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Franklin Environmental Center at Hillcrest

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Middlebury Alums’ Global Sustainability Speaker Series

Sustainability is at the heart of much of what we do, teach, and value at Middlebury.

Many Middlebury alums have carried a commitment to sustainability directly into their professions—often with national and international impact. This lecture series brings Midd alums back to campus to discuss these issues and more. Each event is moderated by students, who might engage on some of the below topics:

  • How have they been working on the frontlines to achieve a more just, sustainable future?
  • What are their thoughts on tackling some of the world’s most pressing crises?
  • How did they get from Middlebury to where they are today?
  • What can we learn from their achievements, efforts, and setbacks?
  • What is their urgent call to action?

Sponsored by Sustainability and Environmental Affairs, Climate Action Program, Center for Careers and Internships.

Past Event: Suzanne Slarsky Dael ‘02

Head of Group on Climate Change Mitigation, Energy and Transport at the European Environment Agency

  • Charting Progress on Europe’s Path to Climate Neutrality by 2050: Importance of transparency in meeting Paris Agreement

    Suzanne Slarsky Dael ‘02 will return to campus for a conversation moderated by students Tashi Sherpa ‘24 (International and Global Studies) and Finn Warner ‘24.5 (Environmental Economics). The European Union has cut greenhouse gas emissions by almost a third since 1990 and is working towards its next target: net 55% reductions by 2030. Suzanne graduated as a Geography major and will share insights from her journey from Midd’s GIS lab to her current role monitoring this climate progress as Head of group on climate change mitigation, energy and transport at the European Environment Agency.

    Dana Auditorium (Sunderland Language Center)

    Open to the Public

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Past Event: Jack Klinck ’85, P’17.5 & ’20

Board Director, Angel Investor and Senior Advisor at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Former Director of Xpansiv, the world’s largest carbon trading/renewable energy platform

  • Capital Markets Meet the Environmental Markets

    Capital Markets Meet the Environmental Markets: The Importance of Private Finance in Accelerating our Transition to Clean Energy 

    Jack Klinck ’85, P’17.5 & ’20 will return to campus for a conversation moderated by students Emma Binks ‘23.5 (Environmental Economics) and Arjun Kumar ‘25.5 (International and Global Studies). They will discuss how capital market infrastructure can be leveraged to propel us towards a quicker and just transition to a carbon free world.

    Dana Auditorium (Sunderland Language Center)

    Open to the Public

Play Video Play

Past Event: Peter Hirsch ‘12

Head of Sustainability at 2150

  • Image of three people on a poster

    Advancing Climate Solutions through Venture Capital

    Advancing Climate Solutions through Venture Capital - the vital role of early-stage investment in meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement

    Peter Hirsch ‘12, Head of Sustainability at 2150, a climate tech-oriented venture capital firm in London, will return to campus for a conversation moderated by students Kavina Amin ‘24 (Economics and History) and Gianna Palli ‘23.5 (Art History and Economics).

    Dana Auditorium (Sunderland Language Center)

    Open to the Public

Play Video Play

Past Event: Representative Sean Casten ‘93

Member of Congress, IL-06

  • Image of a man wearing a blue tie standing in front of an American flag

    A Big Step Forward on Climate; Many More Needed

    Representative Sean Casten ‘93 (IL-06) will visit campus virtually for a conversation about next steps for the U.S. in combating the climate crisis, moderated by students Mariia Dzholos ‘24 (Economics major) and Jack Torpey ‘24 (English major/Film & Media Culture minor).

    Dana Auditorium (Sunderland Language Center)

    Open to the Public

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Inaugural Event: Sandhya Subramanian Douglas ’93, P’25 and Soyibou Sylla ’20

Sandhya Subramanian Douglas ’93, P’25, Partner, Senior Managing Director, Director of Strategic Analysis and Implementation; Soyibou Sylla ’20, Investment Science Associate

  • Image of a planet

    Global Sustainability Alums Speaker Series – Inaugural Event

    This inaugural event will feature two alums from Wellington Management Company LLP in a discussion about Applying Sustainability and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Factors in the Capital Markets:

    Sandhya Subramanian Douglas ’93, P’25, Partner, Senior Managing Director, Director of Strategic Analysis and Implementation Soyibou Sylla ’20, Investment Science Associate The conversation will be moderated by Amanda Frank ’23.5 and Samuel Sullivan ’23.

    Robert A. Jones '59 Conference Room

    Open to the Public

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Sandhya Subramanian Douglas '93 and Soyibou Sylla '20

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Franklin Environmental Center at Hillcrest

531 College Street
Middlebury, VT 05753

(802) 443-2536