Walking the Talk: How NIIAC's ESG Walks are Changing Networking in NYC
By Devashish Taknet (MPA 2024)
In the bustling heart of New York City, the NYU Impact Investing Alumni Club (NIIAC) has pioneered an invigorating twist to traditional networking. With the 2023 launch of their Monthly ESG Walks in Central Park, the club is literally taking steps to redefine professional gatherings. These summer and fall walks offered a serene yet dynamic backdrop for alumni from various NYU schools to connect - a simple stroll in the park before optionally hitting a nearby bar. Kyle Roland (MPA 2021), the brainchild behind these curated walks, shares an impressive track record: “We've covered 8 months, trekked 30 miles, welcomed 100 members, and even earned a spot on the National Public Radio (NPR) —that's the journey of the ESG and Impact Investing Walking Group. Some say we're the best walkers in the city, and I'm inclined to agree!”.
The idea sparked as Kyle worked remotely with Proof.io, a startup developing a digital impact measurement platform for the financial industry. Yearning for tangible, outdoor interactions about shared professional passions, Kyle saw an opportunity in NYC’s diverse landscape to start something unique - thus, the ESG and Impact Investing Walking Group was born.
This group isn't just a network; it's a community for those fascinated by socially responsible investing, ESG, and impact investing. Kyle encapsulates the essence of these gatherings: “New York city, with its diverse population and myriad interests, provides an ideal stage for our walks, attracting individuals from their freshman year to seasoned executives. We’ve been intentional in creating a space that welcomes all backgrounds centered around two common interests—building a better future….and walking!”
I experienced the charm of these walks firsthand during the November edition. We traversed from the whimsical Little Island at Pier 55 to the Hudson River Park, ending at City Vineyards. Under a crescent moon, with the Jersey City skyline glittering across the river, I felt the magic of these gatherings. That night the NPR reporter, Kristin Schwab, joined us to learn more about this unique walking group. She interviewed various walkers which contributed to the podcast episode “Facing pushback and government scrutiny, ESG investing may be headed for change” by Marketplace
As the group looks to the future, excitement buzzes around expanding activities and welcoming new leaders. Plans for scavenger hunts and perhaps a relay race are in the pipeline, signaling a vibrant growth trajectory for this community.
Interested in joining? Sign up here and step into a world where networking is more than just handshakes – it’s about making strides together toward a better future.
Everyone is welcome!
NIIAC is composed of alumni from NYU Wagner who specialized in Social Impact, Innovation, & Investment (SI3) established by retired Clinical Professor Scott B. Taitel and currently led by Associate Clinical Professor Andrea Armeni. NIIAC aims to support the community of NYU alumni passionate about impact investing, serve as the liaison between the NYU Impact Investment Fund (NIIF) and its alumni supporters, and build the field of impact investing.
Authored by Devashish Taknet, a second-year MPA student specializing in Social Impact, Innovation, and Investment.