At the Climate Knowledge Initiative (CKI) I led the geothermal energy research project, producing a comprehensive presentation aimed at educating business leaders and investors on geothermal’s role as a reliable baseload power source for the global grid. The deck explored lifetime extensions of existing plants, enhanced geothermal systems, modular binary technologies, supply chains, and public perception. It highlighted geothermal’s potential to serve energy‑intensive sectors such as data centres, buildings, and heavy industry and underscored its bipartisan support in the United States and unique applicability in emerging economies. This work directly supported CKI’s mission to build consensus around emerging climate technologies and to identify actions needed for deployment.

The project aligned closely with my M.S. in Sustainability Management, which emphasises the intersection of climate, business, and policy. I used my training to assess the scope and scale of geothermal solutions, tailor recommendations to different stakeholder sizes, and identify which players must be engaged to move from pilots to scale. The research taught me that, while geothermal requires substantial upfront capital, its benefits—reliability, low emissions, and applicability across geographies—can deliver significant value.

Leading a diverse team of four peers from MBA, MPA, and undergraduate programs was both rewarding and challenging. I worked to align individual interests with project needs, balancing workloads and creating an environment where everyone could leverage their strengths. Onboarding new team members meant teaching them how to distil large volumes of information into concise, professional presentations and giving them space to explore and contribute. Striking the right balance between guidance and autonomy required trust but ultimately produced a stronger deliverable.

My biggest takeaway is the power of clear communication. In a world awash with information, distilling complex research into concise, persuasive narratives is essential for building support and driving action. The fellowship strengthened my leadership skills and affirmed that collaborative review processes improve both the quality and credibility of our work. I am grateful for the opportunity and excited to continue supporting CKI while furthering my career in sustainability.