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Careers in Energy and Sustainability: Meet and Greet

Posted on May 22, 2025 by Cate Homicki

  • Dartmouth students and professional mentors sit at tables in a large room.

    Giulia Siccardo ‘12 and Jamie Potter '15 chat with students at the Meet and Greet in the Institute’s Call to Lead Lab. (Photo by Cate Homicki)

Students eager to explore careers in renewable energy, environmental justice, sustainable investing, and related fields had a fantastic opportunity to connect with professionals on May 19th during the Careers in Energy and Sustainability: Meet and Greet event. Hosted collaboratively by the Irving Institute and Dartmouth Sustainability, the event brought together students from all majors and graduate programs to engage with experts working at the forefront of the environmental and energy sectors.

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Two people sit and talk with each other in a large room with many other seated, talking people.
Nancy Malmquist '79 chats with a student at the Meet and Greet.

Over 40 students participated in lively discussions across a range of topics, gaining first-hand insights into diverse career paths. The event featured six topical tables staffed by industry professionals, ready to answer questions and share their experiences. 

"The Meet and Greet was a very casual environment to learn so much about different careers within Energy and Sustainability. Every expert was so welcoming, knowledgeable, and willing to answer questions in detail and without judgement. Even beyond just the job, I learned so much about the paths experts took to get to where they are and their opinions on undergraduate and graduate degrees." – Bill Zheng '26

Key areas covered included:

Capital & Investments 

  • Karin Chamberlain, Director of Impact Investments at Clean Yield Asset Management

Environmental Law 

  • Jenny Carter, Professor & Senior Attorney
  • Heidi Trimarco '02, Attorney at Conservation Law Foundation

Planning and Sustainability 

  • Dana Clawson, Hartford's Environmental Sustainability Coordinator
  • Kevin Geiger, Chief Planner at Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission
  • Erica Hiller, Project Manager for Climate & Energy Programs at Vital Communities

State Level Policy and Energy Project Support 

  • Katharine Cusack, Policy Associate and Small Business Energy Circuit Rider at Clean Energy NH
  • Nancy Malmquist '79, Attorney at Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC

U.S. Government & Industry 

  • Jamie Potter '15, Research Engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory
  • Giulia Siccardo '12, Distinguished Industry Fellow at the Irving Institute and Former Director of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains at the U.S. Department of Energy

Energy Project Development 

  • Michael Zimmer, Senior Managing Director of Development at BlueWave Energy
  • Tyson Buerkle, VP of Site Acquisition at BW Solar

This event provided an inspiring platform for students to learn about careers shaping our energy future and environmental sustainability. We look forward to hosting more opportunities where future leaders can gain valuable insights and build connections in these vital fields.