Cecilia Rios (ESM’25) on Transforming Early Environmental Curiosity into a Career in Corporate Sustainability Strategy
As the spring semester comes to a close, Georgetown McDonough is pleased to commemorate the accomplishments of the Class of 2025. To celebrate, we’re spotlighting several of the exceptional students in the Class of 2025 as they share their personal stories, reflect on their time on the Hilltop, and preview what the future holds after commencement.
Cecilia Rios’s (ESM’25) interest in sustainability started at a young age. As she prepares to graduate from Georgetown’s M.S. in Environment and Sustainability Management (ESM) program, Rios shares how she connected her passion for the environment to impactful opportunities in the industry, and her future goals to create lasting change.
An Early Introduction to Sustainability
My passion for environmental issues stemmed from PBS documentaries, Bill Nye episodes, and AP environmental science in high school. At Baylor University, I earned a B.A. in environmental studies with minors in earth science and business administration, where I explored sustainability from both scientific and business perspectives. To advance my skills and bridge sustainability with strategic decision‑making, I chose to pursue the M.S. in Environment and Sustainability Management degree at Georgetown.
I chose the ESM program because of the interdisciplinary nature of the academics. The intersection of business and sustainability resonated with my environmental stewardship and gave me an avenue to create real-world change. In researching several programs, Georgetown stood out to me not only because of the integration between business and science, but also because of the collaborative cohort model.
Forming Lasting and Impactful Connections
This program brings together people from all walks of life; our different backgrounds, disciplines, and passions foster discussions that are never boring. Since the start of the program in August, I’ve connected with over 40 professionals and formed lasting friendships with peers who share my passion for sustainability. We move through every course as a unit — from data visualization to our capstone projects — celebrating both challenges and successes together. This cohort experience has broadened my perspective, strengthened my network, and created a close‑knit community I deeply value.
Beyond the cohort, the program’s academic structure bridges my love for environmental science with practical business strategies, equipping me to drive real‑world sustainability solutions. My favorite course, Business of Sustainable Operations with Professor Vishal Agrawal, not only taught life-cycle thinking and analysis frameworks for supply chain optimizations, but also presented me with an opportunity for advocacy through Professor Agrawal’s connections, including Scott Breen, creator of the Sustainability Defined podcast and senior vice president of sustainability at Can Manufacturers Institute. Thanks to these connections, I now run and co‐host the Sustainability Defined podcast, where I break down complex topics and interview industry experts to communicate sustainability insights – one topic and one bad joke at a time.
Washington, D.C.’s vibrant sustainability ecosystem extends far beyond the classroom. As the home of federal agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy, the city offers firsthand insight into policy development and regulatory processes. A short Metro ride brings you to the headquarters of leading nongovernmental organizations and think tanks — the World Resources Institute, the Nature Conservancy, and the World Bank — where guest lectures, panel discussions, and networking events occur weekly. The ESM program and Earth Commons Institute are constantly bringing us guest speakers and panel discussions that not only continue our learning outside of the classroom but also allow us to speak to professionals who are actively working to mitigate the challenges of climate change.
Closing a Chapter
After graduation, I plan to remain in the D.C. area and pursue a private‑sector role that integrates sustainability with business. I aim to leverage my expertise in corporate sustainability strategy, ESG accounting, and sustainable supply‑chain management on collaborative, team‑oriented projects. I’m passionate about maximizing environmental impact and look forward to making a difference and inspiring others throughout my career.
To the next ESM cohort: reach out early, build genuine relationships, and lean on your peers. Don’t shy away from tackling the complex, “wicked” problems of climate change — embrace them. Engage fully with the Georgetown community by participating in class discussions, attending guest lectures, and connecting with professors. Take advantage of the program and the school’s career events and alumni network — they’re invaluable for launching your sustainability career.
– Cecilia Rios (ESM’25)