​Climate change is reshaping leadership. MBAs today will have the responsibility to manage climate impacts in their leadership and investment decision-making. They’ll also be the innovators leading the way to develop and implement new climate solutions. Join us for our kickoff event for an introduction to ClimateCATALYST and an exploration about why and how future business leaders should think about climate impacts. Come away inspired to embrace climate as a part of your MBA and future careers. ​

Speakers:

-Jessica Wingert, Program Lead ClimateCAP Initiative

-Patrick Flynn, Founder, Switchboard and Director of Corporate Climate Action, Topo Finance

​​Speaker Bios:

​Jessica Wingert is Program Lead for ClimateCAP, a partnership of business schools focused on educating MBA students about the business risks and opportunities of climate change. Jessica brings a wealth of both industry and academic expertise together in this role. She started her career in supply chain and procurement consulting, has launched and led sustainability programs at both Land O’Lakes and Labcorp, and worked previously at the Fuqua Career Management Center. In each of these roles, she has brought a keen understanding of strategy, a creative entrepreneurial spirit, a deep understanding of climate and sustainability issues, and a passion for inspiring students and stakeholders. She holds an MBA from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business and an BS in Marketing from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business.

​Patrick Flynn is a climate action expert who has spent his career at the intersection of business, technology and sustainability. While always working for Planet Earth, he has held roles in engineering, investing and business transformation, including many years leading sustainability for Salesforce. Nowadays, he’s on a mission to supercharge the business world’s most influential climate leaders with Switchboard. Patrick is an advisor to various mission-aligned organizations like Generation Investment Management, TOPO Finance and WattCarbon. He holds an engineering degree from Stanford and an MBA from MIT.

About ClimateCAP The ClimateCAP Initiative is working to prepare tomorrow's business leaders—today’s MBA students—to understand and respond to the climate challenge by mainstreaming the climate conversation in business school. Find out more at: https://climatecap.org/.

Need to get up to speed on climate change fundamentals? This 1-hour crash course in climate science is based on Andrew Isaacs’ popular course UC-Berkeley Haas that explore the fundamental causes and effects of climate change and how it is, and will, affect communities, businesses, and the global economy. ​

Speaker: Andrew Isaacs, Senior lecturer with continuing status at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business ​

Speaker Bio: ​Andrew Isaacs brings an unusual combination of Earth Science expertise and business experience to his role at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business, where he is one of the few climate scientists teaching at a major American business school.Isaacs began his career with NASA's Planetary Science Division at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, conducting research on Earth and planetary geochemistry after completing undergraduate and graduate degrees in geochemistry from the University of Michigan. From NASA he moved to Silicon Valley, where he worked at a materials science startup before taking on management and executive positions at corporations in Silicon Valley and Tokyo. ​Since joining UC Berkeley in 1999, Isaacs has taught technology innovation, climate science, and climate change strategy to over 5,000 students. Isaacs has also written 30 business case studies, many addressing climate-related business challenges, and is working on a textbook to help non-scientists teach climate change to business students. Isaacs has taught executive courses for more than 100 companies across the US, Latin America, Asia, and Europe. ​Isaacs’ recent recognition includes the 2022 UC Berkeley Sustainability Teaching Award and the 2024 Best Haas Case Study award for his work on Net Zero. He lives with his family in rural Napa County, where they operate a low-carbon ranch producing wines under the Screaming Squirrel label.

About ClimateCAP: The ClimateCAP Initiative is working to prepare tomorrow's business leaders—today’s MBA students—to understand and respond to the climate challenge by mainstreaming the climate conversation in business school. Find out more at: https://climatecap.org/.

Recording of "Integrating Climate Into Your MBA" on May 16th, 2025. MBAs who understand the business implications of climate change are better prepared to manage and succeed in our changing world. In this virtual learning session, prospective and incoming MBA students hear from business educators about the ways they can build skills and climate expertise during your MBA experience and prepare yourself for a business career that contributes to climate solutions.

Participating Schools:

-Duke University, Fuqua School of Business

-Emory University, Goizueta Business School

-Fordham University, Gabelli School of Business

-Harvard University, Harvard Business School

-HEC Paris

-MIT, Sloan School of Management

-UC Berkeley, Haas School of Business

-University of Chicago, Booth School of Business

-University of Michigan, Erb Institute, Ross School of Business

-University of Pennsylvania, The Wharton School

-University of Washington, Foster School of Business

-Yale, School of Management

Recording from the 2025 ClimateCAP Summit hosted by UC Berkeley Haas School of Business.

Led by two leading experts in the field, this class provides an overview of the ESG and impact investing landscape. Topics for discussion include aligning investments with the UN Sustainable Investment Goals, passive and active impact funds, the difference between public and private markets in the ESG space, and approaches to impact measurement. With the regulatory and policy landscape rapidly shifting, the class also provides forward-looking insights into the future evolution of responsible investing.

Speakers:

Anne Simpson, Franklin Templeton, Global Head of Sustainability

Peter Lupoff, Beatrice Advisors , Partner

Recording from the 2025 ClimateCAP Summit hosted by UC Berkeley Haas School of Business.

As climate change intensifies, the global food system faces unprecedented challenges. This panel explores how the private sector — spanning from Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) and foodservice to hospitality and venture capital — can lead the transformation toward healthy, sustainable, and more equitable food practices. Industry leaders will discuss their roles in promoting sustainable agriculture, addressing food waste, reducing carbon footprints, promoting fair labor, and increasing accessibility to nutritious, affordable food. Join us as we explore strategies and innovations, ensuring a balance between profitability, environmental responsibility, and social equity.

Speakers

John Foraker, Once Upon a Farm; former Annie's Homegrown, Co-Founder and CEO of Once Upon A Farm

Chris Jocson, GoodEggs, COO

Stephen Hohenrieder, Grounded Capital, CEO and Founder

Alice Waters, Chez Panisse & The Edible Schoolyard Project, Owner & Founder

Jamie Horst, Traditional Medicinals, Inc., Chief Purpose Officer

Recording from the 2025 ClimateCAP Summit hosted by UC Berkeley Haas School of Business.

This panel will focus on the apparel industry, featuring experts in textile production, business strategy and innovation, and supply chain. Panelists from across nonprofit and private sectors will explore how what we wear impacts the environment, how fashion can be a force for positive change, and practical strategies for creating more sustainable business models.

Speakers:

Rebecca Burgess, Fibershed , Founder & Director

Lewis Perkins, Apparel Impact Institute, President

Leticia Corona, UC Berkeley

Sarah Kelley, Fibers Fund, Managing Director

Through this series we will talk with experts on topics across the climate x business continuum to prepare the business leaders of tomorrow—today’s MBA students— to anticipate and manage climate risks and opportunities in their careers.

How do you go from an MBA classroom to launching a mission-driven startup in the climate space? In this dynamic session, hear from recent Stanford GSB graduates Krish Mehta (CEO of PHNX Materials) and Meghan Wood (CEO & Co-Founder of Raya Power), who turned their passion for climate into thriving businesses. They’ll share how they developed and validated their business ideas, navigated the challenges of launching a company while balancing coursework, and tapped into MBA resources to build their ventures, and create impact. The conversation will be facilitated by Adelaide Coman (Co-Curricular Ecopreneurship Programs at Stanford University), who will lead the conversation about the financial realities of funding a startup, the transition from MBA life to full-time entrepreneurship, and the biggest lessons they've learned since graduation.

Whether you’re an aspiring ecopreneur or simply curious about the intersection of business and climate, this conversation will offer candid insights and actionable advice on launching a climate startup in business school and beyond.

Recording from the 2025 ClimateCAP Summit at the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business.

The insurance sector, managing approximately $30 trillion in assets and representing about 12% of global capital markets, is often seen as conservative and risk-averse. However, insurance companies are increasingly at the forefront of addressing climate risk. This panel will explore cutting-edge research on climate risk, the role of policy in mitigating these risks, and how private sector initiatives are driving environmental and financial sustainability in insurance. Join us to learn about the innovative strategies transforming the industry.

Speakers

Dave Jones, UC Berkeley's Center for Law, Energy, and the Environment; former California Department of Insurance, Director of Climate Risk Initiative

Allison Wolff, Vibrant Planet, CEO

Kayla Calkins, Insurance for Good

Maddie Vann, The Resiliency Company, Head of Strategy

Copyright 2025 UC Berkeley Haas School of Business

Recording from the 2025 ClimateCAP Summit hosted by UC Berkeley Haas School of Business.

This panel will explore the role of community-led solutions in building economic and cultural resilience and driving equitable climate solutions. This conversation will feature leaders from climate-focused nonprofits, workforce development initiatives, and youth advocacy organizations to dive into how community-driven models empower people, foster preservation, and pave the way for a more sustainable and just future.

Speakers

Jamie Stark, REDF, Relationship Manager

Andie Sobrepeña, Farming Hope, Co-Executive Director, Farming Hope

Adewale OgunBadejo, GRID Alternatives, Vice President, Workforce Development

Diandra Marizet Esparza, Intersectional Environmentalist, Co-Founder & Director of Impact

Jacob Smith, Composing Mobility LLC, Founder & CEO

Copyright 2025 UC Berkeley Haas School of Business

Recording from the 2025 ClimateCAP Summit hosted by UC Berkeley Haas School of Business.

This panel explores the urgent need to rethink our economic systems in the face of climate change and the flaws of the current systems. Inspired by student frustration with the narrow focus on GDP as a measure of success, the discussion will focus on emerging alternative models, such as Doughnut Economics, that shift from linear, profit-driven production to regenerative approaches centered on wellbeing. Panelists will engage in a critical analysis of these models and explore interdisciplinary solutions to reshape business practices for a sustainable future and food system.

Speakers

Samantha Derrick, Plant Futures (Non-Profit), Founder and Executive Director

Charity May, Sacred Futures, Founder and Principal

Amanda Eller, Waverly Street Foundation, Strategy Director

WIll Rosenzweig, Berkeley Haas Copyright 2025 UC Berkeley Haas School of Business

Recording from the 2025 ClimateCAP Summit at UC Berkeley Haas School of Business.

Join us for a panel discussion where we will hear insights from climate investors operating from early stage to further along the lifecycle. This session will explore the challenges and opportunities across the full spectrum of climate investing—from seed funding to scaling. Our panelists will delve into the financing solutions and strategies that are essential for supporting companies as they grow and scale impactful climate solutions. Gain a deeper understanding of how investors are funding the transformation of industries toward a low-carbon economy.

Speakers

Mandira Reddy, Capricorn Investment Group, Director

Marisa Sweeney, S2G Ventures, VP of Special Opportunities

Mira Inbar, ArcTern Ventures, Partner

Sabin Ray, Ecosystem Integrity Fund, Senior Associate

Copyright 2025 UC Berkeley Haas School of Business

Recording of the 'Changing Hearts and Minds Engaging Stakeholders in Climate Action" Panel at the 2025 ClimateCAP Summit hosted by UC Berkeley Haas School of Business.

How can leaders shift perspectives and build momentum around climate change and sustainability? This session explores how to turn skeptics into advocates and inspire lasting commitment to environmental solutions. With insights from experts across industries, we’ll discuss the pivotal role that businesses and organizations can play in shaping societal perceptions and engagement in sustainability initiatives. Join us for an inspiring conversation on fostering belief, investment, and action in the fight for a sustainable future.

Speakers

Noah Wilson-Rich, The Best Bees Company, Founder, CEO, and Chief Scientific Officer

Amos White, 100K Trees for Humanity, Founder & Chief Planting Officer

Conor Farese, IDEO, Former Design Director, Climate at IDEO

Copyright 2025, UC Berkeley Haas School of Business

Recording of the Mainstage sessions on March 1, 2025 at the 2025 ClimateCAP MBA Summit, hosted by UC Berkeley Haas School of Business.

Speakers include:

-Looking Ahead with Chancellor Rich Lyons

-The New Policy Landscape for Green Business with Helen Mountford, President & CEO of ClimateWorks Foundation, and Kate Gordon, CEO of California Forward

-Innovation and Inclusive Green Entrepreneurship with Davida Herzl, Co-Founder, CEO, and President of Aclima

-ClimateCAP 2025 Reflections with Robert Strand, Executive Director of the Nordic Center at UC Berkeley

-Thank you and Next Year's Host School Announcement with Jessica Wingert, Program Lead of ClimateCAP, and Amy Chan, Chief Sustainability Officer of Berkeley Haas

Copyright UC Berkeley Haas School of Business 2025

Recording of the Mainstage sessions on February 28, 2025 at the 2025 ClimateCAP MBA Summit, hosted by UC Berkeley Haas School of Business.

Speakers include:

-Dean's Welcome with Jennifer Chatman, Interim Dean at UC Berkeley Haas School of Business and Amy Chan, Chief Sustainability Officer at UC Berkeley Haas School of Business

-The Just Transition with Jarvis Sam, CEO and Founder of Rainbow Disruption, and Diandra Marizet Esparza, Co-Founder and Director of Impact at Intersectional Environmentalist

-Our Energy Transformation with Carla Peterman, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Chief Sustainability Officer at PG&E, Urvi Parekh, Director of Renewable Energy at Meta, and Ana Martinez, Associate Director of the Cleantech to Market Program at UC Berkeley Haas

-Climate Poetry with Aya de Leon, Poet Laureate at Berkeley

-Climate Tech and Circularity with Mark Armen, Founder & CEO of Replenysh

-Thank You & Send Off with Robert Strand, Executive Director of the Nordic Center at UC Berkeley

Copyright UC Berkeley Haas School of Business 2025

Are you an MBA student, prospective MBA, or alumna/us who wants to use your business skills to make a difference on climate? It’s true that “every job is a climate job,” but making sense of the ever-changing climate career landscape and finding the perfect fit for your skills and expertise can be daunting. In this webinar, Katie Kross, managing director of the Center for Energy, Development, and the Global Environment (EDGE) at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and co-founder of the ClimateCAP Initiative, discusses career options, trends, and practical strategies for finding and landing a climate job. She talks about climate career paths and resources you may have heard of before, and some you probably haven’t. Hosted in partnership with ClimateCAP and part of Terra.do's 2025 Climate Career Week.

Links: Center for Energy, Development, and the Global Environment (EDGE), Fuqua School of Business, Duke University: https://centers.fuqua.duke.edu/edge/ ClimateCAP: https://www.climatecap.org/ Terra.do Climate Career Week: https://www.climatecareerweek.org/

This recording comes from our virtual learning series, ClimateCAP MBA Academy: Understanding the Business of Climate on Friday, February 14, 2025. Through this series we will talk with experts on topics across the climate x business continuum to prepare the business leaders of tomorrow—today’s MBA students— to anticipate and manage climate risks and opportunities in their careers.

Sustainability drives business and societal success, yet the challenge many businesses face is proving the financial impact of their sustainability efforts as they seek to address environmental, social, and governance (ESG) related issues. The Return on Sustainability Investment (ROSI) methodology, developed by the NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business, bridges the gap between sustainability strategies and financial performance, helping to build a better business case for both current and planned sustainability initiatives. Understanding how to bridge that gap will be critical for MBAs entering the workforce, so in this tactical learning session with Chisara Ehiemere, Senior Research Lead ROSI, NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business, you’ll learn about the ROSI Framework and its applications, dive into real-world examples of how the framework is being used today in businesses and industry, and leave with a tool that you can use in your studies and in your future career.

This recording comes from our virtual learning series, ClimateCAP MBA Academy: Understanding the Business of Climate on Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024. Through this series we will talk with experts on topics across the climate x business continuum to prepare the business leaders of tomorrow—today’s MBA students— to anticipate and manage climate risks and opportunities in their careers.

Our speaker is Jasmine Crowe-Houston, Founder & CEO of Goodr, who will be in conversation with Erin Worsham, Executive Director of the Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship (CASE) at Duke's Fuqua School of Business.

One of the more surprising contributors to climate change is food waste. The U.S. EPA estimates that each year, U.S. food loss and waste equates to roughly 170 million metric tons of embodied CO2 emissions—equal to the annual CO2 emissions of 42 coal-fired power plants. At the same time, approximately 49 million people—that's one in six people in the U.S.—still face food insecurity. When Jasmine Crowe-Houston set out to solve the hunger crisis in America, she didn’t realize she was a climate tech entrepreneur—but today, her company, Goodr, has raised $8 million and diverted 30 Million pounds of food from landfills—while serving more than 37 million meals to hungry people.

Come hear the conversation about Jasmine's entrepreneurship journey and the lessons she’s learned along the way about what it takes to be a successful changemaker.

This recording comes from our virtual learning series, ClimateCAP MBA Academy: Understanding the Business of Climate on Friday, October 11th, 2024.

Our speaker is Anna Robertson, Co-founder and Head of Content at The Cool Down speaking on "Mainstreaming Sustainability at Scale." In this session, Anna will discuss how The Cool Down uses data and insights to engage the public on sustainability topics, how companies can create and deliver sustainability content and products that resonate with their audiences, how to effectively use sustainability marketing as a growth strategy, and more.

This recording comes from our virtual learning series, ClimateCAP MBA Academy: Understanding the Business of Climate on September 20th, 2024. Through this series we will talk with experts on topics across the climate x business continuum to prepare the business leaders of tomorrow—today’s MBA students— to anticipate and manage climate risks and opportunities in their careers.

Our speaker is Trish Kenlon, founder of Sustainable Career Pathways, as Trish presents "Using Your MBA to get the Climate Career You Want." In this session, Trish answers climate career questions like:

• How do I explore different MBA climate career avenues?

• How does my MBA add value to my recruiting efforts?

• What skills are climate-employers looking for?

• What are the different ways to build those skills while in an MBA program?

• What are some of the best practices around networking?

• How do MBA students find and assess climate jobs?

MBAs who understand the business implications of climate change are better prepared to manage and succeed in our changing world. In this virtual learning session, prospective and incoming MBA students hear from business educators about the ways that they can build skills and climate expertise during your MBA experience and prepare yourself for a business career that contributes to climate solutions.

This recording comes from our virtual learning series, ClimateCAP MBA Academy: Understanding the Business of Climate on May 1st, 2024. Through this series we will talk with experts on topics across the climate x business continuum to prepare the business leaders of tomorrow—today’s MBA students— to anticipate and manage climate risks and opportunities in their careers. Our final speaker of the academic year is Harmit Singh, Chief Financial and Growth Officer at Levi Strauss & Co, who is in conversation with Brad Sparks, Executive Director of Accounting for Sustainability (A4S). Harmit & Brad discuss how sustainability is built into Levi’s financial strategy, the role of the CFO and their team in integrating sustainability into the business, impacts of stakeholders on climate strategy, and more!

This recording comes from our virtual learning series, ClimateCAP MBA Academy: Understanding the Business of Climate on Friday, April 5th, 2024.

Our speaker is Alison Taylor, clinical associate professor at NYU Stern School of Business, and the executive director at Ethical Systems. Alison shares key takeaways from her book, Higher Ground: How Business Can do the Right Thing in a Turbulent World. She discusses how business leaders can navigate ethical challenges and risks in a volatile global landscape. She talks through themes such as the politicization of the corporate world, how far a company should go to address social/environmental challenges, how to balance all of the “noise” from stakeholders and prioritize the stakeholders that matter most, the weaponization of transparency, and more.

This recording comes from our virtual learning series, ClimateCAP MBA Academy: Understanding the Business of Climate on Friday, March 8th, 2024.

Our speaker is Lewis Perkins, President of the Apparel Impact Institute, who is in conversation with Wesley Longhofer, Executive Academic Director of Emory University's Goizueta Business & Society Institute. Lewis and Wesley discuss "Activating Systems Change: Decarbonizing the Fashion Supply Chain." They cover topics such as incentivizing stakeholders across the value chain, operationalizing change beyond theory, and what it takes to shift the mindset of an industry.