Exploring Careers in the Green Economy

This MiddVantage series, Exploring Careers in the Green Economy, developed by the Center for Careers and Internships and Middlebury in DC, alongside partners like the Climate Action Capacity Project, Energy2028, and Midd Sustainability, provides an in-depth look at the growing opportunities within the green economy. Each episode features Middlebury alumni working across various sectors—like sustainable energy, environmental policy, and green technology—who share insights into their careers, their industry’s impact on climate change, and how you might begin a similar path.

Episode 17: Digitally Connected Energy Storage Network

• Guest: Will Hanley ‘15, Manager, Project Finance, Stem
• Interviewer: Courtney Gantt ‘22
• Overview: Will Hanley works on the finance team at Stem, Inc., where he manages partnerships and funds energy storage projects. Previously, he consulted for government agencies on solar and energy storage policies.
• Watch Time: 24 minutes

Episode 16: Machine Learning x Climate at Myst AI

• Guest: Ellery Berk ‘14, Business Operations Manager, Myst AI
• Interviewer: Daniel Brey ‘22
• Overview: Ellery Berk oversees business operations at Myst AI, a company focused on using machine learning to optimize renewable energy forecasting. She also has experience with grid reliability and sustainable investing.
• Watch Time: 31 minutes

Episode 15: A Scientist’s View of Bioenergy Technologies

• Guest: Jay Fitzgerald ‘06, Chief Scientist, Bioenergy Technologies Office, U.S. Department of Energy
• Interviewer: Nicholas Nonnenmacher ‘21
• Overview: Jay Fitzgerald leads scientific efforts in bioenergy technology at the U.S. Department of Energy, working on low-carbon fuels and recycling. He holds a PhD in organic chemistry from Stanford.
• Watch Time: 23 minutes

Episode 14: The District, Committed to Carbon Neutrality

• Guest: Alexandra Fisher ‘10, Energy Policy Analyst, US Department of Energy & Environment
• Interviewer: Sachi Howson ‘21
• Overview: Alexandra Fisher specializes in grid modernization and neighborhood-scale decarbonization in Washington, D.C. She has advanced degrees in environmental policy from Johns Hopkins.
• Watch Time: 27 minutes

Episode 13: The Role of Advocacy, People-Power, and Social Movements in Accelerating the Green Economy

• Guest: Michael Silberman ‘02, Founder, Mobilisation Lab
• Interviewer: Eva Morgan ‘22
• Overview: Michael Silberman is a leader in advocacy, having worked on climate justice and human rights campaigns for over a decade, helping organizations use digital tools and people power effectively.
• Watch Time: 33 minutes

Episode 12: How Do You Get Meaningful Youth Engagement in International Environmental Policy?

• Guest: Mika Mei Jia Tan ‘15, Coordinator, ASEAN Youth Biodiversity Programme
• Interviewer: Maria Than ‘21
• Overview: Mika empowers youth through biodiversity and environmental policy programs in Southeast Asia, working to bridge the gap between policy and community implementation.
• Watch Time: 45 minutes

Episode 11: Beating the Climate Crisis at the Ballot Box

• Guest: Ben Wessel ‘11, Executive Director, NextGen America
• Interviewer: Kate Goodman ‘24
• Overview: Ben Wessel leads NextGen America, focusing on mobilizing young voters to support progressive candidates who prioritize climate action.
• Watch Time: 26 minutes

Episode 10: Getting to Zero Carbon Mobility

• Guest: Kelly Blynn ‘07, Transportation Climate Change Specialist at Colorado Energy Office
• Interviewer: Julia Ulsh ‘24
• Overview: Kelly Blynn advises cities on electrifying transportation and sustainable mobility projects. She previously led climate initiatives for cities across the U.S.
• Watch Time: 27 minutes

Episode 9: What Does Energy Justice & Democracy Look Like in the Green Economy?

• Guest: Anahi Naranjo ‘17, Equitable & Just National Climate Platform Coordinator, Center for Earth Energy & Democracy
• Interviewer: Elizabeth Reyes ‘22
• Overview: Anahi Naranjo advocates for equitable climate policies, amplifying voices from diverse communities and exploring ways to make the green economy inclusive.
• Watch Time: 32 minutes

Episode 8: Green with Envy: Behavioral Tools for Global Energy Efficiency

• Guest: Kira Ashby ‘05, Senior Program Manager - Behavior: National Expert IEA, CEE
• Interviewer: Monique Santos ‘21
• Overview: Kira Ashby applies behavioral science to energy efficiency, working with the International Energy Agency to develop methods for engaging diverse energy users.
• Watch Time: 23 minutes

Episode 7: Sustainability: A View From Inside A Corporation

• Guest: Tiffani Jarnigan ‘14 MIIS, Sustainability Project Manager, Hewlett Packard Enterprise
• Interviewer: Courtney Gantt ‘22
• Overview: Tiffani Jarnigan leads sustainability projects at Hewlett Packard, working on eco-friendly product innovations and stakeholder engagement.
• Watch Time: 30 minutes

Episode 6: Accelerating Renewable Solutions in Cities

• Guest: Ali Rotatori ‘14, Senior Associate, Cities Renewable Accelerator, Rocky Mountain Institute
• Interviewer: Alexander Kessler ‘22.5
• Overview: Ali Rotatori is a clean energy advocate with a passion for expanding access to renewable energy for cities and organizations. Starting her career at SunEdison, she developed and financed solar projects for local governments, housing authorities, and corporations. She then joined Rocky Mountain Institute to help clients navigate renewable energy procurement and reach their sustainability goals. Through her roles with the Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance and the City Renewables Accelerator, Ali has supported over 200 corporations and cities, facilitating the procurement of more than 10 gigawatts of renewable energy. Her recent projects include Cincinnati’s 100MW municipal energy initiative and Philadelphia’s largest solar deal.
• Watch Time: 32 minutes

Episode 5: Changing the Way People Use Energy

• Guest: Clayton Reed ‘08, Program Director, CLEAResult
• Interviewer: Courtney Gantt ‘22
• Overview: Clayton Reed leads energy efficiency initiatives in Colorado as the Program Director at CLEAResult. He got his start as a residential energy auditor and now manages programs that improve energy efficiency for residential, commercial, and industrial clients. Clayton graduated from Middlebury in Environmental Economics and later earned a Master’s in Global Energy Management. His journey from auditor to program director offers insights into the hands-on work of making homes and businesses more energy efficient.
• Watch Time: 30 minutes

Episode 4: Leading by Example in State Government: Putting Climate Policy Into Action

• Guest: Eric Friedman ‘82, Director, Leading by Example Program, MA Department of Energy Resources
• Interviewer: Katherine Morris ‘21.5
• Overview: Eric Friedman is the director of Massachusetts’ “Leading by Example” program, a government-led effort to reduce environmental impact across state agencies and colleges. With a background in environmental policy, Eric has led initiatives that resulted in the construction of 100+ LEED-certified state buildings and the installation of over 28 MW of solar power. He has also managed millions in funding for energy retrofits and advocated for sustainable procurement practices for over two decades.
• Watch Time: 34 minutes

Episode 3: The Mathematics of Distributed Energy

• Guest: Dylan Cutler ‘04, Senior Engineer, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
• Interviewer: Jay Hamel ‘21.5
• Overview: Dylan Cutler is a senior research engineer at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), where he focuses on optimizing distributed energy resources like solar, wind, and storage systems. He leads the development of NREL’s REopt model, which supports energy integration and market optimization. Dylan’s research and publications explore innovative solutions for using blockchain and advanced simulations in energy management.
• Watch Time: 29 minutes

Episode 2: Renewable Energy Development

• Guest: Paul Hildebrand ‘12, Senior Associate, Project Finance, Cypress Creek Renewables
• Interviewer: Jay Hamel ‘21.5
• Resource: Solar Project Timeline by Paul Hildebrand
• Overview: Paul Hildebrand, an Environmental Studies and Economics graduate, started his career in renewable energy through an IDEX Fellowship in India. Now, as a Senior Associate in Project Finance with Cypress Creek Renewables, Paul has developed multiple solar projects and shares insights into how solar project finance can drive sustainability.
• Watch Time: 30 minutes

Episode 1: Regenerative Resource Management and Sustainable Consumption

• Guest: Zachary Tofias ’00.5, Director, Food, Water and Waste Program, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group
• Interviewer: Alexander “Zander” Kessler ‘22.5
• Overview: Zachary Tofias leads the Food, Water, and Waste Program at C40, where he supports cities in transitioning to sustainable resource management. With years of experience working globally, Zachary focuses on solutions that cut carbon emissions and increase resilience in urban food and waste systems.
• Watch Time: 32 minutes