December 2021
Net Zero Pledges: Can They Get Us Where We Need to Go?
Columbia Climate School: State of the Planet, December 16, 2021
Professor Bruce Usher talked about the reality of net-zero pledges and how to make them more effective.
Building Resilient Supply Chains With Embedded Fintech
Forbes, December 16, 2021
"We should remember that today's supply chain challenges go well beyond the American consumer." Adjunct assistant professor Vikas Raj ’10 wrote about how a group of embedded fintech innovators are helping small retailers in markets from Nigeria to Pakistan be more resilient to supply chain shocks.
Columbia Business School’s Big Bet On Climate Change
Yahoo!, December 13, 2021
Dean Costis Maglaras discussed how the School is hiring more faculty to teach courses on clean tech, breakthrough technology, and climate finance as a way to lead the field as businesses transition to net-zero.
Jeff Bezos Climate Fund Gives Millions to Energy Efficiency Startup BlocPower
CNBC, December 7, 2021
The Bezos Earth Fund gave a $5.5M grant to BlocPower, an energy efficiency technology startup focused on building construction and retrofits in urban areas, where Donnel Baird ’13 is CEO.
NYC Mayor-Elect Eric Adams Names Education Transition Team Members. Here’s Who Made the Cut
Chalkbeat, December 3, 2021
Phoebe Boyer ’93, president and CEO of Children’s Aid, was named one of 100 members who will advise the mayor-elect on education issues. This was also featured in Gotham Gazette.
Meet the Man Who Wants to Electrify Every Building in America
Fast Company, December 3, 2021
Donnel Baird ’13 is CEO of climate tech company BlocPower, which provides efficient energy alternatives such as electric heat pumps and solar panels to save building owners on energy costs.
Investors Are Punishing the Polluters. Here’s Proof
Washington Post, December 1, 2021
Professor Patrick Bolton, with a leading group of academics, examined data on the relationship between 16K global companies' equity value and the amount of greenhouse gases each emitted from 2016 to 2020.
November 2021
Forbes 30 Under 30: Social Impact
Forbes, Fall 2021
Beverly Leon ’20 was included in Forbes's 30 Under 30: Social Impact list. Beverly is founder and CEO of Tamer Fund for Social Ventures portfolio member Local Civics, which uses a goal-based tech platform and evidence-based curriculum to provide individualized experiences for middle and high school students to build their leadership, understand policies in their community, and design their own civic participation pathways.
New York City Broadband Housing Initiative Gets First Completed Project
Broadband Breakfast, November 30, 2021
BlocPower, where Donnel Baird ’13 is CEO, completed the first of five New York City Housing Authority low-cost wi-fi alternatives, helping to close the digital divide in the city's underserved communities. The build out was part of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s $157M Internet Master Plan, which aims to connect 600K underserved New Yorkers.
ESG Investing: ‘A Virtuous Cycle of Asset Growth’
Cayman Compass, November 26, 2021
Is ESG investing making companies more sustainable? Professor Bruce Usher says that academic research indicates it's succeeding.
Su Sanni: Providing Transit Equity and Economic Mobility to Underserved Communities
Nasdaq, November 23, 2021
Su Sanni, co-founder of Dollaride — a Tamer Fund for Social Ventures portfolio member — talked about how he is making public transit accessible and affordable to everyone.
Shazi Visram Of Happy Family Organics Democratizes Organic Baby Food
Worth, November 22, 2021
Through her company Happy Family Brands, which provides naturally and sustainably sourced baby food, founder Shazi Visram ’04 provides support to underserved families and communities.
3 Tips To Help You Get Your First Small Business Loan
Forbes, November 16, 2021
Hardika Shah ’09, founder and CEO of the fintech company Kinara Capital, offered three tips to make it easier to get an Indian micro-small-and-medium enterprise (MSME) loan.
Are Governments at COP26 Guilty of “Greenwashing?”
Columbia Business School: Leading Through Change, November 10, 2021
Professor Vanessa Burbano said that lack of full transparency by governments and other entities offers an opportunity for greenwashing.
The Power of Diversity: Women 100
City & State NY, November 8, 2021
Phoebe Boyer ’93, president and CEO of Children’s Aid, was recognized as one of 100 prominent leading women shaping the political landscape across New York state.
October 2021
Kinara Capital Gets Rs 70 cr From Invest in Visions
Financial Times, October 28, 2021
Kinara Capital, where Hardika Shah ’09 is founder and CEO, secured EUR 8M in funding, enabling the ESG impact fund to continue to provide fast access to capital to MSMEs in India.
This FMCG Giant Is Pioneering Recycled Plastic Packaging for Liquid Cleaners
The Better India, October 10, 2021
Banyan Nation, where Mani Vajipey ’13 is founder and CEO, is a tech-driven recycling company in India that allows global brands to use more recycled plastic.
The Crucial Intersection of Climate and Capital
TED, October 1, 2021
Investment expert Nili Gilbert ’03, vice chairwoman of Carbon Direct, talked about how investors can help fight climate change and decarbonize the world by changing the markets.
September 2021
The Climate Crisis is Real … and Escalating CBS Experts Weigh in on What We – and Business – Can Do About It
Columbia Business School, September 21, 2021
As the world continues to confront the threat of climate change, Columbia Business School's Bruce Usher, Shiva Rajgopal, Geoffrey Heal, Vanessa Burbano, and Sandra Navalli ’03 discussed how business must play a leading role in how society will develop solutions to this challenge.
World Health Organization Recognizes Kinnos as Innovative Health Technology
Business Wire, September 9, 2021
The World Health Organization (WHO) recognized Kinnos's (a Tamer Fund for Social Ventures portfolio member) bleach colorant — Highlight® — as an innovative technology in their 2021 compendium, reducing contamination and improving safety to providers.
Revlon CEO Discusses Pandemic Beauty Habits, Staying Nimble
Associated Press, September 7, 2021
Advisory board member Debra Perelman ’00, CEO and president of Revlon, talked about how the company has addressed issues such as the pandemic, diversity, and sustainability.
August 2021
Meet The MBA Class of 2023: Alex Karwoski, Columbia Business School
Poets & Quants, August 9, 2021
The Bridging the American Divides elective course, co-taught by Professors Todd Jick and Bruce Usher, was a top reason that Alex Karwoski ’23 chose Columbia Business School. He credits the course with facilitating engaging discussions with classmates from diverse backgrounds and allowing students to improve their understanding of what causes differing opinions.
July 2021
Introducing the Worker Insights Initiative
LinkedInPlus, July 20, 2021
Justine Zinkin ’02, CEO of Neighborhood Trust Financial Partners, announced the Worker Insights Initiative, which will ""bring the lived reality and complex financial lives of low-wage workers more powerfully to the market"" by ensuring that worker voices are at the forefront of creating a financial economic system inclusive of all workers.
Good Morning, Brooklyn: Friday, July 9, 2021
Brooklyn Daily Eagle, July 9, 2021
The NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development teamed with the Department of Veterans Services — where James Hendon ’12 is comissioner — to help veterans find affordable housing and other resources. James said that affordable housing is a "cornerstone to assisting veterans as they reenter society.
New York Entrepreneur Seeks to Bring Energy Efficiency to More Communities
Reuters, July 8, 2021
Blocpower CEO Donnel Baird ’13 works to green buildings in underserved communities in an effort to tackle both climate change and wealth disparities.
June 2021
Digital Bank Steps in To Help Black Businesses Affected by COVID-19
Essence, June 29, 2021
The pandemic has taken its toll on everyone, but it has been especially hard on small Black-owned businesses, which "[closed] at higher rates than other businesses during lockdowns and received less PPP funding.” Kelly Ifill ’17 wants "to create a more level playing field for Black entrepreneurs to build businesses with the barriers historic systems of oppression have created.” Kelly is working to close the racial wealth gap and provide resources for small Black-owned businesses through Guava, a full-service digital bank created to serve Black entrepreneurs, where she is founder and CEO.
Cargill Backs Cow Masks to Trap Methane Burps
Bloomberg, June 1, 2021
Food giant Cargill will start selling the Tamer Fund for Social Venture portfolio member Zelp's methane-absorbing wearable devices for cows, which could help the industry cut greenhouse gas emissions. Zelp is co-founded by Patricio Norris ’12 and Francisco Norris.
May 2021
MBA Graduates Take On a Green Hue as Fewer Choose Fossil Fuel Career
Financial Times, May 31, 2021
Since 2006, 20 percent more students have been recruited into the renewable and environmental industries, and Columbia Business School is one of the top business schools sending MBAs into sustainability careers.
Activists Crashed Exxon’s Board, but Forcing Change Will Be Hard
The New York Times, May 27, 2021
Professor Geoffrey Heal commented that Exxon could both help the world reduce emissions and make money doing so, such as using their offshore oil drilling to build offshore wind farms and spending on technology that removes carbon from the atmosphere and making it affordable.
Columbia Business School Students Award $100,000 Prize Through Competitive Evaluation
Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, May 26, 2021
Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors partnered with MacArthur Foundation-affiliate Lever for Change and the School to create an educational opportunity for students in the Global Philanthropy course — taught by Professor Melissa Berman, advisory board member of the center and CEO of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors — that taught them how to assess the 100&Change 2021 and select one proposal for a $100,000 award.
Hardika Shah | Financial Inclusion for Small Business Entrepreneurs
Anchor: Let's Grab Coffee, May 13, 2021
Hardika Shah ’09, founder and CEO of Kinara Capital, discusses driving financial inclusion for small business entrepreneurs in India.
SwagCycle: Upcycling of Branded Merchandise, With Ben Grossman
Anchor: Sustainability Explored, May 12, 2021
Ben Grossman ’06, founder of SwagCycle, discussed how the startup is helping to responsibly manage the lifecycle of branded merchandise by keeping it away from landfills.
An ESG Starting Guide for Young Practitioners
RS Metrics, May 11, 2021
RS Metrics, founded by Maneesh Sagar ’03, is a market-leading company for satellite imagery and geospatial analytics for businesses and investors. Written by Konstantina Yaneva, '18CC, they published this guide with resources and useful information for anyone who is trying to keep up with the increasing interest in the field.
Oil Industry in Transition
Columbia Energy Exchange, May 11, 2021
Both speakers from the 2021 Climate Science and Investment Conference, Vicki Hollub, CEO of Occidental Petroleum, spoke with Professor Jason Bordoff, founding director of the Center on Global Energy Policy at SIPA, on aligning the oil and gas company's strategies with the world's climate ambitions.
April 2021
Welcome To the 2021 Celebration of Columbia's Vibrant Entrepreneurship Community!
Startup Columbia, April 16, 2021
Donnel Baird ’13, CEO of BlocPower, was named Columbia's entrepreneur of the year and served as a judge for the #StartupColumbia Tournament of Champions, which was won by Beverly Leon ’20, founder of the civics engagement learning platform Local Civics.
The 2021 Nonprofit 40 Under 40
City and State NY, April 25, 2021
Greg Bangser, Ashleigh Washington, and Alice Wong, past participants of the Programs in Social Enterprise Senior Leaders Program for Nonprofit Professionals, were named to the 2021 Nonprofit 40 Under 40.
Mayor de Blasio, Speaker Johnson Announce Increased Support for Nonprofits and Human Service Providers
City of New York, April 23, 2021
Phoebe Boyer ’93, president and CEO of Children’s Aid, said that the announcement of NYC adding $120 million in funding to nonprofits and human service providers over two years is apt recognition that a healthy nonprofit sector is essential to a more equitable city.
A Recovery for All of Us: Mayor de Blasio, Chancellor Porter, DYCD Commissioner Chong Announce Innovative Summer Rising Plan
City of New York, April 13, 2021
Phoebe Boyer ’93, president and CEO of Children’s Aid, commented that the city's Summer Rising plan, which will provide academic support and enrichment opportunities for children, is an exciting opportunity for schools and communities to work together.
Meet Columbia Business School’s MBA Class Of 2022
Poets & Quants, April 6, 2021
Students attribute Columbia Business School's commitment to social impact as one of the top six reasons the School offers such a unique educational experience. Neimy Escobar ’22 in part chose the School because of its uniquely combined finance with sociai impact curriculum, and was specifically excited to take Professor Bruce Usher's courses at the intersection of finance, social, and environmental issues; and impact investing played a major part in Aditya Shankar ’22's decision to enroll.
March 2021
CBS Startup Stories: BlocPower
Columbia Business School, March 30, 2021
BlocPower founder Donnel Baird ’13 discusses what he learned at the School, the future of renewable energy, and his advice to early-stage entrepreneurs.
The Small Business Savior
Entrepreneur, March 29, 2021
Hardika Shah ’09 attributes the genesis of Kinara Capital, where she is founder and CEO, to when she was at Columbia Business School, where she was motivated to tackle socio-economic inequities by using for-profit models.
Block by Block, He Aims to Fight Injustice and Save the Planet
The Washington Post, March 26, 2021
Donnel Baird ’13 brings solar panels and clean heat to low-income neighborhoods through his startup BlocPower, where he is CEO.
Care Coordination Startup Unite Us Raises $150M
MedCity News, March 16, 2021
Veterans and founders Dan Brillman ’12 and Taylor Justice ’14 raised $150M for Unite Us, a software startup working with insurers to address members’ social health needs.
The 10 Most Innovative Companies in Data Science
Fast Company, March 9, 2021
GeoSure, where Michael Becker ’93 is CEO, was named one of Fast Company's “10 Most Innovative Companies in Data Science."
Indian Fintech Firm Kinara Capital Bags $7M in Funding for Women Entrepreneurs
Tech in Asia, March 8, 2021
Indian fintech firm Kinara Capital, where Hardika Shah ’09 is CEO, secured $7M in funding for women entrepreneurs.
February 2021
Bridging the Great Divide
Columbia Business Magazine, Winter 2021
Bridging the American Divide, taught by Professors Bruce Usher and Todd Jick, seeks to understand the roots of polarization in America and train future business leaders to heal the rift.
How Black Investors Have Led the Charge to Close the Funding Gap for Entrepreneurs
Crain's New York, February 22, 2021
Donnel Baird ’13, CEO of BlocPower, a green energy retrofit company, secured a $63 million investment backed by Goldman Sachs and American Family Insurance.
De Blasio Kicks the Education Equity Can, Again
NY Daily News, February 19, 2021
Crystal McQueen-Taylor from StudentsFirstNY — and past participant of the Programs in Social Enterprise Senior Leaders Program for Nonprofit Professionals, shared leadership advice on how to improve the public education system.
How I Built Resilience: Beverly Leon of Local Civics
NPR: How I Built This, February 18, 2021
Beverly Leon ’20, founder of Local Civics, discussed the edtech startup that uses game-based learning to encourage kids to strengthen their civic leadership skills.
The 2021 Nonprofit Power 100
City and State NY, February 17, 2021
Programs in Social Enterprise past participants Joanne Page, Phoebe Boyer ’93, Melissa Aase, Tiloma Jayasinghe, and Peter Goldberg were recognized for their leadership across major New York nonprofits.
Justice Through Code Is a Free Coding Program for Those Impacted by the Criminal Justice System
Amazon Web Services, February 16, 2021
Justice Through Code, a joint program between the center and the Center for Justice, teaches Python and other computer science basics to formerly incarcerated individuals, providing alternative paths for people reentering society.
Former Inmates Rewrite the Code of Their Lives
Amazon Web Services, February 16, 2021
Amazon Web Services announces their sponsorship of Justice Through Code — the joint program between the center and the Center for Justice that brings coding qualifications to formerly incarcerated individuals — through its commitment to workforce programs.
Justice Through Code - The Big Idea
Amazon Web Services, February 15, 2021
Program founder Aedan Macdonald and students shared their stories and experiences with Justice Through Code (the joint program between the center and the Center for Justice) and how, together with Amazon Web Services, the coding program has given them hope for the future.
How the Bezos Divorce Could Change Philanthropy Forever
Bloomberg Businessweek, February 11, 2021
Jeff Bezos's commitment to environmental gifts is huge, but Professor Bruce Usher commented that while his funding can buy us time, he must also focus on specific barriers that he thinks he can unlock.
Bezos and Bloomberg Among Top 50 US Charity Donors for 2020
Star Tribune, February 10, 2021
Professor Melissa Berman, advisory board member of the center and CEO of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA), commented that there has long been change building among private donors to support community-led efforts of recovery and resiliency led by people of color.
The Gender Factor in Investing
Columbia Business School: Leading Through Change, February 9, 2021
Professor Damon Phillips and Dana Kanze, PhD ’19, explored how bias can affect the funding of female-led ventures.
Will Jeff Bezos’ Philanthropy Provide a ‘Halo Effect’ for Amazon? Critics Say Yes
MarketWatch, February 8, 2021
Professor Melissa Berman, advisory board member of the center and CEO of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA), hopes that publicized philanthropy inspires more philanthropy instead of leading people to believe that the problem is already solved.
How Beyond Meat's CEO Turned a 'Big Problem' Into a Massively Successful IPO
Inc., February 5, 2021
Beyond Meat founder Ethan Brown ’08 talked about solving global challenges, what's next in food innovation, and the company's journey to a successful IPO.
January 2021
Three Ways Global Leaders Can Prioritize ESG impact
World Economic Forum, January 29, 2021
Donnel Baird ’13, CEO of BlocPower, said that enlightened business leaders of impact-focused venture funds need to commit to investing in women and underrepresented founders, who historically lack access to capital.
Governor Cuomo Announces Extension of Partnership With HelloFresh to Combat Food Insecurity Among Veterans
New York State Governor's Office, January 27, 2021
James Hendon ’12, commissioner of the New York City Department of Veterans' Services, commented that the partnership provides healthy meals to those who have faithfully served our nation and their families.
Making an Impact With Kesha Cash
Columbia Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Design, January 22, 2021
Impact America Fund founder Kesha Cash ’10 talked about what impact investing means for IAF; how her work in Wall Street and Main Street has shaped her mission-driven vision; and how IAF uses the rigors of business to invest in overlooked and underserved communities in a way that creates long lasting, sustainable growth for those communities.
Is America Ungovernable Now?
The New York Times, January 20, 2021
Professor Ray Horton wrote that Trump’s electoral base has felt for a while that their values have been under attack and that transformations in core components won't change in the short run.
CBS Leadership Speaker Series featuring Anne Eidelman ’10 and Professor Emeritus Ray Horton
Columbia Business School: Leadership Speaker Series, January 11, 2021
Anne Eidelman ’10, CEO of Blue Engine, and Professor Ray Horton discussed Anne’s experience as an equity-driven leader, dedicated to improving the education system.
SunCulture COO, Jonathan Saunders
Second in Command: The Chief Behind the Chief, January 4, 2021
Jonathan Saunders ’14, COO of innovative Africa-based agritech company SunCulture, talked about his track-record in building infrastructure for growth stage organizations that leads to institutional and governmental investments.
From Prison to Programming
Columbia Magazine, January 1, 2021
Justice Through Code, the joint program between the center and the Center for Justice, offers people recently released from prison a free ten-week boot camp in coding, providing them a pathway to long-term sustainable careers in tech.