ISSP Consultants Cohort Program To Launch the Day Before ISSP Conference 2013 This May in Chicago

Six-month intensive program offered by the International Society of Society Professionals and led by consulting veteran Jennifer Woofter is designed to help sustainability consultants launch new practices and take existing businesses to next level
Feb 21, 2013 11:15 AM ET
Jennifer Woofter, President of Strategic Sustainability Consulting

PORTLAND, Ore., February 21, 2013 /3BL Media/ - The International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP) is currently accepting participants in their 2013 Consultants Cohort program, which is designed to help sustainability consultants launch successful practices. The program begins on May 8 with a half-day workshop in Chicago and continues through October with bi-weekly web meetings, a private Facebook group, and a massive list of additional resources to provoke learning well-beyond 2013. The consultant cohort program is strictly limited to 25 participants. Early-bird pricing ends April 15.

The half-day workshop at the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel in Chicago will be taught by cohort leader Jennifer Woofter, President of Strategic Sustainability Consulting. Jennifer teaches and writes extensively on the topic of sustainability consulting, and has provided training and mentoring for aspiring consultants for the last five years. The workshop will be held the day before ISSP will host ISSP Conference 2013 on May 9-10 at the same hotel. ISSP Conference 2013 will feature prominent keynote speakers, interactive panel discussions, induction of new members into the ISSP Sustainability Hall of Fame(TM), and an exhibition of products and services of interest to sustainability professionals.

The ISSP Consultants Cohort program is designed as a six-month intensive collaborative experience for small business or solo-preneur sustainability consultants. The group will meet on-line every two weeks to explore, develop and refine core concepts of sustainability consulting. This course is focused on the practical aspects of consulting including branding, project management, financial and legal matters, and client engagement. Jennifer will lead the class in facilitated sessions using an online learning platform, and the group will continue to interact throughout the program (and beyond) using a private Facebook group.

“This six-month experience is not for the faint of heart,” says Jennifer. “It has been designed specifically to challenge and inspire participants to ask tough questions and find solutions to every aspect of their consulting business.”

The program would particularly benefit new sustainability consultants that have less than three years of experience running their own full-time sustainability consulting practice. Brand-new sustainability consultants that have not yet launched a full-time practice, but who are currently offering sustainability consulting services at least on a part-time basis, would also find the program very useful. The program is not designed for individuals who are generally interested in a sustainability consulting career, but who are not actively committed to launching a professional and formal sustainability consulting practice within the next six months, nor individuals who lack knowledge in sustainability issues. Individuals who wish to increase their level of knowledge and confidence in sustainability concepts are advised to explore sustainability education programs, such as those offered by ISSP and institutes of higher education.

During a free conference call on Tuesday March 5th at 11am PT / 2pm ET, Jennifer will offer a preview of the program and answer questions from anyone interested in the program. To register for the conference call, click here. To read more about the ISSP Consultants Cohort and to register for the program, click here.

About Jennifer Woofter

Jennifer Woofter is President of Strategic Sustainability Consulting. In this role, she draws upon more than a decade of experience in the fields of organizational sustainability, corporate social responsibility, and socially responsible investing. She has worked with more than 50 clients on projects including Green Auditing, Sustainability Planning, Carbon Footprint Analysis, Stakeholder Engagement, Training and Facilitation, and Sustainability Reporting. She currently manages the SSC Consultant Network, an association of more than 650 professionals with expertise in virtually every area of sustainability. Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from the University of Oregon, and a Master of Arts in Political Science from Virginia Tech. She also holds a Master of Science in Strategic Leadership Towards Sustainability from the Blekinge Institute of Technology in Karlskrona, Sweden, where she studied under Karl-Henrik Robert, founder of The Natural Step.

About ISSP

The International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP) is the world's leading professional association for sustainability professionals. ISSP is a member-driven association committed to moving the profession of sustainability forward through building strong networks and communities of practice. Formed in 2007, ISSP boasts more than 700 members from every continent in the world. Members share resources and best practices, and develop themselves professionally. Webinars, Webchats, on-line classes, special reports, resource directories, salary surveys, and professional competency studies are just a sampling of the rich content offered to members. For more information about ISSP and its offerings, please visit sustainabilityprofessionals.org.