Student Voices | Reflections on Attending ClimateCAP 2025
Graduate , Responsible Business Center | Apr 24, 2025 | Gabelli School of Business
On the weekend of February 28, we (Vasileios Katsampas, full-time M.B.A.‘26 and Matt Clarkson, full-time M.B.A.‘25) had the privilege of attending the ClimateCAP Global M.B.A. Summit 2025, hosted at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. ClimateCAP is a unique initiative designed to equip future business leaders with tools, insights, and a broader network for navigating the intersection of business and climate change. As ClimateCAP Ambassadors representing Fordham’s Gabelli School of Business, we joined 430 M.B.A. students from over 40 universities to explore how sustainability is shaping the future of industries worldwide.
The weekend was filled with engaging panels and networking opportunities, all of which reinforced the fact that climate risk is more than just an environmental concern—it is a fundamental business challenge. The first session we attended, Orchestrating Food Systems Transformations, highlighted how social entrepreneurship can be a powerful lever for change in our food systems. Samantha Derrick, founder and executive director of nonprofit, Plant Futures, emphasized the ways in which plant-based diets are driving this transformation. Derrick even hailed Mexico City as the “capital of plant-based food”! The discussion sparked ideas on how M.B.A. programs can better integrate food systems innovation into their curriculum, in ways that would prepare students for leadership positions in this space.
Another inspiring panel focused on food systems titled, “What is the Private Sector’s Role in Making Sustainable and Equitable Food Mainstream?” focused on a conversation with industry pioneers that included John Foraker, former CEO of Annie’s Homegrown and co-founder/CEO of Once Upon a Farm; and the incredible Alice Waters, owner and founder of Chez Panisse, who is famous for her role in creating the farm-to-table movement. Foraker and Waters were joined by leaders from Traditional Medicinals, Inc., Grounded Capital, and Good Eggs and discussed how businesses can drive food system transformation. Foraker spoke about the ways Annie’s Homegrown Mac and Cheese was the first organic food product widely featured on grocery store shelves and not relegated to the “organic backroom.” Getting the opportunity to learn from Bay Area locals about how they had shaped and changed the ways in which we think about food in the United States was truly inspiring and a highlight of the trip.
One of the most moving moments of the conference came from Poet Laureate Aya de Leon, who performed a spoken word piece expressing trust in the future climate leaders in the room. The phrase, “these are the brains that we have,” resonated as a call to action and affirmed that it’s up to us to drive innovation and systemic change. The speech that followed by Mark Armen, CEO of Replenysh, was equally motivating, and offered insights on how to better communicate the economic and societal benefits of sustainability.
Of course, another standout moment for us was attending a session led by Fordham’s own Peter Lupoff, partner at Beatrice Advisors and director of strategy for the Responsible Business Center, who alongside Global Head of Sustainability at Franklin Templeton, Anne Simpson, held the fireside chat “Beyond ESG Investing.” One particularly striking takeaway was that while global pension and sovereign wealth Funds collectively hold nearly $500 trillion in assets, solving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals would require just $5–7 trillion. This contrast further underscored the responsibility of the financial sector to drive meaningful change.
Other great panels included “Are We Headed Into an Uninsurable Future?,” a deep dive into how climate risk is reshaping the insurance industry, “The Just Transition,” which explored the intersection of sustainability and DEI and how to ensure an equitable shift to a greener economy, and “Our Energy Transformation,” a look at the role of policy and private investment in the current state of energy transition.
Beyond panels and lectures, ClimateCAP provided invaluable opportunities to connect with other M.B.A. students. Whether through career meetups, film screenings, or even meditation circles, ClimateCAP fostered an environment where future business leaders could exchange ideas and build lasting networks. Through all these collective experiences many conclusions can be drawn. We identified some key takeaways from the conference.
Climate Change is a Business Problem
We need to be innovative to solve the climate crisis and prove to the world that the solutions are financially sound. There is a need to remarket the sustainability industry in ways that emphasize its financial feasibility.
People Are the Heartbeat of Every Company
It was clear in every conversation we had throughout the weekend how passionate the next generation of leaders is about fighting climate change and about working for companies that prioritize societal benefits. In order to attract and retain the best talent, companies need to be sure to integrate climate action throughout every aspect of their businesses.
There Is an Urgent Call to Action
As climate risks intensify, costs will burden the society disproportionately. The insurance costs in highly afflicted areas are already skyrocketing and directly affecting property values. Without any collective actions, these drawbacks will continue to increase and many people’s lives will be affected. Through the people we met and the conversations we had, we remain hopeful that our generation of leaders has the power to solve these problems, and to trust our judgement and skills, because “these are the brains we have.”
Fordham Gabelli School of Business was one of the few universities that sponsored students to attend ClimateCAP, which is a testament to the Responsible Business Center’s commitment to sustainability leadership. This investment was invaluable for us, but hopefully for Fordham’s broader community as well. The knowledge and connections we gained at the conference will continue to inform our career trajectories and ideally inspire other students to integrate sustainability into their business decisions.
ClimateCAP is an important conference, as it empowers M.B.A. students to see sustainability not as an isolated issue, but as a core driver of business strategy, financial success, and long-term resilience. Viewing climate risk as a fundamental business challenge is crucial to creating a sustainable future. As a university that is serious about shaping future leaders who will make a positive impact on the world, Fordham’s values are very much aligned with those of the conference. We hope Gabelli School’s students will continue to participate in ClimateCAP and are immensely grateful to the Responsible Business Center for making this experience possible.
Written by: Vasileios Katsampas, full-time M.B.A.‘26 and Matt Clarkson, full-time M.B.A.‘25
