Jiten Vyakarnam, President
Jiten joined the SUMA program in Spring 2017 and is a full-time student from Vizag, India. His sustainability interests include entrepreneurship, energy, and finance. Prior to his time at Columbia, Jiten was a partner at an environmental engineering firm and obtained his B.S. in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering. When he’s not working, he enjoys trying out new restaurants. (LinkedIn)
Amit Paul, Vice President of Academic Affairs
Amit joined the SUMA program in Spring 2017. He is a part-time student from Philadelphia, PA, and currently works as an Energy Engineer at CodeGreen Solutions. Previously, he was also a sustainability consultant and LEED project manager. He is particularly interested in renewables, finance, and energy. He earned his B.S. in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering. While at Columbia, he also enjoys exploring New York City’s diverse food scene. (LinkedIn)
Claire Costello, Vice President of Administration and Finance
Claire joined the SUMA program in Fall 2015 and attends classes part-time while working as a Financial Assistant for the Columbia University Medical Center. Her sustainability interests focus on corporate sustainability and finance, and her previous work included city planning, GIS analysis, and finance. She is from Brewster, NY, and holds a B.A. in Geography. Outside of work, you might find her running or trying new places to eat. (LinkedIn)
Cecilia Coates, Co-Vice President of Communications
Ceci is a full-time student who joined the SUMA program in Spring 2017. She has a background in consulting and is interested in corporate sustainability and sustainable development. She has a B.S. in International Business and calls both Montevideo, Uruguay, and Mexico City, Mexico, home. Her favorite hobby is ballet. (LinkedIn)
Kristen Bailey, Co-Vice President of Communications
Kristen attends the SUMA program part-time and works as a program manager for the Tamer Fund for Social Ventures at the Columbia Business School. She has been a SUMA student since Fall 2017, and her interests lie in corporate sustainability, sustainable food, and climate change. Previously, she was a management consultant for PwC and earned a dual B.S. in Environmental Studies and Leadership Studies. She is from Randolph, NJ, and enjoys horseback riding, yoga, and traveling. (LinkedIn)
Marissa Fresquez, Vice President of Community Outreach
Marissa joined the SUMA program in Spring 2017. She attends classes part-time and works as an associate project manager for Tesla. Marissa is interested in renewable energy and has worked previously on water policy and regulatory compliance. She holds a B.S. in Environmental Policy and calls both northern and southern California home. When she’s not working, you might find her hiking, reading, or exploring coffee shops. (LinkedIn)
Adriana Neumann-Redlin, Symposium Chair
Adriana has been a SUMA student since Fall 2016, and she attends classes part-time while working as a translator at Columbia University Medical Center. She is especially interested in sustainable analytics, water issues, and sustainability in cities. Her background includes nonprofit work, disabilities services, and SDG Academy Courses. Adriana is from Cochabamba, Bolivia, and holds a B.S. in Economics. She enjoys the theatre. (LinkedIn)
Dominic Bell, Vice President of Events
Dominic is a part-time student who joined the SUMA program in Fall 2015. His sustainability interests include project finance, sustainable investing, and consulting. His professional background includes health & safety consulting and environmental outreach, and he has a dual B.S./B.A. in Earth & Environmental Science and Social Ecology. Dominic is from Diamond Bar, California, and he enjoys knitting, yoga, and hiking. (LinkedIn)
Megan Ross, Editor-in-Chief
Megan joined the SUMA program in Fall 2017 and attends classes full-time. She is interested in climate science communication and urban sustainability, particularly in small and mid-size cities. Her previous experience includes engineering project management, GIS services, and remote camp management. She holds an M.S. in Geographic Information Systems and a dual B.A. in English Literature and Studies in Women and Gender. Megan calls both Virginia and Alaska home, and is likely to be found hiking, practicing yoga, or cross-country skiing when she’s not working. (LinkedIn)
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