Frank Van Gansbeke

This is one of the most important, applicable, and practically useful courses you can take at Midd. Sustainable Finance covers the institutions, organizations, and players that comprise the international financial architecture. With an implicit focus on incentives, the class walks through financial arrangements and how they further – or hinder – progress toward a "sustainable" future. The course delivers some basic but harrowing realizations. For example, since ESG-related KPIs are usually not incorporated into valuation, the most socially-optimal businesses are undervalued. Similarly, the nations most exposed to climate risk are also the riskiest borrowers, leading to high lending rates. In other words, the nations with the highest needs face the highest costs, depriving them of much-needed capital. Frank teaches this information through a mixture of lectures and guest speaking sessions. He publishes all slides on Google Drive along with support information. The grading breakdown is as follows: exams (40%), which require careful memorization of small details and connecting them to broader takeaways; final project (35%), which is a behemoth two-person project with a written and oral component; participation and other smaller assignments (25%). In addition to the course, Frank tries to get his students actively involved, which includes making connections, extending invites to host panels, and so forth. He's both a great person and a great person to know, and that he teaches such a useful course is an added bonus. Would strongly recommend taking this class.

This is one of the most important, applicable, and practically useful courses you can take at Midd. Sustainable Finance covers the institutions, organizations, and players that comprise the international financial architecture. With an implicit focus on incentives, the class walks through financial arrangements and how they further – …Read more

Professor Van Gansbeke is one of the best professors on this campus. He is so invested in the personal and academic success of his students, and is a wonderful teacher and mentor. I could not recommend this class enough. For anyone interested in the inner workings of the financial services world, this class is so important to understand basic concepts that will help you if you are interested in pursuing a career in that space. Even if you aren't, you have the opportunity to learn about a topic that is not taught at many liberal arts colleges. He is also just overall such a fantastic guy.

Professor Van Gansbeke is one of the best professors on this campus. He is so invested in the personal and academic success of his students, and is a wonderful teacher and mentor. I could not recommend this class enough. For anyone interested in the inner workings of the financial services world, this class is so important to underst …Read more