Published: October 11, 2025; Aithor: Julia Sonrisa
Address: 550 West, 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, United States
Phone: +1 (212) 854-1754
Thinking about a future in sustainability? Join Columbia University’s M.S. in Sustainability Management for a special panel workshop series, “Workshops in Sustainability Career Paths and Curriculum,” where alumni share which courses had the biggest impact on their careers — and why.
The workshop series offers an inside look at how Columbia’s M.S. in Sustainability Management curriculum translates into real-world skills and professional opportunities. Hear directly from graduates as they reflect on the classes that shaped their thinking, built their toolkits, and helped them launch successful careers in sustainability.
Registration is required — registrants can attend virtually or in person.
Professor of Practice, Sustainability Management
Lynnette Widder is Professor of Practice in Sustainability Management at Columbia University. Her current research includes work on urban diaspora and non-cultivated plant life (Columbia World Projects and the Center for the Study of Social Difference), sustainable bauxite mining in West Africa (UNDP and Climate School Earth Frontiers), earth construction and its environmental implications (SPS and GSAPP), and innovation in climate change communication (Climate School Earth Networks). She is the author of Year Zero to Economic Miracle: Hans Schwippert and Sep Ruf in Postwar West German Building Culture (2022) and co-authored Architecture Live Projects: Pedagogy into Practice (2014) and Ira Rakatansky: As Modern as Tomorrow (2010). Her non-fiction has appeared in the Oxonian Review, Daidalos, Bauwelt, Architecture, Manifest, Kritische Berichte, the Journal of Industrial Ecology, and The Social Science Journal; and her fiction, in Northwest Review, Blue White and Camera Obscura. She has curated three exhibitions on environmentally responsive Japanese-American architect Kaneji Domoto and received awards for her renovation of his Lurie House. Funding for her research has also come from the Mellon Foundation, the AIA New York Center for Architecture, the Graham Foundation, the German Academic Exchange (DAAD), Fulbright, and the UN Development Programme in Guinea; and she has held fellowships from the Institute for Ideas and Imagination in Paris and MacDowell. The work of her architectural office, Aardvarchitecture, has been published in the US, Europe, China, and Australia.
Architect and Climate Engineer, Transsolar KilmaEngineering
Rafaela Behrens combines her architectural expertise with a deep commitment to sustainability and innovation. With a background in sustainable design and renewable energy, she transitioned from practicing architecture in Chile to pursuing advanced studies in Spain and earning a master’s degree in Sustainable Management at Columbia University.
As a climate engineer at Transsolar, Rafaela collaborates with architects worldwide and all members of the design team to develop integrated solutions that enhance comfort and efficiency while minimizing environmental impact.
Her passion for creating resilient, sustainable, and inspiring spaces drives her work, making her a key contributor to the future of climate-responsive design.
Senior Associate, Access Planning
Krista is an urban planner with 15 years of experience in transportation planning, program management, and project sponsorship. She has a passion for strengthening the future of cities through strategic planning and collaboration. Krista brings experience working in both the public and private sectors in Canada and the USA, working in dynamic environments with airports, major employers, and transit authorities throughout North America. Krista has leveraged her experience in working in transportation planning, sustainability, and infrastructure development to navigate working in multidisciplinary and complex stakeholder contexts. Krista holds a Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning from Toronto Metropolitan University and a Master of Science in Sustainability Management from Columbia University.
Senior Director of Sustainability, Suffolk Construction
Steven is the Senior Director of Sustainability at Suffolk Construction, a top 10 Green Contractor in the United States with over 2,500 employees.
Over 15 years, Steven has guided the sustainability process on over 30 million square feet of projects across many different building types and sizes, and he is the only sustainability professional in the construction industry who has a collection of sustainability credentials that he holds.
He has a Master of Science in Sustainability Management from Columbia University (SUMA Graduate Class of May 2013), and he blends business and science to specialize in sustainability, resiliency, and health and wellness strategies for the built environment.
Founder and CEO, USL Technology
Fatou Jabbie is a visionary entrepreneur and engineer transforming the built environment through innovative energy efficiency solutions. As Founder and CEO of USL Technology Inc. (USLT), she leads a mission-driven sustainability and engineering firm specializing in compliance-focused energy audits, retro-commissioning, and strategic consulting. USLT’s expertise spans Local Law 87 and 97 compliance, LEED v4 documentation, and integrated building performance strategies—serving both public and private sectors with precision and purpose.
Fatou’s journey—from data center network engineer to sustainability pioneer—reflects a rare blend of technical mastery, strategic foresight, and mission-driven leadership. Over the past decade, she has advanced energy code compliance and reduced environmental impact, notably through her work with the MTA’s Construction and Development team. As a sub-consultant on the NYC Accelerator Program (2018–2022), USLT guided building owners in improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. The program engaged 27,919 buildings from the Local Law 97 Covered Buildings List and helped shape the second set of rules released by the NYC Department of Buildings in December 2023.
Under Fatou’s leadership, USLT has forged strategic partnerships with industry leaders and academic institutions, leveraging smart building technologies to enhance energy performance, occupant comfort, and sustainability. These collaborations accelerate the adoption of energy transition technologies through joint research, innovation, and knowledge exchange—bridging academia, industry, and economic development.
Expanding beyond local impact, Fatou is now extending USLT’s mission globally. Her current initiative in The Gambia focuses on sustainable development within the tourism and hospitality sectors, advocating for equity, inclusion, and long-term resilience. This early-phase effort reflects her commitment to legacy-building and global stewardship.
This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required and is open until Monday, October 13, 2025.
For in-person attendees, a QR code will be emailed to your email address the day before the event, which will grant you access to the Morningside Campus, where the workshop will take place. Please note that in-person seating is limited.
For virtual attendees, the Zoom link will be emailed to your email address on the day of the event.
For more information, please contact the event organizer, Cindy Ip, at ci2188@columbia.edu
To obtain additional information about program offerings at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies, please contact an Admissions Counselor at inquire@sps.columbia.edu.
If you require closed captioning, sign-language interpretation, or any other disability accommodations, please contact Disability Services, disability@columbia.edu, at least 10 days in advance.
Please visit Columbia University’s Hub for Emergency Preparedness (https://preparedness.columbia.edu/) to stay up to date on the latest campus health and safety policies.
Time: 8:10-9:30 pm EDT
Free!
Detailed information and discussion of the event.