We are in week four of the Sustainable Investing Research Initiative (SIRI) practicum and I would like to start off my first key learnings with the soft skills required to be a constructive member of a group consulting project...
I never imagined a course could take you out of the classroom and drop you into the real world...
While reviewing the roster of clients for my SIRI Practicum course, one project clearly stood out and I was fortunate to be matched with it. It is an opportunity to work with a US-based nonprofit that positions renewable energy as a driver of both climate action and peace in areas like sub-Saharan Africa...
Our partner organization is dedicated to advancing 'responsible capitalism,' with a core mission to align corporate political influence with the goals of social prosperity, fair competition, democratic stability, and sustainable development. Amid growing attention to corporate ESG (environmental, social, and governance) issues, many companies actively disclose their environmental and social performance while overlooking a critical dimension: their role in policy-making and political influence.
Before entering graduate school to study Sustainability Management, I spent nearly a decade working in pharmaceutical advertising and marketing, where I focused on understanding how patients and healthcare professionals make decisions, and how to communicate with them effectively. As a brand strategist, I dug into the motivations, barriers, and emotional needs that shape decision-making in healthcare. A key aspect of my job was to deeply understand my customers and be their voice. I enjoyed uncovering: What do people value? What do they fear? What messages resonate?
It’s often said that companies should at least 'do no harm' to society and ideally take on a positive responsibility for people and the planet. But in practice, not every company can live up to this standard. Our project explores how strong corporate governance can pave the way for truly ethical decisions and long-term sustainability.
For my SIRI practicum project, I am working in the area of sustainable finance and climate risk, with a focus on how extreme weather events impact insurance costs and how those costs affect investment portfolios...
The project I am working on this semester is situated at the intersection of sustainable finance and entrepreneurship. Broadly, it addresses two related challenges: how small businesses can access innovative financial models to support their growth, and how foreign startups can succeed in entering new markets, particularly in Asia.
What does it really mean to grow old in today’s world? For many, it means wrestling with steep medical bills, struggling with stairs in homes never designed for aging bodies, or worrying whether their retirement savings will last long enough...
As a sustainability-focused researcher with a background in environmental management and applied ecology, I am deeply motivated to explore the intersections of ecological integrity, social equity, and economic viability. This practicum provides a unique opportunity to engage directly with complex environmental systems in the Amazon, where the challenges of forest conservation, biodiversity protection, and sustainable development converge.
Starting my practicum on financial instruments impacting development in the global south feels like stepping into a space where my academic interests, personal experiences, and professional goals all intersect...
The client my team and I are working for in the Sustainable Investing Research Initiative (SIRI) Practicum course is an internationally well-recognised independent organisation. This organization has been a leader in sustainability reporting and accountability. They aim to use their frameworks and tools to train and empower companies of all sizes to build sustainable, long-term value that benefits people and the planet.