Change Agents in Residence at the Bainbridge Graduate Institute

The Bainbridge Graduate Institute, a pioneer in offering Sustainable MBA programs, received a grant from ConocoPhillips to support the Change Agents in Residence (CAIR) program. This unique program brings together students, executives, entrepreneurs, and environmental and social activists to engage in dialogue to discuss solutions for current business issues and opportunities related to sustainability. The focus of the ConocoPhillips funding is to actively integrate the voice of larger corporations into the discussion of sustainability within the context of the school’s unique collaborative learning environment.

“Our Sustainable MBA program trains students to bring creative and sustainable solutions to complex problems” said John Gardner, Dean of the Bainbridge Graduate Institute. “The CAIR program is instrumental in pushing the discourse and action in a direction that correlates to real and meaningful change in the business world.”

Sabrina Watkins, head of sustainable development for ConocoPhillips and a graduate of BGI stated, “ConocoPhillips has a long tradition of community investment, and environmental education is one of the main pillars of our program. Support for CAIR underscores our belief that healthy dialogue about environmentally and socially responsible business practices can help all participants -- as we promote economic growth, a healthy environment and vibrant communities, now and into the future.”

Offered annually for students in the Metro MBA for Sustainable Business and the Hybrid MBA for Sustainable Systems, the CAIR program hosts thought leaders in a monthly speaker series. These industry pioneers advance sustainable business practices, research social and ecological sustainability, and lead organizations for social and economic advocacy.

The Bainbridge Graduate Institute was the first school to offer an MBA in Sustainable business. Fast Company and Huffington Post rank BGI as one of the top five Sustainable business programs and first by Net Impact in ratings of socially responsible MBA programs. Founded in 2002, BGI offers evening and weekend MBA and Certificate programs that thoroughly integrate environmental and social responsibility into every subject of the traditional core business curriculum. BGI works to help other business schools become more sustainable.

ConocoPhillips is an integrated energy company with interests around the world. Headquartered in Houston, the company had approximately 29,800 employees, $153 billion of assets, and $245 billion of revenues as of Dec. 31, 2011. The ConocoPhillips approach to sustainable development stems from our fundamental intent to prosper as a business and to meet the energy needs of present and future generations. In doing so, we will also create value and better living standards for our stakeholders. For more information, go to www.conocophillips.com

Bainbridge Graduate Institute

Bainbridge Graduate Institute

BGI was born when co-Founder and President, Gifford Pinchot, a renowned business consultant, realized the nation's graduate business schools were churning out one-dimensional MBA graduates with solid short-term profit-maximization skills, but lacking a deep understanding of how to integrate social and environmental issues into business decisions.

The Institute's pioneering MBA and certificate programs prepare a diverse group of leaders to build enterprises that are economically successful, socially responsible and environmentally sustainable. The innovative curriculum preserves the rigor of a traditional MBA program, while infusing sustainability - including both environmental and social responsibility - throughout every course.

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