About Columbia University’s Social Enterprise Conference

We’re going digital! This year, our conference committee will bring our programming online, with keynote and breakout sessions spread out over the 2020-2021 academic year. Check out our Digital Event Series schedule for more information on upcoming events.

Kicking off each academic year, the Tamer Center for Social Enterprise, in partnership with student clubs across the campus, hosts Columbia University’s annual Social Enterprise Conference, Capital for Good in efforts to bring together industry leaders, professionals, academics, students, and alumni to share best practices and engender new ideas surrounding the intersection of business and society.

The business and investor community once questioned whether it could afford to prioritize social impact. The consensus is now clear—how can businesses afford not to? The Millennial and Gen Z generations are driving trends in impact investing, using their purchasing power to demand change, and seeking employers that are socially conscious. As a result, funders and the organizations they invest in are directing their attention not only to the bottom line, but also to how business and financing models can be aligned to positively contribute to society.

This headline event, located in the finance capital of the world, provides a unique opportunity to tap into the vibrant ecosystem of capital for impact through the lens of philanthropy, impact investing, ESG, and social venture and business examples. Social impact leaders in business, government, nonprofit, and philanthropy will speak to how they are changing the way we think about how capital is sourced and used to generate sustainable solutions to global, systemic challenges. Hear where opportunities exist to pursue future careers of impact on both the financing and implementation sides of social impact capital.

This conference was founded by Columbia Business School’s Social Enterprise Club members in 2002, and has grown to engage students across Columbia University as the pre-eminent forum to explore and address the ever-changing topics of social justice and innovation from the lens of business solutions.

Event Organizers

Please visit our website to learn more about center faculty and staff.

Governing Board

A special thank you to all our Governing Board members who guide the direction and develop the content of this conference!

Robert Annibale
Global Director, Community Development & Inclusive Finance, Citi

Nancy Barry
President, Enterprise Solutions to Poverty; Former President, Women’s World Banking

Melissa Berman
President & CEO, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors; Adjunct Professor, Columbia Business School

Mark Cirilli ’03BUS
Co-Founder & Managing Director, MissionPoint Capital Partners

Nancy Conrad
Founder & Chairman, The Conrad Foundation

Alexander S. Friedman ’98BUS
Group Chief Executive Officer, GAM Holding AG

Mark Fuller
Chairman and Founder, Monitor Group

Craig Hatkoff ’78BUS
Founder, Tribeca Film Festival
Co-founder, Disruptor Foundation

Joan Hornig ’84BUS
Founder, Joan Hornig Jewelry Design

Rob Katz
Co-founder & Co-Managing Editor, www.NextBillion.net; Knowledge Portfolio Manager, Acumen Fund

Hunter Lovins
President and Founder, Natural Capitalism Solutions

Asad Mahmood
CEO & Managing Partner, Social Investment Manager & Advisors

Janet Morgan
Managing Director, Cornerstone Capital Group

Maggie Neilson ’07BUS
Partner and CEO, Global Philanthropy Group

Henrik Skovby
Chairman, Dalberg Group

David Steinberger
President and CEO, Perseus Books Group