This website uses cookies as well as similar tools and technologies to understand visitors’ experiences. By continuing to use this website, you consent to Columbia University’s usage of cookies and similar technologies, in accordance with the Columbia University Website Cookie Notice.
Energy Explained
Get the latest as our experts share their insights on global energy policy.
The Future of LNG Trade: Inflexible, Inefficient, and Polarized?
This Energy Explained post represents the research and views of the author. It does not necessarily represent the views of the Center on Global Energy Policy. The piece...
Podcasts
Hear in-depth conversations with the world’s top energy and climate leaders from government, business, academia, and civil society.
The Nexus of Climate Policy and National Security
As President Biden’s national security advisor, Jake Sullivan laid out a strategy for what he called a “foreign policy for the middle class.” Using the metaphor of a...
Events
Find out more about our upcoming and past events.
April 29, 2025
• 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
edt
Stabilizing Your Career in a Rapidly Changing Industry
Please join the Women in Energy initiative at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia SIPA for a public roundtable featuring Claire Steichen, Founder of Clear Strategy Coaching. The fast-evolving energy...
Event
• Online
Ana Cabral-Gardner
Co-Chief Executive Officer, Sigma Lithium
Biography
Ana is CEO at Sigma Lithium, co-Chairing the Company inception in 2012. Sigma Lithium is the 5th largest industrial-mineral lithium complex globally, producing carbon neutral lithium oxide. She is one of the pioneer investors and longest serving CEOs in the lithium industry.
Ana was a co-founder of A10 Invest, a leading venture capital boutique focused on impact investing. A10 FIA is the largest shareholder of Sigma Lithium, backing it to produce the Quintuple Zero Green Lithium: Carbon neutral and environmentally and socially sustainable.
Ana was awarded “Mining Person of the Year” in 2023 by Canada’s Northern Miner and “Industrial Person of the Year” in 2024 by Minas Gerais Industry Federation’s. The State of Minas Gerais has awarded her the “Tiradentes Medal of Honor” for her contribution to its economic development. She was recognized by Forbes Magazine’s as one of 50 women over 50 global trailblazers.
She has more than 30 years of experience as a venture capital investor and sênior banker at global investment banks in New York, London and São Paulo. She was Head of Latin American Capital Markets and a Managing Director at Goldman Sachs in New York. During her career, she has been involved in more than 150 capital markets and M&A transactions, totaling more than $120 billion. Five of the transactions she worked on received the prestigious IFR “Deal of the Year” award, including the privatization of Vale in 1996.
Ana is on the Global Advisory Board of Columbia University Global Centers in New York. She was a co-founder of “Mulheres do Brasil”, the leading civil movement in the country, with over 120,000 women as active members.