Entrepreneur Kelly Ifill ’17, founder and CEO of Guava, is helping Black-owned businesses gain access to startup capital such as banking, community building, and assistance with lower-barrier loans.
Letty Perez ’21 credits Professor Todd Jick's courses with being a top reason to apply to Columbia Business School, including the course Bridging the American Divides, co-taught with Professor Bruce Usher. The course provides a better understanding of the causes and consequences of American divides — such as educational and political divides — and what students can do as future business leaders to help bridge them.
Edward Patterson ’23 was most excited to join the School because of the center's "unparalleled access and experiential learning opportunities." He credits the social enterprise curriculum, clubs, and internships with giving him an advantage in the industry, including using these learned skills to start a nonprofit to "remove the barriers placed on children in underserved communities and provide a space for kids to channel their passions into long-term success."
Donnel Baird ’13, Blocpower CEO, and Kelly Ifill ’17, founder and CEO of Guava, were both included in this list of prominent Black leaders who are solving some of the city's most pressing issues, such as climate change and injustice and economic inequality.
Professor Bruce Usher underscores that the myths about renewable energy are based on prices and performance that are typically outdated.
Donnel Baird ’13, CEO of cleantech startup Blocpower, was included on this list of talented and accomplished Black leaders "whose professional and communal achievements enhance New York City and the lives of its inhabitants."
Nina Tandon ’12, CEO of EpiBone, was named to Mayor Adams's Business Leadership Council, which creates ways to better aid New York’s economic recovery, including expanding the Summer Youth Employment Program and focusing on public safety.
"[The Summer Youth Employment Program] offers youth opportunities to develop their talents, determine their goals, and establish strong relationships. For many youth in the neighborhoods Children’s Aid serves, this is their only opportunity to gain access to workforce experience and exposure to a network of professionals.
"It is increasingly important that leaders create a culture in which employees feel safe and supported at their workplace . . . CEOs should offer recognition that this may be a trying time for employees and offer a safe and nonjudgmental space for employees to talk about the issues that may be on their mind," said Professor Vanessa Burbano, in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Tamer Fund for Social Ventures portfolio member Borobabi (co-founded by Carolyn Butler ’18), a circular children’s retailer that allows parents to buy and rent pre-owned apparel for growing infants and toddlers, achieved B Corp status through its unique business model and commitment to sustainably made garments.
