Candler student Tjuan Dogan was recently named a recipient of the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 2021 Leaders in Corporate Citizenship Award, which honors individuals who have demonstrated a strong commitment to corporate responsibility practices and have integrated relevant societal concerns into their company’s core operating strategies.
Dogan—a first-year student in Candler’s Master of Religion and Public Life (MRPL) degree program—is global director of social impact at Coursera, where she develops strategies to impact global societies and transform lives through learning. She previously served as Emory University’s assistant vice president for social impact innovation, the role that initially connected her with Candler’s degree offerings.
“My personal and professional interests have centered on expanding access to quality education, building community, and working with a variety of stakeholders to inspire social change,” she says. “When I learned more about Candler’s MRPL program and the opportunity to explore faith and religion with the intersection of community and the public landscape, I knew the program would be personally and professionally engaging.”
This year’s Leaders in Corporate Citizenship Awards recognized 22 honorees in eight different categories. Dogan was honored in the Top Practitioner category, which highlights those whose job responsibilities include leadership in corporate social responsibility, sustainability, and philanthropy and/or volunteerism. During her time at Coursera, it has become a Public Benefit Corporation, and has received B Corporation certification for meeting rigorous standards of social and environmental performance.
“Theological education allows me to continue bringing faith into my work while navigating the social justice journey,” Dogan says. “The MRPL program provides additional tools for me to incorporate ethics and moral leadership in my work, while also exposing me to broader religious perspectives.”
One of Dogan’s courses this semester is “Principles and Practices of Moral Leadership” with James T. and Berta R. Laney Professor in Moral Leadership Robert M. Franklin, Jr. “The course has helped stretch my paradigm as a leader and provided resources to help me lead and develop my team,” she says, adding, “Of course, learning from the Rev. Dr. Robert M. Franklin, Jr. has been a treat. That’s another great aspect of education at Candler: the range of courses and exposure to stellar faculty.”
In addition to her work with Coursera, Dogan is committed to expanding educational and career opportunities for women and girls, especially in STEM. She serves on the board of Science ATL and was an inaugural investor in its flagship initiative, the Atlanta Science Festival. While on staff at Emory, she received an Emory Sustainability Innovator Award.
Dogan earned her BA in journalism, MEd and PhD in education with a concentration in business management from the University of South Carolina, followed by a yearlong fellowship at Harvard Business School. She has previously held leadership positions in corporate social responsibility, philanthropy and social impact with IBM, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, and the Southern Education Foundation.
“I work in a field where business needs, societal concerns, and purpose intersect. My education at Candler enhances how I think and lead and makes me more effective as a professional in the corporate world. I’m honored that I can build a career making an impact and I’m honored to receive this award.”