Partner Sites


Logo BusinessBecause - The business school voice
mobile search icon

This MBA Swapped New York Startup Scene For Corporate Social Responsibility In Copenhagen

Wynne Lewis was drawn by Copenhagen Business School’s focus on CSR

Mon Nov 28 2016

BusinessBecause
Wynne Lewis worked for a startup-focused marketing agency in New York before relocating to Denmark for an MBA at Copenhagen Business School.

She bypassed some of the world’s top-ranked MBA programs right on her doorstep for a business school that’s setting the bar in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Now, she’s in a sustainable city, in the midst of an MBA program with responsible management at its core. She’s developed a network of like-minded professionals and even met with the CEO of global bioscience firm Chr. Hansen.

Wynne wants to work in a strategic product marketing role after her MBA. Long-term, she hopes to start her own social enterprise. The Copenhagen MBA is the perfect platform to do just that.

Why did decide to pursue an MBA at Copenhagen Business School?

I’m committed to social innovation and responsible management. Essentially, I believe in the triple bottom line: people, planet and profits.

In the US, they’re just so new to it. I was drawn to Denmark because it’s already dominant in the social and environmental business spheres. It’s a beacon for environmental sustainability. And there’s a lot of really cool innovation going on here.

Copenhagen Business School is one of the leading schools for CSR. And I like that it’s a concentrated and affordable one-year MBA program, allowing you to get back to work quickly.

What should applicants think about when deciding to do an MBA?

Go for the school that really feels right, don’t go for the school that has the big name brand. 

Look at location, look at the contacts you’re trying to make and really look at the classmates you want to have because that will be your most immediate network.

Why are more and more businesses directing their focus towards CSR?

I think that it’s directly tied to the bottom line of profit. When looking at the longevity of your business, it’s smarter to think about all the stakeholders and not just the immediate shareholders. 

In the US, we’re paying the consequences of really short-term thinking. CSR is considered a luxury. There’s an attitude like, ‘Oh, I’ll just pay a little bit to charity to get a tax write off.’

It’s really a lot more complex than that if you want to attract the best talent, retain the best talent and develop them. Treating your employees well is a crucial point of socially responsible business; it means knowing the part you play in society as an employer.

What stands out from your MBA experience so far?

One of the best parts about being the only MBA program in the city is that you have access to all the companies and they send some of the top representatives to talk to us.

I’ve already made some great contacts that are big on social responsibility and environmental sustainability. I know I’ll be able to ask for advice or reach out to collaborate with them. 

Another strong point is how international your classmates are. There’s only 35 of us but we’re from about 20 different countries so you get a lot of different perspectives. That’s really unique. 

RECAPTHA :

ad

0a

30

84