The SI-MBA Podcast

From Engineering to Impact: How UVM’s Sustainable Innovation MBA Bridges STEM, Business & Sustainability

What happens when biomedical engineers step into the world of business? In this episode of the Sustainable Innovation MBA (SI-MBA) Podcast from the University of Vermont Grossman School of Business, students Cole Drozdek and William Wright share how they’re transforming analytical STEM backgrounds into purpose-driven business leadership. From navigating the transition into an MBA without prior business experience to building new skills in marketing analytics, strategy, and systems thinking, they unpack how SIMBA helps students “bridge the gap” between technical expertise and real-world impact. Cole and William also dive into hands-on practicum projects with companies like OnLogic and PTC, where they’re embedding sustainability into product design, operations, and decision-making. Along the way, they highlight the power of interdisciplinary collaboration, Vermont’s close-knit innovation ecosystem, and the unique value of a one-year MBA focused on social and environmental impact. If you’re curious about careers at the intersection of engineering, sustainability, and business—or considering a next step after STEM—this episode offers an inside look at how UVM’s SIMBA program prepares students to think bigger, ask better questions, and lead meaningful change. From a Conversation recorded April 2026

Embedding Sustainability Into Business Strategy: Leadership, Trust & Impact with Jim Osgood

Hosts Harrison Holmes and Elise Nam sit down with Jim Osgood—board member of 1% for the Planet and former CEO of Turtle Fur—to explore what it takes to lead purpose-driven organizations at scale. Jim shares how a problem-first mindset and systems thinking can guide smarter product development, why companies must integrate sustainability into core decision-making and metrics, and how leaders can align profit, impact, and innovation without compromise. He also breaks down the importance of building trust-based cultures, referencing The Speed of Trust, and explains why having one unified set of goals is key to making sustainability stick. You’ll also hear a powerful case study on regenerative agriculture through his investment in Nice Rice, showing how businesses can deliver better products, stronger farmer livelihoods, and measurable environmental gains. Recorded January 2026

Smart Buildings, Big Impact: How AI & Sustainability Are Transforming the Future of Energy with Trane’s Scott Tew

In this episode of the SI‑MBA Podcast, hosts Claire Saunders and Joanne Peacock sit down with Scott Tew, VP, & Global Head & of Sustainability Strategy at Trane Technologies, to explore how innovation in heating, cooling, and smart building systems is reshaping the future of sustainability. Scott shares how Trane is leading the charge through its ambitious Gigaton Challenge, aiming to reduce 1 billion metric tons of carbon emissions by 2030, and why electrification, energy‑efficient equipment, and next‑generation refrigerants are critical to achieving it. The conversation also dives into how AI-powered technologies and digital twins are enabling buildings to self-diagnose, optimize performance, and dramatically cut energy use. If you’re interested in climate innovation, AI in infrastructure, or how business can drive large-scale environmental change, this episode offers a compelling look at what’s possible—and what’s next. Recorded March 2026

Impact Investing, Deep Tech, and Democratizing Capital: Emily Vogt on Scaling Ideas and Changing Systems

Isabel Buenaga Levis and Cameron Gouldsit down with Emily Vogt (Class of 2019)—Director of Venture Development at CU Boulder and Board Associate for the UVM Grossman School of Business. Emily shares her winding career path from the outdoor industry to impact investing, angel networks, and ultimately deep tech venture development in the university ecosystem. Emily reflects on her SI MBA experience, the power of a values aligned cohort, and how extracurricular opportunities like the Total Impact Portfolio Challenge shaped her career in early stage finance. She breaks down the differences between angel investing and traditional venture capital, explains the realities of seed stage funding, and highlights the importance of decentralizing capital to empower underrepresented founders. Now working at CU Boulder’s Venture Partners, Emily supports researchers and PhD innovators as they translate breakthrough technologies into real world impact. She discusses the unique challenges of deep tech commercialization, the role of federal funding, and why pairing business acumen with scientific expertise is essential for building the future. Recorded Fall 2023

Charging Through the Storm: Redefining Sustainability, Resilience, and Leadership in the Sustainable Innovation MBA

What does sustainability really mean—and how can business be a force for good in the face of climate change, social challenges, and personal adversity? In this episode of the SIMBA Podcast, host Ben Chiappinelli sits down with Caroline Rooney, a member of the Sustainable Innovation MBA (SIMBA) Class of 2026 at the University of Vermont’s Grossman School of Business, and Brooks Sherman, a SI-MBA alumnus from the Class of 2025. Together, they explore what it means to pursue an MBA rooted in environmental, social, and community impact. Caroline shares her journey from an environmental health background to business school, including how her passion for supporting women in the trades, fashion, and social innovation led her to SI-MBA. The conversation goes deep into defining sustainability beyond the environment—touching on emotional resilience, grief, community, and personal sustainability. Recorded January 2026