June '24
June 12 — SEC Board Member Meet & Greet
Club members gathered at the Baylander for an informal meet and greet with the Social Enterprise Club board. This social served as an opportunity for members to build relationships and brainstorm plans for 2024-2025 academic year.
Organized by SEC.
June 1 — Career Management Center Session: Preparing Yourself for Board Service
To kick off the Career Management Center’s session on corporate and nonprofit board service, Allison Kline ’20 shared a brief introduction to Tamer Institute nonprofit board leadership opportunities: from the year-long NBLP to board showcase events and the new online directory (generated from alumni responses to the January 2024 board showcase).
Organized by Alumni Relations and the Career Management Center, featuring the institute.
June 1 — Climate & Social Impact Pitch and Networking Session
As part of Reunion, alumni learned about innovative climate change initiatives that other CBS alumni are working on, shared impact projects and organizations that are tackling social and environmental challenges, and found connections with other alumni who have interests in sustainability and social impact areas. This session had a lightning round of presentations from a variety of MBA and EMBA alumni, as well as structured time to network with each other in subject areas and open roundtables.
Organized by Alumni Relations, in collaboration with the institute.
May '24
May 30 — Nonprofit Board Leadership Session: Tamer Institute for Social Enterprise and Climate Change
As part of the Alumni Club's Leaders Summit, Allison Kline ’20 and institute advisory board member Melissa Berman hosted a session on the topic of nonprofit board leadership, including an introduction to the institute’s programs in this area and a lively discussion with the group of alumni leaders.
Organized by Alumni Relations, in collaboration with the institute.
May 21 — Startup Works Showcase
Over the course of six workshops, justice-impacted and Columbia-affiliated teams participated in a series focused on team formation and practical startup skills development. Sessions addressed foundational topics including values-based team building; understanding customers and their "jobs to be done"; building a minimum viable product with no-code tools; measuring impact; and more. Participants presented their progress and pitched their startups at the Showcase Day for an audience of peers, startup team advisors, Columbia MBA/EMBA REAP instructors and advisors and friends of the ReEntry Acceleration Program (REAP).
Organized by the institute, in partnership with Justice Through Code and the Center for Justice at Columbia University.
May 10, 12, + 19 — SESF Orientations
Cross-campus recipients of the Social Enterprise Summer Fellowship (SESF) program met with director Ivy Hatsengate to go over logistics of and preparations for their summer internship.
April '24
April 30 — 2024 Awards Breakfast
Nearly 240 Columbia Business School alumni and friends gathered at a private club on the Upper East Side for the sixth annual Awards Breakfast, which raised funds in support of the institute’s curriculum and initiatives. The 2024 Horton Award for Excellence in Social Enterprise was presented to N. Robert (Bob) Hammer ’67 for his extraordinary four decades as a chief executive and entrepreneur in the technology industry as well as his bold commitment to Columbia Business School initiatives in digital transformation and climate change. Kesha Cash ’10 accepted the Social Enterprise Leadership Award for being a pioneer in impact investing, where people of color experience true agency and participation in the American economy. The 2024 Carson Family Changemaker Awards were presented to graduating students Jennifer Burdick ’24, Hudson Hoyle ’24, and Ray Lu ’24, recognizing their extraordinary leadership in the field of social enterprise while at the School. The 2024 Awards Breakfast concluded with a round of applause for Tony and Sandra Tamer, celebrating the first in-person gathering since announcing the center’s elevation as the Tamer Institute for Social Enterprise and Climate Change.
April 25 — Earth Week, LEAP Talk: Ignacio Lopez-Gomez
Ignacio Lopez-Gomez is a research scientist at Google Research. His research focuses on the development of data-driven weather forecasting systems, with an emphasis on extreme events, and on climate modeling and analysis. He holds a PhD in environmental science and engineering from Caltech, where he developed models of atmospheric turbulence, convection and clouds for climate models, as well as methods for parameter estimation from indirect data.
Organized by Learning the Earth with Artificial Intelligence and Physics (LEAP).
April 25 — Earth Week, LEAP Talk: Chad Small
Chad Small is a second-year PhD student in Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Washington. Chad’s current research investigates how multiscale phenomena can interact to intensify rainfall, and consequently, potential flooding. He is a recipient of the National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship. Outside of science, Chad has spent the last five years writing as environmental justice reporter and science writer in both freelance and full-time capacities.
Organized by Learning the Earth with Artificial Intelligence and Physics (LEAP).
April 25 — Earth Week, Coffee With a Climate Scientist
Students had the opportunity to chat with climate scientist Chad Small, graduate research fellow at NOAA Center for Earth System Sciences and Remote Sensing Technologies at the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at University of Washington, to hear about his research prior to his lecture later in the day.
Organized by Learning the Earth with Artificial Intelligence and Physics (LEAP).
April 24 — Earth Week, Elevating Food and Agriculture in the Energy Transition: Challenges and Opportunities
This event shed light on the critical — yet often overlooked — role of food and agriculture within the broader dialogue on energy transition. Despite the prevalent focus on energy sectors, it’s crucial to recognize and address the deep connection between sustainable food systems and climate change mitigation. A diverse group of top industry experts shared their insights. Steve Molino ’19, principal at Clear Current Capital, moderated a panel on the overlooked role of food and agriculture within the broader dialogue on the energy transition with David Verbitsky, managing director at Nomura Greentech; James Caffyn, partner at Levere VC; Max Clegg, head of Louis Dreyfus Company Ventures; and Ruth DeFries, Professor of Ecology and Sustainable Development at Columbia Climate School. These top industry experts — including influential voices from financial institutions, leading corporations, and the academic world — shared insights, strategies, and forward-looking views on how we can nurture a sustainable agricultural future that supports our planet and its inhabitants.
Organized by GBC.
April 24 — Tamer Club Leadership Retreat
This annual retreat for leadership teams of the Green Business Club and Social Enterprise Club — including the Financial Literacy Club (FLC), Microlumbia Impact Fund, Nonprofit Board Leadership Program, and Pangea Advisors — and institute staff and faculty provided an opportunity to engage in open strategic discussions and to set goals for the upcoming academic year.
Organized by the institute and club leaders from GBC, SEC, FLC, Microlumbia, NBLP, and Pangea Advisors.
April 23 — Earth Week, De-Stress With Nature Coloring Books
CBS students joined GBC for a social, de-stressing coloring activity focused on nature.
Organized by GBC.
April 22 — Earth Week, Tabling: Green Top Farms
GBC hosted a table in Kravis Hall to celebrate Earth Week. Students stopped by the table to learn more about CBS classes and extracurriculars, as well as internships to be better equipped to fight climate change post-graduation. Tabling featured food from Green Top Farms, as well as representatives who shared information about their production.
Organized by GBC and sponsored by OSA Community Grant.
April 15 — Nonprofit Board Leadership Program Closing Reception
Mentors, nonprofit executives, and students in the NBLP celebrated the year’s accomplishments and student projects, including announcement of the final presentation results. Attendees shared stories about their experiences while networking with peers and nonprofit partners.
Organized by the NBLP, within the SEC, and center.
April 19 — 2024 Climate Business + Investment Conference, Climate Tech for Net Zero
Rapid deployment of climate technologies is accelerating the decarbonization of the global economy. Attendees heard the latest insights from the frontiers of climate innovation, including climate practitioners, investors, entrepreneurs, and researchers. This conference brought together academics, entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders to survey the landscape of emerging climate technologies and help inform policy and investment decisions to guide the world toward a high-efficiency, low-carbon future.
Featured speakers included Mary Barra, chair and CEO at General Motors, in conversation with Vijay Vaitheeswaran, global energy and climate innovation editor at the Economist; Bernd Heid, senior partner at McKinsey; Lauren Kuntz, CEO and co-founder at Gaiascope; Malika Anand, head of impact and ESG at Catalyst Fund, and Melissa Ball, associate director at Energy Impact Partners, in conversation with Professor Bruce Usher; Columbia Engineering Professors Shiho Kawashima, Dan Steingart, and Ngai Yin Yip, In conversation with Professor Gernot Wagner; and more.
Organized by the center, Columbia Technology Ventures, and Columbia Climate School.
April 13 — Inaugural Entrepreneurship Conference: Innovating & Investing in the 4th Industrial Revolution
Attendees heard from Ethan Brown ’08 (Beyond Meat), Frank Reig (Revel), and Gregory Constantine (Air Company) about their journeys as founders. On the VC panel, Brian Rich (Catalyst Investors), Jessie Lam (Alinea Ventures), Jay Kapoor (VSC Ventures), Arjun Kapur (Left Lane Capital), and Jodi Kessler (3L Capital), discussed allocating capital and fundraising. On the climate entrepreneurship panel Gaelen McKee (Brooklyn Solarworks), Yaniv Kalish (SolarKal), Darren Wolfberg (Triangle Systems, Inc.), Kristen Kammerer (Generation Environment), and Eric Chaves (Terrament), discussed their innovative climate startups.
Hosted by Columbia Entrepreneurs Organization (CEO).
April 11 — Inclusive Entrepreneurship Reception
The center welcomed local entrepreneurs, community leaders, and fellowship partners to gather on campus along with Columbia faculty, researchers, and students. This event celebrated the 2023-2024 cohort of Inclusive Entrepreneurship fellows and partner organizations, highlighted the importance of access to mentorship, networks, digital tools, and financial resources for current and aspiring founders, investors, and startup joiners who might otherwise face systematic exclusion from the formal economy.
April 11 — Tamer Executive Education, Senior Leaders Program (SLP) Closing Reception
Executive education participants of the Senior Leaders Program celebrated the end of their three-month program with a session on leadership jazz and a closing reception.
April 11 — Fireside Chat With Two Portfolio Companies of Microlumbia Impact Fund, Fairbanc and Ilara Health
Emilian Popa ’10, founder of Ilara Health - a Tamer Fund for Social Ventures portfolio venture - and Mir Haque, founder and CEO of Fairbanc, discussed their journeys as founders, working with investors, and how their businesses evolve over time.
Organized by Microlumbia, within the SEC, and sponsored by the center.
April 10 — Three Cairns Climate Fellowship Final Presentations
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.
April 8 — Empowering Change at the Intersection of Finance and Technology [PPIL]
Attendees joined this session to hear Nonso Ogbonna, executive vice president and head of digital strategy at Insight Partners and former managing director and head of engineering partnerships at Goldman Sachs, share insights around his career across finance and technology and the foundations of building and practicing ethical leadership within business. This discussion was moderated by Lei Kouame ’25.
Organized by Bernstein Center for Leadership and Ethics, sponsored by the Paul M. Montrone Seminar Series on Ethics, and co-hosted by Africa Business Club, Student Leadership and Ethics Board, Black Business Student Association (BBSA), and SEC.
April 5 — Nonprofit Board Leadership Program Project Presentations
More than 50 students participated in the Nonprofit Board Leadership Program in 2023-24, partnering with 25 nonprofit organizations to complete strategic projects and engage with board mentorship opportunities. This year, all NBLP mentees were invited to present their projects in order to receive feedback and learn from their peers. On April 5, over 20 student teams presented across three sessions, each with a different panel of expert judges, including Doug Bauer, executive director of Clark Foundation; Melissa Berman, founding president and former CEO of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors; Anne Eidelman ’10, COO at PS wrx (former COO at FOUNT Global); Raymond D. Horton, Frank R. Lautenberg Emeritus Professor of Ethics and Corporate Governance, founder of the Social Enterprise Program, and faculty director of Programs in Social Enterprise; Josh Landay ’18, executive director at Gifted Savings (former COO at Experience Camps); and Sandi Drucker Wright, ’04TC, director at the Tamer Center for Social Enterprise. The final presentation winners were announced at the "Closing Reception" on April 15, each earning a $5K grant for their nonprofit partners: 1st Place – The Brotherhood Sister Sol (J. William Guzman ’25 and Quinlan Ferrante ’25); 2nd Place – American Ballet Theatre (Bree Zucker ’24 and Yamei Wang ’25); and 3rd Place – Hit The Books (London Leonard ’25 and Fumiya DuFresne ’25).
Organized by the NBLP, within the SEC, and center.
April 4 — LionTank Green Edition: Climate VC Pitch Event
The Green Business Club and Venture Capital Club hosted the third LionTank Green Edition, a demo-day that connects early-stage investors with passionate entrepreneurs building impactful solutions in the climate space. Selected founders had the opportunity to pitch their startup to a panel of top-tier, climate-driven VC funds and MBA students highly compelled to tackle the climate crisis. Participants heard actual funding pitches from early-stage climate entrepreneurs, followed by live feedback and discussion from top climate VCs. All presenting companies had solutions related to mitigating or increasing resilience to climate change.
Organized by GBC and Venture Capital Club.
April 4 — 2024 Second Chance Conference
The conference brought together business leaders, academics, administrators, state leaders, and justice-impacted communities for discussions on creating pathways to sustainable employment for individuals who are formerly incarcerated. Speakers explored labor market trends and the role corporations and business schools can play in educating the business community and future corporate leaders on the benefits of second chance employment. Participants heard from leading C-suite executives on the business case for second chance employment and the practical steps that companies have taken to develop and implement hiring and advancement practices. In “The Role of Business Schools in Addressing Second Chance Employment,” panelists Damon Phillips, Sandra Navalli OAM '03, Aedan Macdonald '25, Alyssa Lovegrove, and Greg Fairchild (moderator) discussed how business schools are part of the solution, focusing on programs at the Wharton School and other higher education institutions aimed at preparing second chance individuals. Conference speakers included Patrick T. Harker, president and CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia; Justin Berman, co-chairman, Cresset, and founder, Berman Capital Advisors; James Cadogan, executive director, National Basketball Social Justice Coalition, NBA; Michelle Campbell, executive director, Defy Ventures; Stacey Friedman, executive vice president and general counsel, JPMorgan Chase & Co.; Bill Heiser, senior director of pathways and mobility, REFORM Alliance; and more. Post-conference, the National Business Education Consortium held a networking event sponsored by Ascendium and in partnership with Resilience Education. The gathering celebrated the launch of the National Business Education Consortium, where speakers announced the founding partner schools, shared the vision of the consortium, and encouraged new universities to join this transformative coalition. Conference attendees were invited to learn about how this coalition of universities is dedicated to empowering justice-impacted individuals through business education.
Organized by the Coalition for Equity and Opportunity, The Wharton School’s Coalition for Equity & Opportunity and the Wharton Opportunities for Reentry Knowledge & Skills (WORKS), Resilience Education, JP Morgan Chase & Co., Business Roundtable, EATON, and Second Chance Business Coalition.
March '24
March 27 — Charging Ahead or Stalling Out?: Navigating Electric Vehicle Adoption Challenges
Club leaders hosted a panel discussion on the current state of the North American electric vehicle industry with panelists: Paul Luce '13, managing director at Vision Ridge Partners; Patrick Bydume '09, director of infrastructure and real estate and climate infrastructure at BlackRock; and Michael Ritter '13, corporate finance director at Vingroup US. The session was moderated by GBC club member Sam Praveen ‘25.
Organized by the GBC, Energy and Infrastructure Club, Private Equity Club, and Automotive and Transportation Club.
March 26 — Fashion Beyond Earth
The event envisioned a world where fashion seamlessly intertwines with the well-being of our planet through eco-friendly materials, sustainable production methods, and ethical fashion practices. With a focus on community-driven sustainability, the fashion show underscored the transformative power of collective action and diverse perspectives in shaping a more sustainable future. At the heart of the event was a commitment to representation and inclusivity, evident in the diverse lineup of designers, models, and fashion perspectives showcased on the runway. Over 60 models from CBS participated in the show, adorned in stunning pieces from local designers and sustainable clothing rental companies such as FANG, Rosin Studios, Nuuly, Leigh New York, Dawang, HNST, By Rotation, and Saint Sintra. This deliberate emphasis on diversity not only reflected the richness of cultural backgrounds and identities within the CBS community but also fostered an inclusive environment that welcomed students from all walks of life.
Organized by Columbia Business School's Retail & Luxury Goods (RLG) Club and supported by the center.
March 26 — GBC Alumni Social
The club welcomed all alumni, colleagues, and students working in climate and sustainability at Clinton Hall for an evening of networking.
Organized by GBC.
March 25 — More MPE Live Podcast Event
Over the last three decades, thousands of Columbia Business School students have taken part in the elective course, Modern Political Economy. We’re taking this institution outside of the classroom with More MPE, where host Professor Ray Horton and Columbia Business School faculty discuss some of the most current and controversial issues that affect business, government, and society both at home and abroad. Professor Raymond Horton (podcast host) was joined by featured speakers including Columbia Business School Professors Glenn Hubbard and Tano Santos, Professors Bruce Usher and Gernot Wagner on climate change, Professor Dan Wang and postdoctoral research scholar Sandra Portocarrero on migration; and Professor Sandra Matz on AI. Sandra Navalli OAM ’03, managing director of the Tamer Center for Social Enterprise, closed with comments on how the podcast provides a platform to discuss major global issues that elevate the public discourse around the modern political economy. The session was moderated by Sandi Wright, ‘03TC, director at the Tamer Center.
March 22 — 19th Annual Columbia University Energy Symposium, Energizing Tomorrow: Driving Technology, Policy, and Markets
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 insights into today's challenging energy questions. This year’s conference covered topics such as the following: Unfolding the Inflation Reduction Act; The Future of Clean Transport; Building a Net-Zero Path For Cities; and Capital Flows for the Energy Transition; among others.
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.
March 21 — SESF MBA Information Session
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 SESF program, qualifications, and application deadlines. The SESF program 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. Carline Kopf '24, Martin Clark '24, and Miyu Tarumi '24 shared information on their fellowship experiences.
March 19 — Nonprofit Board Leadership Program Student Reception
NBLP fellows attended a special student reception hosted at the private residence of Mimi ’90 and Michael ’90 Boublik. Attendees shared stories about their projects and experiences with the nonprofit boards while networking with peers. The evening included food, drinks, and conversation to celebrate student efforts and prepare for the final weeks of the program.
Organized by the NBLP, within the SEC, and center, and hosted by Mimi ’90 and Michael ’90 Boublik.
March 19 + 26 and April 2, 16, + 23 — Startup Works Workshop
A cohort of local community members, CU-affiliated participants, and justice-impacted individuals participated in Startup Works, a workshop series focused on practical startup skills development. Over the course of six weeks, sessions addressed foundational entrepreneurship skills including values-based team building and resiliency; learning about customers and the problems they need solving; building a minimum viable product with no-code tools; measuring impact; and more.
Organized by the center, in collaboration with Justice Through Code and the Center for Justice at Columbia University.
March 18 + 19 — ReEntry Acceleration Program (REAP) Course Information Session: MBA and EMBA
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 course and their experiences in advising and teaching topics like personal finance, and entrepreneurship to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people.
March 8 — Unleashing the Power of Economy: Addressing the Climate Crisis
Chris Scanzoni ‘24, co-president of Green Business Club, facilitated a discussion with German Vice-Chancellor Rober Habeck on how he is addressing the multitude of crises we currently face and the various strategies that demonstrate our capacity to address and overcome them.
Organized by GBC, SIPA, Columbia Law School, and Columbia Climate School.
March 6 — Farm-to-Table Dinner and Tour at Farm to People
A small group of students from CBS Gourmet, Green Business Club, and Social Enterprise Club, attended a tour and farm-to-table dinner at Farm to People, a food delivery service, restaurant, and event space focused on improving New York City's food supply chain through a commitment to ethical sourcing from local regenerative farms. Students learned about their history and the ecosystem of regenerative farms in the NYC metro area, and enjoyed a locally sourced farm-to-table dinner.
Organized by Gourmet Club, GBC, and SEC.
February '24
February 29 — Climate + Social Impact Week, Cluster Auction Night
Students joined SEC, GBC, and ExBo for our annual student-led fundraising night to support the Social Enterprise Summer Fellowship Program. This fellowship provides financial support to MBA students engaged in summer internships that create social and environmental value and is open to first- and second-year students graduating in May (including J-term students). Read more about the type of internships and value generated by our students working with leading organizations.
February 29 — Climate + Social Impact Week, Financial Literacy Volunteering Session [PPIL]
Students joined the Financial Literacy Club to teach participants from AHRC, an organization that serves developmentally disabled adults across NYC on interview preparation or budgeting.
Organized by SEC and supported by the center.
February 28 — Climate + Social Impact Week, Connecting Impact Investing With the Creative Economy
Students gathered to learn about how investing in creative businesses can be a powerful driver of quality jobs, social and economic inclusion, and vibrant communities. Moderated by Professor Dan Wang, the event featured Upstart Co-Lab founding partner Laura Callanan and senior associate Aparna Bagade '24. Upstart Co-Lab is connecting capital with creative people who make a profit and make a difference, working at the intersection of impact investing and the creative economy, which includes industries such as fashion, film and TV, and food.
Organized by SEC and supported by the center.
February 27 — Climate + Social Impact Week, What is the Circular Economy and How Will it Transform Businesses for the Better?
Participants joined Danielle Holly, lead of North America at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, and Michael Hirschhorn ’89, founder and CEO of Mebl, a circular furniture company, to learn about the circular economy and how its theoretical principles can fundamentally transform business operations.
Organized by SEC and supported by the center.
February 27 — Climate + Social Impact Week, Nonprofit Board Leadership Program Lunch & Learn
NBLP at Columbia Business School cultivates the next generation of nonprofit board leaders while providing a valuable service to alumni and the nonprofits on whose boards they serve. Mimi Boublik ’90 and Blake Garcia ’21 reflected on their experiences in board leadership at the Jericho Project, including differences between executive and junior board roles.
Organized by NBLP, in collaboration with SEC, and supported by the center.
February 26 — Tamer Center for Social Enterprise 2024 Annual Reception
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. This year’s reception featured Austin Smith ’22, managing partner of Alley, a full-service digital agency that creates digital solutions that connect people to news, entertainment, ideas — and to each other. Austin shared his experience working with the ReEntry Acceleration Program (REAP) and Justice Through Code (JTC) and how he leveraged his experience, skills, and EMBA degree, as well as the resources and capabilities of Alley, to empower formerly incarcerated individuals who need fair chance career track employment opportunities. In his remarks, Austin shared how he created a reentry simulation used in the REAP course and a mentoring platform that contributes to ongoing learning for the MBA network and JTC students alike. Professor Dan Wang provided welcome remarks.
February 26 — Climate + Social Impact Week, Health Equity in Action: How Startups, Health Systems, and the Government Collaborate (or Not)
Students joined Shoshanah Brown ’04, head of member experience at Cityblock Health, for a discussion on the role of social entrepreneurship in the ecosystem of health care accessibility and equity. Shoshanah is co-founder of Nest Health, a health technology company that delivers home-based primary care to families with young children, and the founder and former CEO of AIRnyc, a Bronx-based community-based organization that deploys community health workers to help marginalized families living with chronic conditions. This session was moderated by Erika Liu ’25, AVP of Social Enterprise Club.
Organized by SEC and supported by the center.
February 22 + 27 — 2024 Startup Works Info Session
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 second 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 in collaboration with Justice Through Code and the Center for Justice at Columbia University.
February 21 — GBC Educational Dinner Pod: Circular Economy
This GBC-sponsored dinner pod focused on the topic of the transition to a circular economy. Dinner pods facilitate organic conversation around prevalent topics in green business by providing attendees with pre-dinner resources and reading materials.
Organized by GBC.
February 21 — GBC Climate Crash Course: Power Sector Overview
Members participated in the second session of GBC's Climate Crash Course (C3) series, where they performed a deeper dive into the power sector and touched on project finance. This series aims to equip club members with a baseline level of climate knowledge to be able to speak intelligently about climate work and recruit effectively for climate jobs.
Organized by GBC.
February 20 — GBC Spring Social
Club members gathered at Arts and Crafts to welcome new J-term club members and kick off the spring semester.
Organized by GBC.
February 20 — A Climate of Change: A Conversation With Michael Levine, Under Armour’s Chief Sustainability Officer
“A Climate of Change” speaker series brings leaders from the worlds of business, NGO, policy, and academia to CBS to share their perspectives on climate change and climate action. Participants joined the Green Business Club and the Retail and Luxury Goods Club (RLG) to hear from Michael Levine, the chief sustainability officer at Under Armour. Michael leads Under Armour’s global sustainability program, which includes enterprise-wide efforts related to climate action; circularity; corporate social responsibility; stakeholder engagement and reporting; and social, labor, and human rights due diligence. This session was moderated by Claudia Richardson ’24.
Organized by ExBo, GBC, and RLG, and supported by the center.
February 16 — 2024 Alleycon: Create
Alleycon is New York City's premier technology, startup, and venture capital conference hosted by Columbia Business School. The conference explored the ways in which technology — traditionally a disruptor — must "meet the moment" and address seismic shifts in economics, politics, and global stability. Topics included: Creating the Future of Urban Society; Creating a Climate Safe Future; and Reimaging Venture Capital: Creating Value in an Uncertain and Competitive World, among other sessions. Speakers included Etay Zwick, design director at Newlab; Professor Gernot Wagner, faculty director of the Climate Knowledge Initiative at Columbia Business School; Rachel Payne, head of climate moonshots at Google X; Charles Gertler, senior advisor on emerging tech at DOE LPO; Tomás Álvarez Belón, investor at Collaborative Fund; Hannah Friedman, ‘19CC ‘21SPS, founding principal at Planteer Capital; Erica Duignan Minnihan, ‘04BUS, co-founder and general partner at Reign Ventures; Professor Brett Martin, co-founder and general partner at Charge Ventures; and Meghan Ross Breeden, ‘15BUS, partner at AmplifyHer Ventures.
Organized by AlleyCon Conference and sponsored by the Eugene Lang Entrepreneurship Center, Digital Future Initiative, Columbia Tech Club, Columbia Fintech Club, and Venture Capital Club at Columbia Business School; Convene and Kadima Careers, and the center.
February 15 — Three Cairns Fellowship Breakfast
The 2023–2024 Three Cairns Fellowship cohort joined Mark Gallogly ’86 and Lise Strickler ’86 for an informal breakfast to hear about projects the Three Cairns fellows 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.
February 15 — Awakening Our Democracy: What’s at Stake in These Polarized Times
The need for civic dialogue has never been greater. Courtney D. Cogburn, Associate Professor at the Columbia University School of Social Work; Jelani Cobb, Dean and Henry R. Luce Professor of Journalism at Columbia Graduate School of Journalism; Jonathan Friedman, director of free expression and education programs at PEN America; Mae Ngai, Lung Family Professor of Asian American Studies and Professor of History at Columbia University; and Bruce Usher, Professor of Professional Practice at Columbia Business School, explored how the often binary conversations around current events inform our understanding of democracy, the elements that prevent us from coming together for civil discourse, and where we go from here.
Co-hosted by University Life and Columbia Journalism School.
February 14 — Social Enterprise Conference Brainstorming Session
2024 Capital for Good Conference co-chairs Isabella Todaro ’25 and Amit Pasupathy ’25 facilitated a structured brainstorming session with student representatives from other schools across the CU campus (Climate School, undergrad, and others) to uncover topics of interest for speakers and panels at the conference.
Organized by SEC.
February 13 — Social Enterprise Alumni Career Panel + Networking Reception
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 Justine Chausson-Roberts ’20, associate, CleanCapital; Efosa Uwaifo ’22, sustainability and ESG expert, Equity Investments Team, Siemens Financial Services; Leila Collins ’22, senior advisor to the Governor, Economic Growth, State of New Jersey; Amrita Parekh ’23, senior advisor at Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society; in conversation with David Wei '19, CMC career coach in sustainability and energy.
Organized by the Career Management Center (CMC) and center.
February 12 — Inclusive Entrepreneurship Workshop With Sandra Portocarrero
The 2023-24 cohort of Inclusive Entrepreneurship Fellows attended a workshop with Sandra Portocarrero, postdoctoral scholar in the Management Division at Columbia Business School. Sandra’s research examines how people and organizations sustain or alleviate inequality, and the workshop focused on using qualitative methods to connect with marginalized communities. Guest speakers included research assistant Daniela Perleche, who shared expertise about coding qualitative data, and Cris Mercado, who spoke to his personal experience navigating education and work while undocumented. Cris is the founder and CEO of GrantAnswers, a data, strategy, and product consulting firm that has helped technology, nonprofit, and workforce development ventures scale programs and products nationwide, grow six times in revenue, and secure $5M grants.
February 9-11 — CBS Trek: ClimateCAP MBA Summit
This trek brought together MBA students, business leaders, and experts from around the world to assess the implications of climate change for business and investment. Attendees gained a deeper understanding of how climate change is shaping industries and markets, where the biggest financial and operational risks lie, and what promising innovation and entrepreneurship opportunities are emerging. GBC also hosted group activities and dinners to strengthen the bond amongst the student community.
Organized by GBC.
February 6 — GBC Careers Kickoff Meeting
Participants were introduced to green business career resources and learned from CBS alums: Cameron Willard ’19, commercial director at Rise Light and Power; Darsh Gupta ’21, COO at Susteon Inc; Carl Williams ’06, co-founder and partner at Sandrook Capital; and Maneesh Sagar ’03, chairman and CEO at RS Metrics.
Organized by GBC.
January ’24
January 31 — Tamer Center Clubs Kickoff
Students interested in learning about social entrepreneurship, impact and ESG investing, climate change and CSR, renewable energy, board service, and international development joined the Green Business Club, Financial Literacy Club, and Social Enterprise Club to hear from club leaders and learn about club initiatives and the social impact community on campus. Green Business Club (GBC), Financial Literacy Club (FLC), Social Enterprise Club (SEC), and center.
January 31 — 2024 Nonprofit Board and Volunteer Showcase
CBS alumni and students interested in joining a nonprofit board connected with mission-driven organizations looking for high-impact volunteers and board members. This year’s event showcased the impact of the Tamer Center network, including organizations led by alumni board members and nonprofit executives from the Senior Leaders Program in Executive Education. Attendees networked with fellow alumni and students while learning how to deepen their impact on the issues that matter most — from global equality to local housing access, economic and workforce equity, access to education and the arts.
January 30 + February 2 — TFSV Information Session
The Tamer Fund for Social Ventures provides seed grants of $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, researchers, and alumni of Columbia University to learn and ask questions about the fund, application process, upcoming deadlines, and qualifications to apply.
January 30 — Webinars for Social Entrepreneurs: Accelerate Your Social or Environmental Impact With Experts From GLG Partners
Social and environmental nonprofit founders joined Alaa Albarghuthi, director of social impact at GLG, to learn how to access GLG's network of experts for free through GLG Partners.
January 23 — Pangea Spring 2024 Project Kickoff Meeting
Kickoff meeting for current project teams to discuss spring Pangea projects, deadlines, resources, and travel.
Organized by Pangea Advisors, a part of the SEC.
January 18 — REAP Alumni Networking Event With Special Guest Dario Peña from Justice Through Code
CBS REAP alumni reconnected with their cohorts, heard from the current REAP team and community, and helped the program consider strategic questions that will help shape future programming. Strategic programming questions covered topics such as, how REAP can aid in scaling the success of Justice Through Code, how REAP can help leverage expertise of current students; program alumni, and the wider CBS networks to provide more comprehensive job-preparedness for students in prison; and how REAP can expand its impact on local justice-impacted communities. Dario Peña shared the REAP alumni newsletter resource.
December ’23
December 8 — CUIIN Sustainable Finance Conference
Participants explored the intersection of sustainability and business at the CUIIN Sustainable Finance Summit hosted at Columbia Business School. This event gathered leaders in sustainable business and featured discussions on the effectiveness of current sustainability efforts and innovative strategies for the future. For students interested in sustainability, finance, or business, the summit offered a unique opportunity to gain practical insights, connect with industry experts, and discover career paths in sustainable business. The conference featured speakers including: Grace Muller, sustainability strategy associate at Warburg Pincus; Alex Yu, investment banking associate at CRC-IB; Ahmet Cem Karadeniz, investment banking analyst at Bank of America; Ugochukwu Nwadiani, '24BUS, incoming investment banking associate at JP Morgan; Jacob Ricco, ESG analyst at 13D Management, LLC; Nistha Lohani, investment banking analyst at Morgan Stanley; Edward Awe, ’25CC; Grace Frascati ’25CC; Mildred (Milly) Waxman, ’25BC; Matt Meadow, ’24CC; Leah Goryachovsky, ’24CC; and Emine Taha, ’25CC.
Organized by CUIIN; supported by the center; and sponsored by Impact Initiative, Microlumbia Impact Fund, BLK Capital Management, and Elevate.
December 7 — 2023 Tamer Center End of Year Celebration
Club leaders, faculty, researchers, and staff gathered at Olivia’s Tapas for an end of the year celebration.
December 6 — GBC Educational Dinner Pod: Hydrogen
The GBC’s new Educational Dinner Pods for members is focused on key topics in green business. Dinners are held throughout the year and centered around different themes.
Organized by GBC.
December 6 — Webinars for Social Entrepreneurs, Human Centered Design Research for Innovators
Sonia Panigrahy, human-centered design consultant, guided entrepreneurs into getting first-hand user insights to shape their business and social venture strategy, and improve their user adoption success.
December 4 — COP28: Columbia Business School Alumni Dinner
Alumni attending COP28 in Dubai were invited to join Dean Costis Maglaras and Professor Bruce Usher for an alumni dinner, where they spoke about Columbia Business School's Business and Climate Change initiative and updates from COP28.
This event was hosted by Marwan Dalloul ’08.
December 3 — COP28: Global Forum on Education for Climate Action: Empowering Business Schools With the Open Climate Curriculum Initiative
During COP28 in Dubai, faculty and staff from universities and business schools around the globe, and business leaders interested in education, were invited for a lunch conversation with Dean Costis Maglaras and Professor Bruce Usher on preparing future business leaders for climate change. During the event, Dean Maglaras and Professor Usher demonstrated the new Open Climate Curriculum initiative website, an open resource for business school faculty that shares teaching materials and expertise to expedite the mission of expanding business teaching that addresses climate change.
December 1 — Renewable Energy Modeling Bootcamp
Pivotal 180 came to campus for a two-day in-person bootcamp to prepare students with the necessary skills to recruit for clean energy roles. There was minor pre-work and homework with access to all materials for 12 months. Pivotal 180 provides industry-leading training to teams at many employers such as Apollo, Barclays, EDF Renewables, Global Infrastructure Partners, Lendlease, Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, and Shell.
Organized by the Energy & Infrastructure Club and GBC.
November ’23
November 30 — Career Workshop, Mapping your Social Impact Career
MBA students interested in a social impact career attended this career workshop led by Emily Lamia, founder and CEO of Pivot Journeys. 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.
November 29 — Preparing for a Career in Impact, Impact Investing Internship Panel
MBA students interested in an impact investing career joined second-year students as they shared recruiting tips and their experiences in impact investing. Panelists included Ray Lu '24, summer associate at Impact America Fund; M.A. Miller '24, summer intern at EQX Biome; and Sarah Zhukovsky '24, investment associate at 37 Angels.
Organized by SEC.
November 29 — A Climate of Change: Bridging Climate Tech Across the Atlantic
Filip Vanden Bulcke, consul general of Belgium in New York; Tijs Delaere, VP of US offshore operations for DEME Group (a Belgium-headquartered leading offshore energy contractor with US operations); and Sanjay Shrestha, chief strategy officer of Plug Power (a US-headquartered green hydrogen firm) discussed the opportunities and challenges — market, regulatory, diplomatic, and otherwise — of conducting climate tech business on both sides of the Atlantic.
Organized by the GBC and ExBo, and supported by the center.
November 28 — Green Business Club Alumni Mixer
Alumni working in the green business space, including APG Asset Management, joined students in the Green Business Club for a networking event downtown.
Organized by GBC.
November 28 — Climate Finance Case Study: Generate Capital and Ambient Fuels
Panelists Dev Banerjee (Ambient Fuels), David Medoff (Generate Capital), and moderator Daniel Ioselevich ’24 discussed Generate Capital's May 2023 investment in Ambient Fuels to scale green hydrogen projects and accelerate the decarbonization of hard-to-abate industrial sectors. This case study event was open to all students interested in climate tech, energy transition finance, and startups. The panelists walked through the Ambient Fuels-Generate Capital $250 million transaction, from sourcing to execution, including the critical considerations and risks each party considered throughout, and answered students’ questions.
Organized by GBC.
November 28 — Nonprofit Board Leadership Program Check-in Meeting
Participants of NBLP gathered to discuss progress on their projects and the resources available to them.
Organized by NBLP, within the SEC, and center.
November 20 — Pangea Advisors Info Session
Pangea Advisors is the pro bono international consulting arm of SEC. Their mission is to enhance the quality of life in the developing world by addressing critical challenges encountered by nonprofits and for-profit social enterprises. All students are encouraged to apply to join a project team. Attendees discovered what it takes to make a difference abroad, tackling the most pressing issues in the developing world.
Organized by Pangea Advisors, a part of the Social Enterprise Club.
November 16 — Webinars for Social Entrepreneurs, Partnerships: What to Look For, How to Structure, and Mistakes to Avoid
In this webinar and Q&A, Don Weiss, former professor at Columbia Business School and owner of Boright Realty, W&B Holdings, and White Home Products, provided the ins and outs of choosing a partnership for your venture.
November 16 — Columbia University Cross-school Sustainability Social
Columbia's climate community met for our first cross-school social of the year.
Organized by the Green Business Club at Columbia Business School; the Circular Economy Club and Columbia Sustainable Finance Professionals Network at the School of Professional Studies; Columbia Climate School; the Corporate Responsibility Association at Columbia Law School; the Electric Vehicles Organization; GreenSAPP at the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation; SUMASA and SUMA Net Impact at Columbia University; and the Sustainable Business Working Group at the School of International and Public Affairs.
November 15 — Climate Tech Landscape and Recruiting
Attendees deepened their understanding of climate tech recruiting norms and expectations from a range of experts. Speakers included Shara Mohtadi, co-founder of S2 Strategies Advisory Firm, former advisor to Bloomberg Philanthropies, Newlab, and the Department of Energy; Silas Mahner, climate tech recruitment lead for Nextwave Partners, and host of CleanTechies podcast; and Anne Downing, senior recruiter for Climatebase.
Organized by the GBC, Columbia Entrepreneurs Organization (CEO), and CBS Tech Club.
November 14 — LionTank ’23: Green Edition - Climate VC Pitch Event
This demo-day connected early-stage investors with passionate and talented entrepreneurs innovating and building impactful solutions in the broader climate space. Selected founders pitched their startup to a panel of top-tier climate-driven venture capital funds and MBA students highly compelled to tackle the climate crisis. These early-stage climate entrepreneurs received live feedback and discussion from top climate VCs. All presenting companies had solutions related to mitigating or increasing resilience to climate change.
Organized by the Venture Capital Club (VCC) and GBC.
November 14 — How to Save the World in Six (Not So Easy) Steps: Bringing Out the Best in Nonprofits
We all depend heavily on nonprofits — for education, health care, social services, spiritual fulfillment, and much more. Unfortunately, too many nonprofits are hobbled by inefficiency, infighting, and inertia. In his new book, "How to Save the World in Six (Not So Easy) Steps: Bringing Out the Best in Nonprofits," David Schizer, Harvey R. Miller Professor of Law and Economics and Dean Emeritus of Columbia Law School, exposes the root causes of these problems and explains how to solve them. He also highlights impressive achievements by distinguished nonprofits, including 92NY's launch of Giving Tuesday. In this session, David was joined by key players ‒ including Henry Timms, president and CEO of Lincoln Center; Asha Curran, CEO of GivingTuesday; and Stuart Elman, founder and general partner of RRE Ventures; in conversation with Sandra Navalli OAM ’03, adjunct faculty and managing director of the Tamer Center for Social Enterprise — in the launch of GivingTuesday to reflect on the secrets of its success.
November 10 — Lucid Motors
Club members traveled to Lucid Motor's Meatpacking District flagship location to chat with their team about marketing, branding, and future products with Andrea Soriani, VP of marketing.
Organized by the Automotive and Transportation Club, GBC, and Retail and Luxury Goods Club (RLG).
November 9-12 — Green Business Club Fall Trek to Boulder, CO
Club members interested in careers in green business traveled to Boulder, Colorado for a sustainability themed career trek. Students learned about the different sustainable business opportunities, and explored Colorado’s beautiful outdoors.
Organized by the GBC.
November 8 — Webinars for Social Entrepreneurs, TrustLaw: Global Pro Bono Legal Support
Hosted by Livia Fry, program officer for North America and the Caribbean at TrustLaw, provided information about the range of pro bono legal support TrustLaw provides, common legal issues, and how to make the most of their services.
October ’23
October 31 — Providing Renewable Energy Solutions Across America: Fireside Chat With Wendy De Wolf ’18
Wendy De Wolf ’18 is co-founder of East Light Partners and is involved in all aspects of finance, operations, and development activities. Prior to East Light Partners, Wendy was a project manager at Energy Management, Inc., where she applied broad ranging expertise across commercial, engineering, and permitting disciplines on the Cape Wind project and the successful development of over 35 MW of distributed and utility scale solar projects in the Northeast. Recently, Vitol’s Americas renewables platform, VC Renewables, acquired East Light Partners, its 520MW pipeline, and management team to expand into greenfield solar and storage development. Wendy holds a BS from Yale and an MBA from Columbia Business School.
Organized by the GBC.
October 27 — Columbia Business School’s Climate Faculty Research Seminar, Business as Usual: Bank Climate Commitments, Lending, and Engagement
Faculty and PhD students gathered at the event to hear from Parinitha Sastry, assistant professor of business, about her recently published joint paper (with Emil Verner, associate professor of finance at MIT, and David Marquez-Ibanez, team lead - economist at the European Central Park). The paper studies the impact of voluntary climate commitments by banks on their lending activity and on borrowing firms. The authors used administrative data on the universe of bank lending from 19 European countries. There is strong selection into commitments, with increased participation by the largest banks and banks with the most pre-existing exposure to high-polluting industries. Climate-aligned banks do not change their lending volumes or interest rates to firms in high-polluting sectors after making voluntary commitments. However, firms in high-polluting sectors are more likely to set climate targets after their lender sets a climate target, potentially consistent with an engagement approach to reducing financed emissions.
Organized by Professors Geoffrey Heal and Gernot Wagner.
October 27 — Columbia University’s 22nd Annual Social Enterprise Conference, Capital for Good
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: “Ethical AI: Balancing Innovation and Social Responsibility,” “Unleashing the Power of Technology and Data Analytics in ESG Investing,” “Climate & Social Impact Pitch Mix & Match and Networking Session,” “Unleashing Economic Mobility: Evaluating Venture Impact and Sustainability,” “Financial Inclusion in the Digital Age: How Fintech is Connecting Underserved People,” “Scaling Climate Technology: Unlocking Innovation for a Greener Future,” “Carbon Credits: The Future of Climate Finance,” “Investing for Water Equity: How Impact driven Investments are Solving the Global Water Crisis,” and “The Future of Sustainable Cities: Paving the Path to Carbon-free Cities.” More information on the 2023 Social Enterprise Conference, Capital for Good can be found here: https://www.columbiasocialenterprise.org/conference/.
Organized by the center, SEC, and GBC.
October 24 — GBC Climate Crash Course (C3) Intro Session
This session surveyed climate opportunities across the economy and introduced frameworks for organizing your climate learning journey. The aim of this series is to equip members with a baseline level of climate knowledge to be able to speak intelligently about climate work and recruit effectively for climate jobs. Later sessions included deeper dives in different areas based on member interests.
Organized by GBC.
October 23 — Inclusive Entrepreneurship Fellowship Kickoff Lunch
The Inclusive Entrepreneurship Fellowship, led by Professor Dan Wang, facilitates partner projects between CBS student teams and local business or community leaders to create positive local impact by bridging divides in local entrepreneurial ecosystems. Projects explore areas such as social investing, inclusive financing, community development, and entrepreneurial consulting and advising. In this kickoff, 2023–24 fellows met with faculty, staff, and other student teams; and also discussed projects, deliverables, and deadlines.
October 19 — Webinars for Social Entrepreneurs, The Cynefin Framework: A Leader's Framework for Decision Making
Participants learned about the Cynefin framework from Professor Jeffrey Golde. In his introduction, Professor Golde discussed how the framework is an essential tool for leaders in identifying the type of problem they are working on and learning the principles and methods for approaching decision-making in complexity.
October 12 — Silfen Leadership Series, Building a Circular Economy: Fireside Chat With Ron Gonen ’04, Closed Loop Partner's Founder and CEO
The Silfen Leadership Series brings world-renowned leaders to campus to speak to students, and was set up by David ’68 and Lyn Silfen. In this session Ron Gonen ’04 discussed how to build a circular economy business and the importance of regenerative materials or products, especially as a means of continuing production in a sustainable or environmentally-friendly way. Ron is the founder and CEO of Closed Loop Partners, a New York-based investment firm focused on building the circular economy. Closed Loop Partners manages capital for leading consumer goods companies, technology companies, retailers, financial institutions, family offices, and endowments focused on investments that seek strong financial returns and tangible social impact. Ron is the author of a number of patents in the areas of technology and environmental science.
Organized by the Silfen Leadership Series and co-hosted by the Phillips Pathway for Inclusive Leadership, and the center.
October 11 — Impact Investing Career Panel
Club members joined the Social Enterprise Club for a career panel featuring second-year students who spent their summer working in impact investing. Panelists covered how impact investing differs from traditional investing, what kinds of projects or businesses impact investing typically supports, what recruiting looks like, and what skills or qualities impact investment firms look for in new hires. Panelists included Ray Lu ’24 (Impact America Fund), Maggie Monahan ’24 (GoodLight Capital), and Sarah Zhukovsky ’24 (Developing World Markets).
Organized by the SEC.
October 11 — Nonprofit Board Leadership Program Orientation
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.
October 10 — Climate Change and the New American Economy, The Inflation Reduction Act: Driving Climate Action and Economic Opportunity
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is the largest and most ambitious climate legislation ever passed in the United States. After just one year, the IRA has impacted the American economy by encouraging private sector investment in domestic clean energy and electric vehicle manufacturing, creating new jobs and business opportunities. Participants joined Brian Deese, MIT Innovation Fellow and former director of the National Economic Council in the Biden White House, and principal architect of the Inflation Reduction Act, in conversation with Vijay V. Vaitheeswaran, global energy and climate innovation editor at The Economist, for a discussion on how the IRA is meeting America's climate goals while reshaping the economy. Brian’s remarks are available online.
October 7-8 — Girls in Tech, NY Hackathon
Over the weekend, more than 100 hackers worked on tech solutions to climate change by partnering with local nonprofits in NYC and the Center’s new Open Climate Curriculum Initiative. Hacking teams consisted of a range of participants including students, marketers, technologists, strategists, creatives, and humanists from the local community. Participants used their problem-solving, analytical, and design-thinking skills to come up with solutions for change.
Organized by Girls in Tech NYC and supported by the center.
October 5 — SESF Cross-campus Project Presentations + Social
The center and the 2023 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 fellows interned across social enterprise sectors including international development, health care, arts, conservation, and beyond.
Organized by the center and hosted by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
October 4 — Webinars for Social Entrepreneurs, Basics of PR for Social Entrepreneurs
Participants joined Liz Bazini, president and founder of Bazini Hopp, to learn methods for entrepreneurs seeking to generate press for their ventures. Bazini Hopp is a NYC-based public relations agency helping small businesses increase their visibility and elevate executives as thought leaders to attract target audiences.
October 3 — Green Business Internship Recruiting – 2Y Perspectives Panel
Students interested in securing internships in green business attended this student-led panel discussion to hear from second-year students about their internship recruiting experience for green business roles at tech startups, industry, investment firms, and more! Following the 30-minute moderated discussion, students had breakout discussions by recruiting path.
Organized by the GBC.
September ’23
September 29 — SESF MBA Project Presentations
The center and the 2023 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 fellows interned across social enterprise sectors including education, health care, philanthropy, impact investing, sustainability, real estate, and beyond.
September 27 — Webinars for Social Entrepreneurs, Basics of PR for Social Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs joined Benjamin Friedman, president and founder of Build Scale Grow, for a one-hour webinar and Q&A to learn how to scale their venture. Build Scale Grow is a consulting and fractional COO organization helping small businesses.
September 26 — Organizational Leadership Series With Cole Riley, CEO of Wellfare
The series hosts preeminent business and legal executives from various industries to highlight their effective leadership styles in congruence with their companies’ strong organizational cultures. In this discussion, Cole Riley shared his drive to disrupt the country's current approach to food insecurity, as well as his ability — as a team of one — to instill Wellfare's mission-driven culture among the company's volunteers, corporate partners, donors, and families.
Organized by the Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. Center for Leadership and Ethics, and supported by the center and the Eugene M. Lang Entrepreneurship Center.
September 23 — Tamer Center Student Welcome Retreat
First- and second-year students interested in climate change and social enterprise gathered at Talea Beer Co. — a female-founded taproom — in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. The event serves as an opportunity for like-minded students to come together and mingle with the climate and social impact communities at CBS. Students got to know the Tamer Center Clubs, such as the Green Business Club and Social Enterprise Club; met center faculty and staff; played a round of trivia with the New York City Trivia League; and enjoyed drinks and appetizers.
September 22 — NYC Climate Week, Climate Data + Modeling for the Financial Sector
Learning the Earth with Artificial Intelligence & Physics (LEAP) is an NSF-funded Science and Technology Center (STC) launched in 2021 with the mission to increase the reliability, utility, and reach of climate projections through the integration of climate and data sciences. Driven by a collaboration between Columbia University, NYU, University of California Irvine, Teachers College, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, NCAR, and NASA-GISS, LEAP works with the nation’s top climate research laboratories and major computing organizations to optimally use the wealth of data available for climate modeling in order to better predict the future and positively impact society’s ability to adapt to climate change.
Together with the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) and CarbonPlan, LEAP presented this workshop to introduce the LEAP Center, its research and vision, and to invite participants into an exploration of the suite of climate modeling and data visualization tools and resources currently being developed by the LEAP team. During the workshop, participants: learned about climate data and modeling, engaged in hands-on demonstrations, and began to identify how LEAP’s resources can address their needs.
The LEAP team also created space for feedback that assisted in refining these tools and resources for the most effective and vital application by financial institutions, government entities, and community organizations. The workshop included UNEP FI facilitators and a post-workshop write-up for participants.
Speakers included: Vanessa Burbano, corporate engagement director of LEAP and Sidney Taurel Associate Professor of Management at Columbia Business School; Julius Busecke, manager of data and computing at LEAP and senior staff associate at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO); and Jeremy Freeman, executive director at CarbonPlan.
Organized by Columbia University LEAP Science & Technology Center and the UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative.
September 21 — Inclusive Entrepreneurship Information Session
The Inclusive Entrepreneurship Fellowship facilitates partner projects between MBA/EMBA student teams and local business and community leaders to create positive local impact by bridging divides in entrepreneurial ecosystems. Projects explore areas such as social investing, inclusive financing, community development, and entrepreneurial consulting and advising. Over the course of the program, student participants can expect to expand their experience and apply their training; work with an accelerator or VC on challenging projects and areas of need within their organization; explore the ways business may address major social and economic challenges faced by overlooked and marginalized communities in New York City and around the world; and earn Independent study credit and fellowship funding. During this info session, the center discussed team formation and how to apply, shared the program opportunities, and reviewed the partner portfolios for 2023–2024.
September 21 — NYC Climate Week, Amazon Economics
The Amazon Forest plays a pivotal role in regulating global climate patterns. With an estimated 150-200 billion tons of carbon stored in the Amazon, the deforestation of the Amazon Forest presents both a major problem and a great opportunity. This two-part event comprised an academic session that discussed the role of the Amazon and how reforestation can be a cost-effective solution to capturing significant carbon emissions, and a policy session that uncovered innovative solutions through public policy to combat deforestation and protect the native vegetation of the Amazon Forest to reduce its tipping point. Academic speakers included: Jose Scheinkman, Charles and Lynn Zhang Professor of Economics at Columbia University; and Elena Shevliakova, physical scientist at Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) at Princeton University Forrestal Campus; and was moderated by Juliano Assuncao, executive director at the Climate Policy Initiative and associate professor of economics at Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio). Policy speakers featured Kevin Conrad, executive director of the Coalition for Rainforest Nations; André Corrêa do Lago, Secretary for Climate, Energy, and Environment in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Juliana Santiago, managing director of Emergent-LEAF Coalition; and moderated by Gernot Wagner, Senior Lecturer in Discipline of Economics in the Faculty of Business at Columbia Business School.
September 21 — NYC Climate Week, Newlab Climate Week Site Visit
Patrick Lin ’24, VP of community for Green Business Club, led a trip to Newlab's Climate Week event. The event featured high-level speakers from Revel, Orsted, and BoA; ventures from Activate, CTVC, and New System Ventures; and government representatives from ARPA-E, Michigan Central, and InvestPR. Following the event, participants networked with speakers and attendees.
Organized by the GBC.
September 21 — Columbia Business School Loan Assistance Information Session
Managing director Sandra Navalli OAM ’03 and the Office of Financial Aid hosted an information session for students and alumni interested in applying for Columbia Business School’s Loan Assistance Program, which enables MBAs to take management and leadership positions in the public and nonprofit sectors, and with social ventures. The program is designed to help alleviate the financial burden associated with repaying education loans while pursuing a career in these sectors, which typically pay lower salaries but have unmet needs that Columbia Business School graduates are able to address.
September 20 — The Washington Post Live, This is Climate. Tech Solutions
Technologies from wind and solar power to robotics and artificial intelligence are paving the way for innovative solutions to reduce our carbon footprint. Attendees joined Washington Post Live for a dynamic conversation with Professor Gernot Wagner and Reina Otsuka, United Nations Development Program’s Digital Innovation for Nature, Climate and Energy lead, about the role of technology in finding solutions to address climate change.
Organized by the Washington Post, presenting sponsor by esri | The Science of Where
September 20 — Green Business Club Welcome Social
MBA students were invited to join the Green Business Club members for a social event at the Baylander. Participants met GBC members and connected with the climate community on campus.
Organized by the GBC.
September 20 — Khemka Forum: Success in Sustainable Finance: India's Story
The Nand and Jeet Khemka Distinguished Speaker Forum, established in May 2008 by CBS board member Nand L. Khemka '56 and his wife, Jeet, brings leaders in industry, commerce, finance, and government from India and around the globe to New York to share their perspective on India's growing economy and business policies. This lecture featured Namita Vikas, founder and managing director of auctusESG, and Professor Bruce Usher, co-director of the Tamer Center for Social Enterprise. Participants learned about sustainable finance in India: what's working well, what's not, and lessons for the United States; what financing solutions/structures work for climate change when capital is very limited; and how blended finance can improve local livelihoods.
Organized by the Jerome A. Chazen Institute for Global Business and co-sponsored by the center and the South Asia Business Association (SABA) at Columbia Business School.
September 20 — Webinars for Social Entrepreneurs, Look in to Stand Out: A Workshop for Your 30-second Pitch
In this workshop, Michelle Arrazcaeta discussed what makes a 30-second pitch strong, and participants had the opportunity to create their own personal pitch. Michelle used coaching and strategy methods to help attendees articulate who they are in a way that lights them. It's not just what you say, but the energy you bring when saying it.
September 20 — Pangea Information Session
Students heard from club leadership about Pangea Advisors, 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 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.
September 19 — Nonprofit Board Leadership Program Information Session
Students interested in taking on an independent consulting project for a nonprofit learned more about the NBLP, application process, and nonprofit board service.
Organized by NBLP, within the SEC, and center.
September 18 — Three Cairns Climate Fellowship Information Session
Karen Hasher, program manager, discussed the Three Cairns Climate Fellowship at Columbia Business School which provides support to MBA and EMBA students who complete semester- or year-long projects at the intersection of climate change and business.
September 14 — GBC Careers Kickoff Meeting
Interested students attended the Green Business Club's kickoff meeting to learn about careers in sustainability across industries.
Organized by the GBC.
September 14 — Microlumbia Recruiting Social
Students interested in learning more about Microlumbia and applying to work on a project this year met with the Microlumbia board members, and learned about upcoming projects and the application process.
Organized by Microlumbia, within SEC.
September 14 — Tamer Center Clubs Kickoff
Students interested in learning about social entrepreneurship, impact and ESG investing, climate change and CSR, renewable energy, board service, and international development joined the Green Business Club, Financial Literacy Club, and Social Enterprise Club to hear from club leaders and learn about club initiatives and the social impact community on campus.
Green Business Club (GBC), Financial Literacy Club (FLC), Social Enterprise Club (SEC), and center.
September 13–14 — Brazil Climate Summit 2023
Kicking off right before New York’s Climate Week, the 2023 Brazil Climate Summit brought together business leaders, entrepreneurs, academia, experts, policy-makers, NGOs, and multilateral organizations to discuss Brazil’s opportunities and responsibilities in a world where environmental and social impacts are the pillars of a new capitalism. Participants learned from industry experts about the crucial role that concrete business opportunities can play in combating climate change. The combined power of academia, civil society, and the private sector in Brazil has established Brazil as a hub for climate-focused global business solutions. Summit participants examined the real opportunities that will shape the future of climate-related business in Brazil and around the world. Distinguished speakers from business and academia included Rich Lesser, Bruce Usher, Luciana Ribeiro, Patricia Ellen, Arminio Fraga, Pedro Parente, Marina Cançado, Nizan Guanaes, Luciano Huck, Guilherme Leal, Ana Cabral Gardner, Paula Kovarsky, among many others. Featured speakers discussed key sustainability topics crucial for the future of the planet and drawing the lessons for Brazil.
Presented by Columbia Global Centers, Rio de Janeiro; the Brazil Club at Columbia Business School; Columbia Alumni Association, Brazil; and Brazil Talk; and supported by the center.
September 13 — Empowering Communities Through AI and Social Entrepreneurship
How can AI be used as a tool to drive financial inclusion in emerging and frontier markets? Students joined Azizjon Azimi, the visionary founder of zypl.ai and TajRupt, as he shared his groundbreaking journey of creating and managing two social enterprises focused on delivering economic empowerment and tech education. Azizjon dove into the power of synthetically generated AI models and machine learning-based credit scoring software that have revolutionized micro-lending in Central Asia, Caucasus, and the Middle East. In addition, he talked about his work at TajRupt, where he is transforming Tajikistan into a regional hub for machine learning. Azizjon shared what it's like to launch and manage two social enterprise startups, his current work in financial inclusion, and the role of AI in transforming economies.
Organized by Asher Dayanim, ‘24GS, a 2023 Social Enterprise Summer Fellow.
September 9 — Justice Through Code Advising Kickoff
REAP and JTC students and advisors gathered virtually for an introduction and orientation for the semester’s advising program. Students met their advisors at virtual tables and outlined their goals for working together for the duration of their program.
Organized by Columbia University’s Justice Through Code (JTC) and the center.
September 7 — Tamer Fund for Social Ventures (TFSV) Information Session
The Tamer Fund for Social Ventures provides seed grants of $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 Columbia University students, alumni, and researchers to learn and ask questions about the fund, application process, upcoming deadlines, and qualifications to apply.
August ’23
August 30 — Startup Works, Showcase Day
Over the course of six workshops, justice-impacted and Columbia-affiliated teams participated in a series focused on team formation and practical startup skills development. Sessions addressed foundational topics including values-based team building; understanding customers and their "jobs to be done"; building a minimum viable product with no-code tools; measuring impact; and more. Participants presented their progress and pitched their startups at the Showcase Day for an audience of peers, startup team advisors, Columbia MBA/EMBA REAP instructors & advisors and friends of REAP (ReEntry Acceleration Program).
Organized by the center, in partnership with the Center for Justice at Columbia University, and Communitas America.
August 24 — Startup Workshop With Sandra Garcia, Grow With Google Digital Coach
Startup Works and JTC participants had the opportunity to attend the Grow With Google workshop hosted by Sandra Garcia, digital coach for Grow With Google at Google. The first half, entitled “Launch Your Business With Customer-Focused Marketing,” focused on how to create a compelling brand, define your audience, convert customers, and build loyalty and advocacy. The second half, entitled “Learn the Basics of Google Ads,” focused on how to reach more customers and grow startups with Google Ads, how to create an account and set up an ad campaign, how to improve ad performance, and how to measure success.
Organized by Grow With Google, Justice Through Code at Columbia University, and the center.
August 23 — Tamer Fund for Social Ventures (TFSV) Information Session
The Tamer Fund for Social Ventures provides seed grants of $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.
August 9 — Startup Works, Session 6
A cohort of local community members, CU-affiliated participants, and justice impacted individuals participated in the sixth session of Startup Works, a workshop series focused on practical startup skills development. Over the course of six weeks, sessions addressed foundational entrepreneurship skills including values-based team building and resiliency; knowing customers and their problems; building minimum viable product with no-code tools; measuring impact; and more.
Organized by the center, Center for Justice at Columbia University, and Communitas America.
August 2 — Startup Works, Session 5
A cohort of local community members, CU-affiliated participants, and justice impacted individuals participated in the fifth session of Startup Works, a workshop series focused on practical startup skills development. Over the course of six weeks, sessions addressed foundational entrepreneurship skills including values-based team building and resiliency; knowing customers and their problems; building minimum viable product with no-code tools; measuring impact; and more.
Organized by the center, Center for Justice at Columbia University, and Communitas America.
July ’23
July 27 — “Summer for the City”: An Evening With the Nonprofit Board Leadership Program and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
The Nonprofit Board Leadership Program (NBLP) and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts hosted MBA and EMBA students for an exclusive pre-show reception before the “Summer for the City'' live performance. The show featured five of NYC’s most iconic dance companies — Ballet Hispánico, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, and Dance Theatre of Harlem — together on one stage as the BAAND Together Dance Festival at Damrosch Park. In addition to the performance, students interested in engaging with New York’s vibrant nonprofit arts sector had the opportunity to learn more about the NBLP and see some of our terrific NBLP partner organizations in action.
Organized by the NBLP and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.
July 26 —Startup Works, Session 4
A cohort of local community members, CU-affiliated participants, and justice impacted individuals participated in the fourth session of Startup Works, a workshop series focused on practical startup skills development. Over the course of six weeks, sessions addressed foundational entrepreneurship skills including values-based team building and resiliency; knowing customers and their problems; building minimum viable product with no-code tools; measuring impact; and more.
Organized by the center, Center for Justice at Columbia University, and Communitas America.
July 19 — Startup Works, Session 3
A cohort of local community members, CU-affiliated participants, and justice impacted individuals participated in the third session of Startup Works, a workshop series focused on practical startup skills development. Over the course of six weeks, sessions addressed foundational entrepreneurship skills including values-based team building and resiliency; knowing customers and their problems; building minimum viable product with no-code tools; measuring impact; and more.
Organized by the center, Center for Justice at Columbia University, and Communitas America.
July 14 — Double Discovery Center, High School Climate Summit
Over 100 high school students from the Boys and Girls Club of Harlem gathered at the Forum for a half-day Climate Summit. The event was in partnership with the Climate School and the Double Discovery Center. Students heard from a speaker from the Climate Museum about climate change and how they are raising awareness and engaging youth in activism. Young Leadership Council members from the Audubon Society and Brotherhood Sister Sol shared their experiences and enthusiasm for activism to encourage their peers from the Boys and Girls club to take action. Gerald Cotiangco from the Climate School held a career panel with two recent graduates highlighting less traditional careers in the climate sector.
Organized by the Double Discovery Center and the Boys and Girls Club of Harlem, with support from the center.
July 12 — Startup Works, Session 2
A cohort of local community members, CU-affiliated participants, and justice impacted individuals participated in the second session of Startup Works, a workshop series focused on practical startup skills development. Over the course of six weeks, sessions addressed foundational entrepreneurship skills including values-based team building and resiliency; knowing customers and their problems; building minimum viable product with no-code tools; measuring impact; and more.
Organized by the center, Center for Justice at Columbia University, and Communitas America.
July 5 — Startup Works, Session 1
A cohort of local community members, CU-affiliated participants, and justice impacted individuals participated in the first session of Startup Works, a workshop series focused on practical startup skills development. Over the course of six weeks, sessions addressed foundational entrepreneurship skills including values-based team building and resiliency; knowing customers and their problems; building minimum viable product with no-code tools; measuring impact; and more.
Organized by the center, Center for Justice at Columbia University, and Communitas America.