alumni profiles9
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MS Alum Banks on Sustainability Management Skills
While a part-time student in the program, M.S. in Sustainability Management alum Lizzette Butkiewicz (’12), was working full-time at a boutique trade finance firm with the hope of merging her interest in sustainability with her background in finance. Now, as the Manager of Community Investments in the Corporate Sustainability team at HSBC, Lizzette is doing…
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ESP Alum Brings Policymaking Skills to Consulting Firm
As an associate in the environmental and green technology sector of California Strategies, recent MPA in Environmental Science and Policy alum Claire van Zuiden (’13) develops strategies to grow and finance green companies and to help clients commercialize technologies to improve air quality, reduce waste and reduce California’s greenhouse gas emissions. Claire applies the system-based…
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ESP Alum Employs Program Skills in Environmental Finance Work
Having had past professional experience working for the sustainability group of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in London and New York City, MPA in Environmental Science and Policy (MPA-ESP) alum John Battaglia (’08) joined the program in the summer of 2007 hoping to land a role in environmental finance after graduation. Currently, John is the Vice President of…
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MS Graduate Aims to Create Sustainable Solutions through Biomimicry
Recent M.S. in Sustainability Management graduate Adiel Gavish (’13) thinks that we’ve all got something to learn from nature. As the vibrant Founder of BiomimicryNYC, the thirty-two year old is leading the charge to change the way that people design solutions through biomimicry – the science and ethos that studies designs and patterns in the…
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MPA Alum Leads Cleveland’s Local Sustainability Initiatives
When MPA in Environmental Science and Policy (MPA-ESP) alum Matthew Gray (’05) joined the program, he was interested in pursuing a career in energy and climate change at the national and international level. After graduating, Matt went on to do just that – first, as a Presidential Management Fellowship recipient with the U.S. Department of…
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MS Alum Seeks Safer Chemical Policies
M.S. in Sustainability Management (MSSM) alum Mark Buczek (’12) utilized the program to supplement his existing career track in the chemical industry as the Co-Chair for the non-profit organization, BizNGO.org, which focuses on helping organizations to understand and manage chemicals and select alternative materials.
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Sustainability Management Alumna Presents a Post-Sandy Flood Insurance Perspective
On Wednesday, February 20, M.S. in Sustainability Management (MSSM) alum Julia Ragragio-Ruiz (’12) joined fellow urban planning professionals Albert Wei of Kohn Pederson Fox, and Lance Jay Brown, of Lance Jay Brown Architecture and Urban Design, at GreenHomeNYC’s monthly Greenbuilding forum. The event, entitled “Building in Flood Zones” discussed Sandy relief efforts and the work…
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ESP Alum Scales Up Involvement with Earth Institute
When MPA in Environmental Science and Policy alum Caroline Fox (’12) joined the program, she was seeking a career change and hoped that wherever she landed next would allow her to work on projects that would have a positive impact on the world. Now, as the Project Manager for the Nigeria Scale-Up Initiative at Columbia’s…
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MS Alum Applies Program Skills to Fortune 500 Company
Prior to joining the M.S. in Sustainability Management (MSSM) program, Evan Brown (’12) was not sure where he would fit within the sustainability industry. With a background in environmental consulting, Evan parlayed this experience and existing interest in sustainability into the field of corporate sustainability. As an Energy Analyst for Fortune 300 Company Family Dollar…
AGU25, the premier Earth and space science conference, takes place December 15-19, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. This year’s theme—Where Science Connects Us—puts in focus how science depends on connection, from the lab to the field to the ballot box. Once again, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and Columbia Climate School scientists, experts, students, and educators are playing an active role, sharing our research and helping shape the future of our planet. #AGU25 Learn More
