Erika Karp
Erika Karp | |
|---|---|
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, investment advisor, business leader |
| Years active | 1991–present |
| Known for | Founder and CEO of Cornerstone Capital Inc. |
Erika Karp is a prominent American entrepreneur, investment advisor, and business leader. She established Cornerstone Capital Inc., where she currently holds the position of CEO. Karp played a key role as a founding board member of the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board and contributes her expertise to the UN Global Compact's LEAD Board Development Program. Additionally, she is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on Financing and Capital and provides guidance to the Clinton Global Initiative’s Market-based Approaches track.
Prior to launching Cornerstone in August 2013, Karp held the role of managing director and led Global Sector Research at UBS Investment Bank. She served as chair of the UBS Global Investment Review Committee and was part of both the UBS Securities Research Executive Committee and the Environmental and Human Rights Committee within the UBS Group Executive Board.
Education and early career
Karp obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1985, followed by an MBA specializing in Finance from Columbia Business School in 1991.
Her professional journey commenced at IBM’s ROLM Telecom division, where she worked as an account representative prior to pursuing graduate studies. After earning her MBA, she assumed the position of director of institutional equity sales at Credit Suisse First Boston in 1991.
Karp joined UBS Investment Bank in 1999 and advanced to Managing Director and Global Head of Research Product Management by 2002. She was instrumental in launching the UBS Q-Series research program aimed at integrating global investment insights and became a member of the Global Investment Review Committee. In 2007, she was promoted to lead Global Sector Research.
Awards and honors
Karp has earned recognition through inclusion in AdvisorOne’s “Top 50 Women in Wealth,” GOOD magazine's “GOOD 100,” and the “Purpose Economy 100.” She is also featured among 50 “conscious capitalists” highlighted in Kim Curtin's 2015 publication, Transforming Wall Street: A Conscious Path for a New Future.
In 2014, she was honored by the New York City Business Journal as a “Woman of Influence” due to her professional accomplishments and dedication to community engagement and mentorship. The Greyston Foundation acknowledged her lifelong commitment to sustainable business practices and social entrepreneurship with an award in May 2015.
Cornerstone Capital was recognized as a finalist for the 2014 Finance for the Future Award, celebrating financial leadership that fosters business models generating both economic returns and positive social and environmental impact.