About
The Company
Blue CSR Strategies is an ESG consulting firm providing its clients with expert advice on strategy development & implementation, engagement, communications & disclosure.
The firm was founded in 2020 by Andrew Watterson to serve the rapidly growing needs of business, government and non-profit organizations to accelerate progress towards creating positive environmental, social and financial impacts. Blue CSR Strategies understands the power of inclusive engagement, transparency and authentic communications.
Investing in an impactful CSR strategy creates positive change throughout your organization and helps to strengthen brand loyalty, employee engagement and stakeholder value.
We leverage the deep experience of our team to support our clients' objectives and seek to develop long-term relationships with our clients.
Blue CSR is a SASB Consultant Content Program Member.
Blue CSR strategies is also proud to be recognized by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) as a Certified LGBT Business Enterprise.
Approach
We commit to approach each organization with a fresh perspective to customize a strategy that is compatible with your organization's culture and enterprise priorities.
Understanding that each organization and the value they create are unique is essential to developing a CSR strategy that amplifies the positive environmental and social impacts that the organization can deliver.
President & Founder
Andrew has more than 20 years of experience in sustainability and corporate responsibility. He leverages his expertise in organizational development to guide organizations toward creating a positive impact on society, people, and the planet while generating positive financial returns. Andrew believes in the power of authentic leadership and being purpose-driven to achieve meaningful results, reflecting his commitment to making a difference in the world.
Before founding Blue CSR Strategies, Andrew held leadership positions in sustainability in both public and private sectors, including GOJO Industries, KeyBank, BrownFlynn (now an ERM Company), and the City of Cleveland, OH. His diverse experience equips him to effectively tackle complex sustainability challenges and foster a culture of responsibility within organizations.
Andrew holds an MS in Organizational Development from Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management and a BA in Environmental Policy and Economics from Bates College.
Senior ESG Consultant
Cole has more than a decade of experience in the sustainability sector. Leveraging his expertise in peer benchmarking, gap analysis, and materiality, he develops innovative solutions that address pressing ESG challenges while promoting responsible business practices. Cole is dedicated to fostering collaboration and creating pathways for organizations to make meaningful contributions to a more sustainable and equitable future.
Before joining Blue CSR Strategies, Cole served as a Senior Associate Consultant at ERM where he worked with some of the largest Fortune 500 companies in retail, tech, manufacturing, and other sectors to address their most pressing challenges and opportunities in managing and disclosing ESG issues.
Cole holds a joint MBA and MA in International Environmental Policy from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, CA with a focus in social entrepreneurship and impact investing.
ESG Consultant
Brooke brings 5 years of experience in the research and food systems sectors. She leverages her skills in stakeholder alignment; data analysis; strategy formation; communications; and diversity, equity, and inclusion to facilitate value chains that benefit people and the planet.
Prior to joining Blue CSR Strategies, Brooke managed a food systems research project at Case Western Reserve University’s School of Medicine and led localized food systems efforts with FoodCorps and Community Foundation Boulder County. During her MBA, she devised and pitched a gas flaring mitigation partnership to BP’s carbon leadership team.
Brooke is currently completing an MBA from Case Western Reserve University, where she is a Fowler Fellow for Business as an Agent of World Benefit. She also holds a BA in Organizational Behavior and Sustainable Food Systems from the University of Michigan.
ESG Analyst
Claire's experience in hands-on laboratories and business provides a well-rounded perspective on sustainability. Her diverse skill set in engineering, data analysis, and project management enables her to drive success across a breadth of topics. Dedicated to impactful ESG initiatives, she strives to improve the planet for future generations.
Prior to joining Blue CSR Strategies, Claire served as a Graduate Student Consultant for the Whirlpool Corporation, where she focused on sustainability efforts for the consumer-packaged goods line, affresh. By combining her technical expertise with business insights, she was able to provide concrete recommendations for the brand while encouraging more sustainable practices.
Claire holds a MS in Engineering, Science, & Technology Entrepreneurship (ESTEEM) from the University of Notre Dame in addition to a BS in Chemistry coupled with a minor in business from John Carroll University.
A Responsible Company
our course
At Blue CSR Strategies, we are a company that is purpose-driven and aligned by the belief that through authentic leadership and engagement we can achieve outcomes that support an equitable and healthy planet where business and communities have the opportunity to thrive.
Our approach to CSR and sustainability internally is focused on the three pillars of environmental sustainability, diversity equity & inclusion, and community engagement & participation.
- Within environmental sustainability, we believe that we should tread lightly and leave places better than when we arrived. To us, this means working toward net zero and improving the environment we depend on. Some actions that we take to achieve this are:
- 100% renewable energy purchase for our office.
- Net zero transportation – either through zero emissions transportation or carbon offsets
- Prioritization of digital over paper & recycled, FSC certified paper when required
- Waste reduction & recycling
- Planting trees in our community
- Supporting environmental organizations, such as the Ohio Environmental Council
- Within diversity, equity & inclusion, we believe that everyone should be able to bring their best and authentic self to work and to each engagement. We want everyone that we work with to feel comfortable with being their whole self and support behaviors that enable these actions. We seek to garner trust and create psychological safety within our teams to enable their best work to come forward. To do this we practice some of the following:
- Racial equity & inclusion training
- Unconscious bias training
- Non-discriminatory hiring practices inclusive of proactive efforts to eliminate bias in hiring
- Equal opportunity employment
- Within community engagement and participation, we believe that an informed and engaged citizen is fully participating in the community where they live & work. We therefore encourage the following behaviors:
- Board participation and volunteerism with non-profit organizations
- Financial support of non-profit organizations
- Being an active and informed voter
- Being informed of and knowledgeable about policies and developments impacting our communities
