In this episode of the Impact Report, current Bard MBA student Milo Keller speaks with Steven Lichtin, CEO of Advantage Renewables, about the evolving landscape of renewable energy development. Lichtin, a member of Bard's inaugural MBA cohort, shares his journey from Wall Street trading to renewable energy, discussing how the industry has transformed since 2010. The conversation explores critical challenges facing renewable energy projects today, particularly interconnection bottlenecks and community engagement. Lichtin emphasizes the importance of being a "good neighbor" through transparent communication and local presence, while also highlighting how policy, from FERC regulations to state-level initiatives, shapes the industry's growth. The discussion offers valuable insights into both the technical and human elements of scaling renewable energy infrastructure, including the critical balance between project development and community partnership.

In this episode of The Impact Report, Bard MBA in Sustainability candidate Tricia Travis interviews Brett Davis, founding partner of the nonprofit Grounds Crew. They discuss the environmental challenges of New Orleans' Mardi Gras celebration, including the 2.6 million pounds of litter generated annually. Davis explains Grounds Crew's initiatives to make the festivities more sustainable, such as the Sustainable Throw Catalog and recycling programs. The conversation explores the economic and cultural complexities of changing Mardi Gras traditions, community engagement strategies, and signs of progress like one parade krewe banning plastic beads for 2025. Travis, who recently joined Grounds Crew, shares her perspective on the organization's educational outreach and the positive response from youth. Host Renay Loper joins for a follow-up discussion, delving deeper into the cultural significance of Mardi Gras and the hopeful signs for a more sustainable future in New Orleans.

In this episode, Jennifer Louie, Managing Director at Closed Loop Partners, discusses her work in catalytic capital and circular economy investing with current Bard MBA student Hector Aguirre. She explains their approach to investing in resource recovery and circular input business models, emphasizing measurable impact and financial additionality. Jennifer shares insights on their due diligence process, the challenges of competing with virgin materials, and the role of policy in accelerating circular economy adoption. She also discusses balancing impact and financial returns in catalytic investments and offers advice for those entering the field of sustainable finance and circular economy.