The process of tracking the environmental and social impact of consumer products from “cradle to grave”—known as Life Cycle Assessment—is gaining in popularity, thanks to progress in respective accounting rules and databases, evolving software, and, crucially, ever-increasing consumer awareness. Existing and forthcoming policies, from sustainable fuel standards to carbon offset credits and the European Environmental Footprint, will drive this evolution forward, as will advances in AI-based tools. But what does this mean for manufacturers and their suppliers? Where are their pain points? And what R&D skills in university graduates are needed to overcome remaining obstacles? Dr. Steven Cohen will interview a panel of experts from both the private sector and Columbia University's own Research Program on Sustainability Policy and Management to address these important questions.

This event is free and open to the public.

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Program:

OPENING REMARKS AND INTRODUCTION OF SPEAKERS

MODERATOR: Dr. Steven Cohen is a Professor in the Practice of Public Affairs at the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), the Senior Vice Dean at the Columbia University School of Professional Studies (SPS), the Program Director of the M.S. in Sustainability Management program at SPS and the MPA in Environmental Science and Policy program at SIPA, and the Director of the Earth Institute’s Research Program on Sustainability Policy and Management. From 2006 to 2018, he was the Executive Director of Columbia University’s Earth Institute.

PANEL WITH:

Dr. Christoph Meinrenken is an Associate Professor of Practice in Columbia's Faculty of Professional Studies, a Principal Investigator at the Climate School, the Academic Director of the M.S. degree in Information & Knowledge Strategy (IKNS), and an Affiliate of the Foundations of Data Science Center at the Data Science Institute. Meinrenken also co-chairs the Columbia University Seminar on Complexity Science, Modeling, and Sustainability. An expert in Life Cycle Assessment and enterprise-scale product analytics, he has worked with the World Resources Institute, Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), and The Sustainability Consortium, and consulted several globally operating consumer goods manufacturers. Before joining Columbia in 2009, Meinrenken worked on modeling molecular spectra (MSE, Princeton University, 1996) and computational neuroscience (PhD Physics, Max Planck Institute, 2001). In addition to academic research and teaching, Meinrenken spent several years in the private sector, specializing in financial engineering and risk management.

Gauri Angrish is an innovator and disruptive thinker who, after founding & successfully exiting from a healthcare technology startup, pivoted her career towards sustainability to take on challenging opportunities and create an impact. Currently leading the decarbonization of Colgate-Palmolive’s global supply chain, Gauri works as the Global Manager of Sustainable Sourcing (Climate & Water). She has completed an MS in Sustainability Management from Columbia University and has 10+ years of work experience across startups and consultancies, starting with McKinsey & Company. Gauri is also a Forbes Asia 30 under 30 Honouree (Healthcare and Science), a certified NASDAQ Milestone Maker, a TEDx Speaker, a Columbia University Earth Institute Fellow, and was invited to Harvard University to share insights about her proprietary technology

Kim Matsoukas is a Sustainability professional with 18 years of experience in sustainability strategy, assessment, and project and program management. She is the Director of Sustainability for Coach, where she focused on implementing circular business models, measuring carbon impact through Life Cycle Assessment, and driving progress towards carbon reduction targets. Previously, Kim worked for Vans and Bentley Mills as a Sustainability Manager, leading sustainability implementation, strategy, brand positioning, sustainable product, and communications. She is a Lecturer in Life Cycle Assessment for the M.S. in Sustainability Management program. She has an M.E.S.M in Environmental Science and Management and a BA in Biology and Hispanic Language and Literature.