EmpowHER: Career Development Program in Sustainable Finance
Supported by Visa Foundation
A career development program focused on empowering aspiring business professionals in supporting gender equity in the financial industry and ESG investing space.
Applications for the class of 2027 are live! APPLY NOW!
Launched in 2022 with support from Visa Foundation, EmpowHER aims to support MBA students in building expertise and networks to drive investment towards solutions to our most pressing social and environmental challenges while increasing representation and allyship and centering gender equity as a key need in the finance sector.
Bloomberg estimates that global ESG assets are predicted to hit $40 trillion by 2030, exceeding 25% of global AUM. There is a corresponding increase in demand for sustainability-related financial expertise to manage these assets and not enough qualified human capital to keep up with the financial capital being funneled into ESG investments. There is significant opportunity for aspiring business professionals at the nexus of finance and sustainability to drive both financial and societal impact.
NYU Stern CSB is at the forefront of academic institutions providing students with the skillset, network and hands-on learning experiences to fill these high-demand job opportunities and drive the continued growth of ESG investing.
EmpowHER provides two years of leadership and career development, including:
- Intensive training on society’s most pressing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues and how to address them through innovative financial and business solutions
- Skills-based training from industry leaders that transform the theoretical into the applied to develop deeper understandings through real world insights.
- Networking opportunities with leading practitioners giving students access to professional networks in sustainable finance
- One-on-one mentorship from senior industry professionals providing guidance and strategic feedback to students as they navigate their MBA journey and define their career objectives.
Learning Objectives
Students who complete the full two-year program will:
- Understand the current trends, innovations, and developments in sustainable finance, and ESG issues affecting finance and business
- Develop knowledge and skills required to incorporate sustainability into financial services
- Be equipped to pursue the diverse career paths available across sustainable finance
- Possess a robust network of peers, educators, and professionals
Application Process, Eligibility, and Expectations of the Program
We seek to build a diverse, inclusive cohort of students who are dedicated to promoting gender equality, removing obstacles, and breaking down historical barriers present for minorities in finance. This program is open to all Stern MBA candidates regardless of sex or gender identity; we particularly encourage female-identifying students to consider applying.
This program serves to supplement the finance and sustainable business offerings of the MBA program. In joining this program, the expectation is that the student will attend all of the mandatory events.
Applications for the class of 2027 are live! APPLY NOW!
Please find the recording from the March 5, 2025 EmpowHER Info Session here.
Interested incoming students may also fill out this interest form to stay up to date and receive communications about the application process.
Complementing Existing Resources
This new program is designed to build on the existing educational and career development resources at NYU Stern, including core and elective courses in finance and sustainable business, experiential learning programs through the Office of Student Engagement, and knowledge development and recruiting support through the Careers team and student-led groups such as Graduate Finance Association (GFA), Stern Women in Business (SWIB), and Social Impact and Sustainability Association (SISA).
About Visa Foundation
Visa Foundation seeks to support inclusive economies where individuals, businesses, and communities can thrive. Through grant making and investing, Visa Foundation prioritizes the growth of gender diverse and inclusive small and micro businesses. The Foundation also supports broader community needs and disaster response in times of crisis. Visa Foundation is registered in the U.S. as a 501(c)3 entity. For more information, visit Visa Foundation.
