Tamer Institute

Letty Perez ’21 credits Professor Todd Jick's courses with being a top reason to apply to Columbia Business School, including the course Bridging the American Divides, co-taught with Professor Bruce Usher. The course provides a better understanding of the causes and consequences of American divides — such as educational and political divides — and what students can do as future business leaders to help bridge them.Amanda Carlson, assistant dean of admissions, said that one of the most popular elective courses at the School is Modern Political Economy, which was previously taught by Professor Ray Horton, founder of the Social Enterprise Program and a recipient of the Presidential Teaching Award in 2020. The course helps students understand, predict, adapt to, and shape the evolving world of the political economy from the various views that they will hold during their careers. The course is now co-taught by Professors Glenn Hubbard and Tano Santos.

Edward Patterson ’23 was most excited to join the School because of the center's "unparalleled access and experiential learning opportunities." He credits the social enterprise curriculum, clubs, and internships with giving him an advantage in the industry, including using these learned skills to start a nonprofit to "remove the barriers placed on children in underserved communities and provide a space for kids to channel their passions into long-term success."

Donnel Baird ’13, Blocpower CEO, and Kelly Ifill ’17, founder and CEO of Guava, were both included in this list of prominent Black leaders who are solving some of the city's most pressing issues, such as climate change and injustice and economic inequality.

Professor Bruce Usher underscores that the myths about renewable energy are based on prices and performance that are typically outdated.

Donnel Baird ’13, CEO of cleantech startup Blocpower, was included on this list of talented and accomplished Black leaders "whose professional and communal achievements enhance New York City and the lives of its inhabitants."

Nina Tandon ’12, CEO of EpiBone, was named to Mayor Adams's Business Leadership Council, which creates ways to better aid New York’s economic recovery, including expanding the Summer Youth Employment Program and focusing on public safety.

"[The Summer Youth Employment Program] offers youth opportunities to develop their talents, determine their goals, and establish strong relationships. For many youth in the neighborhoods Children’s Aid serves, this is their only opportunity to gain access to workforce experience and exposure to a network of professionals. I applaud the mayor for this investment and we look forward to supporting it over the summer," said Phoebe Boyer ’93, president and CEO of Children’s Aid, in response to Mayor Adams's announcement that NYC will support a record 100,000 summer job opportunities.

"It is increasingly important that leaders create a culture in which employees feel safe and supported at their workplace . . . CEOs should offer recognition that this may be a trying time for employees and offer a safe and nonjudgmental space for employees to talk about the issues that may be on their mind," said Professor Vanessa Burbano, in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Tamer Fund for Social Ventures portfolio member Borobabi (co-founded by Carolyn Butler ’18), a circular children’s retailer that allows parents to buy and rent pre-owned apparel for growing infants and toddlers, achieved B Corp status through its unique business model and commitment to sustainably made garments.

Professor Bruce Usher commented that the global transition to clean enery is underway and that "[t]he sooner you get started on it, the more likely you can do it at a lower cost and more intelligently, and come up with the best practices for your business."