Stephanie Gripne

Dr. Stephanie Gripne is an academic entrepreneur, impact investor, researcher, educator & the creative force behind the Impact Finance Center. Stephanie founded the Impact Finance Center in 2012, a partnership between University of Denver Daniels College of Business and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors – Sustainable Endowment Institute. The Impact Finance Center, a national impact investing think-do tank, produces rigorous and relevant research, educates, & develops transactions in the area impact investing & philanthropy.Previously, Dr. Gripne led the Initiative for Sustainable Development for the University of Colorado Real Estate Foundation and CU Real Estate Center as served as an Assistant Professor Adjoint in Finance. Prior to that position she was responsible for Operations of the Eco Products Fund LP, a $100 million private equity fund investing in ecosystem services such as biodiversity, carbon, wetlands, and water protection. Dr. Gripne worked for The Nature Conservancy of Colorado where she focused on conservation real estate and finance completing 13 transactions. She has 20 years of experience working in the natural resources arena for the USDA Forest Service, DOE Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the Journal of Wildlife Management, the Bureau of Land Management, and several universities.Dr. Gripne received her PhD in 2005 through the Boone and Crockett Wildlife Conservation Program at the University of Montana from Dr. Jack Ward Thomas. She focused on conservation finance, conservation real estate, and economic strategies that provide nonmarket goods and services. She has a MS in Ecology from Utah State University, and BS in Biology and Wildlife Management from the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point. Dr. Gripne is an Aspen Institute Environment Forum Scholar, Environmental Leadership Senior Fellow, Property Environment Research Center Fellow, Ford Foundation Community Forestry Fellow, and Boone and Crockett Club Professional Member. Additionally, she serves as a board member and advisor for local and national organizations, as well as, several philanthropists.Those who know Dr. Gripne would agree that her greatest joy is career coaching. In partnership with Katie Kross, author of Profession and Purpose: A Resource Guide for MBA Careers in Sustainability and Managing Director of Center for Energy, Development and the Global Environment at Duke University, Dr. Gripne provides national career coaching advice to individuals interested in the fields of business, corporate social responsibility, sustainability, and impact investing.For play, Dr. Gripne enjoys spending time with friends, a great book on a beach, spending time with her nieces, cycling, hiking, cooking, and a good two-step or waltz.