Center for Sustainable Business | EmpowHER: Workshops and Programming

In this session students walked through Financial Statements, highlighting key concepts that yield insight into health, competitiveness and success of a company and gained familiarity with three key financial statements: the Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statement. 

This session also explored the roles and functions of major areas in a bank to give an overview of the difference between corporate and investment banking, capital markets, sales and trading, and equity research. 

In partnership with Training the Street, the EmpowHER cohort received pre-MBA training and refresher courses in core finance concepts including:

Financial Statement Analysis 
Corporate Valuations 
Excel Best Practices for PC: Become an Excel Expert
Introduction to Financial Modeling 
LBO Modeling
 

This introductory workshop presented an overview of the evolution of responsible investing into the current state of sustainable finance, highlighting the material ESG factors on financial performance across various asset classes. 
 

A series of workshops to provide impactful changes in the way we communicate. Using engaging, interactive exercises and games grounded in the world of theater, as well as focused individual coaching and feedback, these sessions were created to help identify existing behavioral patterns and undesired habits to expand, deepen and sharpen participants’ communication style.

The sessions addressed a combination of the following:

Delivering clear, concise, dynamic messages that stick
Engaging, captivating and connecting with your audience
Body language, voice and the impact of non-verbal cues
Rapport-building and empathy
Improving focus and managing mind-set in high-pressure situations
Weaving storytelling into communication to heighten engagement and connection.
Increasing confidence and gravitas to meet the needs of given situations
Ability to flex personal style and maintain authenticity
Effective virtual meetings and presentations
Dealing with difficult behaviors in others
Providing a structure for courageous conversations

In our ever-changing, upside down, whirlwind world, what can you do to build the life and career of your dreams? The answer lies in one of the oldest pieces of advice ever written: Know Thyself. Or, as Professor Suzy Welch might put it, Know Thy Aptitudes. This session in partnership with Suzy Welch, author of Becoming You and Director on the NYU Stern Initiative on Purpose and Flourishing, covered aptitudes, how they fit within the larger Becoming You methodology, and the key leadership traits outlined in the Career Traits Compass.

In this workshop, the NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business partnered with OnePointFive to examine the energy and renewables sector through live instruction, and interactive breakouts to give insights and grounding knowledge on current emergent trends in energy markets. 

Content covered: 

➔ World Trends: Examine global emissions and energy consumption patterns
➔ Energy Markets: Understand energy demand and supply dynamics
➔ Renewables Nowadays: Grid infrastructure and renewable energy integration challenges
➔ Energy Storage: Solutions and the "duck curve" phenomenon
➔ Energy Efficiency: How to measure it and policy developments
➔ Case Studies: Successful renewable energy transitions

About OPF:
At OnePointFive, we solve sustainability focused business challenges by empowering organizations with expert-led solutions, embedded training, and cutting edge tools to achieve measurable ESG impact. OnePointFive’s advisory work spans Sustainability Services, Climate Finance, and Climate Technology. We proudly collaborate with global organizations including: L’Oreal, Cisco, Environmental Defense Fund, MunichRe, Climatebase, Sarona, and many more. Our customized sustainability training helps organizations master compliance and expand internal ESG fluency and capacity. Our hands-on programs reduce cost, confusion and inefficiency through scalable AI-enabled modules & expert instruction. OnePointFive’s training programs have activated 5,000+ sustainability professionals across 70 countries to confidently navigate the climate-driven economy of today and tomorrow. OnePointFive helps future-proof workforces to turn climate action into a competitive edge.
 

The NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business partnered with OnePointFive, to explore the evolving landscape of carbon removal technologies and their critical role in future climate action. Student gained insights into the scalability, financing, and market dynamics of these solutions, as well as the challenges they face. From nature-based solutions like afforestation and soil sequestration to engineered methods such as direct air capture and biochar, we discussed how these technologies contribute to achieving net-zero goals. We also explored how carbon removal integrates into broader decarbonization strategies and emerging business opportunities, along with an overview of the current and evolving carbon market, including its regulations and frameworks. 
 

In this session in partnership with Training the Street, the fundamentals of project finance and its modeling were examined using a basic project finance model which allowed a tour through the critical components of any project finance analysis. The construction phase, operating phase, and financing were discussed at a high level so that the participants have a working knowledge of what questions to raise when part of a project finance team. Debt considerations, credit metrics, and investor returns are incorporated into the outputs and analysis of the model. Key Topics included: 

• Project finance transaction considerations 
• Core mechanics of project finance models 
  • Construction phase 
  • Operating phase with simple forecasting techniques 
  • Financing with simple debt analysis 
  • Interest during construction 
• Financial statement analysis 
  • Income statement 
  • Balance sheet 
  • Project finance cash flows  
• Debt considerations 
  • Project finance compared to other debt 
  • Key credit ratios including debt service coverage ratio 
• Investor considerations 
  • Returns analysis

In this lunch and learn, we had the privilege of being joined by Chloe Demrovsky whose career spans the nexus of risk and resilience. In this discussion, she shared insights  on operational resilience and how organizations need to adopt a forward-thinking approach to resilience in an area of polycrisis, particularly when geopolitics are colliding with the climate crisis and impacting global supply chains.

The NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business partnered with Training the Street to offer the EmpowHER cohort pre-MBA training and refresher courses in core finance concepts including: 

• Financial Statement Analysis 
• Corporate Valuations 
• Excel Best Practices for PC: Become an Excel Expert
• Introduction to Financial Modeling 
• LBO Modeling
   

CSB Founding Director and Distinguished Professor of Practice Tensie Whelan lead this virtual session on how to leverage sustainability as a strategic driver, exploring the financially material value drivers for different companies and industries, and how to look at sustainability as an opportunity for value creation and not a compliance exercise. 

This introductory session led by Adjunct Professor, Cristiano Zazzara, explored the pivotal role of finance in advancing sustainable development through the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors. Evidence from capital markets was presented, with a particular focus on the growing significance of sustainable bonds and loans. These financial instruments are crucial for channeling capital into sustainable projects, fostering a greener and more inclusive economy.

The session also examined the impact of ESG factors on financial risk, offering insights into how companies' environmental and social performances affect their default risk and overall financial stability. A key case study will investigate the effects of a flat carbon tax on companies, providing a practical perspective on how policy measures can drive corporate sustainability.

Finally, students were introduced to the emerging field of biodiversity finance, discussing the financial implications of biodiversity loss and the investment opportunities it presents.

This lunch brought together the MBA1 and MBA2 EmpowHER cohorts to connect, network and learn more about navigating the recruiting process at Stern in different industries and verticals. MBA2s briefly shared their experiences from their summer internships before breaking out into small group format for more personal discussions. 

A series of workshops to provide impactful changes in the way we communicate. Using engaging, interactive exercises and games grounded in the world of theater, as well as focused individual coaching and feedback, these sessions were created to help identify existing behavioral patterns and undesired habits to expand, deepen and sharpen participants’ communication style.

The sessions addressed a combination of the following:

• Delivering clear, concise, dynamic messages that stick
• Engaging, captivating and connecting with your audience
• Body language, voice and the impact of non-verbal cues
• Rapport-building and empathy
• Improving focus and managing mind-set in high-pressure situations
• Weaving storytelling into communication to heighten engagement and connection.
• Increasing confidence and gravitas to meet the needs of given situations
• Ability to flex personal style and maintain authenticity
• Effective virtual meetings and presentations
• Dealing with difficult behaviors in others
• Providing a structure for courageous conversations
   

In this session, award-winning NYU Stern School of Business professor, tech entrepreneur, and three-time New York Times best-selling author, Suzy Welch lead a discussion on pursuing lives and careers rich with opportunity, meaning and impact by finding your authentic purpose. As our EmpowHER students navigate pursuing a path of purpose, our goal for this session was to give students grounding and skills that they can then bring into their relationships with their mentors and as they navigate the recruitment process and job search ahead. 
 

Suzy’s research into values formation and discovery, in addition to her expertise in teaching “Developing Managerial Skills” and “Becoming You: Crafting the Authentic Life You Want and Need”  has equipped her with a unique perspective and understanding of how leaders must hone their skills and competencies to be effective leaders, team members and collaborators.
 

Dana Horowitz (EmpowHER MBA2) lead an interactive workshop to help students identify values, priorities and goals and then analyze how and if calendars reflect the alignment of those. The ultimate objective was to assist students in crystalizing systems and strategies to stay focused on their long term goals. By building up calendar management skills with a specific focus on current priorities and long term goals we are able to support students in reaching their ultimate goals.

In this workshop, students delved into the ESG strategy at Neuberger Berman, a private, independent, employee-owned investment manager. Their strategy is rooted in the belief that material environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors can be an important driver of long-term investment returns from both an opportunity and a risk-mitigation perspective. Students learned about their strategy at the group level before taking a deeper dive into NB Renaissance and the specific strategy and ESG integration in Private Equity. 

Guest Speakers:

• Paloma Lopez Imizcoz, Sustainability & ESG Manager, NB Renaissance
• Monica Warek, Vice President, ESG and Impact Investing, Neuberger Berman

This interactive 3-hour workshop EmpowHER students were equipped with essential skills to effectively apply data and analytics in whatever career or role they pursue with a sustainability and/or social impact lens. This workshop provided a structured approach to data analysis, real-world case studies, and hands-on demonstrations to prepare students for their future work.

Guest Speaker:

• Rochelle March, Principal and Co-Founder of People Places Words Actions (PPWA)
   

The first EmpowHER site visit brought the cohort to MSCI’s NYC HQ for a small group discussion with their team on navigating the risk and value creation opportunity across different functions.

Guest Speakers:

• Linda-Eling Lee, Founding Director and Head of the MSCI Sustainability Institute
• Beth Byington, Managing Director, Head of Americas Sustainability and Climate, MSCI
• Lauren Wisbeski, Sustainability & Climate Issuer Relations, Americas, MSCI
• Miguel Castillo, Vice President Sustainability Product Management, MSCI
• Riley Keating, ESG & Climate Client Consultant, Vice President, MSCI Inc.
   

Both cohorts joined CSB for a farewell reception and certificate awarding ceremony that featured a panel discussion and networking opportunities with a wide range of EmpowHER mentors, advisors and partners of CSB for a discussion on career pathways, navigating the current moment, and how to set yourself up for a successful career in sustainable finance. 

Guest Speakers:

• Jessie Lam, Co-Founder and GP, Alinea Ventures
• CJ Juhasz, Managing Partner, Women's World Banking Asset Management
• Gail Glazerman, ESG Integration Analyst Bloomberg Intelligence
• Suma Swaminathan, Investment Consultant, PE and Infrastructure, WaterEquity
• Paula Luff, Director of Sustainability Research and Engagement at DSC Meridian Capital
• Divya Bendre, Managing Director, Head of Sustainable Fixed Income, Bank of America
• Beatriz DaCunha, (MBA ‘11), Head of Sustainable Finance Strategy Execution, Managing Director, Barclays
• Vanessa Gomes, Executive Director for Sustainable Finance for the Americas, Standard Charter Bank
• Michelle Haigh Osorio, Senior Advisor, KawiSafi

The NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business partnered with Training the Street to offer the EmpowHER cohort pre-MBA training and refresher courses in core finance concepts including: 

• Financial Statement Analysis 
• Corporate Valuations 
• Excel Best Practices for PC: Become an Excel Expert
• Introduction to Financial Modeling 
• LBO Modeling
   

An introduction to key trends and concepts in sustainable finance with CSB founding Director, Tensie Whelan, covering:

• Definition and evolution of ESG Investing
• Overview of sustainable investing frameworks
• Current state of the market
• Case Study Breakdowns
   

This panel discussion and networking event introduced students to professionals working across asset classes in different functions in sustainable finance. Panelists shared their work experience, their  focus in their roles, as well as a bit about their own professional and personal journeys.

Panelists: 

• Carleigh Douglas, Vice President, Sustainable & Transition Solutions (STS), BlackRock
• Lucie Holliday, ESG Associate at The Carlyle Group
• Dara Kagan, First Vice President of Social Impact Banking, Amalgamated Bank
• Paula Luff, Director of ESG Research and Engagement, DSC Meridian Capital 
• Amanda Nunnink, Co-Head & Senior Managing Director, Multifamily Impact Housing, Kayne Anderson Real Estate
   

Behind the scenes recruiting insight from EmpowHER 2024 MB 2s on navigating opportunities and resources at Stern. 

A series of workshops to provide impactful changes in the way we communicate. Using engaging, interactive exercises and games grounded in the world of theater, as well as focused individual coaching and feedback, these sessions were created to help identify existing behavioral patterns and undesired habits to expand, deepen and sharpen participants’ communication style.

The sessions addressed a combination of the following:

• Delivering clear, concise, dynamic messages that stick
• Engaging, captivating and connecting with your audience
• Body language, voice and the impact of non-verbal cues
• Rapport-building and empathy
• Improving focus and managing mind-set in high-pressure situations
• Weaving storytelling into communication to heighten engagement and connection.
• Increasing confidence and gravitas to meet the needs of given situations
• Ability to flex personal style and maintain authenticity
• Effective virtual meetings and presentations
• Dealing with difficult behaviors in others
• Providing a structure for courageous conversations
   

Insight into the ‘how’ of gender lens investing at each stage of the investment lifecycle (investment identification, investment analysis and decision-making, portfolio management, and monitoring and reporting); deepening understanding of gender lens investing and the business and social returns that can be had by applying a rigorous gender-lens approach to all aspects of investment decisions.
Presenters:

• Mary Ellen Iskenderian, President & CEO, Women’s World Banking 
• Karen Miller, Head of Strategy and Special Projects, Women’s World Banking

A look at the landscape of Impact investing from multiple perspectives including foundations, private equity, debt and across emerging markets. Students learned relevant terminology including the distinction between ESG and impact investing and a broad overview of the allocators and deployers. An interactive discussion on stepping stones and pathways to a career in impact investing followed.

Guest Speakers:

• Humaira Faiz, Mission Investment Manager, W.K. Kellogg Foundation
• Clara Sanchez, Director Private Credit, Blue Earth Capital
• Suma Swaminathan, Director, Private Equity, Developing World Markets 
   

An overview of the careers and roles in sustainable finance featuring:

• Luke Apicella (MBA ‘12), VP of Investments for Prudential 
• Impact & Responsible Investing, Prudential
• Casey Clark (MBA ‘17), President & Chief Investment Officer, Rockefeller Asset Management
• Sonia Kim (MBA ‘02), Global Head of ESG Product, S&P Global
• Abigail Pohlman, Head of Private Wealth Management, Sustainable Solutions Group, Goldman Sachs 
• Allison Saegh-Fleming (MBA ‘08), Green Economy Banker at JPMorgan Chase
• Mariah Shones, Senior Associate, The Renewable and Sustainable Energy Fund, The Carlyle Group

In this workshop, CSB partnered with members of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) on the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) to provide students with insight on ESG materiality; how it is used in strategy and reporting, various ESG reporting frameworks covering terminology, data providers, materiality matrices, and impact measurement tools. 
Guest Speakers:

• Andrew Brenner, Director of Investment Management, Integration, IFRS 
• Maren Meyers, Educational Content Manager,  IFRS
• Catherine Winner, Managing Director, Global Head of Stewardship, Goldman Sachs Asset Management 
   

A deep dive into the landscape of ESG ratings, providers, and research: covering the role of providers in the wider world of sustainable investing, methodology, metrics, data sourcing, and translating data into ratings, along with  the utility and practical applications of ESG ratings to investors, clients, and stakeholders, as well as the limitations of a financially material risk-focused approach.

Guest Speakers:

• Morgan Kinsey Barr, Sustainable Investment Research Analyst, Brown Advisory
• Lily Bowles, Director of ESG, Pacific Asset Management 
• Kate Marshall, Executive Director, Responsible Investment Solutions, Calvert Research and Management 
• Tara McHugh, Associate Director, Client Advisory, Sustainalytics
• Maggie Stafford, Senior Product Manager, ESG Strategy, Sustainalytics
   

A look at debt financing and the current corporate landscape with experts from Morgan Stanley’s Fixed Income division on options for sustainable finance instruments, KPIs, the overall addressable market, and examples of bonds and loans issued across various industries.Students were tasked with structuring a green bond and pitching it to the boardroom, laying out the financing over the short and long-term, as well as identifying the key risks, opportunities, and tradeoffs.

Guest Speakers:

• Maksim Rakhman, Executive Director, Product Lead at ESG Center for Excellence, Global Capital Markets, Morgan Stanley 
• Michelle Wang, Managing Director in Fixed Income Capital Markets, Morgan Stanley 

Pauline Lam, Nomura Professor of Finance, NYU Stern