2022-2023 Events

Do you wish to be an entrepreneur? Are you interested in building entrepreneurial and technical skills for free? Do you have an idea or hope to be part of an inclusive startup founding team? Interested participants applied to join the first cohort of a practical workshop series: Startup Works. This series is designed to nurture talented leaders with conviction histories, to interrupt the cycle of poverty and recidivism, and to kickstart participants' ideas as a (co-)founder and/or as part of a startup team. Centering the importance of co-creation and networks, local community members and CU affiliates were also invited to participate and form a startup team with at least one justice-impacted team member.
Organized by the center, Center for Justice at Columbia University, and Communitas America.

Communitas America hosted their tenth Communitas Ventures Accelerator Pitch Night at Columbia Business School. The evening celebrated the accelerator’s alumni, community, ecosystem partners, and current cohort of entrepreneurs. Communitas Ventures Accelerator's Cohort 10 participants are building solutions for a more equitable world spanning BIPOC representation, employment retention, literacy, educational empowerment, youth services, wellness, financial inclusion, and more. Participants attended the event to support an innovative group of BIPOC-led startups across sectors as they pitched for over $20K in funding awards. The pitch night featured a special performance by the Morrisania Band Project.
Organized by Communitas America and hosted by the center.

The dotzz app provides an essential tool for gender-based violence survivors, bringing critical services to survivors through their phones, including real-time shelter information, covert location sharing, secure storage for photos and identifying documents, the ability to complete domestic incident reports, access to financial assistance, untraceable text and phone communication, real-time incident reporting, a map of safety organizations, and more. Dotzz also includes an incognito feature that 'disappears' the app from cellphone homepages for added safety. During this workshop, Natasha Johnson, ’99CC, led a brainstorming discussion around two key areas: how to market dotzz to various agencies that support survivors while also building trust for the app?; and what is an ideal pricing model that agencies providing services for survivors would be willing to pay while ensuring dotzz always remains free for survivors?
Supported by the Lang Center for Entrepreneurship, Social Enterprise Club, Green Business Club, and Tamer Institute for Social Enterprise and Climate Change at Columbia Business School; and the Social Entrepreneurship Club at Columbia School of International and Public Affairs.

Alumni learned about innovative climate change initiatives that CBS alumni are working on, shared about impact projects or organizations that tackle social and environmental challenges, and connected with alumni who have interests in sustainability and social impact areas at this session. Alumni presented on their social or environmental project, business venture, organization, or initiative. Following the pitches, alumni participated in networking by subject area.

Stephan Meier, James P. Gorman Professor of Business and Chair of Management Division, moderated a discussion on the “Impact of Generative AI on Our Lives and the Future of Work” with Dan Wang, Lambert Family Associate Professor of Social Enterprise and co-director of the Tamer Center of Social Enterprise, and Praneet Gill ’08, chief strategy officer at Kore.ai. The session delved into the profound impact of generative AI on our lives and the future of work, shedding light on its transformative potential, ethical considerations, and practical implications for businesses and individuals. Professor Meier highlighted how this technology has the power to revolutionize various aspects of our lives, including work, and the need for businesses and individuals to adapt to the changing landscape brought about generative AI. Professor Wang explored the ethical considerations surrounding the use of AI in the workplace and society at large. Wang stressed the importance of responsible AI development and deployment to ensure positive outcomes for individuals and communities. Praneet Gill provided industry insights into the impact of generative AI. Drawing from her experience, Gill discussed how AI is reshaping the future work and highlighted the potential for AI to automate routine tasks, enhance productivity, and enable new forms of collaboration between humans and machines.
Organized by Columbia Business School. 

The education sector is of crucial importance in making sustainability a priority for companies and communities across the United States. It can also foster better, more productive cooperation between the private and public sectors, serving as a bridge to help drive sustainable practices and create jobs to fuel the green industrial revolution. In this session, panelists discussed what initiatives and programs in education are already delivering results and what else the education sector can do to bring sustainability to the top of everyone’s agenda. Panelists included Meghna Tare, chief sustainability officer at the University of Texas at Arlington; Justin van Fleet, executive director of Global Business Coalition for Education; Costis Maglaras, dean of Columbia Business School; and Franklin Carrero-Martínez, director of the global development and science and technology for sustainability (STS) at the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM). The session was moderated by Carol O’Donnell, director at the Smithsonian Science Education Center. 
Organized by the Economist Impact.

In this session, moderated by Professor Gernot Wagner, panelists discussed the difficulties society faces in adapting to climate change, and how banks can develop the capacity to manage climate-related financial risks when it comes to challenges like crop failure to extreme weather. In addition, the discussion covered the steps banks are taking to become more resilient and how they are quantifying and handling risk. Panelists included Mahesh Ramanujam, chief executive of the Global Network for Zero; Sarah Kapnick, chief scientist at NOAA; and Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, chief executive and chairperson of Global Environmental Facility (GEF). 
Organized by the Economist Impact.

This sixth gathering of scholars at the intersection of migration and organizations, is designed to advance rigorous research, strengthen this community of scholars, and is open to all disciplinary and methodological approaches. The keynote speaker was Mae M. Ngai, Lung Family Professor of Asian American Studies, Professor of History, and co-director of the Center for the Study of Ethnicity and Race at Columbia University. Dinner was provided by Eat Offbeat and featured guest speakers Manal Kahi ’15SIPA, co-founder and CEO of Eat Offbeat, Chef Lebjulet, and Sarujen Sivakumar, operations manager at Eat Offbeat. 
Co-organized by the ESG Initiative at the Wharton School and the center.

Seven social and environmental ventures were selected from due diligence conducted in Professor Bruce Usher and Vikas Raj’s Investing in Social Ventures course to pitch their social venture to the investment board for consideration for the Tamer Fund for Social Ventures (TFSV). The board selected three Columbia-affiliated ventures: Healing Schools Project, founded by Wenimo Okoya, ‘19TC ‘14PH; Level Leaders, co-founded by Jenny Tolan ’14 and Nikoa Ham ’14; and QuikReversal, founded by Asher Varon, '18GS '18JTS.

Nearly 200 Columbia Business School alumni and friends gathered at a private club on the Upper East Side for the long awaited fifth annual Awards Breakfast, which raised over $450K in support of the center’s curriculum and initiatives. The 2023 Horton Award for Excellence in Social Enterprise was presented to S. Mona Sinha ’93 for her longtime support of the social enterprise community at Columbia University, and her extraordinary strategic and philanthropic leadership to elevate women’s issues worldwide. Andrea Turner Moffitt ’07 accepted the Social Enterprise Leadership Award for her support of women-led businesses and social ventures, and her commitment to expanding social enterprise at Columbia Business School. The 2020 and 2023 Carson Family Changemaker Awards were presented to Wilburt Carpenter ’23, Silvia Gelonch Fernandez ’23, Kyle Fink ’20, Natasha Gabbay ’21, and Meg Johnson ’20. The Carson Family Changemaker Award recognizes current students who have demonstrated leadership in the field of social enterprise.

Cross-campus recipients of the Social Enterprise Summer Fellowship (SESF) program met with director Ivy Hatsengate to go over logistics and preparations for their summer internship.

Faculty, adjuncts, and PhD students heard from Professor Vanessa Burbano on the topic of “Learning the Earth with Artificial Intelligence and Physics (LEAP).”
Organized by Professors Geoffrey Heal and Gernot Wagner.

Columbia University’s Impact Investing Network (CUIIN) is a student group on campus committed to informing the Columbia community about impact investing. CUIIN focuses on building a supportive community of students with a desire to make positive societal and environmental impacts through sustainable financial investments. The CUIIN community values diversity of majors, backgrounds, and experiences to make the strongest investment. Students learned about the program and heard from CUIIN's 50 analysts as they presented their final deliverables to an advisory board of eight sustainable finance professionals.

Club members gathered at the Baylander Steel Beach for an end of year celebration following the Climate Business and Investment Conference. 
Organized by the Green Business Club.

Advances in data science are key to tackling climate change, enabling climate scientists to more accurately forecast the impact of rising emissions, and business leaders to develop more effective climate mitigation and adaptation solutions. From advanced modeling to machine learning, data technologies are of increasing importance to investors concerned about climate change.

Attendees enjoyed welcome remarks from Costis Maglaras, dean of Columbia Business School; sessions on “Learning the Earth With Artificial Intelligence and Physics (LEAP)” with Vanessa Burbano, Sidney Taurel Associate Professor of Business at Columbia Business School and corporate engagement director at LEAP, Julius Busecke, senior staff associate at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University and manager of data and computing at LEAP, and Pierre Gentine, Maurice Ewing and J. Lamar Worzel Professor of Geophysics at Columbia University and director of LEAP; “Policy” with the Honorable Sheldon Whitehouse, US Senator for Rhode Island, Bob Litterman, chairman of the Risk Committee and founding partner at Kepos Capital, and Gernot Wagner, senior lecturer at Columbia Business School; “Changing Perceptions” presentations from Eric Johnson, Norman Eig Professor of Business at Columbia Business School, and a co-presentation from Sandra Matz, David W. Zalaznick Associate Professor of Business at Columbia Business School, and Moran Cerf, faculty of Executive Education at Columbia Business School; “Evaluating Risk” presentations by Andrew MacFarlane, head of climate at AXA XL, and Linda-Eling Lee, managing director and head of ESG and climate research at MSCI; and “Implementing Solutions” presentations by Hamid Samandari, senior partner at McKinsey & Company, Kevin Cei, head of solutions architecture at Jupiter Intelligence, Melanie Nakagawa, chief sustainability officer at Microsoft, and Mike Pritchard, director of climate simulation research at NVIDIA and Professor at UC Irvine. The conference was followed by a “LEAP Exploration Workshop” session, where participants had the opportunity to interact more deeply with LEAP researchers and the climate data tools they are developing.
Organized by the center and Columbia Climate School.

Inclusive Entrepreneurship Initiative student teams presented their findings and work from the inaugural semester of this fellowship program. The Columbia Business School community was invited to join the presentations to reflect not only on this semester’s discoveries, but also on the Business School’s first full year on the Manhattanville campus within the West Harlem community.

Attendees had a unique opportunity for an exclusive 1:1 conversation with Demarcus McGaughey, a Brooklyn-based artist whose work can be seen in the Harlem-based Kente Royal Gallery. McGaughey shared stories behind his work and provided insight into his practice.

Faculty, adjuncts, and PhD students gathered at the event to hear from Professor Shiva Rajgopal on the topic of “Rethinking Green Bonds.”
Organized by Professors Geoffrey Heal and Gernot Wagner.

The ReEntry Acceleration Program (REAP) focuses on areas including the business case for fair chance hiring. Through REAP, MBA/EMBA students have the opportunity to learn about mass incarceration in the United States; teach financial empowerment or fundamentals of entrepreneurship within a NY State Prison; provide incarcerated people with purposeful and actionable business skills they will need to navigate employment post-release; and advise formerly incarcerated people enrolled in Justice Through Code as they prepare essential application materials and career skills. In this informational session, past REAP instructors and advisors discussed the REAP courses and their experiences in advising and teaching topics like financial literacy, getting to yes, and entrepreneurship to formerly incarcerated people.
This event was PPIL approved.

Fifty NBLP students participated in the program this year, working on consulting projects for 23 nonprofits. At this event, NBLP mentees presented their projects to student leadership and a panel of expert judges. Winning projects were selected from a panel of judges that included Doug Bauer, executive director of Clark Foundation; Amy Houston, executive director of Thompson Family Foundation; and Sandi Drucker Wright, ’04TC, director at the Tamer Institute for Social Enterprise and Climate Change. The Association to Benefit Children (Stella Yeoum ’24 and Natalie Lim ’24 won first place); You Gotta Believe (Saloni Mehta ’24 and April Moorhouse ’24) won second place; and Harlem Stage (Miles Bergner ’24 and Elise Higgins ’24) won third place.
Organized by the NBLP, a part of the SEC, and the center.

Local business and community leaders joined members of the local Harlem and Upper Manhattan community, as well as students, faculty, and staff from Columbia, to meet one another for casual conversations, free-form idea sharing, and networking at this open house event on small business. Additionally, the first cohort of Inclusive Entrepreneurship Fellows sought feedback on their initial findings and pilot project proposals that aim to create positive social and economic impact.

Pangea Advisors is Columbia Business School’s pro bono, international consulting organization that aims to improve lives in the developing world by helping nonprofit and for-profit social enterprises address challenges. Each team presented their project and highlighted their impact to peers in the program. 
Organized by the center and Pangea Advisors, a part of the SEC.

Financial Literacy Club held an in-person volunteer event providing financial literacy lessons to attendees. 
Organized by the FLC, within the SEC.

Hosted in partnership with the Gourmet Club, students gathered for a social dinner at Dirt Candy, one of only two vegetarian restaurants in NYC with a Michelin Star. Students enjoyed the vegetarian tasting menu. 
Organized by the GBC and Gourmet Club. 

The Three Cairns Climate Fellowship provides support to MBA/EMBA students who complete semester- or year-long projects at the intersection of climate change and business. The fellowship was endowed by Lise Strickler ’86 and Mark Gallogly ’86. Each fellow presented their project to peers in the program, donors, client organizations, and community members.

Ethan Brown '08, founder, president, and CEO at Beyond Meat, discussed how Beyond Meat is creating a better way to feed our future. By shifting from animal to plant-based meat, we can positively affect the planet, the environment, the climate, and even ourselves. The positive choices we make every day can have a great impact on our world. Producing a Beyond Burger uses significantly less water, land, and energy, and it generates fewer Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHGE) than a beef burger.
Organized by ExBo and GBC, and supported by the center.

Local arts, business, and community leaders joined members of the local Harlem and Upper Manhattan community, as well as students, faculty, and staff from Columbia, to meet one another for casual conversations, free-form idea sharing, and networking at this open house event on arts, culture, and community spaces. Additionally, the first cohort of Inclusive Entrepreneurship Fellows sought feedback on their initial findings and pilot project proposals that aim to create positive social and economic impact.

Students joined the Arts Society and the Green Business Club for an exhibition featuring art and activism in the Amazon. The Yanomami Struggle is a comprehensive exhibition dedicated to the collaboration and friendship between artist and activist Claudia Andujar and the Yanomami people, one of the largest Indigenous groups living in Amazonia today.
Organized by the GBC and Arts Society. 

​The Annual Retail & Luxury Goods Fashion Show connects Columbia Business School, Harlem, and greater New York Communities through themes of sustainability, gender fluidity, and inclusiveness. The fashion show featured up and coming designers, sustainable clothing rental companies, and CBS students as models.
Organized by the Retail and Luxury Goods Club; Co-sponsored by Prota Fiori, La Femme Apéro, DAWANG, Dior, Breezm, LePrix, Onaya, Femme Progressive, Pájara Pinta, By Rotation, Nuuly Clothing Rental; Co-branded with CBS Reflects, the Office of Student Affairs, and the Social Enterprise Club at Columbia Business School.

The 10th Global Energy Summit convened some of the brightest minds and leaders to discuss turbulence in global energy markets, the growing gap between climate ambition and reality, and the tensions between today's energy needs and tomorrow's energy transition imperative. Participants heard from speakers from the US Department of Energy, Breakthrough Energy (Europe), NRDC, EDF, KKR, Blackrock, Ørsted, Siemens Energy, Global Infrastructure Partners, the Economist, and more.
Hosted by the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University and co-marketed by the center.

Fellows gathered during lunch for dedicated time and space to work together on their projects. Office hours were hosted by Professor Dan Wang and Allison Kline '20.

Inclusive Entrepreneurship Fellows joined Professor Dan Wang for a walking tour of Harlem. The tour was led by a guide from Welcome to Harlem, a boutique tour company, locally owned and operated, focusing on the rich history and cultural diversity of Harlem. The group met at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, learned about the transformative Harlem Renaissance period of the early 1920s, and discussed the current landscape of local business, development, and culture in Harlem.

Mentors, executive directors, and students in the NBLP celebrated the year’s accomplishments and student projects at the home of Mimi ‘90 and Michael ‘90 Boublik. Attendees shared stories about their projects and experiences with the nonprofit boards while networking with peers. Professor Bruce Usher shared insights on the importance of nonprofit board service.
Organized by the center and hosted by Mimi ‘90 and Michael ‘90 Boublik.

Our country’s largest corporations and leading business schools are increasingly engaged in addressing society’s biggest challenges. Among those challenges is the need for second chance employment programs. Unemployment and poverty are among the biggest predictors of lifetime incarceration and recidivism, and mass incarceration has disproportionately impacted communities of color. Yet, labor market discrimination and structural restrictions prevent a substantial number of the 80 million Americans with criminal records from securing gainful employment. "Charting a Path Forward" explored labor market trends and the role that corporations and business schools can play in educating the business community and future leaders on the benefits of second chance employment. The conference brought together business leaders, faculty, administrators, and scholars from business schools, and directly impacted individuals. Participants heard from leading CEOs on the business motivation for second chance hiring and the practical steps chief human resources officers (CHRO) have taken to develop and implement second chance employment programs. Panelists highlighted leading examples of the work of state governors and business schools in providing individuals with a criminal record with pathways to sustainable employment. Featured speakers included Damien Dwin, CEO of Lafayette Square; Hans Vestberg, CEO of Verizon; Robin Leopold, executive vice president and head of human resources at JPMorgan Chase; Hoai Scott, senior vice president, human resources for Universal Filmed Entertainment Group at NBCUniversal; Erich Wilson, chief human resources officer at Schnitzer Steel; Kerry Casey, global head of university recruiting, talent branding and diversity recruiting at PayPal; Matt Joyce, partner at Envoy; Patrick O. Peters, principal and office litigation manager at Jackson Lewis P.C.; and Jennifer F. Williams, VP, talent management, DEI talent strategy at Mastercard. In addition, the conference held a panel featuring JTC alumni: Makeda Davis, software engineer at Checkr; Tyler Lynch, principal solutions architect at Amazon Web Services; and Maria Martinez, associate software engineer at The Walt Disney Company; and JTC Mentor Austin Smith ’22, co-founder and managing partner at Alley; and moderated by Aedan Macdonald ’24, founder and executive director, Justice Through Code. 
Organized by the Business Roundtable; Tamer Institute for Social Enterprise and Climate Change at Columbia Business School; Justice Through Code at Columbia University; and Second Chance Business Coalition, co-chaired by JPMorgan Chase and Eaton Corporation.

The Columbia University Energy Symposium is the largest student-run energy event in New York City, bringing together hundreds of energy professionals, students, faculty, leaders, and executives representing industry, government, and society, to explore and advance our insights into today's challenging energy issues. This year’s conference covered topics such as the drive to net zero emissions, energy economics and financing, emerging technologies, energy access and equity, electrifying transportation, and more.
Organized by Columbia University’s Columbia Energy Association, Columbia Business School's Energy & Infrastructure Club and Green Business Club, Columbia Climate School, the Center on Global Energy Policy and the Energy and Environment department at Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs.

Students who are passionate about sustainability topics from across Columbia University gathered at Arts & Crafts for networking across the different clubs.
Organized by the Green Business Club from Columbia Business School, the Sustainable Business Working Group from Columbia | SIPA, the Women & Sustainability Club from Columbia Climate School, the Corporate Responsibility Association from Columbia Law School, and the Circular Economy Club from the Columbia | School of Professional Studies.

Students gathered within their clusters for a community-building fundraising event where they auctioned experiences based on their individual talents to their peers. Students raised over $40,000 during the auction. 
Organized by the SEC.

Research shows that educators of color positively impact academic performance, graduation rates, and college matriculation for both students of color and white students. Yet despite a majority of US public school students identifying as non-white, less than 20 percent of school leaders identify as people of color. Panelists discussed the fight for greater equity and choice in public schools; the capital access barrier faced by leaders of color; and the potential launch of a NY-based revolving loan fund designed to address these challenges head-on. Speakers included Yomika Bennett, executive director of New York Charter Schools Association; Recy Dunn, CEO of Ascend Public Charter Schools; and Jacquelyn Martell, executive director of Democrats for Education Reform NY; and moderated by Michael McGregor '16, COO of Equitable Facilities Fund (EFF).
Organized by the SEC, BBSA, and the center; and in partnership with the Phillips Pathway for Inclusive Leadership.

Students joined the SEC + Arts Society for a conversation on nonprofit arts management and fundraising, featuring CBS alumni at the helm of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of the largest and most comprehensive art museums in the world, and the Whitney Museum of American Art, one of the leading institutions devoted to the art of the United States. Speakers Brianna Lowndes '19, chief marketing officer at The Whitney Museum of American Art, and Matt Quam '15, deputy chief development officer at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, shared strategies and insights used to raise funds, build relationships, and sustain world-class cultural institutions. 
Organized by the SEC, Arts Society, and the center.

Students joined the SEC + Gourmet Club for dinner at PS Kitchen, founded by April Tam Smith ’10. PS Kitchen is a social business and artisanal plant-based restaurant committed to creating jobs for those marginalized in NY, donating 100 percent of profits to sustainable charitable work.
Organized by the SEC, Gourmet Club, and the center.

Attendees heard from students participating in the center’s new Inclusive Entrepreneurship Fellowship and from the Columbia-Harlem Small Business Development Center about current projects bringing inclusive entrepreneurship to life in our local West Harlem community. Speakers included Wangene Hall '24, Venture Clinics Across Diverse Neighborhoods Project with the Democracy At Work Institute; Fukunda Mbaru '24, Community Economic Development Framework Project with the Harlem-Columbia SBDC; Bree Zucker '24, Community Art Gallery and Commercialization with the Platform Project; and Kaaryn Nailor, assistant dean of community partnerships and managing director of Columbia-Harlem Small Business Development Center at Columbia Business School; and moderated by Professor Dan Wang.
Organized by the SEC and the center. 

​The consequences of our changing climate are exacting devastating and expensive damage to societies around the world. Decarbonizing our society is necessary and urgent. To get there will demand ingenuity but also investment. What are practical and actionable plans for investors to follow to alter the course of climate change? What are the potential risks and rewards? Alex Halliday, founding dean of the Columbia Climate School, led a leading-edge conversation with Caroline Flammer, Professor of International and Public Affairs and of Climate at Columbia University, and Bruce Usher, co-director of the Tamer Institute for Social Enterprise and Climate Change and Elizabeth B. Strickler '86 and Mark T. Gallogly '86 Faculty Director and Professor of Professional Practice at Columbia Business School, presented the latest information on the financial implications and opportunities of decarbonizing our world.
Organized by Columbia Climate School.

The premier India-focused event focused on how Indian businesses are charting a path to sustainable growth in times of economic uncertainty. The event brought together experts at the forefront of business to discuss the most relevant topics shaping business and the economy in India, share their stories and how they challenged conventional wisdom, and share their insights into the future of a “new” India. Within the conference, the “Transition to Net Zero” panel focused on clean energy, policy and regulatory challenges, financing and investment opportunities, and the practical execution of strategies to achieve a net zero future in India. Featured panelists included Anmol Singh Jaggi, co-founder of BluSmart; Vibhav Nuwal ‘08, co-founder and director of REConnect Energy; Gaurav Singhal, co-head of Energy Transition Investment Banking at Bank of America. 
Organized by South Asian Business Association (SABA), and supported by Columbia Business School’s Jerome A. Chazen Institute of International Business, the Office of Student Affairs, and the center.

Students toured Upward Farms, an aquaponics vertical farm in Brooklyn, to learn how the farm works, what differentiates aquaponics from hydroponics, and more about career opportunities in urban agriculture and sustainability. 
Organized by the Gourmet Club.

Club members gathered at Lilly’s Craft and Kitchen to celebrate Microlumbia’s 15th Anniversary with students and alumni. Following the social, Microlumbia board members went to dinner at BEA to continue the celebration.
Organized by Microlumbia, a part of the SEC.

Students were invited to an exclusive small gathering of senior HR and DEI leaders. The event brought together a group of C-suite leaders, directors, and senior executives focused on human resources and/or diversity, equity, and inclusion. Panelists discussed how organizations are creating more inclusive workplaces, while leveraging neurodiversity as a competitive advantage. Hiren Shukla, global neuro-diverse center of excellence leader at EY, discussed how EY has generated $650M+ ROI and saved 2M hours from solutions created by their neurodivergent talent. Additional panelists included Cathy Donnelly, chief people officer at Texthelp; Sandi Drucker Wright, '04TC, director at the Tamer Institute for Social Enterprise and Climate Change; and Stephan Meier, James P. Gorman Professor of Business and Chair of Management Division at Columbia Business School. 
Organized by Texthelp; sponsored by EY and SAP Signavio; and hosted by the center; and in partnership with the Phillips Pathway for Inclusive Leadership.

Students gathered on campus to volunteer to help teach financial literacy skills to adult clients with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. 
Organized by the Financial Literacy Club, within the SEC.

Faculty, adjuncts, and PhD students gathered at the event to hear from Professor Geoffrey Heal on the topic of “Economics of Carbon Accounting.”
Organized by Professors Geoffrey Heal and Gernot Wagner.

Postdoctoral research scholar Sandra Portocarrero convened research faculty for a two-day workshop focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion in racialized organizations. Session topics included publishing about race in organizations; lessons from editorial board members and reviewers on how to prepare your manuscript for publication; and hidden curriculum: lessons on surviving and thriving in grad school, the job market, and faculty work, in addition to networking, paper development workshops, and structured debriefs. The workshop featured a keynote from Victor Ray, F. Wendell Miller Associate Professor at Duke University. Other speakers included: Adia Harvey Wingfield, Mary Tileston Hemenway Professor of Arts & Sciences and Vice Dean for Faculty Development and Diversity at Washington University in St. Louis; Angelica Leigh, Assistant Professor of Management and Organizations at the Duke Fuqua School of Business; James T. Carter, PhD Candidate at Columbia Business School; Natasha Warikoo, Professor of Sociology at Tufts University; Dan Wang, Lambert Family Associate Professor of Social Enterprise in the Faculty of Business and co-director of the Tamer Institute for Social Enterprise and Climate Change at Columbia Business School; Michel Anteby, Professor of Management & Organizations at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business and (by courtesy) Sociology at Boston University’s College of Arts and Sciences; Emilio J. Castilla, NTU Professor of Management and a Professor of Work and Organization Studies at the MIT Sloan School of Management; Sandra Portocarrero, Postdoctoral Research Scholar in the Management Division at Columbia Business School; and Rebecca Ponce De León, Assistant Professor in the Management Division of Columbia Business School.

Organized by the Management Division at Columbia Business School, and supported by the center.

Columbia Business School’s Student Government Executive Board and Social Enterprise Club coordinated a volunteer opportunity for students to deliver lunch and care packages at the Harlem-based WANA Community Center.
Organized by Columbia Business School’s Student Government Executive Board (ExBo) and SEC.

The monumental task of dealing with plastic pollution requires creativity and innovation to reimagine packaging and delivery models, new ways of recycling, and a strong ecosystem that integrates social and economic dimensions of waste management. The session featured changemakers who shared their inspiring journeys and rich experiences of creating sustainable pathways for combating plastic pollution. Speakers included: Rashi Agrawal ’10, director-partnerships at Banyan Nation; and Ved Krishna, strategy head at Yash Pakka.
Organized by Columbia Global Centers | Mumbai.

Students, alumni, faculty, and professionals in the social enterprise sector joined center staff and advisory board members for an evening of networking and socializing in Geffen Hall’s Horton Lounge and Boardroom. This year’s reception featured Kaushik Kappagantulu '17, co-founder and CEO of Kheyti, a startup that has developed a greenhouse-in-a-box solution that is helping small farmers reduce climate risk and increase crop yields. Kheyti, part of our Tamer Fund for Social Ventures portfolio, recently received the 2022 Earthshot Prize for Protect and Restore Nature from Prince William and The Royal Family Foundation. Kaushik gave an update on Kheyti's journey to reach 50,000 small farmers by 2027. Professor Dan Wang provided welcome remarks.

Faculty, adjuncts, and PhD students gathered at the event to hear from Professor Eric Johnson on the topic of “Making the Invisible; the Opaque, Transparent.”
Organized by Professors Geoffrey Heal and Gernot Wagner.

Students interested in working with an organization over the summer that creates social or environmental value joined Ivy Hatsengate, director of advising and strategic projects, to learn about the Social Enterprise Summer Fellowship program (SESF), qualifications, and application deadlines. SESF supports students engaged in summer internships with nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations (or its equivalent outside the US), NGOs, public sector/government organizations, and for-profit social ventures with a clearly defined social or environmental purpose incorporated into the core reason for operation, which is evident in both mission and practice. Fellows typically work on projects that focus on areas such as strategic planning, business plan development, marketing and product strategies, financial analysis, operational improvements, and performance evaluation; and in fields such as impact investing (including venture philanthropy and social venture capital), microfinance, social entrepreneurship, small- and medium-enterprise development, health care, education, community development, sustainability, the environment, and more. Wilburt Carpenter '23, Mark Kovacs '23, and Amrita Parekh '23 shared information on their fellowship experiences.

Ron Gonen ’04 is the founder and CEO of Closed Loop Partners, an investment firm that provides equity and project finance to scale products and services building the circular economy. At the event, Gonen, also the founder of Recyclebank and previously the deputy commissioner of sanitation, recycling, and sustainability in New York City during Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s administration, shared his professional journey and desire to create an impact. “We need to create a system where companies that put products into the market are responsible for those products. If we have that kind of system, companies will innovate around the materials they use, the recycling systems they fund, and processes to make sure their products eventually come back to them — because if not, it’ll go to a landfill, which they should be financially responsible for,” Gonen told Columbia Business Magazine, which featured him and six other CBS alumni leading the fight against climate change.
Organized by Columbia Business School’s Alumni Club of Austin.

GIIN’s research and IRIS+/impact measurement and management teams presented on the mission of the organization, its role in the impact investment market, and current projects under development. GIIN provided a general overview of the work done at the GIIN, did two demos on IRIS+ and the impact performance benchmarks, and answered student questions about the organization. 
Organized by Microlumbia, a part of the SEC.

Club members gathered at the Craftsman for an evening networking event. 
Organized by Microlumbia, a part of the SEC.

Faculty, adjuncts, and PhD students gathered at the first of a series of events on climate change. Conor Walsh, assistant professor of business, presented on the topic of clean growth.
Organized by Professors Geoffrey Heal and Gernot Wagner, and sponsored by the center.

Alleycon is New York City's premier technology, startup, and venture capital conference hosted by Columbia Business School. This year, Adapt explored the ways in which technology — traditionally a disruptor — must "meet the moment" and address seismic shifts in economics, politics, and global stability. Sessions explored questions like: How are leaders adapting to and capitalizing on an unstable economy characterized by high interest rates, layoffs, and market meltdowns? How can technology help us adapt to sweeping policy and geopolitical changes, like new investments, privacy concerns, and changing rights (Roe v. Wade)? What nascent technologies will allow us to survive the challenges — new and old — that our globe has and will continue to face? Speakers included Marc Randolph, co-founder of Netflix with Professor Dan Wang; Jaleh Bisharat, co-founder and CEO of NakedPoppy; Jim Keyes ’80, former CEO of Blockbuster and 7-Eleven; Apparna Pappu, VP and GM at Google Workspace; Gary Swart, Partner at Polaris Partners, and Professor Gernot Wagner. Panel sessions featured discussions on digital health, climate tech, blockchain, VC, generative AI, and NYC startups featuring panelists from Andreessen Horowitz, Uniswap, and the US Dept of Energy.
Organized by AlleyCon Conference at Columbia Business School, Lang Center, and the center.

Kickoff meeting for current project teams to go over the spring 2023 Pangea projects, deadlines, resources, and travel.
Organized by Pangea, a part of the SEC.

First- and second-year students interested in social impact careers attended this panel discussion and networking reception to learn about possible career paths in the social enterprise sector. Panelists shared their experience, career path, and insights about pursuing a career in impact investing, green business, social impact consulting, nonprofit management, tech, product management, partnerships, and more! Speakers included Caleb Ballou ‘15BUS ‘16SIPA, co-founder of Trimtab Impact; Kim Loan Chu ‘22BUS ‘21SIPA, social impact of global product partnerships at Google; Andrew Pisano ‘10, head of post trade services at Xpansiv; and Hannah Siegelberg ‘18, manager at The Bridgespan Group; in conversation with David Wei '19, CMC career coach in sustainability and energy.
Organized by the Career Management Center (CMC) and center.

The 2022–2023 Three Cairns Fellowship cohort joined Mark Gallogly ’86 and Lise Strickler ’86 for an informal breakfast to hear about the projects Three Cairns teams are working on. The fellowship offers MBA/EMBA students the chance to work on real-world projects at the intersection of climate change and business. The fellowship was endowed by Lise Strickler ’86 and Mark Gallogly ’86. Their family office, Three Cairns Group, has a core commitment to making investments in decarbonizing the world economy.

Club members gathered at The Craftsman to kickoff the spring semester and welcome J-term students to GBC.
Organized by the GBC.

Students interested in participating in a spring semester Pangea project attended this information session to learn more about the different projects offered this semester. Pangea Advisors is Columbia Business School’s pro bono, international consulting organization. Pangea aims to improve lives in the developing world by helping nonprofit and for-profit social enterprises address challenges. Each semester, teams of students work with clients spanning countries and industries. The team, supported by a faculty or professional mentor, completes a consulting assignment, advising the clients on innovative and impactful practices.
Organized by Pangea Advisors, a part of the SEC, and the center.

Climate change, and the policies enacted to respond to it, will affect every business around the world, which will bring about the largest economic transformation in a century. Indeed some businesses are already being transformed in response to climate change. Attendees learned how climate change is affecting (and will affect) businesses and what threats and opportunities it will present. Professor Geoffrey Heal provided useful tools to address the most pressing climate-related questions any decision maker has to make. Participants walked away with an overview of how businesses are reacting and can react to climate change; how customers and employees may react to climate change; the impact of climate change on the economy; and how leaders and managers will impact climate change and environmental business policies at organizations. Professor Heal also discussed what businesses are currently doing in response to climate change, what further options there are, and how companies can do more towards net zero — and what exactly net zero is.
Organized by Columbia Business School Executive Education.

The Tamer Fund for Social Ventures provides seed grants of up to $25K to nonprofit, for-profit, and hybrid early-stage social and environmental ventures. Funding is made available to around seven ventures each year. Karen Hasher, program manager, hosted an information session for students and alumni of Columbia University to learn and ask questions about the fund, application process, upcoming deadlines, and qualifications to apply.

“A Climate of Change: Stories from Climate Leaders on the Front Lines,” is a new climate speaker series that brings leaders from the worlds of business, NGO, policy, and academia to CBS to share their perspectives on climate change and climate action. Nathaniel Keohane, president of the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES), discussed with Danny Wagemans '23 the story behind how the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was signed into law in 2022, the future of nuclear power, and what is ahead for young people entering the climate and sustainability field. Professor Gernot Wagner at Columbia Business School provided an introduction.
Organized by ExBo and GBC, and supported by the center.

Over the last few decades, health care has seen significant advancements in treatment and technology. However, despite women comprising over 50 percent of the US population and close to one-half of the world’s population, health care services and treatment options dedicated to serving their exclusive health needs have lacked the same momentum. From reproductive health to maternal health, to women’s oncology and gender-based disparities across various chronic diseases, and more, the women’s health landscape and experience are vast, unique, and encompass an array of areas in need of continued innovation, investment, and impact. Attendees joined this dynamic conversation to hear from trailblazing leaders in women’s health. Dr. Jennifer Haden Haythe, cardiologist and director of the Cardiac-Obstetrics Program at Columbia University Irving Medical Center; Kate Ryder, founder and CEO of Maven Clinic, Andrea Turner Moffitt '07, co-founder and general partner of Plum Alley Investments; and Carri Chan (moderator), John A. Howard Professor of Business and Faculty Director of the Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Management Program at Columbia Business School, discussed current challenges in addressing women’s health and the gender health care disparity; opportunities within the women’s health landscape, including maternal health, women’s oncology, and reproductive health; the development of research and care options and services at the intersection of comorbid conditions for women (e.g., cardiovascular diseases and pregnancy); the promise of femtech and other technological solutions dedicated to improving the delivery of and access to care for women; the shift in investors’ approach to participating in this rising wave of innovation in women’s health; and value-creating opportunities for business leaders interested in creating and scaling solutions addressing women’s health care needs, including women with diverse identities, relationships, and cultures.
Organized by the Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Management Program and Columbia Business School’s The Hub.

The center and professional clubs provided information on the social enterprise community at the Business School. Students interested in exploring the field of social enterprise met students and faculty whose passion for international development, social entrepreneurship, ESG/CSR, impact investing, renewable energy, nonprofit consulting, and nonprofit management has elevated the School to be one of the top business schools for social enterprise. Students learned about the different club initiatives and opportunities to be involved in the social enterprise network.
Organized by GBC, SEC, and the center.

Microlumbia hosted a winter board retreat and general member meeting. The session provided an update on the funds’ investment / sourcing activities and conducted an interactive goal-setting session within each team.
Organized by Microlumbia, a part of the SEC.

Fall 2022 Pangea travelers attended this event for info on international development projects, clients, and applying for support from the IDCP Travel Fund.

61 alumni and professionals who are interested in nonprofit board service gathered at the showcase to learn more about the 14 nonprofit organizations represented at this event. Participants had the opportunity to network with organization representatives to learn about high-impact volunteer and board member opportunities.
Co-organized by the Pinkerton Foundation, Memo I Never Got (MING), Partnership for After School Education (PASE), and the center; and hosted by Proskauer.

Spring 2023 Inclusive Entrepreneurship Initiative fellows attended a kickoff event to learn more about the fellowship commitment, logistics, and timeline.

Columbia Business School REAP alumni were invited to join the center for an online networking event to reconnect with their cohorts, hear from the current REAP team and community, and help the center consider strategic questions that will shape future programming. The event featured special guest Dario Peña from Justice Through Code. Conversation topics discussed: How might REAP aid in scaling the success of Justice Through Code? How might REAP leverage expertise of students, REAP alumni, and our wider CBS networks to provide more comprehensive job-preparedness for students in prison? How might REAP expand its impact on local justice-impacted communities?

This seminar showcased research conducted by the Columbia Business School faculty, which indicates that investors and businesses will play a significant role in generating capital for ameliorating the worst impacts of climate change. The event opened with a fireside chat with Professors Bruce Usher and Suresh Sundaresan, and Praveer Sinha, CEO and managing director, Tata Power Company. Bruce Usher's recently published book, Investing in the Era of Climate Change, delves into research and data on the importance of climate change solutions, and effective strategies for investing capital in real and financial assets. Professor Sundaresan discussed how exposure to physical risks affects the cost of capital and equity assets. Dr. Praveer Sinha provided insights into asset deployment and funding strategies in the context of market dynamics and government policy. The session was attended by investors, banks, companies, and businesses who are part of this urgent global transition, which focuses on moving capital away from fossil fuels to innovative solutions that are pathways to achieving a low-carbon future.
Organized by the Chazen Institute, India Business Institute, and Columbia Global Centers, Mumbai.

Can ESG practices generate real value for companies when making social contributions? Professor Bruce Usher; Stefen Shin, manager of the Banking Department of the Investment Operations Region 2 at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank; Lane Zha, founder of InnoVision Capital; and Jack Hsu '98, founder and CEO of Ivy Group International, Inc., discussed their insights on practical and actionable measures and plans for investors that may potentially alter the course of climate change.
Organized by Columbia Global Centers Beijing Center, in partnership with Columbia University Press and the center.

In recent years, ESG investment has become a growing trend in global asset allocation and is receiving greater attention from capital market participants. It is an investment concept that considers economic, environmental, and social benefits, which establishes an essential criterion for investors to measure the ability and quality of business strategies and management. In this session, Jack Hsu '98, founder and CEO of Ivy Group International, Inc., moderated a conversation on how the "35 trillion USD worth of investment assets has been put in the ESG fields and categories" with panelists Helena Xiao, associate director, Columbia Global Centers | Beijing; Professor Bruce Usher; Stefen Shin, principal investment officer at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank; and Lane Zhao, founder and CEO at InnoVision Capital.
Organized by Columbia Global Centers.

The goal of the Tamer Center’s Inclusive Entrepreneurship Initiative is to create venture ecosystems within local communities through bridging social, digital, and economic divides. As part of the initiative, MBA/EMBA students apply as 3-4 members of a team for this fellowship to work on projects to create entrepreneurial opportunities and economic growth in collaboration with local NYC community and business leaders during the spring 2023 semester. Each team will develop a plan and budget for a seed grant, which can be used as an award and/or for goods and services with local organizations and businesses aligned with the project goals. Students interested in participating in the working groups attended this information session to learn more about the projects from Professor Dan Wang. The objective of these projects is to foster collaboration between local business leaders and business school students; explore areas including social investing, community development, strengthening venture ecosystems, and entrepreneurial consulting and advising; and create a meaningful positive impact by the School with the local community.

Club members gathered at The Craftsman for a club holiday social event.
Organized by the SEC.

The Green Business Club welcomed Julien Dumoulin-Smith ‘15, the director of equity research for utilities at Bank of America Securities, Inc. back on campus for a dynamic discussion on the Green Revolution with moderator Zack O'Malley Greenburg ‘23, former Forbes journalist.
Organized by the GBC.

Active Pangea teams gathered for a social event with the Pangea board. Participants had the opportunity to network with other teams, present their project progress, and learn from other projects in the program.
Organized by Pangea Advisors, a part of the SEC.

Club members heard from CBS alumni working in roles related to sustainability and the energy transition. Panelists included Juliana Annis ’23, sustainable investing, KKR; Ben Baker ’14, managing director, Greenbacker Capital; Vincent Su ‘19, director, Crossover Energy Partners; and Cameron Willard ‘19, director, Commercial Management, Rise Light and Power.
Organized by the GBC.

John Gargano is the general manager at Craft New York and Vallata. John was incarcerated for many years, but when he came home he started working his way up in the business again and within a few years he had risen to his current position. Hospitality is a sector that has been more open to formerly incarcerated workers. John Gargano has been featured in The New York Times (among other places) as a person who has made an impact on New York's renewal, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/20/nyregion/john-gargano-nyu-graduate.html. This event was moderated by Ivan Calaff, Columbia University.
Organized by the Justice in Education Initiative at Columbia University, and sponsored by the center.

MBA volunteers from the Neighborhood Open House gathered with center faculty and staff to review the event, insights from attendees, and next steps for the Inclusive Entrepreneurship Initiative. Professor Dan Wang shared his plans for working group projects this spring with the students and announced an upcoming information session.

Club members attended this joint event with the Venture Capital Club (VCC) and Green Business Club (GBC) to hear funding pitches from early-stage climate entrepreneurs who have solutions related to mitigating or increasing resilience to climate change. Following each pitch, entrepreneurs had the opportunity to receive live feedback and discussion from VCs.
Organized by the Venture Capital Club (VCC) and Green Business Club (GBC).

The fashion industry is one of the world’s most polluting industries, but with industry revenues exceeding $1T and consumer behavior changing in response to climate change, there are ample opportunities to critically address existing business, revenue and production models to make fashion both profitable and sustainable. From innovations in waste management to commitments to ethical sourcing and manufacturing, entrepreneurs are finding ways to combine the environmental and socioeconomic aspects of sustainability, with technology and science-driven innovation, to address the global issues exacerbated by the fashion industry. Students heard from alumni entrepreneurs who discussed the ways in which their startups are working towards addressing these issues. Panelists include Carly Bigi ’17, founder and CEO of Laws of Motion; Carolyn Butler ’18, co-founder and CEO of Manymoons; Constanza Gomez ’22, co-founder of Sortile; Aileen Lee ’23, founder of Infinite Goods; and moderator Sapna Shah ’98, principal of Red Giraffe Advisors and founder of Retail X Series.
Organized by the Eugene Lang Entrepreneurship Center and co-sponsored by the center.

The School held an alumni reception at COP27 for Columbia Business School and Columbia University alumni. Alumni gathered for a sunset reception with CBS faculty, including Dean Costis Maglaras, Professor Bruce Usher, and Professor Gernot Wagner, as well as other Business School and University alumni working in the climate and sustainability space.
Organized by the Columbia Business School.

As part of COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Columbia Business School participated in a comprehensive and engaging roundtable​ on the next generation of climate leaders, including: the skills and knowledge they'll need, where/how will they gain the necessary expertise, what is most important to them, and how they can align their career to be successful and deliver true impact. This invitation only event was attended by a group of 25+ leaders from a diverse range of organizations, industries, and functions. Each individual brought a specific knowledge base and set of experiences with them, allowing for a robust and wide-ranging conversation among all attendees. ​Discussion leaders​ included Xiye Bastida, climate leader/activist; Judith Wallenstein, co-leader of BCG's Climate & Sustainability Moonshot and former lead of the Social Impact and Sustainability practices in Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East at BCG; Costis Maglaras, Dean of Columbia Business School and David & Lyn Silfen Professor​; Mark Gallogly, co-founder of Three Cairns Group​, and Professor Bruce Usher.
Organized by Columbia Business School.

Trillions of dollars of financing are needed globally to address the climate crisis. Mitigation initiatives alone will require an average annual investment of roughly $3.4 trillion between 2020 and 2025, while adaptation and resilience efforts will require somewhere in the region of $410 billion and $560 billion annually through 2030. While estimates of how much financing is actually flowing today vary, there is consensus that we need a step change in the scale and velocity of climate finance. What solutions will enable us to move money faster, at a greater scale and to places where it will have the greatest impact? How are financial institutions stepping up their efforts to deploy more capital? What is the role of policy, regulation and partnerships in unlocking even more financing? Introductory remarks were from Stephen Dunbar-Johnson, president, international, The New York Times Company; and panelists included Veronica Chau, partner and director, sustainable investing and social impact, BCG; Daniel Hanna, global head of sustainable finance, Barclays; and Professor Bruce Usher. Watch the livestream recording here.
Organized by New York Times and sponsored by BCG.

Members of Microlumbia attended a workshop on the overview of the sourcing, screening, and due diligence processes for an impact investment.
Organized by Microlumbia.

Members of the local Harlem and Upper Manhattan community, as well as students, faculty, and staff from Columbia met one another for casual conversations, free-form idea sharing, and networking. As part of Professor Dan Wang’s new inclusive entrepreneurship initiative, this event was aimed at meeting our new neighbors and understanding the ambitions and perspectives of community members. Participants enjoyed catering from local vendors Tres Leches Cafe and Evelyn’s Kitchen and live jazz from Soul Guard jazz band. The event featured introductory remarks from Professor Dan Wang, Lacie Pierre ‘23, and community leaders.
Co-organized by center and Columbia-Harlem Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Columbia Business School, and the Office of Government and Community Affairs (GCA) at Columbia University.

As part of COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Columbia Climate School and Columbia Business School organized an in-depth conversation on climate and finance. The panel addressed how to create markets and mechanisms that incentivize green investing, how to identify innovative ideas and solutions early on, the new and emerging technologies we should be watching, and how to ensure that the impact and benefits of investments and technology are shared and distributed equitably. Panelists included Costis Maglaras, Dean of Columbia Business School and David and Lyn Silfen Professor of Business​; Alex Halliday, Dean of Columbia University's Climate School​; Bruce Usher, Elizabeth B. Strickler '86 and Mark T. Gallogly '86 Faculty Director of the Tamer Institute for Social Enterprise and Climate Change at Columbia Business School​; Kara Mangone ‘14, global head of climate strategy for Goldman Sachs; Nili Gilbert ‘03, vice chairwoman of Carbon Direct​; and Andrew Denu, head of climate innovations, SunCulture, Kenya​. The session was moderated by Vijay Vaitheeswaran, global energy and climate innovation editor at The Economist​. Watch the livestream recording here.
Organized by Columbia Climate School and Columbia Business School.

How do investors, entrepreneurs, and operators convert the data to decisions? Who defines what is valuable? How and when should those decisions be made? Do entrepreneurs invest with their gut or secretly rely on science? The exceptional leader and decision-maker navigates a data-driven world by balancing data, experience, and intuition and by applying first-order principles to understand the dimensions of a decision. Professors Oded Netzer, Christopher Frank, and Paul Magnone discussed how entrepreneurs and investors can make informed decisions with incomplete information.
Sponsored by the Eugene Lang Entrepreneurship Center and promoted by the center.

David Wei '19, director of corporate development and director of product at SolarKal, the largest B2B solar energy marketplace in the US, held a Q&A on careers in ESG and sustainability. Prior to his role at SolarKal, David was a consultant with Neuberger Berman, focusing on ESG investment strategy. He graduated from the Value Investing Program at Columbia Business School in 2019.
Organized by GBC.

South Asia sits precariously on the front lines of the global climate crisis. As temperatures increase, the region is experiencing hotter weather, longer monsoon seasons, and increased droughts. Pakistan’s recent flood crisis has brought this to the limelight. The scale of devastation is massive — over 1,500 people have died; more than 6 million have been displaced — a number that matches (if not exceeds) those that have been displaced due to the war in Ukraine. Club members and students joined climate experts Professor Gernot Wagner and Kevin Schwarzwald, PhD Student at the International Research Institute for Climate and Society at Columbia Climate School and graduate research assistant at Columbia’s Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, to discuss the climate crisis that South Asia currently faces and how it impacts the global community. Taimour Hussain ‘23 provided an introduction to the recent Pakistan flood crisis. This event was part of the School’s Phillips Pathway for Inclusive Leadership (PPIL).
Organized by the South Asia Business Association (SABA) and GBC.

Students interested in climate change, renewable energy, and sustainability gathered at Arts & Crafts for a networking social to meet their peers across campus.
Organized by the GBC at Columbia Business School, the Environmental Coalition (ECO) at Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs, and the Women & Sustainability club at the Sustainability Management Student Association (SUMASA) within Columbia’s School of Professional Studies.

MBA students joined the Center on Global Energy Policy (CGEP) for an informational session about CGEP’s new Global Energy Fellows Program, a year-long program designed to: challenge students to think critically on relevant energy-related issues; facilitate engagement between Columbia students and experts at CGEP; and provide Columbia’s brightest energy-focused graduate students with opportunities to build a career in energy. The session included an overview of the curriculum and application process, and an opportunity for students to ask questions. For more information, please visit: https://www.energypolicy.columbia.edu/initiatives/charif-souki-global-energy-fellows-program.
Organized by the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia’s School for International and Public Affairs, and promoted by the GBC.

Members of the Green Business Club and Gourmet Club had the opportunity to hear from Le Botaniste’s brand manager about sustainable food systems. Le Botaniste is the only organic, plant-based, and carbon-neutral restaurant in New York City.
Organized by the GBC and Gourmet Club.

Thomas Buberl, CEO of AXA, and Professor Bruce Usher examined the greatest emerging global risks and how the private and public sectors must work together to protect what matters most.
Organized by Alumni Relations and the center.

The conference provides a unique opportunity for attendees to tap into the vibrant ecosystem of capital for impact through the lens of philanthropy, impact investing, ESG, and social venture and business examples. Sessions included: “Second Chance Business Leadership: Advancing Inclusive Growth and Opportunity,” “Strengthening Mental Health Through Tech Innovation, Connectivity, and Peer Support Systems,” “Closing the Racial Wealth Gap and Building an Equitable Economy Through Business,” “Restoring NYC’s Harbor, One Oyster at a Time,” “Impact through Infrastructure: Building Community Resiliency Through Tech-Enabled Solutions,” “ESG Investing: Integrating Impact as a Source for Business Value,” “Investing in Women’s Health, Leadership, and Economic Empowerment,” and “Impact Washing: The Great Risk to Growing the Impact Investing Industry.” More information on the 2022 Social Enterprise Conference, Capital for Good can be found here: https://www.columbiasocialenterprise.org/conference/.
Organized by the center, SEC, and GBC.

Students and partner organization staff and board members participating in the program gathered online for the program’s orientation session to learn about their nonprofit board projects for the academic year and to discuss initiatives and best practices.
Organized by NBLP, within the SEC, and center.

Green Business Club held a discussion with current CBS students on how their internship work intersects with sustainability. Speakers represented the following sectors: banking, energy, consulting, hedge funds, venture capital, and government. Panelists included Nicola Benatti ’23, climate change solutions intern at Sierra Global Management; Andrew Feierman ’23, sustainable investing fellow at Morgan Stanley; Ethan Kao ’23, summer associate at NY Green Bank; Jihye Lee ’23, summer associate at McKinsey & Company; Tim Lee ’23, growth and commercial innovation intern at Fluence; Lacie Pierre ’23, MBA investment associate at Closed Loop Partners; and Thomas Sadik-Khan ’23, power and renewables IB summer associate at J.P. Morgan.
Organized by the GBC.

Microlumbia hosted an enriching discussion on the field of impact investing with Durreen Shahnaz, a global leader of social impact and impact investing and the founder of Impact Investment Exchange (IIX) and IIX Foundation. Impact Investment Exchange (IIX) is a pioneer in the impact investing movement and a global leader in sustainability. To date, IIX has spanned 53 countries, unlocked $217 million of private-sector capital, and positively impacted over 140 million direct and household lives. Over the past three decades, Durreen’s mission has been to build a more inclusive, sustainable world by transforming financial markets and bringing underserved women to the forefront of capital markets. Shahnaz’s work has helped thousands of entrepreneurs, investors, governments and impact stakeholders around the world to play a role in sustainable development and women’s empowerment. Following the discussion, attendees gathered at Olivia for a networking reception.
Organized by Microlumbia.

MBA students interested in a social impact career attended this career workshop led by Emily Lamia, founder and CEO of Pivot Journeys. During this workshop Emily helped students identify and define their future career in social enterprise; zero in on what they enjoy about work; clarify the skills they want to use in their next position; create a more refined ‘pitch’ to communicate their value and what they are looking for; and nail potential interview questions. Pivot Journeys is passionate about helping people grow and develop in their careers. Emily has been helping people grow and develop in their careers for over a decade.

Club members joined this session to hear from Eric Lonergan, author of Supercharge Me and macro hedge fund manager at M&G Investments, and Professor Bruce Usher, author of Investing in the Era of Climate Change, about how climate change is changing the landscape of investing.
Organized by the Green Business Club (GBC).

Over the weekend, more than 100 hackers had the opportunity to partner with local organizations in NYC to solve real life problems. Hacking teams consisted of a range of participants including coders, non-coders, designers, product managers, project managers, entrepreneurs, and analysts from the local community, as well as Columbia students. Participants used their problem solving, analytical, and design thinking skills to come up with solutions for change. Workshops consisted of UX engineering, database engineering, customer centricity, and product marketing at Google and beyond. Participants pitched to a panel of judges, including Naimeesha Murthy, Laura Vidiella, Ben Snell, and Jessica Berger on the second day. Winning teams were Get Rebased (3rd), Rent Vault (2nd), and Humane Housing (1st).
Organized by Girls in Tech NYC and sponsored by the Tamer Institute for Social Enterprise and Climate Change and the Eugene Lang Entrepreneurship Center at Columbia Business School and Justice Through Code at Columbia University's Center for Justice.

At the annual kickoff and planning session, new Microlumbia student members had the opportunity to meet the Microlumbia board of directors which is composed of CBS alumni.
Organized by Microlumbia.

The center and the 2022 SESF MBA participants celebrated the current cohort of fellows. This networking event served as an opportunity for interested students to learn about the program first-hand from the center’s most recent cohort of fellows, listen to summer project presentations, and get to know social enterprise students at the Business School. This year’s summer fellows interned across social enterprise sectors including education, healthcare, philanthropy, impact investing, sustainability, real estate, and beyond.

Students heard from club leadership about Pangea, Columbia Business School’s pro bono international consulting organization that strives to improve lives in the developing world by helping nonprofit and for-profit social enterprises address business challenges. Club leaders discussed how Pangea operates, its impact to date, a summary of our past projects, the opportunities for first-year students to join the board, and the potential for travel this year.
Organized by Pangea Advisors, within the SEC.

Students interested in taking on an independent consulting project for a nonprofit learned more about the NBLP program, application process, and nonprofit board service.
Organized by NBLP, within the SEC, and center.

GBC members and students interested in joining the club gathered at Baylander Steel Beach to network, meet the GBC board, and discuss the intersection of sustainability and business.
Organized by the Green Business Club (GBC).

The center and the 2022 SESF cross-campus participants celebrated the current cohort of fellows. This networking event served as an opportunity for students to learn about the program first-hand from the center’s most recent cohort of fellows, listen to summer project presentations, and get to know social enterprise students from across Columbia University's campus. This year’s summer fellows interned across social enterprise sectors including international development, healthcare, arts, conservation, and beyond.

An investment strategy focused on managing climate risk is, by definition, a defensive strategy. But defensive does not always mean below-market returns. Professor Bruce Usher, author of the new book Investing in the Era of Climate Change discussed the pros and cons of four climate-friendly investment strategies: divestment of fossil fuel assets; ESG investing, especially for institutional investors, who have a fiduciary duty to put their clients’ interests first; impact-first investing which, by definition, tends to produce below-market returns; and thematic investing which, unlike ESG, finances primarily private companies. This session was moderated by Sarah Murray, Financial Times contributor.
Co-organized by the Jerome A. Chazen Institute for Global Business and the center.

Karen Hasher, program manager, discussed upcoming deadlines and answered questions. The Three Cairns Climate Fellowship at Columbia Business School provides support to MBA and EMBA students who complete semester- or year-long projects at the intersection of climate change and business.

Students joined center faculty and staff on a day trip to Shady Acres Organic Farm — family owned and operated — in Otisville, NY, just outside of New York City. First- and second-year students learned about sustainable farming and jam-making, connected over a delicious farm-to-table lunch, met the Green Business and Social Enterprise Club leaders, and got to know the social impact community at Columbia Business School.

The center and professional clubs provided information on the social enterprise community at the Business School. Students interested in exploring the field of social enterprise met students and faculty whose passion for international development, social entrepreneurship, ESG/CSR, impact investing, renewable energy, nonprofit consulting, and nonprofit management has elevated the School to be one of the top business schools for social enterprise. Students learned about the different club initiatives on campus and opportunities to be involved in the social enterprise community.
Organized by the Green Business Club (GBC), (Social Enterprise Club) SEC, and center.

How much does who you know factor into your success? In 2018, Columbia Business School published a report that argued an artist’s social networks can better predict their fame than their creative output. Professor Dan Wang discussed how certain features of social networks form the crucible for creative emergence and innovation. The talk traversed domains including expressionist art, protest movements, commercial patenting, mathematics, semiconductor design, and Renaissance politics. The program closed with drinks and “speed dating” that paired like-minded artists and entrepreneurs.
Organized by Denver Arts & Venues Cultural Partner Program at the McNichols Civic Center Building in collaboration with Colorado Business Committee for the Arts.