The Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business at Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business (“Center”) has announced that Delta Air Lines will be the first participant in the Center’s Corporate Sustainability Program (CSP) Executive Council. Through the CSP, the Center seeks to collaborate with leading companies that share a vision for developing sustainability leaders and shaping a new economy that offers a more sustainable future for all.
The Center, with a growing reputation as a regional center of expertise since its inception in 2013, launched the CSP to deepen ties between Georgia Tech and select corporations that demonstrate commitment to environmental and social sustainability. Michael Oxman, Managing Director of the Center, said, “Our mission aligns everything we do with two primary outcomes: integrating sustainability into business education and practice and facilitating innovation in business through sustainability-inspired ideas. This new program capitalizes on the Center’s strengths as a catalyst and connector to the business community.”
CSP engagement will help to facilitate corporate/academic thought leadership across four strategic areas—Circular Economy, Carbon-Conscious Business, Social Performance, and Sustainability Innovation & ESG Leadership—through activities such as guest lectures, joint research, and workshops on sustainability topics and trends. Delta’s engagement will also support undergraduate and MBA experiential learning opportunities such as practicum projects, co-ops, internships, and research. The connections students make as a result of CSP-supported activities could potentially lead to career opportunities through which they can make an impact on sustainability.
Furthermore, dialogue between practitioners and 17 Center-affiliated faculty members (representing the full spectrum of business disciplines) on the most pressing business issues and challenges will open doors for cutting-edge research with the potential to make a real-world impact. Center-affiliated faculty member Dr. Manpreet Hora said, “Having Delta on board as a CSP participant broadens my horizons for both teaching and research.” Hora, who teaches Operations Management, looks forward to sharing with his students examples from Delta that highlight how sustainability is applicable in various avenues of the service industry.
Dr. Beril Toktay, Faculty Director of the Center, said, “Delta is thinking more and more strategically about how sustainability integration into business functions and sustainability-driven innovation can create value for its investors and customers. We’re delighted to partner with them at this exciting time.”
Steve Tochilin, General Manager of Environmental Sustainability at Delta Air Lines, remarked, “We’re looking forward to working with the Center to come up with even more sustainable business practices at Delta and to help advance sustainable business education and research at Georgia Tech.” He cited Delta’s long-standing relationship with Georgia Tech, which includes partnering with the Innovation Center at Technology Square, launched in 2016, and serving as an “anchor sponsor” for the Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility, launched in 2017.
The Center welcomes interest from other companies who would like to participate in the CSP. For further information, please contact Michael Oxman.