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Program Marks its 10th Year

Marking its tenth year, NYU Stern’s Citi Leadership & Ethics Program appointed Mindy S. Lubber, president and founding board member of Ceres, a nonprofit organization that advocates the adoption of sustainable business practices, as its 2012-2013 Distinguished Citi Fellow in Leadership and Ethics.

Through its fellow appointments, the Citi Program identifies business leaders whose proven track record exemplifies how business can address some of the world’s most intractable problems, including poverty, homelessness and environmental concerns, and stimulate sustainable economic growth.

Recognized as an expert on sustainability issues and environmental concerns, Lubber directs Ceres’ Investor Network on Climate Risk, a group of 100 institutional investors managing nearly $11 trillion in assets focused on the business risks and opportunities of climate change. She also helps coordinate Ceres' Business for Innovative Climate & Energy Policy, a coalition of more than 20 leading consumer brand companies advocating strong climate and clean energy policies in the US and abroad. Under Lubber’s leadership, Ceres produced a practical guide for companies and investors entitled, The 21st Century Corporation: The Ceres Roadmap for Sustainability.

Lubber regularly speaks about corporate and investor sustainability issues at the New York Stock Exchange, United Nations, World Economic Forum, Clinton Global Initiative, American Accounting Association, American Bar Association and more than 100 Fortune 500 firms. She has led negotiating teams of investors, NGOs and Fortune 500 company CEOs, who have taken far-reaching positions on corporate practices to minimize carbon emissions, water use and other environmental impacts. She has briefed powerful corporate boards, from Nike to American Electric Power, on how climate change affects shareholder value. She is also a sustainability thought leader and regularly blogs for the Huffington Post and Forbes.

In 2010, Lubber was honored by the United Nations and the Foundation for Social Change as one of the “World’s Top Leaders of Change” for her work in mobilizing leading companies to integrate environmental challenges into core business strategies. She is a recipient of the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship and was named one of “The 100 Most Influential People in Corporate Governance” by Directorship magazine. Prior to Ceres, Lubber held various leadership positions in government, financial services and the not-for-profit sector. She joined the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1995 as a senior policy advisor and was named regional administrator under President Bill Clinton in 2000.

On March 1, Lubber will keynote the Citi Program’s annual conference for Stern students and alumni, and throughout the academic year, she will interact informally with faculty and students.

“Ten years ago, we launched the Citi Leadership & Ethics Program, aiming to expose Stern students, faculty and alumni to leaders who foster growth and innovation at the intersection of business and society. Mindy Lubber is one such leader. Her commitment and passion for sustainability make her a perfect fit as this year’s fellow, and her insights on promoting corporate practices that minimize environmental impact will be invaluable to our community,” explains Bruce Buchanan, C.W. Nichols Professor of Business Ethics and director of Stern’s Business & Society Program Area, which houses the Citi Program.

"Citi is proud to have been a Ceres member company since 2008. Under Mindy's leadership, Ceres has been instrumental in advancing standards for corporate disclosure and reporting on environmental risk and opportunity," said Pam Flaherty, president and CEO, the Citi Foundation and director, Corporate Citizenship. "Citi and many of our clients and partners have benefitted from their expertise in this space. Given Citi's rich experience with Mindy and her colleagues we anticipate an equally rewarding experience for NYU, Ceres and this year's Fellowship."

About the Citi Leadership and Ethics Program
Established in 2003, NYU Stern’s Citi Leadership and Ethics Program, made possible through the generous support of the Citi Foundation and managed by Stern’s Business & Society Program Area, represents a comprehensive effort on behalf of the School to extend its longstanding commitment to the practice of professionally responsible business. Mindy Lubber is serving as the program’s tenth distinguished fellow. She follows nine previous fellows: Arthur Levitt, John Biggs, Harvey Goldschmidt, Charles D. Ellis, Alice Tepper Marlin, Fred Krupp, Mary Ellen Iskenderian, Dorian Dale and Jeffrey Hollender.

Find out more about NYU Stern’s Business & Society Program Area.