The Organizational Development Goals: A Guide for Aligning Business Success and Deep Sustainability

Clarity and direction for organizations integrating business growth with planetary and societal well-being.

In 2015, the UN introduced the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—a bold vision for a sustainable world by 2030. Nearly a decade later, progress remains far too slow, with only 17% of the goals reached. Initiatives like the Inner Development Goals (IDGs) have focused on strengthening the mindsets, skills, and leadership qualities needed to navigate today’s complexities.

These efforts are crucial—but still not enough. We must additionally move to structured, systemic action at the organizational level. The Organizational Development Goals (ODGs) provide a framework that helps organizations navigate their transformation journey, and bridge the gap between sustainability ambition and execution.

“Companies can make or break the future.”

Story

The Organizational Development Goals (ODGs) Initiative was founded in early 2023, but its roots run much deeper. For years, we have worked together as experts across organizational boundaries from diverse industries and networks to bridge the gap between sustainability ambitions and real-world organizational transformation.

Drawing from extensive organizational development experience, the ODG Initiative brings together specialists in systemic change and sustainable strategy, aiming to create solutions for the common good. The goal is to align business success with societal and planetary health.

By now, the ODG Initiative is formalized as a non-profit association, reinforcing our commitment to an open-source, not-for-profit approach.

What we aim for

1.

From good for us to good for all: We expand our focus from individual success to collective well-being.

2.

We explore alternative futures and challenge the status quo with courage.

3.

We turn bold ambitions into actionable, strategic steps.

4.

We trust in co-creation, reflection & iteration.

6.

We recognize that the necessary transformation can feel overwhelming – we embrace this complexity as an opportunity to pause, reflect, and realign.

Story

The Organizational Development Goals (ODGs) Initiative was founded in early 2023, but its roots run much deeper. For years, we have worked together as experts across organizational boundaries from diverse industries and networks to bridge the gap between sustainability ambitions and real-world organizational transformation.

Drawing from extensive organizational development experience, the ODG Initiative brings together specialists in systemic change and sustainable strategy, aiming to create solutions for the common good. The goal is to align business success with societal and planetary health.

By now, the ODG Initiative is formalized as a non-profit association, reinforcing our commitment to an open-source, not-for-profit approach.

Our Team

It takes a village to raise a child.

Stffen Frischat, (c) Maria Noi

Dr. Steffen Frischat

Co-Founder & Core Team

Stffen Frischat, (c) Maria Noi

Dr. Steffen Frischat

Co-Founder & Core Team

Ebby Anahita Shirazi

Ebby Anahita Shirazi

Co-Founder & Core Team

Ebby Anahita Shirazi

Co-Founder & Core Team

Jonas Gebauer

Co-Founder & Core Team (2023)

Jonas Gebauer

Co-Founder & Core Team (2023)

Matthias Lang, (c) Maria Noi

Matthias Lang

Village Perspective Provider

Matthias Lang, (c) Maria Noi

Matthias Lang

Village Perspective Provider

Sebastian Daume

Village Perspective Provider

Sebastian Daume

Village Perspective Provider

Eva Wolf

Graphic Design, Web Development

Eva Wolf

Graphic Design, Web Development

Sitha Reis @Michael Kestin

Sitha Reis

Graphic Design

Sitha Reis @Michael Kestin

Sitha Reis

Graphic Design

Sebastian Daume

Village Perspective Provider

Eva Wolf, (c) Maria Noi

Eva Wolf

Graphic Design, Web Development

Sitha Reis @Michael Kestin

Sitha Reis

Graphic Design

Dr. Steffen Frischat

Co-Founder & Core Team

Dr. Steffen Frischat

Co-Founder & Core Team

Connect on LinkedIn

Ebby Anahita Shirazi

Co-Founder & Core Team

Ebby Anahita Shirazi

Co-Founder & Core Team

Jonas Gebauer

Co-Founder & Core Team

Jonas Gebauer

Co-Founder & Core Team

Matthias Lang

Village Perspective Provider

Matthias Lang

Village Perspective Provider

Sebastian Daume

Village Perspective Provider

Sebastian Daume

Village Perspective Provider

Eva Wolf

Graphic Design, Web Development

Eva Wolf

Graphic Design, Web Development

Sitha Reis @Michael Kestin

Sitha Reis

Graphic Design

Sitha Reis @Michael Kestin

Sitha Reis

Graphic Design

Contributors and Collaborators

All Experts across organizational boundaries from diverse industries and networks.

Tobias Bantzhaff

CEO Borgo Batone

Hedwig Scharlipp

Sustainability Expert and Artist

Marina Schmitz

CSR Expert

Friederike Strub

Lecturer for Agile Organizational Consulting

Julia Straub

Founder and Managing Director of covolution

Lucas Müller

Managing Director Wirk4Tomorrow

Julia Schwarzbauer

Managing Director at susform

Cora Niemeier

Process support for regenerative (agricultural) culture

Tim Steigert

Chief Philosophy Officer at The White Rabbi

Anke Scholz

Projektmanagerin

Dee Brooks

Practitioner & Blendaholic

Contributors and Collaborators

All Experts across organizational boundaries from diverse industries and networks.

Tobias Bantzhaff

CEO Borgo Batone

Tobias Bantzhaff

CEO Borgo Batone

Hedwig Scharlipp

Sustainability Expert and Artist

Hedwig Scharlipp

Sustainability Expert and Artist

Marina Schmitz

CSR Expert

Marina Schmitz

CSR Expert

Friederike Strub

Lecturer for Agile Organizational Consulting

Friederike Strub

Lecturer for Agile Organizational Consulting

Julia Straub

Founder and Managing Director of covolution

Julia Straub

Founder and Managing Director of covolution

Lucas Müller

Managing Director Wirk4Tomorrow

Lucas Müller

Managing Director Wirk4Tomorrow

Julia Schwarzbauer

Managing Director at susform

Julia Schwarzbauer

Managing Director at susform

Cora Niemeier

Process support for regenerative (agricultural) culture

Cora Niemeier

Process support for regenerative (agricultural) culture

Tim Steigert

Chief Philosophy Officer at The White Rabbi

Tim Steigert

Chief Philosophy Officer at The White Rabbi

Anke Scholz

Projektmanagerin

Anke Scholz

Projektmanagerin

Julia Straub

Founder and Managing Director of covolution

Dee Brooks

Practitioner & Blendaholic

Dee Brooks

Practitioner & Blendaholic

Contributors and Collaborators

All Experts across organizational boundaries from diverse industries and networks.

Tobias Bantzhaff

CEO Borgo Batone

Tobias Bantzhaff

CEO Borgo Batone

Hedwig Scharlipp

Sustainability Expert and Artist

Hedwig Scharlipp

Sustainability Expert and Artist

Marina Schmitz

CSR Expert

Marina Schmitz

CSR Expert

Friederike Strub

Lecturer for Agile Organizational Consulting

Friederike Strub

Lecturer for Agile Organizational Consulting

Julia Straub

Founder and Managing Director of covolution

Julia Straub

Founder and Managing Director of covolution

Lucas Müller

Managing Director Wirk4Tomorrow

Lucas Müller

Managing Director Wirk4Tomorrow

Julia Schwarzbauer

Managing Director at susform

Julia Schwarzbauer

Managing Director at susform

Cora Niemeier

Process support for regenerative (agricultural) culture

Cora Niemeier

Process support for regenerative (agricultural) culture

Tim Steigert

Chief Philosophy Officer at The White Rabbi

Tim Steigert

Chief Philosophy Officer at The White Rabbi

Anke Scholz

Projektmanagerin

Anke Scholz

Projektmanagerin

Julia Straub

Founder and Managing Director of covolution

Dee Brooks

Practitioner & Blendaholic

Dee Brooks

Practitioner & Blendaholic