Summer Internship with Climate Policy Initiative (CPI)
Fei Wu, Daytime MBA 2026
This summer, I had the opportunity to work as a Climate Finance Intern at Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) in Washington DC, where I contributed to innovative climate finance solutions aimed at mobilizing capital for sustainable development in emerging markets.
My primary responsibilities centered on developing financial tools and strategies to bridge the climate financing gap. I built a comprehensive securitization toolkit that included tranche structuring, waterfall mechanics, and loan cash-flow modeling for blended-finance vehicles. It serves as a critical resource for structuring deals that combine public and private capital to de-risk climate investments in developing countries.
Drawing on my Fuqua coursework in finance and project appraisal, I mapped over 200 public and private investors across Latin America and the Caribbean, creating a strategic database that informs CPI’s capital-raising efforts in the region. My most impactful contribution was transforming a complex portfolio-vehicle business plan into a compelling Phase II fundraising pitch deck that was adopted by the CEO for investor presentations.
This experience reinforced my commitment to leveraging finance as a tool for climate action. The technical skills I developed in structuring blended finance instruments, combined with my understanding of the investor landscape in emerging markets, will be invaluable as I pursue a career at the intersection of finance and climate policy. Moving forward, I plan to apply these insights in my Fuqua journey and explore how innovative financial mechanisms can accelerate the clean energy transition in developing economies.
This internship was supported by the Summer Internship Fund, which enables first-year Duke MBA students to learn about the rewards and challenges of using business to drive positive impact without making a significant financial sacrifice. The program enables organizations that otherwise could not afford to hire MBA student interns to benefit from students’ expertise. Funds are raised through student fundraising and from donors who believe in the mission of the program. If you would like to contribute, you can donate online using your credit card.