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Skidmore: Winning the CESR Impact Award means the world to me. I came to business school with the goal to use business to promote sustainability and CESR has been crucial to help me understand what that means. Without CESR my time at Leeds would have been much less meaningful so to be recognized by that very center could not be more rewarding.Ìý

How have you been involved with CESR, sustainability, ethical leadership, and social impact at Leeds?Ìý

Cederstrand: I've been involved with CESR since my very first semester at ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥, joining the Leeds Sustainability Case Competition Executive team as the VP of Judge Relations and later becoming the President of Judge Relations. As the VP of Sustainability for the MBAA, I have also worked closely with CESR on large scale sustainability initiatives like incorporating environmental impact assessment into core curriculum through a campus-wide pledge and building corporate partnerships with environmentally focused companies. Ìý

Estrada: I have integrated sustainability and ethical leadership into my curriculum by creating classroom projects and forging community partnerships that highlight real-world impact. Through CESR, I’ve embraced innovative approaches that encourage students to think critically about their role in driving change.Ìý

Simmons: I am the current Vice President of the Sustainable Business Club (SBC) where I work to plan meaningful events that engage like-minded students. I also served as the Head of Ralphie’s Closet where I managed business attire donations, created the Ralphie’s Closet Instagram/LinkedIn accounts and founded the Ralphie’s Closet Committee.Ìý

Skidmore: I have been leading SBC at Leeds since the second semester of freshman year, back when it was still CESR Fellows. In the fall of sophomore year, I had the opportunity to join the CESR Advisory Board as undergraduate representative, which was the most impactful experience of my time at ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥. Having the opportunity to share my ideas with executives from large companies on how to further the goals of CESR was incredibly cool. Through these engagements I have learned so much about myself, leadership, goal setting, and how to evaluate progress across programs.Ìý

How has CESR supported you during your time at Leeds?Ìý

Cederstrand: CESR has been an amazing resource for workshops and community partnerships that have helped me build invaluable skills. The CESR team has supported me every step of the way, and I am forever grateful to have been able to work alongside them during my time at ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥.Ìý

Simmons: The CESR department has helped me grow as a business leader through valuable fireside chats, workshops and classes. Specifically, the fireside chats have been the biggest influence on my education. The speakers that the CESR program brings in have opened my eyes and truly are what inspired me to pursue this career path.Ìý

Skidmore: CESR has been a crucial support in understanding and maintaining my values throughout my time at ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥. In this time of turmoil as our world and society face new challenges, staying aligned with values seems next to impossible. With the support of the classes, community, faculty, and staff that CESR is comprised of I feel successful in standing by my values throughout my time at ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥.Ìý

What impact do you hope to leave on Leeds students?Ìý

Cederstrand: With every project I've worked on as the VP of Sustainability and with LSCC, my goal has been to grow the project for those who will come next. I want to create a foundation for sustainability that can be built from, so that the next group of ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ students feels they have a strong footing and a clear path to follow, that keeps them moving onwards and upwards in their ideas for the future of sustainability on campus and in their careers. Ìý

Coler: I genuinely hope to inspire other Leeds students to naturally embrace sustainability and ethical considerations in their future careers. I want to demonstrate through my projects and actions that having a positive social and environmental impact isn't just fulfilling—it can also be a strong and profitable business approach. Even if just a few students decide to integrate ethical leadership and sustainability into their professional lives because of my influence, I’ll feel like I've truly succeeded.Ìý

Estrada: I hope to ignite a lasting sense of confidence and intellectual curiosity in each student, empowering them to lead with integrity, passion, and purpose. My goal is to inspire a generation of thinkers and doers who embrace ethical leadership and create positive, sustainable changes in the world, especially when they can combine what they’re good at, what they love, what the world needs, and what they can be paid for. If they do that, then they will have a wonderful career.

What makes you feel hopeful about the future and keeps you going in your commitment to sustainability, social impact, and ethical leadership?Ìý

Cederstrand: I see immense opportunity in sustainable development. From technology companies to corporate sustainability initiatives and investments, there is a growing industry happening right in front of our eyes that will surpass in size any existing industry today and increase economic growth. To be sustainable is to be efficient with resources, effective with outcomes, and ethical with objectives. If we set up our current and future MBA students to follow that trajectory, I think we can make a real, positive impact on this world. I hope to instill that idea in everything I do and share that mindset with the people around me.Ìý

Coler: What keeps me hopeful and excited is the incredible opportunity we currently have—being part of the biggest energy transition the world has ever seen. It's motivating to know that our generation can use business innovation to address critical global issues. Watching renewable energy technology rapidly evolve, markets shifting toward sustainability, and global cooperation increasing reassures me that we have both the resources and passion to create meaningful, lasting change.Ìý

Estrada: I am energized by witnessing the daily transformation of my students; their resilience, passion, ideas, and willingness to tackle challenges head-on. This collective commitment to sustainable, positive change, along with the convergence of business, leadership, philanthropy, law, ethics, and social impact, which is what I focus on, continuously reminds me that our future is bright and full of promise.Ìý

Simmons: Something that makes me feel hopeful about the future of sustainability is the vastness of its career opportunities. As climate change becomes more and more of an influence on our daily lives, it brings me hope to know that I will be someone who has the necessary skills to find the solutions. Not everyone in the business school can say that, which makes me feel a sense of value. I know that the output of my work will be positive in any field I enter because I have the skills to do so.Ìý

Our events are on pause for the summer, but you can sign up for CESR’s student programs for undergraduates and MBAs anytime. Check out the pages to learn how you can get more involved in this vibrant community of changemakers.Ìý