Working closely with Elet Callahan, professor of law and public policy, Eric Ripley helped establish Whitman’s Business and Sustainability Program. He also co-established the University Sustainability Action Coalition, a group of students, faculty, and staff focused on moving SU and ESF toward sustainability. As chair of the coalition’s Investments Committee, he was directly responsible for SU’s Treasurer’s Office adopting a new proxy voting protocol that will better ensure that investment decisions align with the University’s broader values and sustainability priorities.

“SU has joined an elite list of universities and institutional investors that realize they have a powerful voice through proactive shareholder engagement practices,” says Ripley, whose professional challenges are now focused on greenhouse gas management and climate change strategy at First Environment Inc. in Chicago. “Proactive investors around the world are winning battles related to the environment and climate change as well as human rights, diversity, and a host of other issues. I’m proud to have played a part in SU adding its name to that list.”