Faculty Profile: Jessica Thurston
Photo: Brooke Alexander/Brook Studios
Jessica Thurston serves as Senior Director, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Strategy and Reporting at Paramount Global. Thurston leads the development and execution of the global media company’s ESG priorities across its operations and brands, from MTV to CBS Sports, from consumer products to real estate and facilities.
Her background is rooted in ESG and corporate sustainability strategy development, having advised several major corporations and working on sustainable procurement policy for the US federal government.thurston won her Master of Sustainability Management From Columbia University, she is now an adjunct lecturer.
What initially motivated you to pursue the field of sustainability?
My undergraduate degree is in urban design, which is part of Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Architecture. The program is ahead of its time in encouraging students to think holistically about the externalities of urban systems and decisions affecting the built environment. It has allowed me to think broadly about what sustainability means – yes, for the built environment, but beyond that, what it means for governments and businesses and their inefficiencies. To this day, I see ESG as an exercise in finding “system vulnerabilities” – as a way to identify inefficiencies that, when addressed, will immediately benefit the environment, society, and organizations.
What drew you to the Columbia School of Climate and Professional Studies?
When I started working full time as a Sustainability Management student in 2012, I knew I wanted to expand my technical expertise in sustainability while learning more about the breadth of sustainability as a topic. I already work in NYC and it makes sense to look for the best institution – Columbia University – to take the job seriously.
What courses will you be teaching this fall, and what excites you the most?
This fall, I will be teaching ESG governance. I am excited to teach this course and discuss in depth how to make decisions and how to manage high risk topics, especially in public companies. For anyone who wants to work on sustainability and ESG, it is critical to understand the pressures and transition risks that affect corporate and government decision-making when it comes to sustainability.
No matter one’s field – whether you come from an environmental background, or from diversity, equity and inclusion, finance or any other field – when we talk about ESG governance, understanding what we mean is absolutely key. This will make us all better.
What changes do you hope to see in the future of sustainability?
I would like to see companies comply with higher disclosure standards. We don’t have enough time for global organizations to navigate this complex field, so we need as many sustainability professionals as possible.
What advice do you have for students pursuing sustainable careers?
Learn as much as you can — really broad topics and industries, and how sustainability takes shape in each. But also dive into an area, whether it’s supply chain issues, governance, materiality, water, or whatever you choose. Become an expert in the field and you’ll be a valued member of teams looking to fill this role.
