.

Watch Steven's TEDxBrighton talk here.


November 2017: IDBE student, Nathalie Baxter named one of the RIBA Journal 2017 Rising Stars cohort

Nathalie Baxter, Project Architect at Faulkner Browns Architects and a student of the Master of Studies in Interdisciplinary Design for the Built Environment (IDBE), has been named one of the RIBA Journal Rising Stars for 2017.


March 2017: MSt Alumna Amie Shuttleworth named as an inspiring woman in sustainability by Bioregional

Amie Shuttleworth, Global Head of Sustainability, has been named in Bioregional’s list of ’12 inspiring women in sustainability’ to celebrate International Women’s Day 2017.


December 2016: MSt Alumna Natasha Walji named one of Canada's 100 Most Powerful Women for 2016

The Women's Executive Network (WXN) has released it list of Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award Winners, which includes MSt Alumna, Natasha Walji, Head of Industry, Branded Apparel, Google.


November 2016: MSt Alumnus Ravi Fernando will be presenting at the 34th INSEAD Sustainability roundtable

MSt Alumnus Ravi Fernando has recently completed his Doctorate at the European Business School in Geneva. He presented his thesis ‘United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) and Strategic Corporate Sustainability, a Business Engagement Matrix’ at the 33rd INSEAD Business School Sustainability roundtable in Feb 2016, identifying which 2–3 UNSDGs business should prioritise and engage with. He will be presenting a step-by-step approach based on his thesis at the 34th INSEAD Sustainability round table, November 16–18, France.


February 2016: MSt Alumna, Jill Riseley – CEOs on Notice for Lack of Sustainability Leadership 

It’s the season for CSR reports, and the results show that with consumer and stakeholder expectations on the rise CEOs will feel the pressure to drive good business practices, writes corporate sustainability strategist Jill Riseley.

Read more on the Pro Bono Australia website.


MSt Alumnus Ravi Fernando has recently published a new book called ‘Strategic Corporate Sustainability: 7 Imperatives for Sustainable Business’.

The book outlines why global warming, the depletion of natural resources, and pollution should be everyone's concern. He explores seven imperatives for sustainable organisations and illustrates how businesses can improve returns on capital by investing in sustainability-led differentiation and innovation.

Ravi graduated from the Master’s in 2014 and is the Operations Director at Malaysia Blue Ocean Strategy Institute. He teaches strategic corporate sustainability on the INSEAD /Cedep AMP/MBE, European University, Deusto & Universtat of Pompeu Fabra (Spain) and University of Colombo MBA programmes.


August 2015: Master's alumnus Ravi Fernando recently spoke at the Sri Lanka Strategy Summit.

Ravi talked about the importance of creativity, innovation, and strategy and how leaders can strategise and execute a well thought-out plan to achieve sustainability and long-term success.


July 2015: Andrew Zaloumis has been named the winner of the WWF Living Planet 2015 Award.

Read more on the iSimangaliso Wetland Park website.


June 2015:Teddy Kalaw presented the results of his dissertation research at a breakfast roundtable hosted by Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) in the Philippines.

Read more on the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) website.


April 2015: Beth Knight has been selected for this year's 'Ones to Watch' list published by Brummel Magazine

Brummell Magazine - The little black book for the City


March 2015: Julian Proctor, participated in a documentary around the future of shipping

Changing Tides: The Future of Shipping


March 2015: Jamie Plotnek writes for the Sustainable Brands website

Is it possible for both businesses and the planet to thrive while providing people with the luxury goods and experiences they want?


February 2015: Paloma Lopez featured on Kellogg's Open for Breakfast Let's Talk website

In her role as Global Sustainability Director, Paloma’s focus is on sustainability – from how we grow our ingredients and make our foods, to how we get them to your table. Here she talks about Kellogg’s on-going journey to support farmers and the environment.


January 2015: Santiago Creuheras writes in IISD

Energy Efficiency: A Field of Opportunity for the G20


October 2014: Katie Eldar named one of the Top 30 under 30 marketers by Marketing Magazine in Canada

Read more in the Marketing Magazine.


September 2014: Jemma Morton Green appointed Board Director & Investment Committee Member of Future Super

Jemma has been appointed a Board Director & Investment Committee Member of Future Super – “Australia’s first and only fossil fuel free super fund”.


June 2014: Gerry Mattios featured in the Financial Times

In the article, Gerry mentions he researched the impact of trade barriers on sustainable supply chains during his Master's studies.


April 2014: Angus Yip wins sponsorship to attend Enterprisers Programme

We are delighted to announce that Master of Studies student Angus Yip is one of 15 winners of the ‘GO CAMBRIDGE Enterprise Competition 2014’ organised by Hong Kong University in collaboration with the University of Cambridge Judge Business School’s Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (CfEL).

Winners receive full sponsorship to attend the Enterprisers programme in May 2014. The Enterprisers programme, established by the Cambridge-MIT Institute in 2002, is a four-day residential training programme aimed at ambitious and energetic individuals looking to unlock their entrepreneurial potential.


2 April 2014: Sean Ansett has co-written an article for Guardian Sustainable Business

10 things that have changed since the Bangladesh factory collapse.

Due to recent initiatives, within the next decade there will be nowhere left for unethical companies or suppliers to hide.


14 February 2014 Zoë Arden has written a blog for Guardian Sustainable Business

Experiential learning aims to close gap between big business and social good.

Can working in the Mumbai slums or with Mexican litter pickers provide leaders with epiphany moments about responsible business, or is it simply 'poverty porn'?


Master's student and Reed Smith Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Manager Sarah Ramwell has been named as the Australian Woman of the Year in the UK for 2014.

The awards aim to showcase what Australian women have achieved while in the UK. Finalists must demonstrate success achieved through business or personal endeavours, the arts, sciences, professional disciplines, government, the community sector or any other field.

Sarah was recognised for her dedication to women's rights and her CSR work which involves leading the pro bono, volunteering, environment and diversity programmes at Reed Smith. Sarah's activities have included pioneering numerous projects in the community aimed at fighting social exclusion and working to protect vulnerable women and children in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake.

Read more on the Qantas website.


December 2013 Jill Riseley has been lured from Telstra to join the REA Group.

Read the article on the the Fifth Estate website