Author: Marivi Perdomo Caba7

Marivi Perdomo Caba (MSSM ’15 | Sustainable Water Management ’15) is the Program Manager for the Master of Science in Sustainability Management at the Earth Institute. The M.S. in Sustainability Management, co-sponsored by the Earth Institute and Columbia’s School of Professional Studies, trains students to tackle complex and pressing environmental and managerial challenges. The program requires the successful completion of 36 credit points. Those credit points are divided among five comprehensive content areas: integrative sustainability management, economics and quantitative analysis, the physical dimensions of sustainability, the public policy environment of sustainability management, and general and financial management.

Helping Brands Navigate Realistic Sustainable Goals

MSSM student Kwesi Blair has more than 10 years working in fashion and retail developing strategy. He is concerned by the industry’s lack of awareness and action around sustainability. Kwesi was drawn to the program because of its multidisciplinary approach and the range of academic areas related to sustainability.
Thinking Beyond a Job with ‘Sustainability’ in the Title

Sustainability Management alum James Ossman (’15) is the Global Operations Manager at Etsy. He believes the MSSM program has been the difference between being interested in and passionate about sustainability, and being able to lead sustainability initiatives with authority.
Faculty Profile: Vance Merolla

MS in Sustainability Management faculty member Vance Merolla has worked over the past thirty years as an environmental and sustainability professional for the private sector. As the instructor for SUMA K4170 Sustainable Operations, Merolla focuses on the importance of incorporating sustainability at each step along the value chain, including product design, procurement, distribution, manufacturing, product/service…
Improving Buildings to Reduce Energy Demand

Maya always had an interest in sustainable cities and passive building design. Because buildings make up a third of the world’s energy consumption, she believes that focusing on improving our buildings can have a significant effect on our global energy demand.
Student Work Helps Establish Conservation Act in Palau

David Prieto, graduate of the Earth Institute Sustainability Management program, helped establish the first Manta Ray Conservation Act in the Republic of Palau, aiding the creation of the 6th largest marine sanctuary in the world.
Faculty Profile: Marianne Lado

“In today’s world, whether we think about the local, regional, national or even international settings, tackling sustainability requires consideration of the communities most affected by environmental degradation and ensuring that community members have meaningful opportunities to participate in decisions affecting their lives.”
Faculty Profile: Susan Blaustein

With more than half of the world now living in cities, and well over half of that number living in urban poverty, Professor Blaustein believes that humanizing the city – making it livable for women and families- is a key factor in ensuring its sustainability.
Focusing on Ecosystems to Reduce Disaster Risks

Current Master of Science in Sustainability Management student Alia’a Harun was drawn to the program because of the interdisciplinary approach towards a pragmatic implementation of sustainability. Alia’a has a background in Ecology and is looking for ways to apply hard value onto the natural environment and its services.
Teaming Technology and Clean Energy

Alum James Kocher (MSSM ‘13) works in the photovoltaics monitoring sector where he helps clients measure and analyze photovoltaic (PV) solar production. James currently designs and implements data monitoring systems for large commercial and utility scale PV projects.

Helping Brands Navigate Realistic Sustainable Goals

MSSM student Kwesi Blair has more than 10 years working in fashion and retail developing strategy. He is concerned by the industry’s lack of awareness and action around sustainability. Kwesi was drawn to the program because of its multidisciplinary approach and the range of academic areas related to sustainability.
Thinking Beyond a Job with ‘Sustainability’ in the Title

Sustainability Management alum James Ossman (’15) is the Global Operations Manager at Etsy. He believes the MSSM program has been the difference between being interested in and passionate about sustainability, and being able to lead sustainability initiatives with authority.
Faculty Profile: Vance Merolla

MS in Sustainability Management faculty member Vance Merolla has worked over the past thirty years as an environmental and sustainability professional for the private sector. As the instructor for SUMA K4170 Sustainable Operations, Merolla focuses on the importance of incorporating sustainability at each step along the value chain, including product design, procurement, distribution, manufacturing, product/service…
Improving Buildings to Reduce Energy Demand

Maya always had an interest in sustainable cities and passive building design. Because buildings make up a third of the world’s energy consumption, she believes that focusing on improving our buildings can have a significant effect on our global energy demand.
Student Work Helps Establish Conservation Act in Palau

David Prieto, graduate of the Earth Institute Sustainability Management program, helped establish the first Manta Ray Conservation Act in the Republic of Palau, aiding the creation of the 6th largest marine sanctuary in the world.
Faculty Profile: Marianne Lado

“In today’s world, whether we think about the local, regional, national or even international settings, tackling sustainability requires consideration of the communities most affected by environmental degradation and ensuring that community members have meaningful opportunities to participate in decisions affecting their lives.”
Faculty Profile: Susan Blaustein

With more than half of the world now living in cities, and well over half of that number living in urban poverty, Professor Blaustein believes that humanizing the city – making it livable for women and families- is a key factor in ensuring its sustainability.
Focusing on Ecosystems to Reduce Disaster Risks

Current Master of Science in Sustainability Management student Alia’a Harun was drawn to the program because of the interdisciplinary approach towards a pragmatic implementation of sustainability. Alia’a has a background in Ecology and is looking for ways to apply hard value onto the natural environment and its services.
Teaming Technology and Clean Energy

Alum James Kocher (MSSM ‘13) works in the photovoltaics monitoring sector where he helps clients measure and analyze photovoltaic (PV) solar production. James currently designs and implements data monitoring systems for large commercial and utility scale PV projects.