About Us
Tamer Institute for Social Enterprise and Climate Change
Educating leaders to use business knowledge, entrepreneurial skills, and management tools to address social and environmental challenges
2024
The Tamer Institute, based on a strong foundation, expanded its mission thanks to a generous donation from Sandra and Tony Tamer. This groundbreaking institute opens the door for an increased volume of climate and sustainability research at CBS and gives business leaders the tools to tackle the climate crisis, in addition to issues facing business and society. The Tamer Institute expansion provides a venue for University-wide interdisciplinary discourse on the climate crisis, including the Climate School, the School of International and Public Affairs, and the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
2015
Tamer Center for Social Enterprise was established, thanks to a gift from Sandra and Tony Tamer. The gift allowed for the launch of the Tamer Fund for Social Ventures, the expansion of the existing Loan Assistance program, the extension of the Social and Environmental Summer Fellowship Program to Columbia students beyond the Business School, funding for social ventures at the Columbia Startup Lab, and further development of the advisory network for Columbia’s social entrepreneurs.
1981
Professor Ray Horton founded the Public and Nonprofit Management Program, which was renamed the Social Enterprise Program in 2000, and widened to include social entrepreneurship, corporate social responsibility, and international development. The mission was to advance the understanding of how business can contribute to society and the environment, by emphasizing the vital role that social enterprise plays in transforming communities.
Conference Impact
Since the inaugural Social Enterprise Conference in 2021
Conferences
Speakers
Attendees
Media Impressions
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, Former President & CEO, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors; Adjunct Professor, CBS
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
Tamer Institute: Affiliated Faculty
Students also work closely with faculty to identify thought leadership and explore ways in which all forms of capital, from philanthropy to impact investing to ESG investing, are being used to sustain business models that generate social impact in the communities they work in and around the world. View our list of the institute’s affiliated faculty.