Environmental, Social & Corporate Governance (ESG)

Eckhart Hertzsch

Eckhart is an architect with more than 30 years’ experience in the sustainable buildings and property industry. He joined Buro Happold’s Berlin office in 2023 as Associate Director Portfolio Strategies Europe to advise asset and portfolio managers on Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) as well as EU Taxonomy related issues. In this role, Eckhart’s primary focus is on accompanying clients, investors, institutions and public authorities during their period of change management in order to develop sustainable buildings, districts and companies.

The guiding principle and motivation throughout his career has been to make the property industry more sustainable applying his vast experiences in economy, research and education.

Eckhart has been involved in the development of more than 30 national and international building projects. He has worked as a research and development manager in Singapore focusing on project consultation for energy efficiency concepts in 13 countries of the Asia-Pacific region, followed by a professorship for sustainable building technologies at the University of Melbourne, Australia. On his return to Germany, he led the Morgenstadt (City of Tomorrow) Initiative at the Fraunhofer Research Organisation as well as the Future City national platform for the German government. He coordinated the European Smart City Programme EIP SCC in Brussels and was the CEO of the Joanes Foundation in Berlin, which is dedicated to the social aspects of district development.

Eckhart studied Architecture at the University of Stuttgart, he is Certified Foundation Manager of the Deutsche Stiftungsakademie and honorary professor for sustainable urban infrastructure at the Technical University Berlin. He initiated and received the Green Mark Awards from the Buildings and Construction Authority of Singapore, has received honours of the Master Builders Association of Victoria, Australia and took part in the OECD Global Science Forum.

As an expert in his field, he has given over 100 speeches, interviews and panel discussions and has released more than 50 national and international publications.

Christian Kroll

Prof. Christian Kroll, PhD is a professor of sustainability, much-cited expert and advisor. He authored scientific publications in leading outlets spanning several disciplines (e.g. Cambridge University Press, Ecological Economics).

Prof. Kroll lectures on sustainable development, sustainable finance (ESG), circular economy, and corporate social responsibility at IU International University of Applied Sciences (the largest in Germany). He previously taught classes at the London School of Economics and Political Science, where he also gained his PhD, as well as at the Hertie School of Governance in Berlin. Prof. Kroll is the inventor of the first measurement tool for the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and today serves as the Scientific Co-Director of the SDG Index & Dashboards (www.sdgindex.org).

His publications (which include a foreword by Kofi Annan) featured in the media worldwide, such as CNN, BBC World News, Harvard Business Review, Washington Post, Le Monde, Die Zeit, ARD, Spiegel Online among others. The World Economic Forum has honoured him as a Young Global Leader for his achievements.

Susan McPherson

Susan McPherson is a serial connector, angel investor, and corporate responsibility expert. She is the founder and CEO of McPherson Strategies, a communications consultancy focused on the intersection of brands and social impact, providing storytelling, partnership creation and visibility to corporations, NGOs and social enterprises. She is the author of The Lost Art of Connecting: The Gather, Ask, Do Method for Building Meaningful Relationships. Susan has 25+ years of experience in marketing, public relations, and sustainability communications, speaking regularly at industry events including Inspirefest/Dublin, BSR, Center for Corporate Citizenship's Annual Summit, DLD and Techonomy., and contributing to the Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Forbes. She has appeared on NPR, CNN, USA Today, The New Yorker, New York Magazine and the Los Angeles Times.

Currently, Susan invests in, and advises women-led technology start-ups, including: iFundWomen, Inc., Messy.fm, Our Place, The Riveter, Park Place Payments, Hint Water, Apolitical, Arlo Skye, Giapenta and The Muse. She serves on the boards of USA for UNHCR, The 19th News, and the Lower Eastside Girls Club, and serves on the advisory board of both The List and Alltruists. Additionally, she is a member of the MIT Solve Women and Technology Leadership Group and serves as an adviser to several nonprofits, including Girls Who Code, She’s The First, and The OpEd Project. Susan is a Vital Voices global corporate ambassador and has received numerous accolades for her voice on social media platforms from Fortune Magazine, Fast Company and Elle Magazine. She resides in Brooklyn.