Centers & Institutes
Exciting things are happening within our centers, institutes, and special program initiatives. Here’s a collection of recent stories and updates.

From Technology Director to Chief Data Officer: A Q&A with Chaitanya Baddam, MBA ’23
Career Corner: Technology executive Chaitanya Baddam pivoted from insurance platform technology director to chief data officer at an insurtech startup.

Pioneering Sustainability
The Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise celebrates 20 for 20 honoree Agata Smeets, MBA ’11, head of environment and product sustainability at Gap Inc.

From Classroom to Climate Action: Revolutionizing Sustainability in Africa
The Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise celebrates 20 for 20 honoree CJ Fonzi, MBA ’08, cofounder and COO of Africa Climate Ventures.

Ethical Depth: The Cure for Today’s Medical Industry
A new Johnson School paper explores why doctors may fall prey to conflicts of interest and proposes a new approach called “deep professionalism.”

Navigating the Complexities of Dealmaking and Private Transactions in Emerging Markets
Investors and financial advisors interested in emerging markets often create synergies with DFIs to expand capabilities and mitigate risks.

Transformative Lessons from the 2025 Investment Portfolio Case Competition
Nayancie Matthews, MBA ’26 shares the collaboration, strategy, planning, and outcomes of a successful Cornell Investment Portfolio Case Competition run.

Perpetual Futures Contracts and Cryptocurrency Market Quality: Insights from Emerging Markets
How do perpetual futures contracts impact cryptocurrency trading in emerging markets like China? Our research uncovers key insights.

The Intersection of AI and Investing: A Transformational Moment
Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept in finance—it’s here, reshaping markets, redefining careers, and forcing regulators to catch up.

Solving Global Challenges Through Diversity
A team from Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University showcases the power of diversity and teamwork at the Cornell EMI Corning Case Competition.