It doesn’t matter your political party, who wins an election (presidential or otherwise), or even what turns on your lights – wind, solar, or fossil fuels. The energy transition is ongoing, and it’s likely to impact your business (if it isn’t already.)
As the transition advances, the demand for leaders who can navigate the complexities will continue to grow. Executive education programs will remain an important resource for business managers and executives leading their organizations through the changes.
From understanding the economics of renewable energy to aligning stakeholder interests with corporate strategies, here are seven upcoming exec ed courses you should consider:
1. Managing the Energy Transition
School: McCombs School of Business, The University of Texas at Austin
Duration/dates: Six weeks beginning September 26, 2024
Format: Online, 4-6 hours per week
Cost: $1,1780
The urgency to adopt sustainable energy solutions has intensified due to climate change and geopolitical tensions. As organizations seek cleaner alternatives, there is a growing demand for leaders who can collaborate with stakeholders while navigating complex regulatory landscapes. This course will help energy professionals not only understand the economics of renewable energy but also to steer their organizations through the challenges of the transition.
The program emphasizes practical application through expert insights, case studies, and peer learning to help participants manage trade-offs and make informed decisions.
UT Austin is at the forefront of energy research and education, playing a key role in Texas’s renewable energy success. With over 20 energy centers and programs, including the KBH Energy Initiative, UT Austin has invested over $300 million in energy research and boasts the largest alumni network of energy professionals.
Participants will earn a certificate of completion from McCombs School of Business.
2. Energy Transition for Business Leaders
School: Jones Graduate School of Business, Rice University
Duration/dates: 2 days, March 17-18, 2025
Format: In person, on the Jones campus in Houston
Cost: $3,950
Designed for senior executives and leaders, the program uses workshops, case studies, and peer networking to help navigate the challenges of sustainable energy transition. Students will learn how to align stakeholder demands with current business models, realign strategies, and drive sustainable growth and resilience in the evolving energy sector.
Participants will analyze their firm’s key stakeholders, assess potential misalignments between current business operations and the required changes, and explore how these strategic shifts impact capital allocation and profitability.
Led by Yan Anthea Zhang, Fayez Sarofim Vanguard Professor of Management, the program also delves into aligning employee incentives with energy transition strategies. Leaders will learn to identify and develop new talent, adjust pay structures, and implement best practices to ensure that the workforce is fully equipped to support the firm’s energy transition goals.
3. Leading Sustainable Business Transformation
School: IMD Business School
Duration/dates: 6 weeks, beginning August 26, 2024 or March 3, 2025
Format: Blended: 3 days on campus in Lausanne, Switzerland; 3 days live virtual, 5 weeks online
Cost: CHF 9,900 (~$11,400)
Participants will explore the tools, frameworks, and strategies necessary to drive sustainable business practices, including climate and environmental sustainability. The program is tailored for leaders responsible for strategic decisions, providing them with the knowledge to embed sustainability into their company’s core operations while preparing for future challenges.
Participants will gain insights from cutting-edge research, real-world examples, and discovery visits to top-ranked sustainability companies. The curriculum covers key sustainability trends, ESG practices, and leadership strategies for implementing change across various functions. Students also get personalized coaching while working on their own sustainability challenges and leave with a clear, actionable roadmap.
Designed for senior executives from diverse industries including finance, manufacturing, and healthcare. This is the foundational course for IMD’s Executive Certificate in Sustainable Business. Students will earn the certificate by completing three more accelerator courses.
4. Net Zero Energy
School: Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability
Duration/dates: 5 days, December 2-6, 2024
Format: In-person
Cost: $15,000 (Early bird rate is $14,000 before September 15)
Designed to give business executives, policymakers, and entrepreneurs in-depth knowledge of energy technologies and policies that drive the global energy transition. Participants will learn navigate the complexities of achieving net-zero emissions across their organizations.
The curriculum covers a range of topics, from the science of climate change to practical applications of energy efficiency, electrification, and renewable energy technologies. Participants will engage with real-world case studies and learn how to create tailored strategies that align with their organizational goals. Upon completion, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion in Net Zero Energy Executive Education.
5. Executive Energy Leadership Academy
Offered by: National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Duration/dates: Four 3-day sessions between June and September, 2025 applications open this fall
Format: In person at the NREL campus in Golden, Colorado
Cost: No cost, but participants must pay for travel and lodging and must be accepted into the program
This program is designed for industry and community leaders to deepen their understanding of advanced energy technologies. Participants will explore renewable energy and energy-efficiency technologies in order to guide their organizations in energy-related decisions and planning.
Study various energy sectors including solar, wind, bioenergy, and energy-efficient building technologies through briefings from top researchers, tours of cutting-edge research labs, and visits to renewable energy installations. Program culminates with a group project that reflects real-world energy challenges.
6. Managing the Energy Transition
School: School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University
Duration/dates: 5 days beginning summer 2025
Format: In-person
Cost: $4,800
Take a deep dive into the global shift from fossil fuels to sustainable energy sources and come out with an understanding of the current energy landscape and the key drivers behind the transition such as climate change and energy security. Participants will explore clean energy technologies, emerging business opportunities, and the broader implications of this transformation on industries and societies.
Through a mix of case studies, policy discussions, and strategic frameworks, the course equips leaders with the tools to navigate complex regulatory environments and integrate energy transition considerations into corporate strategies. The course also emphasizes risk management, sustainability initiatives, and building organizational resilience in a rapidly evolving energy landscape.
7. Energy Executive Course
School: College of Business and Economics, University of Idaho
Duration/dates: Three different sessions in June and September 2025
Format: In-person
Cost: $15,250 (2024 cost)
Now in its 71st year, this program has established itself as a premier executive education program for energy leaders. Its industry-driven curriculum is guided by a national advisory board of experts who ensure the program stays current with the latest trends and challenges in the energy sector.
The course is offered in three events:
A two-week, in-person immersive experience that deepens participants’ knowledge, leadership skills, and strategic thinking while expanding their professional networks.
Two different three-day Energy Executive Summits offering a unique forum for senior leaders in the energy industry to engage in discussions on critical issues shaping the future.
The course offers a comprehensive analysis of the sector’s most pressing challenges and opportunities and is designed to challenge participants to rethink their leadership approaches.
DON’T MISS: THE TENURE PROJECT: INCREASING THE NUMBER OF BLACK, HISPANIC & INDIGENOUS B-SCHOOL FACULTY AND THE SUSTAINABILITY CHAMPION: ISABELA DEL ALCÁZAR
