Margherita Cristaldi

At KPMG, Margherita Cristaldi works with international clients on sustainability reporting and strategy. From climate transition plans to human rights and biodiversity, her role focuses on helping companies navigate a rapidly evolving sustainability landscape — something she finds both challenging and rewarding.

As a Sustainability Consultant at KPMG, Margherita Cristaldi works with international clients to navigate the rapidly evolving sustainability landscape. Her projects mainly focus on European sustainability reporting regulations, helping companies identify material topics, close reporting gaps, and strengthen their sustainability strategies through new targets, policies, and action plans. Depending on the client, the work can range from climate transition plans to biodiversity and human rights.

What attracted Margherita to the field was the opportunity to contribute to meaningful change through business. Working at a global company like KPMG has exposed her to clients across Europe and beyond, giving her insight into how sustainability challenges differ across industries and markets.

“I believe that real impact happens when large companies start taking responsibility for their footprint,” she says. “Sustainability is also an incredibly dynamic field — things are constantly evolving, which makes the work both exciting and stimulating.”

Margherita chose the MSc program in International Business at SSE because of its international environment and the opportunity to combine the degree with the CEMS Master in International Management. She highlights the diverse student cohort, exposure to different cultures, and close collaboration with corporate partners as some of the most valuable parts of her experience.

“The hands-on projects with companies gave me practical experience from day one, which became incredibly valuable when entering the job market,” she explains. “I also met ambitious and inspiring people at SSE who became close friends.”

Alumni perspective

I appreciated the strong connection with corporate partners and the projects carried out with companies, starting from the first term of the first year. Having real hands-on experience has been the greatest takeaway I brought with me from SSE when starting my first full-time job. Finally, meeting ambitious and like-minded people, whom I now consider close friends, has been truly enriching.
Margherita Cristaldi
Sustainability Consultant at KPMG and MSc in International Business and CEMS Master in International Management alum

During her time at SSE, Margherita developed a mindset of constantly challenging herself and making the most of the school’s network and opportunities. That approach helped her secure a summer internship at EFRAG in Brussels, where she gained first-hand experience with sustainability reporting — an opportunity that later opened the door to her current role at KPMG.

She also credits SSE’s mentorship programs, career support, and community for helping shape her professional journey.

For current students, Margherita encourages making the most of both the academic and social side of student life.

“Don’t hesitate to reach out to alumni or people working in fields you’re curious about — the SSE community is very open and supportive,” she says. “And most importantly, enjoy your time at SSE. The two years go by much faster than you think.”

Three words that describe her time at SSE?

“Enriching, intense, inspiring.”