About Us
Our Vision
Our members use business acumen to address social, economic, and environmental challenges.
Our Mission
The Social Enterprise Club is the home for all students at Columbia Business School who want to use business skills to create social, environmental, and economic value within the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. We:
- Connect students interested in social enterprise with each other, faculty, alumni, professionals, and organizations
- Enrich our members’ understanding of industries, ideas and initiatives that create social impact
- Inspire students to become leaders who improve the world.
The Social Enterprise Club collaborates with the Social Enterprise Program (SEP) and other clubs under the auspices of the SEP on advancing social enterprise initiatives at Columbia Business School.
Social Enterprise Program Structure
The Social Enterprise Program is faculty-run and supports the student-driven initiatives, including the Social Enterprise Club, International Development Club, Green Business Club, Nonprofit Board Leadership Program, Pangea Advisors, and Microlumbia.
The Social Enterprise Club at Columbia Business School is a Net Impact chapter. It hosted the 2004 Net Impact Conference.
SEC Officers
Co-Presidents
Julia Barmeier, Email: jbarmeier14@gsb.columbia.edu
Liz Millman, Email: emillman14@gsb.columbia.edu
Prospective Students
VP: Daniella Gold, Email: dgold14@gsb.columbia.edu
VP: Kim Issa, Email: kissa14@gsb.columbia.edu
Events & Communications
VP: Lauren Brom, Email: lbrom14@gsb.columbia.edu
VP: Lauren Ryan, Email: lryan14@gsb.columbia.edu
Finance and Membership
VP: Sam Chapin, Email: schapin14@gsb.columbia.edu
Global Social Venture Competition
VP: Lizzie Elston, Email: eelston14@gsb.columbia.edu
Careers
VP: Jennifer Shea, Email: jshea14@gsb.columbia.edu
SEC Conference / Net Impact
VP: Vi Menon, Email: vmenon14@gsb.columbia.edu
VP: Jenny Tolan, Email: jtolan14@gsb.columbia.edu
Social Enterprise Summer Fellowship
VP: Meri Crowther, Email: mcrowther14@gsb.columbia.edu
VP: Jessica Hammerman, Email: jhammerman14@gsb.columbia.edu
J-Term Rep
Natalie Rubin, Email: nrubin14@gsb.columbia.edu
SEC Officer Bios
Julia Barmeier ’14 (co-president)
Where are you from? I am originally from the California Bay Area
Where did you attend undergrad? Penn
What industry were you in before coming to CBS? International development – Peace Corps (Peru), Center for Global Development, World Bank
What industry do you want to work in after your MBA? Consulting and/or economic development
What clubs are you involved with at CBS? Social Enterprise Club!, International Development Club, Management Consulting Association, Small Business Consulting Program, Wine Society, Running Club
What is your favorite thing about the SEC/what was your favorite SEC event? My favorite things about SEC are the people and the Catskills Retreat!
Liz Millman ’14 (co-president)
Where are you from? Chicago, IL
Where did you attend undergrad? Northwestern University
What industry were you in before coming to CBS? I worked at an arts non-profit where I managed the educational programming.
What industry do you want to work in after your MBA? I am pursuing opportunities in consulting and continue to have a long-term aspiration to return to the non-profit sector.
What clubs are you involved with at CBS? Management Consulting Association, Small Business Consulting Program, Columbia Women in Business, Arts and Culture Club, Gourmet Club
What is your favorite thing about the SEC/what was your favorite SEC event? My favorite thing about the SEC is that the club provides so many opportunities to engage with passionate, like-minded peers, highlighting the prevalent desire of CBS students to apply their talents and business school tool-kit to solving the world’s most pressing challenges.
Lauren Brom ’14 (Events & Communications)
Where are you from? I’m from Des Moines, IA
Where did you attend undergrad? I went to Pomona College in Claremont, CA for undergrad.
What industry were you in before coming to CBS? I worked in education. Most recently, I was the Director of Special Projects at Uncommon Schools, an organization that starts and manages charter schools. Before, I was a Teach for America teacher.
What industry do you want to work in after your MBA? Short term, I’m planning to go into consulting, but long term, I want to move back into education. But who knows?! Every day is a new adventure!
What clubs are you involved with at CBS? I am on the board of the SEC and Columbia Women in Business. I’m involved in the Management Consulting Association, the Small Business Consulting Club, and the Gourmet Club.
What is your favorite thing about the SEC/what was your favorite SEC event? My favorite thing about SEC is the people. It is inspiring and fun to interact with mission-driven individuals on a regular basis!
Sam Chapin ’14 (finance & membership)
Where are you from? I’m from Mamaroneck, NY
Where did you attend undergrad? I went to Duke University for undergrad.
What industry were you in before coming to CBS? I worked in Construction Management & Real Estate Development, specifically NYC low-income housing.
What industry do you want to work in after your MBA? I want to work in Real Estate & Economic Development in Emerging Markets…or management consulting…or something I haven’t found yet.
What clubs are you involved with at CBS? I am on the board of the SEC and the Real Estate Association, and a member of the MCA, Running, and Gourmet clubs.
Jenny Tolan ’14 (conference)
Where are you from? New York City
Where did you attend undergrad? Stanford University
What industry were you in before coming to CBS? All across social enterprise – international development, education, green business.
What industry do you want to work in after your MBA? I want to stay in social enterprise, particularly global development. Also looking at consulting to build effective organizations.
What clubs are you involved with at CBS? Social Enterprise, Microlumbia, International Development, Women in Business, Wine Society, Sailing Club
What is your favorite thing about the SEC/what was your favorite SEC event? I love the people and many different backgrounds everyone brings. Very excited about the SEC Conference! Also love getting outside the city at the upstate NY retreat.
Vi Menon ’14 (conference)
Where are you from? Mumbai, India
Where did you attend undergrad? Denison University, Ohio
What industry were you in before coming to CBS? Management Consulting in the Consumer Products, Healthcare, Media & Entertainment and Non-Profit Sectors
What industry do you want to work in after your MBA? Something in International Development focused on Emerging Markets in the Consumer Products industry
What clubs are you involved with at CBS? The Social Enterprise Club (Obviously!!), The International Development Club, The Marketing Club, The Public Speaking Association, The Snow Sports Club, The Outdoor Club, Wine Society
What is your favorite thing about the SEC/what was your favorite SEC event? The Social Enterprise Conference and The Net Impact Conference was a great place to learn about incredible, new ideas and meet so many interesting people
Lizzie Elston ’14 (GSVC)
Where are you from? Bronx, New York
Where did you attend undergrad? Yale University
What industry were you in before coming to CBS? I worked for a nonprofit organization in New York City that provides research and technical assistance to government agencies which administer justice systems.
What industry do you want to work in after your MBA? I want to work in a government agency that is providing social services, or a nonprofit focused on alleviating poverty and reducing inequality.
What clubs are you involved with at CBS? Bernstein Leadership and Ethics Board, Small Business Consulting Club, Management Consulting Association, Innovation + Creativity in Business, Gourmet Club, Healthy Living Club
What is your favorite thing about the SEC/what was your favorite SEC event? Spending time with awesome other people who are passionate about social impact. My favorite SEC event is the social enterprise conference because the speakers and energy are both inspiring.
