My main project was to conduct a systems audit of internal processes. Envest is a very small but growing company, and as companies grow, they periodically need to evaluate whether the systems they use are adequate for their new size. The systems audit looked at Envest’s internal systems through the lenses of cybersecurity, efficiency, and quality. Many subprojects emerged, including conducting a data inventory of Envest’s data, gathering data related to efficiency and quality from employees, and a technology review and recommendations across three areas of the business.

Envest’s mission is to increase financial inclusion in developing markets by connecting American investors with microfinance institutions (MFIs) across five continents. While still small, Envest has a vision to scale to make a meaningful contribution to the estimated $500B gap between the demand and supply for credit worldwide. The systems audit critically supported Envest’s ambitions to scale by examining current processes and making recommendations for how the processes could be enhanced to support both the current organization and the contemplated near-term growth.

Having previously worked for the organization before business school, my 2020 SESF internship clearly demonstrated my professional development through Columbia’s MBA program. Designing the project scope and milestones drew on skills I developed through my experience serving on the board of Pangea Advisors, a pro bono student consulting club within the Tamer Center. Leading the project and managing two undergraduate interns utilized capabilities I developed through LEAD and through the executive coaching opportunity provided each semester. Learnings from Professor Todd Jick’s Organizational Change were applicable when contemplating how to communicate my recommendations and gain buy-in from critical team members when pushing for large changes.

Like many students this summer, my internship was entirely remote as the whole Envest team was working from home because of COVID-19. This meant that I had to develop working relationships with people that I have never met in person. It also meant that I had to strongly advocate for my needs, especially during the project conceptualization stage, which required a lot of brainstorming and checking in to make sure that I was on the right track. Working from home was also a challenge on the home front. Designing a supportive workspace and communicating my space needs to my family was critical to creating a functional and supportive work environment this summer. Another challenge was the project’s scope. A systems audit has the potential to become very granular and ultimately very time consuming. It was important to define up front what was within the scope of the systems audit and what was not. It was also important to create milestones and timelines that provided structure while retaining flexibility for unexpected occurrences. Lastly, the most critical piece was working closely with my team and integrating them into all aspects of the process so that a smooth handover was possible upon completion of my internship.

A key takeaway is that remote work is not only possible, but can be highly effective. I was impressed at how much we were able to get done, and how many meaningful social interactions I had with my co-workers despite the distance. For example, I started rotating coffee chats each week where we were randomly paired up with a co-worker and encouraged to chat socially for an hour about anything on our minds. This provided a structured way to grow our working relationships. As soon as I finish my SESF internship, I will begin my full-time role starting in a remote-working environment. The best practices I learned about remote working at my internship will help me more easefully transition into my new role. Another takeaway from my experience was understanding the implications of COVID-19 for the microfinance sector. Envest operates in 10 countries on five continents, each of which had its own response to the crisis. Working with Envest this summer allowed me to see how each of the MFI partners navigated the crisis and what the long-term implications could be.