“Applying the concepts and theories we are exploring in this program to any organization shows how adept sustainability can be across all facets of business and life.”
One Mother’s Mission to Redefine Sustainability
Growing up in the alpine plains of Colorado, Erin Bauer developed an early understanding of how drastic climate change looks in real time, having experienced shrinking snow levels from the lack of snowstorms each year. The ripple effects of lower snow levels have caused a “snow drought,” threatening water supply to 16 different states. That formative connection to the natural world, combined with a decade spent managing residential construction sites and a deep commitment to her two daughters, set her on a path to USC’s Online Master of Sustainability Management (MSM) program at USC Dornsife. Bauer, with her background as a mother, marketer, construction manager, and activist, brings a blend of determination and creativity to the sustainability field.
In this interview, Bauer discusses her career journey, what drew her to USC’s Master of Sustainability Management program, and future plans for her capstone project and beyond. Her capstone project explores social sustainability, with a focus on maternal mental health, gender equity, and the long-term impact of community support systems.
What sparked your interest in sustainability?
I was raised in the mountains and alpine plains of Colorado and have witnessed what climate change does in real time. We no longer regularly get massive snowstorms and this past winter season we had only five. The ripple effects of such low snowpack can be felt all the way in California and the 15 other states that depend on that water. On top of being raised outdoors, having my own children changed a lot of my perspectives on caring for other beings, so I aim to break the systems that indenture women into society’s default caregivers. I also want to show my daughters that being kind to all beings will reap grand rewards.
What has your career journey been like, and what led you to pursue a master’s degree in sustainability management?
I began in hospitality and earned my undergraduate degree in marketing while working full-time. I graduated in the middle of the 2008-2009 financial crisis, so I stayed with the companies and industry I was familiar with for several more years while working my way up the ladder. I [then] jumped into the construction industry and I spent the next 10 years cleaning up construction sites – literally and figuratively.
Watching how much waste was created on the job sites opened my mind and eyes to all the others across the world that were just throwing trash and packing materials “away.” This led to a formative question – “Where is this mysterious ‘away’?” The answer is difficult to swallow, and shifting that paradigm is what led me to the MSM program.
When you were researching sustainability graduate programs, what stood out to you about USC’s Master of Sustainability Management program?
The highlight of USC’s MSM program was the flagship launch and online option. As a working mama, I need flexibility more than anything in my life. What impressed me was the community culture that formed online; it’s a testament to how widespread USC’s reach truly is. I am happy I also found a USC alumni group right here in Denver, so I can leverage the Trojan Network for my next career moves and put my degree toward tangible, evidential change.
Is there a course in the sustainability management program that has aligned with your goals or passions in sustainability?
The circularity class was my favorite and helped increase my language skills surrounding sustainable building programs like LEED, or systems such as just-in-time ordering. It also challenged me to think about what every other species on the planet already knows: how to survive at ambient temperatures using materials found on the earth’s surface. What do salmon need to survive? Hummingbirds? Coral reefs? Trees? Bacteria and viruses? They all need water, food, shelter and light. So why are humans so much more complicated than that?
What are you focusing on for your capstone project?
I’m focusing on an organization called Moms Feelin’ Themselves, a mental health initiative disguised as a dance floor that began in Denver in 2022. It was developed by a perimenopausal therapist and her business strategist friend to help mothers across the country heal their wounds one dance party at a time. Women are the default parent in our society, and so shifting that paradigm to a more progressive stance is my ultimate goal. If you account for unpaid labor, mothers earn just 32 cents on the dollar compared to male counterparts. Having a child equates to a +6% salary bonus for men and a 4% penalty for women. Developing a sustainability strategy for this movement is an incredible opportunity to influence change where it’s needed most.
How would you describe the culture of the MSM program?
The MSM program is fast paced, while being inclusive and accessible at the same time. I am a complete nerd, so once I get immersed in a program or other responsibilities, I have a hard time giving up. I suppose that’s why I was so addicted to triathlon training in my 20s! Applying the concepts and theories we are exploring in this program to any organization shows how adept sustainability can be across all facets of business and life.
What do you think are the most exciting trends or technologies in the field right now?
The most interesting trend I see is the gap between the sustainability targets firms set for themselves and their actual progress toward reaching them. Is it just a matter of setting unreachable goals? Or is there a more basic misunderstanding of what sustainability means day to day? The devices we use daily are essentially single-use objects, and their disposal is outsourced to the poorest nations on the planet and disassembled in the most dangerous ways. Those people need Apple’s Daisy demo system replicated ASAP, but at what cost to those that mine the copper, titanium, cobalt, lithium, gold, minerals and other irreplicable materials needed for such large-scale waste reduction efforts? We need involved corporations that are willing to put their money where their reports are, not just performatively, but in practice. The people that have the least voice need the most assistance now.
What kind of impact do you hope to make after graduation?
I will gain employment and begin my next journey – whatever that may look like. Working for an energy supplier, or the state energy office, would be a dream chance for me to land next. However, my daughters (whom I fondly call my duckies or girlies pops!) will always come first for me, and that’s a delicate balance to strike like my capstone project illustrates. Developing a sustainability strategy for the MFT movement is an even better opportunity for me to influence change and maximize impact.
Learn more about the Online Master of Sustainability Management degree from USC Dornsife and how it prepares students for careers in sustainability leadership.