Stern Faces of Change: Stefany Claudia, Full-time MBA '25
As a part of a Stern Solutions experiential learning project, NYU Stern MBA students partnered with Aliança pelo Impacto, a non-profit organization in São Paulo, Brazil, to tackle a big question: how can Brazil unlock more funding for its impact ecosystem?
Stern Solutions experiential learning projects are semester-long independent studies that pair students with research centers and global companies to solve real-world challenges, giving students hands-on experience. In Brazil, students dove deep to uncover what is holding back financial resources from moving into the country’s impact ecosystem. They were tasked with delivering clear, actionable recommendations for how this can be achieved.
Learn more about Full-time MBA student Stefany Claudia’s (MBA ’25) experience on this Stern Signature Project in the below Q&A and via Clear Admit’s Fridays from the Frontline.
Stern Faces of Change: Stefany Claudia, Full-time MBA ’25
What motivated you to take part in this experiential learning project?
Coming from a traditional finance background, I wanted to challenge myself to think differently about how capital can be used more intentionally for social and environmental good. I was really drawn to the opportunity to dive into impact investing in Brazil, a country with so much potential and complexity. I knew this project would stretch me, and it absolutely did.
Can you briefly explain the real-world challenge you are working on as part of the project?
We’re working with Aliança pelo Impacto to explore how Brazil can mobilize more capital into the impact space. The challenge is understanding why this capital hasn’t moved yet, and what needs to change, whether it’s investor mindset, limited financial instruments, policy gaps, lack of pipeline or even how success is defined. Our goal was to identify what’s holding capital back and turn those insights from across the ecosystem into clear, actionable recommendations that support the growth of the ecosystem.
How has this experience prepared you for the next step in your career?
It helped me become more comfortable navigating ambiguity because the answers weren’t always clear, and sometimes, the data didn’t exist. I had to really listen, synthesize different perspectives, connect the dots between very different stakeholders, and think creatively about how to move forward. That’s something I know I’ll carry into my post-MBA career, especially if I stay in a space where finance meets purpose.
What was it like to be onsite and interact directly with stakeholders?
It was one of the most intense and inspiring weeks of my MBA so far. In five days, we spoke with 50+ people, from VC fund managers, public banks and public development banks to grassroots entrepreneurs, accelerators, global policy shapers and ecosystem builders. Hearing directly from so many different voices gave us a new layer of insight and sometimes completely shifted how we were thinking. It gave us a much richer understanding of the barriers, opportunities, and nuances in Brazil’s impact investing ecosystem. Being on the ground really brought everything to life in a way that readings and case studies just can’t.
What do you want candidates who are considering Stern to know about the benefits of experiential learning projects like this?
This is one of the best parts of the Stern experience. For me, this isn’t just a class, it’s an experience that pushes you outside your comfort zone. It was a chance to stretch, learn, and contribute to something meaningful. You get to work on real issues that matter, with real people who are actively shaping their industries, and that’s where some of the most meaningful learning happens. It’s also a chance to explore a space you’re curious about in a hands-on way, while building relationships and doing work that could actually make a difference. If you’re curious and want to make a meaningful contribution, this is where it starts!