Through the Hewlett Environment Fellows Program, conservation organizations tap MBA skills to develop and implement strategies for protecting the ecosystems of the North American West. The program is funded by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. See examples below of Hewlett Environment Fellow summer jobs from prior years.
Yang-Yang Chen (Haas)
Headwaters Economics
Headwaters Economics is an independent, nonprofit research group dedicated to improving community development and land management decisions in the West. Yang-Yang Chen is working on feasibility studies for biomass-to-energy projects in Southeast Alaska, which have acquired a new urgency as the cost of conventional energy continues to climb. Yang-Yang and Headwaters Economics Associate Director Ben Alexander recently traveled to Hoonah, Alaska for a meeting of the Tongass Futures Roundtable. (Learn more about Headwaters Economics.) (Summer 2008)
Allyson Fish (Yale)
Environmental Defense
Environmental Defense's Corporate Partnerships program works with U.S. companies to reduce the lifecycle environmental impacts of the products and services they sell. Allyson helped the program evaluate the feasibility of new project ideas. She visited a construction site in Boston [right] after testifying before the Massachusetts legislature on a bill to retrofit diesel construction equipment. (Learn more about the Corporate Partnerships program.) (Summer 2007)
Ellen Correia (MIT Sloan)
Headwaters Economics
Headwaters Economics is a high-tech nonprofit organization that combines research and on-the-ground experience to improve community development and land management decisions in the West. Ellen worked on four case studies that illustrate the impacts of energy development on public lands. She is shown here flying over the Jonah gas field in Wyoming. (Learn more about Headwaters Economics.) (Summer 2007)
Katherine Birnie (Tuck)
The Wilderness Society
The Wilderness Society protects America's wilderness through a combination of science, advocacy and education. Katherine wrote a business plan for a timberland investment fund that would purchase at-risk forestland and earn returns for investors through sustainable timber harvest and the sale of ecosystem assets such as carbon credits and mitigation banking. She’s shown here in the Northern Forest. (Learn more about TWS). (Summer 2006)
Vanessa Stewart (Yale)
Grand Canyon Trust
The mission of the Grand Canyon Trust is to protect and restore the Colorado Plateau. Vanessa worked with the Trust on developing renewable energy opportunities in collaboration with Hopi and Navajo communities. She is shown here with Tony Skrelunas, the Trust’s Native America Program Director, and Jonathan Nez, Shonto Chapter Vice President, giving a presentation on a strategy to install solar systems on Navajo homes. (Learn more about Grand Canyon Trust) (Summer 2006)
Jeff Martin (Ross)
Western Resource Advocates
Western Resource Advocates (WRA) is a non-profit environmental law and policy organization dedicated to restoring and protecting the natural environment of the Interior American West. Jeff developed recommendations for the promotion of renewable energy resources based on analysis of the financial implications of purchased-power agreements on utility bond ratings and capital structure. (Learn more about WRA.) (Summer 2005)
Mindy Cherng (U.C. Davis)
National Parks Conservation Association
The mission of the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) is to protect and enhance America’s national park system. Mindy prepared a best practices report to help national parks work more efficiently with their affiliated “friends” groups. She is shown here meeting with staff members at Valley Forge National Historic Park. (Learn more about NPCA.) (Summer 2005)
Mike Horn (Ross)
Grand Canyon Trust
The mission of the Grand Canyon Trust is to protect and restore the Colorado Plateau. Mike developed a business plan for the livestock operation on a large conservation-based ranch and restoration project. (Learn more about the Grand Canyon Trust). (Summer 2005)