Alumni Spotlight: Marly Isler
Marly Isler graduated from Columbia University’s Master of Sustainability Management program in 2020. She now works at Johnson & Johnson, where she is responsible for implementing socially and environmentally responsible strategies.
Marly Isler is global manager of corporate ESG strategy and reporting for Johnson & Johnson. In this role, she supports the enterprise-wide implementation of environmental, social and governance (Environmental, Social and Governance) to accelerate J&J’s strategy human health goals.
Isler completed her master’s degree Sustainability Management (SUMA) entered Columbia University in 2020. Prior to graduate school, she managed Latham & Watkins’ sustainability programs, developed corporate strategies around procurement practices, and implemented energy efficiency initiatives in 33 offices. She received her bachelor’s degree from Yale University in 2016. In her spare time, she competes and is the winner of the 2021 IC37 North American Championships.
What attracted you to apply and choose the SUMA program?
While working as the Sustainability Program Coordinator at Latham & Watkins LLP, I often encountered graduates of the SUMA program. Columbia University offers a full master’s program devoted to the study of sustainability from a management perspective, which piqued my interest. I know I want to make a more meaningful impact in the field of sustainability, and the SUMA program is a way to improve the technical skills needed to do that.
What were some of the highlights of your SUMA program?
Through the SUMA program, I have built a broader knowledge base in corporate sustainability. I have taken courses on financial analysis and product life cycle research and have always been amazed by the breadth of graduate courses offered each semester. A highlight of the program was connecting with classmates who were intellectually curious and challenging me to think critically about corporate environmentalism.
Do you have any advice for current or incoming students?
As a climate science student, there is a historic obligation to respond boldly, creatively and meaningfully to build a more sustainable and vibrant future (without the pressure!).I think integration is important environmental justice and social sustainability into the narrative as much as possible. No matter which area of sustainability management you end up focusing on, I recommend that you continually apply the cross-cutting lens to your research and work.
Personally, I highly recommend that students get involved in the many clubs and student groups on the Columbia campus. I was president of the SUMA Women and Sustainability Club and I still have connections with many other members.
What projects did you do after graduation?
Immediately after my master’s, I worked in corporate sustainability consulting, initially at Storyroot, whose founder was also a SUMA graduate, and later at HXE Partners. In these consulting roles, I assist companies in the consumer goods, real estate, financial services and technology sectors to incorporate ESG strategies. I recently transitioned from sustainability consulting to an internal role in Johnson & Johnson’s ESG strategy and reporting team. I look forward to applying my SUMA program lessons to J&J’s goal setting and ESG disclosure.
How does the program apply to your work?what project are you Nice to work, why?
In my work on ESG strategy to advance Johnson & Johnson’s 2025 human health goals, I was reminded of the course “Corporate Sustainability: Reporting and Strategy” taught by Celine Ruben-Salama and learned about the benefits of corporate stakeholder engagement and shared value creation. importance. Johnson’s CreedOriginally published in 1943 as an ethical compass for companies, it tackled the issue before the term “corporate social responsibility” was widely used. I am inspired and honored to work for a company that is committed to profoundly changing the trajectory of human health.
What do you find most rewarding about your time at SUMA?
As Professor George Sarrinikolaou mentioned in his “Introduction to Sustainability Management” course, “Sustainability is a process, not an end.” During my time at SUMA, I kept touching on this way of thinking that there is always a way to imagine , which is what I’m trying to apply to my current work. Amid the daunting predictions of global climate change, any of us can inspire progress that has a positive impact.
