Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility


Mission

CESR empowers current and future business leaders to drive solutions to environmental, social, and ethical challenges.

Vision

The CU Boulder Leeds School of Business is a globally recognized leader for innovative student programs, research, and partnerships that contribute toward a more sustainable, inclusive, and ethical world. 


Our work depends on generous donations of time, knowledge, and resources. We're excited to share stories of impact with the community that makes it all possible!

 2023 CESR Impact Report

CESR’s programs serve Leeds students, faculty research and the business community in three key areas:

  • Business Solutions to Environmental Challenges
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Ethical Leadership

We do this by developing values-driven leaders (our students) who will propel business forward to benefit all stakeholders, supporting innovative faculty research, and partnering with organizations to integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into boards, corporate strategy, and reporting. 

CESR was founded in 2007 in response to the Leeds Family’s naming gift mandate that the four pillars of business ethics, corporate social responsibility, diversity and inclusion, and sustainability be incorporated throughout the school’s curriculum. In 2017, Dean Sharon Matusik created the related Social Responsibility and Sustainability (SRS) division, which houses faculty who teach core courses at the graduate and undergraduate levels to ensure that all students learn about ethics and social responsibility, and elective courses that delve deeper into questions of ethical leadership, sustainable operations, social entrepreneurship and more. 


Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

To launch leaders that reflect our communities, support insights that move us toward a more inclusive world and to engage the whole business community, CESR has committed to lift up diverse voices and support equity.
 
We have committed to the following actions:

  • Feature diverse judges and speaker panels at CESR events, starting with racial and gender diversity
  • Listen to diverse students to make our offerings more relevant and inclusive
  • Lift up diverse voices in our communication channels
  • Cultivate supportive relationships with the diverse business community