The benefit of learning together with your friend is that you keep each other accountable and have meaningful discussions about what you're learning.
Courtlyn
Promotion and Events Specialist
Seize sustainable investing opportunities in dynamic markets
Download Brochure
February 20, 2025
6 weeks, online
4-6 hours per week
Participants report that enrolling in a program with colleagues fosters collaborative learning and amplifies their impact.
Please provide your details to get more information about the group-enrollment pricing.
The benefit of learning together with your friend is that you keep each other accountable and have meaningful discussions about what you're learning.
Courtlyn
Promotion and Events SpecialistSustainable and impact investing is attracting enough capital to start having a meaningful impact on the world’s most pressing problems. Globally, more than $22.8 trillion is invested sustainably, representing more than one dollar for every four dollars under professional management. The rapid pace of recent growth has been driven by a fundamental shift in how investors and asset owners view environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors.
As the fastest growing segment of sustainable investing, impact investing is a strategy that modern investors, financial advisors, and money managers need to be well versed in, especially as a new generation of investors clamor for it.
This six-week online program is designed and taught by Bhakti Mirchandani, who teaches an award-winning impact finance course for Columbia’s Masters in Sustainability Management program and has authored more than 90 articles on sustainable and impact investing.
of individual investors say they’re interested in using their investing dollars to affect social and environmental change.
of investors agree they would be much more loyal to a financial advisor who actively helps them invest in a way that also has positive impact on the world.
The Impact Investing (Online) program will enable you to:
Define impact investing, review foundational concepts related to the field of investing, and reflect on the early years of program-related investments and microfinance capital markets transactions.
Define the first link in the investment asset chain — the asset owners — and examine three different frameworks for impact measurement.
Explore how materiality varies across the capital structure, delve into sustainability for a range of fixed income strategies, and integrate ESG into fixed income pricing.
Designed to democratize impact investing, public equities broaden access to sustainable investing opportunities beyond institutional investors and high net worth individuals.
Examine private equity fund economics and life cycles, the United States government’s use of private equity for economic statecraft, and how to drive diversity, equity, and inclusion in investment portfolios.
Explore innovative concepts that include microfinance securitization, social impact bonds, recidivism, and sustainability-linked loans and bonds. The module concludes with participants presenting a final project on social engagement.
Define impact investing, review foundational concepts related to the field of investing, and reflect on the early years of program-related investments and microfinance capital markets transactions.
Designed to democratize impact investing, public equities broaden access to sustainable investing opportunities beyond institutional investors and high net worth individuals.
Define the first link in the investment asset chain — the asset owners — and examine three different frameworks for impact measurement.
Examine private equity fund economics and life cycles, the United States government’s use of private equity for economic statecraft, and how to drive diversity, equity, and inclusion in investment portfolios.
Explore how materiality varies across the capital structure, delve into sustainability for a range of fixed income strategies, and integrate ESG into fixed income pricing.
Explore innovative concepts that include microfinance securitization, social impact bonds, recidivism, and sustainability-linked loans and bonds. The module concludes with participants presenting a final project on social engagement.
World-Renowned Faculty
Learn from accomplished faculty, and industry experts whose diverse backgrounds encompass a broad range of disciplines
Capstone Project
Engage in a multifaceted experience where you apply program learnings to a real-world case
Peer Interaction
Stimulating discussions with like-minded global peers expand your professional network and build a supportive community
Case Studies
Through exploratory sessions, examine practical examples and find innovative solutions to strategic challenges
Live Faculty Sessions
Get actionable insights in live online interactions with faculty who are recognized leaders in their fields
Engaging Assignments and Activities
Hone business acumen and executive skills with try-it activities that help you redefine your potential
Dating back to 1936, when Edsel Ford established the foundation with an initial gift of $25,000, Ford pioneered program-related investments (PRIs) that support charitable activities.
The aim of BlueOrchard is to create more inclusivity and participation in financial markets by connecting microfinance to capital markets.
Aligning its mission with its investments, the F.B. Heron Foundation helps disadvantaged families build wealth through home ownership and housing security.
Commencing in 2014, TAEF is funded by a USAID grant with dual goals of promoting development of Tunisia’s private sector and financial stability.
The foundation advances the practice of impact investing by sharing a framework for mission-related investment governance and guidance on how to develop investment policy statements to reflect that governance.
Through a wide range of activities, you will leverage the same tools and frameworks used by successful impact investors, yielding highly practical skills with immediate impact.
Past participants of the Impact Investing (Online) program come from diverse backgrounds, industries, and experiences.
Average years of work experience:
Top industries:
Top functions:
Top countries:
Note: Data from across previous cohorts
BHAKTI MIRCHANDANI
Managing Director, Responsible Investing, Trinity Church Wall Street and Co-Founder, IADEI
Bhakti Mirchandani teaches an award-winning impact finance course, which she pioneered in Columbia’s Masters in Sustainability Management program (award issued by the Impact & Sustainable Finance Faculty Consortium and the Financial Times). She is a co-founder and steering committee member of Institutional Allocators for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (IADEI); serves as an independent director of Live Oak Crestview Climate Acquisition Corporation and on the Board of Commissioners for the New York State Insurance Fund; and is a life member at the Council on Foreign Relations.
Previously, Bhakti was the managing director at FCLTGlobal; the ESG advisor to Corbin Capital, an investment management strategist at One William Street Capital Management and Lehman Brother; and a sustainable finance banker at Barclays Capital and Unitus Capital. She also spent 10 years pioneering microinsurance, microfinance CLOs, and micropensions.
Her work has been featured in the New York Times, Financial Times, Institutional Investor, CNBC, and at the G-20 and The World Economic Forum at Davos. She holds a BA, MBA, and MPA from Harvard University.
Upon completion of the Impact Investing (Online) program, you will receive a certificate of participation from Columbia Business School Executive Education. This certificate also awards two credits towards the Certificate in Business Excellence, which grants select alumni and tuition benefits. Learn More
Download BrochureYour digitally verified certificate will be issued in your legal name and emailed to you, at no additional cost, upon completion of the program, including all modules of the program (online, in person, or live online, inter-module). All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of Columbia Business School Executive Education.
After reviewing the information on the program landing page, we recommend you submit the short form above to gain access to the program brochure, which includes more in-depth information. If you still have questions on whether this program is a good fit for you, please email learner.success@emeritus.org, and a dedicated program advisor will follow-up with you very shortly.
Some programs do have prerequisites, particularly the more technical ones. This information will be noted on the program landing page, as well as in the program brochure. If you are uncertain about program prerequisites and your capabilities, please email us at the ID mentioned above.
Note that, unless otherwise stated on the program web page, all programs are taught in English and proficiency in English is required.
More than 50 percent of our participants are from outside the United States. Class profiles vary from one cohort to the next, but, generally, our online certificates draw a highly diverse audience in terms of professional experience, industry, and geography — leading to a very rich peer learning and networking experience.
Check back to this program web page or email us to inquire if future program dates or the timeline for future offerings have been confirmed yet.
Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week. This is referenced at the top of the program landing page under the Duration section, as well as in the program brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page.
We have designed this program to fit into your current working life as efficiently as possible. Time will be spent among a variety of activities including:
The program is designed to be highly interactive while also allowing time for self-reflection and to demonstrate an understanding of the core topics through various active learning exercises. Please email us if you need further clarification on program activities.
More than 300,000 learners across 200 countries have chosen to advance their skills with Emeritus and its educational learning partners. In fact, 90 percent of the respondents of a recent survey across all our programs said that their learning outcomes were met or exceeded.
All the contents of the course would be made available to students at the commencement of the course. However, to ensure the program delivers the desired learning outcomes the students may appoint Emeritus to manage the delivery of the program in a cohort-based manner the cost of which is already included in the overall course fee of the course.
A dedicated program support team is available 24/5 (Monday to Friday) to answer questions about the learning platform, technical issues, or anything else that may affect your learning experience.
Peer learning adds substantially to the overall learning experience and is an important part of the program. You can connect and communicate with other participants through our learning platform.
Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week, so you can gauge what will be required before you enroll. This is referenced at the top of the program landing page under the Duration section, as well as in the program brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page. All programs are designed to fit into your working life.
This program is scored as a pass or no-pass; participants must complete the required activities to pass and obtain the certificate of completion. Some programs include a final project submission or other assignments to obtain passing status. This information will be noted in the program brochure. Please email us if you need further clarification on any specific program requirements.
Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive a smart digital certificate. The smart digital certificate can be shared with friends, family, schools, or potential employers. You can use it on your cover letter, resume, and/or display it on your LinkedIn profile.
The digital certificate will be sent approximately two weeks after the program, once grading is complete.
No, only verified digital certificates will be issued upon successful completion. This allows you to share your credentials on social platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.
No, there is no alumni status granted for this program. In some cases, there are credits that count toward a higher level of certification. This information will be clearly noted in the program brochure.
You will have access to the online learning platform and all the videos and program materials for 12 months following the program start date. Access to the learning platform is restricted to registered participants per the terms of agreement.
Participants will need the latest version of their preferred browser to access the learning platform. In addition, Microsoft Office and a PDF viewer are required to access documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDF files, and transcripts.
Yes, the learning platform is accessed via the internet, and video content is not available for download. However, you can download files of video transcripts, assignment templates, readings, etc. For maximum flexibility, you can access program content from a desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile device.
Video lectures must be streamed via the internet, and any livestream webinars and office hours will require an internet connection. However, these sessions are always recorded, so you may view them later.
Yes, you can register up until seven days past the published start date of the program without missing any of the core program material or learnings.
The program fee is noted at the top of this program web page and usually referenced in the program brochure as well.
Yes, you can do the bank remittance in the program currency via wire transfer or debit card. Please contact your program advisor, or email us for details.
Yes! Please email us with the details of the program you are interested in, and we will assist you.
Please email us your invoicing requirements and the specific program you’re interested in enrolling in.
Yes, the flexible payment option allows a participant to pay the program fee in installments. This option is made available on the payment page and should be selected before submitting the payment.
Please connect with us via email for assistance.
Emeritus collects all program payments, provides learner enrollment and program support, and manages learning platform services.
Program fees for Emeritus programs with Columbia Business School Executive Education may not be paid for with Title IV financial aid funds. Participants may be able to pay the program fee with funds from the GI Bill, the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Act of 2008, or similar types of military education funding benefits. Participants must contact the Columbia University’s Office of Military and Veterans Affairs to determine benefit eligibility.
For the program refund and deferral policy, please click the link here.