SGE history
In 2002, motivated by his desire to see the Johnson Graduate School of Management continue as a leading provider of solutions to the most difficult challenges of our day, the late Samuel C. Johnson endowed the SC Johnson Professorship in Sustainable Global Enterprise. Sam set a visionary tone by stipulating that the role was to enhance students’ understanding of global sustainability and prepare them to be leaders of equitable, as well as economically and environmentally sustainable enterprises.
“Sam Johnson’s commitment will bring energy and resources that will allow us to build significantly on what we’ve begun doing and create a program that’s world class.”
– Stuart L. Hart, SC Johnson Chair Emeritus in Sustainable Global Enterprise
A second generous gift provided an initial endowment and operating funds to establish the Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise in 2004 with Stuart Hart as its Founding Director. Mark Milstein became the full-time Director of the Center in 2006, with Dr. Hart continuing as the Samuel C. Johnson Professor in Sustainable Global Enterprise until his retirement in 2013.
20 for 20 alumni highlights
As part of the Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise’s 20th anniversary in 2024, we are highlighting 20 influential or notable alumni in the field of sustainability. We received nearly 110 submissions nominating 59 Cornell alumni from across the years and programs.
A small committee of alumni helped read the submissions and choose the 20 individuals to highlight, based on their engagement and demonstrated notable leadership, impact, and/or achievements in the domain of sustainability (environmental and/or social impact) in their careers and/or personal pursuits.
As our anniversary year was so busy, we are continuing to publish our highlights into 2025.
Congratulations to all of our nominees! Those in bold were selected to be highlighted.
- Amanda Archila
- Anshul Bakhda
- Kehkashan Basu
- Pinaki Bhattacharyya
- Lydiah Bosire
- Kaitlyn Briggs
- Michael (Ted) Briggs
- Nelly Cady-Kruse
- Michael Callender
- Christina Chan
- Gilda Charles
- Rob Collier
- Justin DeKoszmovszky
- Pierre-Henri D’haene
- Raghu Dharmaraju
- Lauren Dowler
- John Fay
- CJ Fonzi
- Jeff Fuchs
- Linda Giuliano
- Dan Goldman
- Taryn Goodman Gallery
- Dhanur Grandhi
- Rachel Greenberg
- Jonathan Greene
- Natalie Grillon
- Christy Harrington Guthman
- Sarah Howe
- Geoff Johnson
- Kevin Johnson
- Fred Keller
- Ian Kline
- Kamillah Knight
- Agata Kosctecka Smeets
- Ray Lansigan
- Eric Lee
- Michele Malejki
- Georgia Maloney
- Emily Nyrop
- Esohe Denise Odaro
- Rishad Olpadwala
- Kristin O’Planick
- German Peralta
- Alejandra Plaza Limon
- Thomas Rabon
Read 20 for 20 alumni highlights
Leading the clean energy transition: Rob Collier’s path toward a sustainable future
The Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise celebrates 20 for 20 honoree Rob Collier MBA ’14, senior vice president of marketplaces at LevelTen Energy.
Driving Energy Transition: A 20 for 20 Changemaker
The Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise celebrates 20 for 20 honoree Britta von Oesen MBA ’09, partner and managing director at CRC-IB.
Leading with Purpose: Esohe Denise Odaro’s Journey in Sustainable Finance
The Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise celebrates 20 for 20 honoree Esohe Denise Odaro MBA ’09, head of sustainability at PAI Partners.
20th anniversary celebration
Over 100 Center alumni, students, partners, and connections came together at Glasshouse Chelsea, NYC on October 10, 2024 to reflect on the past, present, and future of the Center and sustainability’s role in business education.