Executive Master in Sustainable Leadership

Read about Dorthe’s motivation and takeaways – and how she set out to combine two decades of business experience with a sustainability mindset through DTU’s Executive Master in Sustainable Leadership.

Why did you decide to pursue the Executive Master in Sustainable Leadership at DTU?

I reached a point where I realized that sustainability could no longer remain a side note to financial or strategic decisions, it had to become part of the core. With a background in finance and transformation, I had the tools to drive business performance, but I wanted to challenge my way of thinking and learn how to embed sustainability into every decision. I chose DTU because of its technical excellence and its ability to turn cross-disciplinary theory into action. I wasn’t just looking for insights, but how to drive real transformation.

What surprised you the most during your studies?

I was surprised by the diversity of the cohort, not in terms of our professional backgrounds, but in perspectives and ways of thinking. That mix created incredibly rich discussions and brought new angles to every case. I was also struck by how collaborative the learning process was, and how quickly we were encouraged to apply what we learned to real-world challenges. The programme wasn’t only an academic exercise, but more about understanding the challenges and driving the changes needed.

“I no longer separate business and sustainability, I see them as one.”

How has the programme changed the way you work?

It has completely reshaped how I frame opportunities and challenges. I still focus on value creation in a classical shareholder way, but now I ask different questions, and I know how to connect sustainability data with financial decisions, investment cases, and performance metrics. This mindset has extended into how I approach digitalization and emerging technologies like AI. This 2-year journey has clearly illustrated that sustainability is not a separate workstream, but more of a leadership discipline.

What would you say to someone thinking about applying?

If you’re a business leader or specialist who wants to move beyond compliance and reporting, this programme will give you the mindset and tools to drive real performance management. It’s not an easy ride, but it’s worth the effort. You’ll join a professional community that shares your ambition and leave with confidence to act.

“For me, the biggest shift was not just what I learned, but how I see the challenges and opportunities of business both in the short and the long term.”

Want to turn sustainability into strategy? Explore the Executive DTU Master in Sustainable Leadership and learn how to drive meaningful change

Read more about our Executive Master in Sustainable Leadership here.

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