Dr. Monique Cunningham on the “G” in ESG

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Annually observed in February, Black History Month recognizes the contributions and achievements made by those across the African diaspora. In this episode, we highlight a previous guest on the podcast and African American leader, Monique Cunningham, who drives transformation in the ESG space.

To excel in today’s competitive business environment, a successful ESG Leader needs a balance of compliance, sustainability, and project management skills backed by robust policy design expertise. In this episode, Kaitlyn Allen talks with Dr. Monique Cunningham, who has over 15 years of experience leading strategic ESG projects for high-profile organizations, including St. Thomas University, the City of Tallahassee, and the Opportunities Industrialization Centers of America, Inc. (OICA). Professional experience across the E, S, and G of ESG is rare, but Dr. Cunningham has it! In addition to her vast experience as a risk management and compliance professional, she holds a Doctorate in Law and Policy from Northeastern, an MBA from Nova Southeastern University, and a Bachelor’s in Biology from Barry University.

Listen as Kaitlyn and Monique remind us that the ‘G’ in ESG is foundational; you cannot have the ‘E’ and the ‘S’ without Governance. The oversight and implementation of any ESG program or policy cannot occur in isolation; all ESG priorities must interlace throughout the organization. This is where governance becomes an elevated component of the process. The approach to governance must be in tandem with an organization’s mission and values while aligning with its approach to compliance and risk mitigation matters.

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Resource Links

Monique Cunningham, LP.D, MBA, CSM, CCEP | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquencunningham/

Dissertation by Dr. Monique Cunningham: Florida and the Clean Power Plan: a state, a federal regulation, and a climate situation. (northeastern.edu): https://repository.library.northeastern.edu/files/neu:cj82np663/fulltext.pdf

Compliance Professional Resources

(CCEP | SCCE Official Site: https://www.corporatecompliance.org/certification/become-certified/ccep

Certified Environmental and Safety Compliance Officer (CESCO) | NREP: https://www.nrep.org/certifications/certified-environmental-and-safety-compliance-officer-cesco