Course Description

The certificate program in Sustainable Business Leadership will provide you with the knowledge, tools, and techniques you need to thrive as a leader in today's economy. You will learn how to make the business case for sustainability and come away with strategies and tactics that you can use to begin applying the principles of sustainability to your company immediately.

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive an official Saint Louis University certificate of completion. You may also qualify for 3 continuing education units (CEUs).

SLU Alumni discounts are available. Please contact us for more information.



Kevin Wilhelm is the CEO of Sustainable Business Consulting and is one of the world’s pre-eminent business consultants and teachers in the field of sustainability.Kevin has worked with 105+ businesses ranging across 37 different industries, helping firms realize business value through the integration of sustainability. Some of his firm’s clients include Nordstrom, REI, Amazon, Expedia, Alaska Airlines, The North Face, Redbox, and Real Networks.Kevin is a thought leader in this field, having taught at over 10 different Universities and written three acclaimed books on sustainability and business including, Introduction to Sustainable Business, Return on Sustainability, and Making Sustainability Stick, the latter two of which are used in Sustainable Business Leadership course.

Kevin Wilhelm

CEO, Sustainable Business Consulting

Course curriculum

  • 01

    Welcome to Sustainable Business Leadership

  • 02

    Module 1: Sustainability, Leadership, and the Language of Business

  • 03

    Module 2: The Current State of Sustainability

    • Overview

    • Video: The Current State of Sustainability

    • Required Reading

    • Assessment 1: Instructions

    • Assessment 1: Cap and Trade Analysis

    • Assessment 2: Instructions

    • Assessment 2: Market Opportunity of the Economic "Pyramid"

    • Assessment 3: Instructions

    • Assessment 3: Market Impact Calculation

    • Supplemental Content
  • 04

    Module 3: Making the Business Case for Sustainable Leadership

    • Overview

    • Video: Making the Business Case for Sustainable Leadership

    • Required Reading

    • Assessment 1: Instructions

    • Assessment 1: The Cost Savings of Building Green

    • Assessment 2: Instructions

    • Assessment 2: Making the Business Case for a Sustainability Program

    • Assessment 3: Instructions

    • Assessment 3: Lighting Case Study

    • Supplemental Content
  • 05

    Module 4: Leadership in Sustainable Operations

    • Overview

    • Video: Leadership in Sustainable Operations

    • Required Reading

    • Assessment 1: Instructions

    • Assessment 1: Cost Savings of Operational Sustainability Initiatives

    • Assessment 2: Instructions

    • Assessment 2: Waste-to-Value Stream

    • Assessment 3: Instructions

    • Assessment 3: Greening Your Office

    • Supplemental Content
  • 06

    Module 5: Accounting and the Triple Bottom Line (TBL)

    • Overview

    • Video: Accounting and the Triple Bottom Line

    • Required Reading

    • Assessment 1: Instructions

    • Assessment 1: Eco-Cleanser Calculation

    • Assessment 2: Instructions

    • Assessment 2: Ecosystem Services Valuation

    • Supplemental Content
  • 07

    Module 6: Managing for Sustainability

    • Overview

    • Video: Managing for Sustainability

    • Required Reading

    • Assessment 1: Instructions

    • Assessment 1: Defining Boundaries and Scope

    • Assessment 2: Instructions

    • Assessment 2: SWOT Analysis

    • Supplemental Content

    • Assessment 3: Instructions

    • Assessment 3: Carbon Footprint (GHG Inventory)
  • 08

    Module 7: Sustainability Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement

    • Overview

    • Video: Sustainability Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement

    • Required Reading

    • Assessment 1: Instructions

    • Assessment 1: Identifying Primary and Secondary Stakeholders

    • Assessment 2: Instructions

    • Assessment 2: Materiality and Engagement Methods

    • Supplemental Content
  • 09

    Module 8: Strategy for Sustainability

    • Overview

    • Video: Strategy for Sustainability

    • Required Reading

    • Assessment 1: Instructions

    • Assessment 1: Sustainability Fundamentals, Tasks, and Roles

    • Assessment 2: Instructions

    • Assessment 2: Protecting your Brand

    • Supplemental Content
  • 10

    Module 9: Setting your Sustainability Vision and Goals

    • Overview

    • Video: Setting Your Sustainability Vision and Goals

    • Required Reading

    • Assessment 1: Instructions

    • Assessment 1: Company Culture and Goal Setting

    • Supplemental Content
  • 11

    Module 10. Marketing for Sustainability

    • Overview

    • Video: Marketing for Sustainability

    • Required Reading

    • Assessment 1: Instructions

    • Assessment 1: CSR Report Scavenger Hunt

    • Supplemental Content