About
Inspiring innovation at the intersection of business and the environment.
Mission
The Business and Environment Initiative educates, connects, and mobilizes business leaders to address climate change and other environmental challenges.
Our goals are to:
- Engage and promote a faculty community on business and environment topics
- Educate students to transform organizations to become environmentally sustainable
- Disseminate insights from research and foster alumni engagement on critical environmental topics
BEI brings together more than 40 affiliated faculty members who collectively represent the School’s ten units. We catalyze research and share insights with business leaders. We encourage faculty and students to address climate change and environmental sustainability in MBA classrooms. We host academic and executive conferences and support student clubs and alumni connections on campus and beyond.
Annual Reports
Leadership
Michael Toffel
Faculty Chair; Senator John Heinz Professor of Environmental Management
Professor Michael Toffel has been interested in how companies can reduce their environmental impacts since the early 1990s. This led him to Yale University seeking to learn about business management, industrial environmental management, and environmental policy. Soon after graduating Yale with an MBA and a Master’s degree from its environmental school, Toffel became the director of environment, health, and safety at a conglomerate in Southeast Asia.
As Faculty Chair of the Business and Environment Initiative, Mike provides the overall vision and strategic direction for the Initiative. Mike is a faculty member in the HBS Technology and Operations Management unit, and his research examines how companies are addressing the environmental impacts of—and working conditions in—their operations and supply chains. The role of BEI Faculty Chair allows Mike to strengthen institutional support for faculty colleagues working on various business and environment topics, and to identify opportunities to increase the impact of their work.
Professor Michael Toffel has been interested in how companies can reduce their environmental impacts since the early 1990s. This led him to Yale University seeking to learn about business management, industrial environmental management, and environmental policy. Soon after graduating Yale with an MBA and a Master’s degree from its environmental school, Toffel became the director of environment, health, and safety at a conglomerate in Southeast Asia.
As Faculty Chair of the Business and Environment Initiative, Mike provides the overall vision and strategic direction for the Initiative. Mike is a faculty member in the HBS Technology and Operations Management unit, and his research examines how companies are addressing the environmental impacts of—and working conditions in—their operations and supply chains. The role of BEI Faculty Chair allows Mike to strengthen institutional support for faculty colleagues working on various business and environment topics, and to identify opportunities to increase the impact of their work.
Lynn Schenk
Director
Lynn Schenk is the Director of the Business and Environment Initiative at Harvard Business School. In this role, Lynn applies her broad understanding of the intersection of business and climate change. She is a strategic thinker and leads efforts to connect faculty research and case development to practice, integrate climate in the core of the management curriculum, and drive new course development on a range of topics from climate finance to adaptation and resilience, to accelerating climate solutions. She leads an awesome team that convenes and supports students, alumni, faculty and multiple HBS departments and that collaborates across Harvard University to drive climate learning, career path mentorship, and action.
Previously Lynn was a VP in the Infrastructure and Energy group at Citigroup and a Director at the William J. Clinton Foundation’s Clinton Climate Initiative. Lynn has led several successful finance projects that brought together the private and public sectors, large financial institutions, and multilateral organizations. In previous roles at HBS she wrote case studies on impact investing and contributed to the Problem Solving book. She holds a BA from Cornell University and a MALD from the Fletcher School at Tufts University. She is an avid hiker, cross-country and downhill skier, still plays lacrosse even though she shouldn’t, and enjoys coaching her kids’ sports.
Lynn Schenk is the Director of the Business and Environment Initiative at Harvard Business School. In this role, Lynn applies her broad understanding of the intersection of business and climate change. She is a strategic thinker and leads efforts to connect faculty research and case development to practice, integrate climate in the core of the management curriculum, and drive new course development on a range of topics from climate finance to adaptation and resilience, to accelerating climate solutions. She leads an awesome team that convenes and supports students, alumni, faculty and multiple HBS departments and that collaborates across Harvard University to drive climate learning, career path mentorship, and action.
Previously Lynn was a VP in the Infrastructure and Energy group at Citigroup and a Director at the William J. Clinton Foundation’s Clinton Climate Initiative. Lynn has led several successful finance projects that brought together the private and public sectors, large financial institutions, and multilateral organizations. In previous roles at HBS she wrote case studies on impact investing and contributed to the Problem Solving book. She holds a BA from Cornell University and a MALD from the Fletcher School at Tufts University. She is an avid hiker, cross-country and downhill skier, still plays lacrosse even though she shouldn’t, and enjoys coaching her kids’ sports.
Courtney Fairbrother
Associate Director
Courtney manages student and alumni engagement and creates networks and opportunities that encourage these groups to address climate change. She also oversees the implementation of infrastructure supporting increased career and entrepreneurial opportunities for students. Prior to joining the BEI team, Courtney worked for Harvard’s Office for Sustainability as the Sustainability Manager for HBS where she was responsible for engaging students, staff, and faculty in sustainability initiatives across the HBS campus. Prior to working at Harvard, Courtney worked in both the private and public sector on renewable energy policy, implementation, and development for agencies such as the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority and Rocky Mountain Institute.
Courtney manages student and alumni engagement and creates networks and opportunities that encourage these groups to address climate change. She also oversees the implementation of infrastructure supporting increased career and entrepreneurial opportunities for students. Prior to joining the BEI team, Courtney worked for Harvard’s Office for Sustainability as the Sustainability Manager for HBS where she was responsible for engaging students, staff, and faculty in sustainability initiatives across the HBS campus. Prior to working at Harvard, Courtney worked in both the private and public sector on renewable energy policy, implementation, and development for agencies such as the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority and Rocky Mountain Institute.
Elise Clarkson
Community Manager
Elise is the community manager of the Business and Environment Initiative. She manages core activities of the BEI and collaborates with other departments to leverage HBS resources, promote the initiative's mission, and improve processes. Her duties include project management, event coordination, content development for publications and social media, web maintenance, and data management. At HBS, Elise has experience managing MBA courses, coordinating faculty & doctoral recruiting, and overseeing events. Prior to working at HBS, she taught elementary school in underserved communities in Massachusetts and California. She has experience developing academic programs, writing curriculum, and mentoring new educators.
Elise is the community manager of the Business and Environment Initiative. She manages core activities of the BEI and collaborates with other departments to leverage HBS resources, promote the initiative's mission, and improve processes. Her duties include project management, event coordination, content development for publications and social media, web maintenance, and data management. At HBS, Elise has experience managing MBA courses, coordinating faculty & doctoral recruiting, and overseeing events. Prior to working at HBS, she taught elementary school in underserved communities in Massachusetts and California. She has experience developing academic programs, writing curriculum, and mentoring new educators.
Executive Fellows
Spencer Glendon
(Harvard PhD 1999), Founder, Probable Futures
Spencer Glendon is working with Michael Toffel and Peter Tufano on research projects related to climate change.
Spencer is dedicated to making climate science more accessible, useful, and intuitive so that everyone on Earth can build their climate literacy and mindfully prepare for the consequences that climate change is likely to bring.
Spencer earned a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Northwestern University and a Ph.D. in Economics from Harvard University, where he focused on the history of urbanization and industrialization.
In 2017, Spencer began collaborating with scientists, business leaders, designers, technologists, and educators to research the effects of climate change and to share those findings publicly. He founded Probable Futures in 2020 to help democratize climate science and build bridges between climate science and many other disciplines.
Spencer Glendon is working with Michael Toffel and Peter Tufano on research projects related to climate change.
Spencer is dedicated to making climate science more accessible, useful, and intuitive so that everyone on Earth can build their climate literacy and mindfully prepare for the consequences that climate change is likely to bring.
Spencer earned a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Northwestern University and a Ph.D. in Economics from Harvard University, where he focused on the history of urbanization and industrialization.
In 2017, Spencer began collaborating with scientists, business leaders, designers, technologists, and educators to research the effects of climate change and to share those findings publicly. He founded Probable Futures in 2020 to help democratize climate science and build bridges between climate science and many other disciplines.
Reynir Indahl
(MBA 1998), Managing Partner, Summa Equity
Reynir Indahl is working with George Serafeim on projects related to climate and sustainability efforts in private equity. Reynir is Partner of Summa Equity, an investment firm focused on companies that address key global challenges. Reynir enjoys everything from being part of the deal teams to driving performance and innovation in Summa’s portfolio. Reynir is committed to being part of the solution to the significant challenges facing our world today.
Reynir Indahl is working with George Serafeim on projects related to climate and sustainability efforts in private equity. Reynir is Partner of Summa Equity, an investment firm focused on companies that address key global challenges. Reynir enjoys everything from being part of the deal teams to driving performance and innovation in Summa’s portfolio. Reynir is committed to being part of the solution to the significant challenges facing our world today.
Carolyn Weinberg is working with Peter Tufano and Lynn Schenk on topics including climate finance and market structure. Carolyn served as Chief Product Innovation Officer of BlackRock, where she drove the product innovation, development, and commercialization of products globally for the world's largest asset manager. Previously at BlackRock, Carolyn was Global Head of Product, iShares and Index Investments and drove the product strategy, development, and commercialization globally for the world's largest ETF provider. In this role, Carolyn was instrumental in driving the firm’s successful growth in fixed income ETFs and sustainable indexing. Before joining BlackRock, Carolyn created structured derivatives solutions for corporations at Citibank, where she was Head of the North America Corporate Solutions Group. Previously, she was Deutsche Bank's Head of Risk Solutions Structuring, a member of Morgan Stanley's Corporate Derivatives Group, and a consultant at McKinsey & Company. Carolyn graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College in applied mathematics and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Carolyn Weinberg is working with Peter Tufano and Lynn Schenk on topics including climate finance and market structure. Carolyn served as Chief Product Innovation Officer of BlackRock, where she drove the product innovation, development, and commercialization of products globally for the world's largest asset manager. Previously at BlackRock, Carolyn was Global Head of Product, iShares and Index Investments and drove the product strategy, development, and commercialization globally for the world's largest ETF provider. In this role, Carolyn was instrumental in driving the firm’s successful growth in fixed income ETFs and sustainable indexing. Before joining BlackRock, Carolyn created structured derivatives solutions for corporations at Citibank, where she was Head of the North America Corporate Solutions Group. Previously, she was Deutsche Bank's Head of Risk Solutions Structuring, a member of Morgan Stanley's Corporate Derivatives Group, and a consultant at McKinsey & Company. Carolyn graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College in applied mathematics and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Philip Kuai
(OPM 2023), Partner, YUE Accelerator
Philip Kuai is collaborating with Feng Zhu on projects related to tech entrepreneurship, sustainability, and emerging markets, including looking at how digitalization drives sustainability.
Philip Kuai is collaborating with Feng Zhu on projects related to tech entrepreneurship, sustainability, and emerging markets, including looking at how digitalization drives sustainability.
Tom Clay
(MBA 1997), CEO, Xtalic Corporation
Tom Clay is collaborating with Josh Krieger and Jim Matheson on the MBA Elective Curriculum course Tough Tech Ventures, which will include supporting climate related topics.
Tom Clay is collaborating with Josh Krieger and Jim Matheson on the MBA Elective Curriculum course Tough Tech Ventures, which will include supporting climate related topics.
Richard Vieira
(MBA 1995), Managing Director and Co-Head, Cowen Technology Media and Telecom Group
Richard Vieira is collaborating with Josh Krieger and Jim Matheson on the MBA Elective Curriculum course Tough Tech Ventures, which will include climate related topics.
Richard Vieira is collaborating with Josh Krieger and Jim Matheson on the MBA Elective Curriculum course Tough Tech Ventures, which will include climate related topics.
BiGS Climate Fellows
Jonas Meckling
Associate professor at the University of California Berkeley
The political economy of decarbonization
With a focus on studying the politics of clean energy transitions and probing why some economies are moving faster than others, Meckling plans to examine the recent rise of green industrial policy currently shaping markets for low-carbon technologies. He will examine what effective green industrial policy might look like as well as pitfalls such as international conflict to help mobilize effective business investments to create and grow markets for low-carbon technologies.
The political economy of decarbonization
With a focus on studying the politics of clean energy transitions and probing why some economies are moving faster than others, Meckling plans to examine the recent rise of green industrial policy currently shaping markets for low-carbon technologies. He will examine what effective green industrial policy might look like as well as pitfalls such as international conflict to help mobilize effective business investments to create and grow markets for low-carbon technologies.
Matteo Gasparini
University of Oxford’s Smith School of Enterprise and Environment
Matteo Gasparini is a DPhil (PhD) candidate at University of Oxford's Smith School of Enterprise and Environment (SSEE) and the Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET). His research studies the Financial Economics of Climate Change and Sustainability focusing on the implications of climate change for firms’ valuations and financial regulation. He is also an External Advisor to McKinsey & Co and the World Bank Group and External Lecturer in Sustainable Finance at Skema Business School in Paris. Previously, he has been a visiting PhD Student at Harvard Business School and Associate at McKinsey & Co
Matteo Gasparini is a DPhil (PhD) candidate at University of Oxford's Smith School of Enterprise and Environment (SSEE) and the Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET). His research studies the Financial Economics of Climate Change and Sustainability focusing on the implications of climate change for firms’ valuations and financial regulation. He is also an External Advisor to McKinsey & Co and the World Bank Group and External Lecturer in Sustainable Finance at Skema Business School in Paris. Previously, he has been a visiting PhD Student at Harvard Business School and Associate at McKinsey & Co
D3 Climate & Sustainability Lab Postdocs
Simon Xu is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Climate and Sustainability Impact Lab at the Digital Data Design Institute at Harvard Business School. He received his PhD in Finance (2023) at the Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley. His research interests are sustainable finance and corporate social responsibility, with links to financial intermediation, corporate finance, and banking. His current research focuses on the interplay between environmental regulations and firm pollution, and their impact on mutual funds’ portfolio choices, shareholder wealth, and corporate philanthropy.
Simon Xu is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Climate and Sustainability Impact Lab at the Digital Data Design Institute at Harvard Business School. He received his PhD in Finance (2023) at the Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley. His research interests are sustainable finance and corporate social responsibility, with links to financial intermediation, corporate finance, and banking. His current research focuses on the interplay between environmental regulations and firm pollution, and their impact on mutual funds’ portfolio choices, shareholder wealth, and corporate philanthropy.
Matthias Roesti is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Climate and Sustainability Impact Lab at the Digital Data Design Institute at Harvard Business School. He holds a PhD in Economics and Finance from the University of St. Gallen, an MPhil in Economics from the University of Oxford, and a BSc in Economics from the University of Bern. His research focuses on various aspects of political economy and environmental economics, including the role of trust in cooperative behavior, the adoption of green behavior and technologies, and lobbying and media.
Matthias Roesti is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Climate and Sustainability Impact Lab at the Digital Data Design Institute at Harvard Business School. He holds a PhD in Economics and Finance from the University of St. Gallen, an MPhil in Economics from the University of Oxford, and a BSc in Economics from the University of Bern. His research focuses on various aspects of political economy and environmental economics, including the role of trust in cooperative behavior, the adoption of green behavior and technologies, and lobbying and media.
Franziska Hittmair is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Climate and Sustainability Impact Lab at the Digital Data Design Institute at Harvard Business School. She recently graduated with a PhD in Management from Nova School of Business and Economics. Her research is in the area of corporate sustainability, with a focus on topics related to corporate environmental pollution and environmental disclosure practices.
Franziska Hittmair is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Climate and Sustainability Impact Lab at the Digital Data Design Institute at Harvard Business School. She recently graduated with a PhD in Management from Nova School of Business and Economics. Her research is in the area of corporate sustainability, with a focus on topics related to corporate environmental pollution and environmental disclosure practices.
BEI brings together more than 40 affiliated faculty members whose research explores the intersection of business and the environment.