I worked on two projects with LEO Impact Fund at Columbia Business School over the summer. One of them was to support the board with closing two active investments. The other was to help with rebranding Microlumbia to LEO Impact Fund. On the first task, I helped conduct in-depth due diligence for both companies and summarized my learnings to share with the investment committee. The committee eventually voted to invest in one of the companies. The company that was selected is an edtech platform that detects patterns of bullying and aggression in schools and creates a safe space for teachers and students to learn, thereby reducing dropout rates and crime, primarily in Latin America. This furthers LEO's mission to invest in high impact startups in developing countries. For my second project, I was responsible for carrying out a rebranding task, where I helped create a website, social media, and marketing materials and a revised mission and vision statement for the organization.

The skills I gained from my core Finance and Accounting courses proved invaluable throughout the due diligence process. The solid foundation in financial analysis and accounting principles allowed me to critically evaluate the financial health of the companies under review. The modeling techniques I acquired in courses like Advanced Corporate Finance and Foundations of Private Equity were particularly useful. They enabled me to not only understand the financial models developed by the startups, but also to identify potential flaws and areas for improvement, making it easier to assess the viability of the investment opportunities. Additionally, the investment due diligence strategies I learned in my Investing in Social Ventures course played a crucial role in preparing detailed, data-driven reports for the investment committee. This course sharpened my ability to evaluate startups from a social impact perspective, ensuring that the companies I recommended aligned with both financial goals and broader mission-driven objectives. Ultimately, these combined skills allowed me to contribute meaningfully to the investment decision making process, enhancing my ability to think critically and present clear, actionable insights to key stakeholders.

Given that the two companies we were evaluating were based in different parts of the world, I encountered some communication challenges early on in the process. Each company operated within its own cultural context, which introduced unique nuances in communication styles, business practices, and decision making approaches that I wasn’t always familiar with. These differences sometimes created barriers to smooth collaboration and required me to be more adaptive and sensitive in my interactions. Recognizing these challenges, I leaned heavily on the experience and insights of my team members, many of whom had prior experience working in these geographies. Their guidance was instrumental in helping me navigate intercultural dialogues effectively. By observing how they handled communication and engagement across cultural lines, I learned to better interpret non-verbal cues, adjust my approach to fit the specific cultural contexts, and foster more productive relationships with stakeholders from different backgrounds. In addition, I actively sought out resources to improve my understanding of cultural differences and worked on developing more empathy and flexibility in my communication style. These efforts not only helped me overcome initial challenges but also strengthened my ability to work in a globally diverse environment, a critical skill for future international projects.

My experience working with the LEO Impact Fund was incredibly valuable, especially as I aspire to build a long-term career in the impact investing space. Over the course of just 10 weeks, I had the opportunity to be involved in a near-complete deal cycle, from conducting due diligence to closing an investment. This hands-on experience gave me a deeper understanding of the complexities and nuances of the investment process, including the detailed analysis, strategic thinking, and decision making required to evaluate high potential ventures. One of the most rewarding aspects of the experience was learning directly from our board members and investment committee. Their guidance and feedback not only sharpened my technical skills but also provided me with invaluable insights into how seasoned investors approach deals, balance risk and reward, and align financial returns with social impact. Their mentorship allowed me to see the bigger picture and deepened my understanding of what it takes to succeed in impact investing.