Donor Profiles
Caroline Hribar '09
Chief of Staff, Bionic
“When I think of the incredible value I've gotten from Columbia Business School, I'm very motivated to give back and help whenever I can.”
Early Involvement
“While I was still at the School, I worked with External Relations as head of the committee that encourages graduating students to become active, engaged alumni. My role was to inspire classmates to join the Hermes Society with a leadership-level pledge before they graduated. I felt strongly about communicating the importance of paying it forward, making sure Columbia Business School remains one of the top in the world and accessible to the best of the best, regardless of financial capability.”
Show Support, Stay Engaged
“Making a Hermes Society leadership gift of $2,500 demonstrates the strength of the Columbia Business School network and helps Columbia remain a global leader in business education. Stay involved – you might choose to volunteer for Reunion, join a committee, or attend an event. The bottom line is: if it's a priority, you make room for it.”
Lessons to Remember
“In my management and leadership courses, we learned that the job of a leader is not to be the person with all the answers; it's to be the person who harnesses the power of the entire group. Leadership is about asking questions and setting up an environment where everybody is bringing their expertise to the table and everyone is heard. Those lessons totally transformed the way in which I approach work.”
Leadership Participation
Hribar has made a Hermes Society gift each year since graduation and in 2015 joined the Centennial Partners, a group of distinguished donors who have pledged at least $50,000 to the Columbia Business Fund or the Executive MBA Fund in honor of the School's Centennial. She volunteers as a member of the Hermes Society Leadership Committee, has been a featured speaker at Columbia Forever Week, has volunteered for Reunion, and regularly participates in the life of the school.
John A. Vickers '85
Chairman and CEO, Tishman Realty
I wouldn’t be where I am now or have so many opportunities if not for Columbia Business School. I feel it’s my duty to give back to the next generation.
How Columbia Shaped His Career
“I was introduced to Tishman Realty when they gave a company presentation at Columbia during my first year. That led to a summer job. When Tishman asked me to stay on after the summer, Columbia worked with me so that I could take all my classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It turned out to be a great experience, as I was able to combine classroom theory with real-world experience. Without Columbia’s corporate connections and New York location, I never would have been able to do this.”
Why He Gives Back
“Real estate is probably one of the most difficult things to teach without practical input. Columbia gives you this New York experience, where you can tour real estate projects, meet with alumni in your field, and go on job interviews. There’s nothing like it, but it only works if alumni become a resource for the School.”
Lord Irvine A.S. Laidlaw ‘65
Chairman of Veja Mate Offshore Holdings, British Wind Energy, and Laidlaw Estates
The broad knowledge of business that I gained at Columbia has been enormously helpful to me.
Why He Gives Back
“Only in business school do you get exposure to all the disciplines in business: marketing, accounting, finance, personnel management, statistics. Helping to develop these skills in the next generation of leaders will be positive for the country and the economy. All of my giving is aimed at helping people step up the ladder and exploit their talents, whatever they are, to the fullest.”
Augie Cheh '91
President, Janus Capital International
"A Columbia education is the best gift we can give to future generations. It makes the world a better place—for the next 100 years and beyond.”
Why He Gives Back
“Columbia Business School has made a huge difference in my life. The confidence and variety of business skills I gained at the School were particularly meaningful when I was first starting out and have continued to be useful throughout my 25-year career. Giving back to the School is a top priority for me.”
Susan Alexion '79
Independent Consultant, Information Technology and Systems
My classmates and I formed deep friendships, many of which continue today. We’ve even organized our own reunions.
Why She Gives Back
“I think it’s important to be a faithful annual donor and to remember the institution with a gift each year, which is also why I have included Columbia in my estate plans. Columbia has been in my family for more than 50 years, both as a staff member [as the former assistant dean at the School of Nursing] and an alumna. I want to ensure that future students are afforded the same opportunities as me.”
How Columbia Shaped Her Career
“At the end of the experience I took away more in self-confidence than book learning.”
Rosaline Chow Koo '88
Founder and CEO, ConneXionsAsia
"Columbia helps students develop creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, which are tremendous advantages in Asia’s complex and diverse markets"
Why She Gives Back
“Columbia Business School gave me a full merit fellowship to pursue my MBA, so it’s natural for me to provide the same opportunity to deserving students who need financial support.”
On Being Fearless
“My parents were poor, illiterate immigrants from China, and I grew up in South Central LA during the Watts riots. This instilled in me a certain fearlessness and motivated me to work very hard to make a better life.”
David Simon '85
Chairman and CEO, Simon Property Group
"Giving back to Columbia is a thank you to the School for taking a chance on me and helping me become the CEO I am today.”
Columbia Community Connections
Simon, a member of the Board of Overseers, also serves on the Paul Milstein Center for Real Estate’s MBA Real Estate Program Advisory Board and Real Estate Forum.
On How Columbia Shaped His Career
“Coming from Indiana to a great school in New York City significantly helped my professional development. The School’s academics and students are second to none.”
Leon Cooperman '67
Chairman and CEO, Omega Advisors, Inc.
I give because of all I have gained from Columbia and my desire to give back what I have received.
On How Columbia Shaped His Career
“Columbia Business School gave me the tools necessary to compete in the business world and opened the door to Goldman Sachs, where I had a glorious career for almost 25 years. I made important and valued friendships at Columbia that I have maintained to this day.”
Glenn Greenberg ’73
Managing Director, Brave Warrior Advisors
"I give because a business education promotes good decision-making skills and provides the contacts necessary to succeed in business."
Also Supports
Educational opportunities for those without the means to pay, organizations promoting civil society, and improvements to the lives of military veterans
On Working with Current Students
“I have taught value investing for years, primarily in Professor Bruce Greenwald’s classes. I hope that by sharing my investing perspective I have helped others avoid the painful mistakes I’ve made—and inspired some to enter the field by my love for the investment business.”
