Columbia Climate School is thrilled to announce that Melanie Nakagawa, Chief Sustainability Officer at Microsoft, will deliver the keynote address at the Climate School’s Class Day ceremony on Friday, May 15, 2026.
In announcing the news to the community, Columbia Climate School Dean Alexis Abramson said, “Melanie Nakagawa has built a remarkable career at the intersection of climate action, policy and innovation, advancing solutions at the highest levels of government and the private sector. Her leadership reflects both urgency and optimism—qualities that are essential in this moment. We are proud to welcome Melanie as our Class Day speaker and look forward to the perspective she will share with our graduates as they prepare to lead in a changing world.”
At Microsoft, Nakagawa leads the company’s sustainability strategy and targets, as well as global initiatives focused on expanding digital connectivity and inclusive access to technology worldwide. She brings two decades of experience at the nexus of policy, business and technology, most recently serving as special assistant to the president and senior director for climate and energy on the National Security Council at the White House.
Prior to her time in the White House, Nakagawa helped launch Princeville Capital’s inaugural global growth equity climate technology fund, investing in companies delivering transformative solutions to climate change. She also served as a strategic advisor to Secretary of State John Kerry on climate change and environmental issues and held roles in the U.S. Senate and with the Natural Resources Defense Council.
