A graduate of the Executive MBA program at ESSEC and holding a Master’s in International Business Law, Denisa Puscasu has been interested in CSR issues since her studies at Université Lyon 3. From the beginning of her legal career, she has worked on HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment) challenges.

E.S.B.: What is your background, and what made you interested in CSR?

D.P.: I have always been deeply interested in climate-related topics. My grandfather was a farmer and had a strong connection to nature. He passed on to me his concerns about the environment, which he saw deteriorating over the years.

I pursued a Master’s in Business Law at Lyon 3, particularly because of its Environmental Law module. At the time, I was considered one of the "eco-conscious" students—somewhat misunderstood in a class primarily focused on securing positions at prestigious law firms and corporate legal departments. However, my interest lies in joining large corporations to work on the environmental challenges of their business models.

From the start of my career, I worked on environmental topics, assisting HSEQ (Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality) teams with regulatory monitoring in environmental law and ensuring compliance with the well-known REACH regulation. Back then, we didn’t talk about CSR as we do today; it was more about HSE/HSEQ.

Beyond my professional role, I have always been deeply engaged in community initiatives. Making CSR my profession was a natural continuation of what I had done for years. In 2022, I took the leap, and since then, I have been assisting companies and governments in their ecological transition and sustainable business transformation.

E.S.B.: What does CSR look like in your daily life?

D.P.: CSR is both my profession and my way of life. I support private and public sector clients in transforming their business models, starting with raising awareness about environmental challenges.

Business leaders’ understanding of planetary boundaries and environmental issues varies significantly. Some grasp them well, while others are less aware of how their company’s activities impact the planet—and vice versa. If we take the double materiality perspective, the interaction between business and the environment is a two-way street.

As a consultant, I help executives understand these challenges and propose sustainable solutions to ensure that companies align with the "3P" goal: People, Planet, and Profit.

On a personal level, I have adapted my lifestyle to consume differently:

• No meat in my diet,
• Reduced air travel,
• Minimal car usage, etc.

CSR must be practised both individually and collectively at local and global levels. Every action counts.

E.S.B.: How do you define CSR?

D.P.: CSR is a way of life—just like ethics. Whether as a company or an individual, I should act responsibly toward the planet of my own free will, not just because I am legally obligated to do so.

CSR is about holding each individual accountable for both their personal and professional actions.

E.S.B.: How is CSR a business catalyst, and what kind of ROI does it offer?

D.P.: The answer is simple: today, a company’s non-financial performance is just as important as its financial performance.

Companies that fail to integrate non-financial performance into their strategy risk significant decline or disappear. All of their stakeholders—shareholders, regulators, banks, and consumers—continuously challenge them on this aspect.

As a result, CSR has become a key player in corporate strategy.

E.S.B.: What message would you like to share with ESSEC Alumni from the Club and beyond?

D.P.: CSR is both a right and a responsibility if we want future generations to live in a fair and inclusive world—where gender equality and diversity are not exceptions but the norm.

Respect for the planet is a collective responsibility. And if I may add a touch of humor, a few years ago, we all learned that clouds don’t stop at borders. The same goes for pollution—it doesn’t stop at a country’s or region’s limits either.