Chris O’Rourke

Chris joined ESG in 2022 upon his return home to the D.C. area after 20-plus years in New York City. He is responsible for connecting the dots of strategy, finance, technology, marketing and talent to deliver meaningful opportunity and impact for his colleagues, funders, students and educators.

Prior to joining ESG, Chris spent over 15 years as a senior executive within the Omnicom network, where he led strategic growth initiatives for Fortune 50 companies including Salesforce, Oracle, Kimberly Clark, Mastercard, Bank of New York Mellon, and others throughout Europe, Asia, South Africa, and North and South America.

Chris is a proponent and investor in continued education for both seasoned CEOs and COOs as well as graduate students at the beginning of their careers. In his role as Chapter Director of both the Washington D.C. and New York City branches of the Chief Operating Officer Business Forum, Chris leads discussions and workshops on topics including Change Management, Navigating Uncertainty, and Defining Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. As a mentor in the School of Visual Arts Masters in Branding program, Chris supports students through the study of Design Thinking as it relates to business strategy and creative execution. He is an also frequent speaker on the intersection of technology, operations and the creative practice.

Since the pandemic, Chris has been providing leadership and direction during this time of significant disruption and change. He has built an innovative and practical tool called The Seven Pillars of Wellness as a Business Framework, which positions social, emotional, spiritual, environmental, occupational, intellectual, and physical wellness at the forefront of creating a “better normal.” Working with CEO and HR executives, Chris drives the strategic thinking and planning to generate policy, focus, and vision built on healthy employees, clients, and communities with the ultimate goal of delivering profit but also tangible and impactful purpose.

Why are you in this work?

Education is a gift which can open a window of opportunity for both the provider and the receiver. As we think today about creating a “better” normal for ourselves and our communities, we must start with a focus on education and the power of knowledge and an increased perspective to transform lives. I’m in this work to drive curiosity, engagement, and inclusive participation – for both myself and the communities we work with at ESG.

Why ESG?

I am excited to learn from my peers and share the knowledge I’ve achieved in my career and life to help create change and opportunity for others.