Columbia University Sustainable Finance Seminars
SIRI leads the monthly (online and in-person) Columbia University Sustainable Finance Seminar. The working group sessions will focus on the identified pathways to consensus (including but not limited to system-level investing, fiduciary duty, and intergenerational equity) to drive forward the rewiring of the source code of capitalism and foster ecosystem-building. By doing so, SIRI provides an important institutional platform that brings together and fosters dialogue among a variety of key players from the public and private sectors, policy, and academia.
Following each seminar, a report summarizing the key insights and discussion points will be drafted and shared with participants. These reports will also be posted on this webpage accessible to companies, investors, and educators around the world.
Please join us for these monthly discussions and participate in the Columbia University Sustainable Finance Seminars.
Co-Chairs: Caroline Flammer and Bob Massie
AI, Impact, and Trust: Redefining Measurement and Verification in Sustainable Finance
Both firms operate within a rapidly evolving ecosystem of AI-enabled tools, including large-scale text analysis, automated classification, and advanced modeling systems. The session will examine how emerging technologies are reshaping the boundaries of what can be measured, validated, and ultimately trusted in sustainable finance, with particular focus on the role of AI.
Speakers:
Mikael Homanen, Head of Scientific Research, Innovation, and Partnerships, The Upright Project
Mikael Homanen is the Head of Scientific Research, Innovation, and Partnerships at The Upright Project. A former leader at the UN-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), he specializes in quantifying the real-world impact of companies. With a PhD in Finance, his work bridges the gap between academic rigor and actionable ESG data to drive sustainable investment decisions.
Daniel Lobo, VP, Investor Sales, The Upright Project
Daniel Lobo is the VP of Sales, Investors at The Upright Project, where he leads commercial strategy for the investment sector. Previously the Head of Enterprise Sales at Bloomberg, he brings extensive expertise in financial data and market dynamics. At Upright, he focuses on empowering investors with data-driven insights to quantify the net impact of their portfolios.
Sarah Gelfand, President, BlueMark
Sarah Gelfand is one of the impact investing market’s early pioneers. She was a founding Director at the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN), where she led development of the industry’s leading system for measuring and managing impact (IRIS+). As President of BlueMark, Sarah co-leads business strategy, business and product development, and supports the firm’s engagement with various market-building and standard-setting initiatives.
This discussion forms part of SIRI’s broader exploration of AI+ and the evolving “Rotary Engine” model linking fiduciary duty, measurement, and capital allocation. We look forward to a rigorous and forward-looking conversation on where the use of AI in sustainable finance is headed for the capital markets and for the global economy.