Alumni Spotlight: How Columbia's MPA-ESP Prepared Me for a Career in Development Finance at the IFC

Mauricio Child, who graduated from Columbia's Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy (MPA-ESP) program in 2017, is now an Associate Investment Officer at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in Washington, D.C., where he finances infrastructure projects across southern Africa with a focus on renewable energy. An engineer by training with a background in business consulting, Mauricio spoke with us about his path from consulting into development finance, what drew him to Columbia's MPA-ESP program, and his advice for current students and recent graduates.

What first interested you in environmental issues and public policy?

My interest in environmental issues began with a deep love for nature that began in childhood. My parents loved to go camping, and I grew up spending a lot of time outdoors, so those experiences left a strong impression on me and made me realize early that I wanted to protect the natural world. As I got older and started exploring how to best translate into a meaningful career, I discovered public policy. I came to understand that policy is one of the most powerful levers we have: well-designed policies can create long-lasting, structural change that reaches far beyond what any individual project or initiative can achieve on its own. That realization shaped the direction of everything I have done since.

Can you tell us a little about your educational and professional background?

I am an engineer by training, and for most of my career I worked in finance and investing. Over time, however, I became increasingly focused on a question that I think is one of the challenging ones in this era: how can the private sector, public policy, and environmental protection work together for a livable planet? That question has guided much of my recent work. I am now at the International Finance Corporation, the arm of the World Bank Group that invests in the private sector, where I have had the opportunity to finance a wide range of projects, from renewable energy to green buildings across the developing world, including in Latin America and Africa. It is work that sits right at the intersection of finance and impact, and I find it deeply meaningful.

Why did you choose Columbia's MPA in Environmental Science and Policy program?

For me, the sweet spot in environmental protection is the ability to combine strong analytical and quantitative skills with a grounding public policy. Too often, these two worlds operate separately, and the result is either technically sound proposals that never get implemented, or well-intentioned policies that lack the evidence base to be effective. Columbia's MPA in Environmental Science and Policy brings them together in a way that I had not seen elsewhere. Beyond the curriculum, I was drawn to the talent of the people who come through the program, both the students and alumni and the faculty. The professors bring real-world experience and are genuinely engaged with current issues. And the broader resources of Columbia including its networks, research centers, and connections to practitioners, policymakers, and institutions across the globe made it clear that this was an environment where I could grow in different ways.

What was the most valuable part of your experience at SIPA?

Without a doubt, one of the most valuable parts of my time at SIPA was the people: my classmates. I came from a business consulting background, but at SIPA I found myself sitting next to people who had come through grassroots movements, who had spent years working in NGOs, or who were running sustainability enterprises in contexts very different from my own. That exposure genuinely broadened my understanding of what environmental protection and public policy look like in, expanding how I saw many environmental issues in my life. Teachers were also amazing. The professors at SIPA are extraordinarily knowledgeable and, just as importantly, they are accessible and open. They bring current, real-world issues into the classroom and create space for genuine dialogue. 

How has the program helped you in your career?

The program was fundamental to a career transition I had been thinking about for some time. Quite frankly, without SIPA, I would not be doing the work I am doing today at the IFC, supporting sustainable development across the world. The combination of the network I built and the hands-on experience I gained, including work in impact investing and on blended finance, which at the time was an emerging concept in the sustainable investment community, gave me the credibility and the tools to make the switch from consulting into development finance. That jump is not easy to make, and the program opened doors I would not have been able to open otherwise.

What are you currently working on, and what do you enjoy most about it?

Right now, I am focused on several projects aimed at expanding access to renewable power and other forms of clean energy across Africa. It is complex, challenging work and every project involves navigating different regulatory environments, market conditions, and local contexts, but it is also incredibly rewarding. What I enjoy most is knowing that the projects we are financing will benefit a large number of people, and that we approach them diligently. We are not just chasing financial returns but working to ensure that every investment is done in a way that protects the environment and creates value over the long term. That combination of financial rigor and genuine commitment to sustainability is what makes this work feel worthwhile every day.

What advice would you give to current students or recent graduates?

My advice is to stay the course and trust the value of what you are building. Despite a challenging geopolitical environment around climate change, a livable, clean planet is something every person on earth depends on. That means people with this background are needed across virtually every sector, every day. So do not be discouraged by the noise. And above all, lean into the SIPA network. The people who come through this program are open and collaborative. They are genuinely willing to engage, share ideas, and brainstorm with fellow alumni. That SIPA community is one of the most valuable things you leave with — use it.