LEADERSHIP & TEAM
Experience aligned around long-term impact.
WGI’s leadership combines public policy, higher education, sustainable finance, international development, and cross-border program experience.
LEADERSHIP
Guiding the institution and its work.
WGI’s leadership combines public policy, higher education, sustainable finance, international development, and cross-border program experience.
Robin J. Lewis
Co-Chair
Former Dean of Academic Affairs at Columbia SIPA and first Executive Director of the Global Public Policy Network, Dr. Lewis has advised governments and institutions on higher education and policy across 20+ countries. He holds a Ph.D. from Columbia and co-instructs the Global Impact Leadership program.
Jasmine Wang
Co-Founder & Co-Chair
Co-producer of Columbia University's Impact Investment Case Study Project and Visiting Lecturer at Peking University, Ms. Wang serves on the UNCDF Program Advisory Board and co-instructs the Global Impact Leadership program. She holds degrees in physics and education with 15+ years in management and investment.
Cheng Peng
Global Coordinator
Program Coordinator of Columbia University's Global Impact Leadership Certificate Program and Researcher for Columbia's Impact Investment Case Study Project, Cheng holds an MPA from Columbia SIPA and previously managed multi-billion-dollar private credit assets at Aflac Global Investments. He holds Series 7, 63, and 66 licenses.
ADVISORY BOARD
Perspectives across institutions and sectors.
WGI’s advisory network contributes experience in public policy, education, philanthropy, sustainable investment, real estate, and cultural exchange.
Lisa Anderson
International relations & higher education
Lisa Anderson is Dean Emerita of Columbia SIPA and former President of the American University in Cairo. She brings perspectives on international relations, higher education, and public policy to inform WGI’s global programs and institutional collaborations.
Robert Garris
Global education, philanthropy, and leadership programs
Robert Garris is Managing Director of Leadership Programs at Trinity Wall Street and former Senior Associate Dean at Columbia SIPA. His experience in international education and philanthropy brings valuable perspective to WGI’s leadership programs and institutional partnerships.
Charles Laven
Affordable housing, real estate, and impact investment
Charles Laven is President and Founder of Forsyth Street and Adjunct Professor of Real Estate at Columbia University. His extensive experience in affordable housing, real estate finance, and impact investment informs WGI’s applied research and sustainable development initiatives.
Rachel Cooper
Global arts, cultural initiatives, and exchange
Rachel Cooper is Director of Global Performing Arts and Cultural Initiatives at Asia Society. Her expertise in cultural diplomacy, international arts exchange, and cross-cultural programming brings valuable perspective to WGI’s cultural initiatives and global engagement.