NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business is awarded its second grant from Visa Foundation for the EmpowHER sustainable finance program

New grant expands the pilot EmpowHER: Career Development Program for Women in Sustainable Finance, bringing the total support to more than $500,000

NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business (CSB) is pleased to announce a new grant from Visa Foundation that will support two new student cohorts of the EmpowHER: Career Development Program for Women in Sustainable Finance through 2025.

Launched in Fall 2022, EmpowHER is a two-year leadership initiative that supports gender equity and the pursuit of careers in sustainable finance. By engaging students over the course of their MBA through the curriculum, exclusive programming, experiential learning, employment and internship opportunities, mentorship, and community building, EmpowHER equips students with the skillset, network and hands-on experience to succeed and drive the continued growth of sustainable finance. By bringing together a diverse cohort of values-driven students and building out their professional and peer networks, the program builds the foundation for gainful career opportunities at the nexus of finance and sustainability. 

“We are thrilled to continue this partnership with Visa Foundation and offer this innovative program to another cohort of young professionals eager to apply their skills and passion to sustainable investing,” said Tensie Whelan, Clinical Professor of Business and Society and Founding Director of NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business. “We are grateful to Visa Foundation for creating the opportunity to support underrepresented groups in their pursuit of sustainable finance careers.”

“Part of the equation for a more gender equitable future is ensuring that women and underrepresented groups hold leadership positions responsible for allocating capital and driving investments towards the world’s most pressing environmental and social challenges,” said Graham Macmillan, President, Visa Foundation. “We’re proud of our continued partnership with NYU Stern CSB and our investment in the leaders of tomorrow.”

“EmpowHER has provided me with the incredible opportunity to supplement my enthusiasm around conscious capitalism and sustainable finance with hands-on programming, access to industry leaders both as panelists and mentors, and the abundance of resources available on campus to fuel my vision to eventually launch my own female-run social impact fund,” said Jesse Weiss (MBA ‘24), a member of the inaugural EmpowHER cohort. “I’m so appreciative of the EmpowHER opportunity and everything that CSB and Visa Foundation put into this vision.”

NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business is at the forefront of academic institutions providing students with the skillset, network and hands-on learning experiences to fill these high-demand job opportunities and drive the continued growth of ESG investing. The grant will fund the second cohort for students entering their full time MBA at NYU Stern in 2023 and support the program for the entirety of the two-year curriculum. 

About NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business

The NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business (CSB) was founded on the principle that sustainable business is good business. We provide education, conduct research, and influence industry practice by proving the financial value of sustainability for business management and performance. At CSB, we aim to equip future and current corporate leaders with updated business frameworks that embrace proactive and innovative mainstreaming of sustainability, resulting in competitive advantage and resiliency for their companies as well as a positive impact for society.