Pooja Rayapaneni

Pooja Rayapaneni is a senior at Barnard College studying Political Science and Economics with a minor in Environmental Science, while jointly enrolled at Columbia SIPA, where she will pursue an MPA in Development and Governance. Her academic and professional interests center on impact investing, sustainable development, and the role of finance in driving positive social outcomes. 

As President of the Columbia University Impact Investing Network, Pooja leads initiatives introducing students to the field of impact investing. She has gained experience across the public and private sectors through internships in local government and a year-long role at an impact-focused financial advisory firm, where she supported impact measurement and reporting. Her research has explored the effects of climate change and conflict in developing countries and the role of greenwashing in sustainable finance.

Pooja is interested in the intersection of global politics, international relations, and finance, and how these forces shape sustainable development and community outcomes worldwide.