Alumni Insights: From Master of Public Policy to Sustainable Finance and Investing

Wondering where a degree from the Hertie School might take you? Meet Rachana Kanakagiri, Master of Public Policy graduate, now working in sustainable finance and investing in Frankfurt. In this Q&A, you’ll learn more about how her time at the Hertie School helped her in realizing and achieving her professional goals. 

Q: Hi, Rachana! Please introduce yourself in a few sentences. 

A: Hi everyone! I'm Rachana — an alumna of the Master of Public Policy program at the Hertie School, Class of 2021. Before Hertie, I worked as a Policy Fellow with a Member of Parliament in India after graduating from law school. Since completing my master, I’ve been based in Frankfurt, where I work as a Senior Analyst & Expert at BCG, focusing on sustainable finance and investing.

Q: You started your career with a legal background and later transitioned into Public Policy. What inspired this shift, and how did studying the Master of Public Policy at the Hertie School support that career pivot? 

A: I started out with a legal background, but pretty early on I realized I wanted to work on issues with a broader, real-world impact. For me, public policy felt like a larger umbrella — one that allowed me to think beyond individual cases and look at systemic challenges and solutions.
Working in the office of a Member of Parliament in India really solidified that interest for me. I was exposed to how policy decisions are made and the kind of impact they can have on people’s lives, which made me want to dig deeper into the field. The MPP at Hertie gave me the perfect foundation to make that pivot — combining academic rigor with real-world relevance and global exposure.

Q: During your time at Hertie, you pursued Public Policy Analysis with Quantitative Methods. How did this specialization shape your approach to working on complex sustainability and Environment, Social and Governance (ESG)-related finance projects at BCG? 

A: It trained me to think critically about data-driven decision making — not just relying on assumptions but digging into the numbers to understand what’s really happening and where the impact lies.

It also helped me develop a structured way of thinking about policy, incentives, and systems — all of which are super relevant when working in sustainable finance. Whether it's assessing ESG risks, designing blended finance mechanisms, or measuring impact, that mix of policy understanding and analytical skills has been incredibly valuable in my work.

Q: Were there any key courses, professors, or hands-on experiences that helped you transition into sustainable finance and shape the work you do today? 

A: Both the Professional Year and working student roles were key in shaping my path. I started with a Professional Year at GIZ, working on climate financing for sustainable urban infrastructure projects in developing countries. Later, I joined adelphi’s green finance team as a working student, contributing to energy finance projects for EU public sector agencies. These experiences sparked my interest in sustainable finance and showed me how crucial capital is to making climate solutions a reality. I’m really grateful to Hertie for opening doors to these opportunities— its strong network in the policy and sustainability world made all the difference.
Two courses that were especially relevant were Business & Sustainable Development with Prof. Sebastian Mena and Enforcing Environmental Policy with Prof. Kai Wegrich. They helped me build a solid foundation and a systems-thinking approach I now use at work with both public and private sector clients.

Q: You’ve lived and worked in both Berlin and Frankfurt. How was your transition from student life in Berlin to working in the German corporate sector? Do you have any tips for international students considering a similar path? 

A: Frankfurt has this fast-paced, business-driven vibe; it's very commercially focused. At first, I really missed Berlin, especially the dynamic policy scene, but the finance world grows on you quickly. It's been incredibly interesting to see how this side of the world approaches impact — whether in energy, healthcare, or infrastructure, and how sustainable development is financed from a capital markets perspective.

Tips for international students:

• Start building your network early. Don’t hesitate to reach out to alumni or attend events whether at Hertie or externally — most people are open to a quick chat and happy to share advice.
• Be open to opportunities outside your comfort zone. Some of the most valuable learning comes from trying something new — whether that’s a different sector or role.
• Use your time in Berlin to gain work experience. Internships or working student roles really help you understand the landscape, build your CV, and ease the transition to the job market.

Q: ESG and blended finance are growing fields. What advice would you give current or prospective Hertie students interested in going into sustainable investing or consulting? 

A: ESG and blended finance are indeed evolving rapidly, with exciting developments unfolding across the space. Stay curious and keep an eye on emerging trends — adaptability is key in such a dynamic environment.
If you're considering a career in consulting, my biggest advice is to develop a problem-solving mindset. At its core, consulting is about tackling real-world challenges and delivering thoughtful, practical solutions that create real impact.