The Women in Energy initiative at the Center on Global Energy Policy, Columbia University SIPA, hosted an event titled “Financing the Energy Transition”. The event was intended to facilitate a deeper understanding of energy finance, the professional opportunities available in that space, and how to access those opportunities. 

The main questions and takeaways from the event are as follows:

How do you prepare for the recruitment process?

• Reach out to former employees of the organization, who can provide insights on the interview process, the company’s culture, and expectations around the hiring process.  
• The recruitment process often involves a series of stages designed to assess both technical and interpersonal skills:
  • Personality Interview: Focused on understanding motivations, work style, and cultural fit.
  • Modeling Test: Designed to assess financial modeling skills.
  • Case Study: Designed to assess problem-solving, analytical, and presentation skills through a real-world financial scenario.
  • Interviews with Senior Professionals:  Intended to assess deeper knowledge of energy finance as well as strategic and long-term thinking.

What are the key skills that early professionals in the energy finance space should focus on?

Hard Skills:

• Financial Modeling: building and evaluating financial models, especially in relation to risk-return assessments in energy projects.
• Quantitative Analysis: Strong analytical skills to assess data and trends that impact investment and project decisions in the energy space.
• Risk Management: Assessing, mitigating, and managing risks associated with energy finance.
• Risk and Return Analysis: Ability to analyze investments from a risk-return perspective.
• Industry Knowledge: Staying updated with the latest trends, technologies, and policies in energy finance by reading industry publications and newsletters, as well as attending relevant events.

Soft Skills:

• Open-Mindedness: Approaching problems from different angles and considering a variety of perspectives.
• Humility: Acknowledging what you don’t know and being open to learning is essential.
• Willingness to Learn: Openness to learning and adapting to new trends, technologies, and regulations in a fast-moving field.
• Growth Mindset: Willingness to adapt to new challenges, such as changes in the market or new regulations affecting the energy industry.

Advice for people transitioning into energy finance from different sectors

For individuals without financial experience, the key is to:

• Leverage Transferable Skills: Many skills from other sectors (e.g., policy, law, or engineering) can be applied in energy finance, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and project management.
• Demonstrate Adaptability: Showing potential employers that you can quickly learn new concepts and apply them to the specific needs of the energy sector.
• Ask Questions and Be Curious: eProactively seeking knowledge and demonstrating a willingness to learn.

What makes recruiting in the energy finance space unique?

• Multidisciplinary Nature: Roles often require a blend of skills, such as private capital, investment, fundraising, capital markets, and an understanding of energy systems.
• Diverse Roles: The energy sector encompasses many different roles, so understanding where your skills fit best is crucial.
• Stakeholder Management: It’s essential to understand how different stakeholders (investors, governments, regulators, companies) interact with each other and how those dynamics influence investment decisions.

What are the best ways to ensure a recruiter sees your profile?

• Tailor Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile: These should reflect the specific role and be easy to read and keyword-optimized.
• Leverage Networking: Most job placements in the energy sector come through referrals. Build strong relationships with professionals in the field.
• Stand Out with Initiative: Going the extra mile to connect with recruiters (e.g., reaching out proactively or networking through events).

How should early professionals explore and choose different roles in the energy finance space?

• Apply Widely: Don’t be afraid to apply for a variety of roles across different companies and sectors within energy finance.  Job postings can be found through LinkedIn, Indeed, and company websites. 
• Use Networking: Networking can help uncover opportunities that may not be publicly posted. Engage in coffee chats and seek informational interviews with professionals already working in the field.
• Ask the Right Questions: When networking or interviewing, ask about what the company’s culture is like and whether the role will provide the kind of experience you need for career growth.

Join us for a virtual information session focused on career pathways at the United Nations, one of the world’s leading international organizations dedicated to promoting peace, human rights, and sustainable development.

This event is presented in partnership with the DMUN Foundation and will feature a DMUN representative, Alexa Dominique Pascual, alongside a Human Resources specialist from the United Nations, Mahmoud Almasri. Together, they will provide an overview of the UN’s mission, structure, and recruitment process, with a particular emphasis on current and upcoming employment opportunities.

Attendees will gain insights into the skills and qualifications the UN seeks in candidates, strategies for navigating the application process, and what it’s like to build a career in international affairs and global development.

This session is open to students and professionals interested in pursuing impactful careers that support peace, sustainability, and global cooperation.

For more information, please contact energypolicyevents@columbia.edu.

*Registration is closed for this event.

The Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University SIPA’s Women in Energy initiative, in collaboration with the Columbia Policy Institute, invites you to join us for Exploring Energy Careers: Insights and Connections —an evening of conversation and networking that highlights the breadth of opportunities across the energy sector.

The program will open with a panel of speakers whose careers span law, policy, research, engineering, and finance, offering insight into the many ways professionals are shaping the industry’s future. After the panel, attendees will take part in small group discussions to ask questions, hear personal career journeys, and gather practical advice on navigating the field. Whether you are a student, early-career professional, or exploring a career transition, this event will provide valuable connections and perspectives. Join us to learn, engage, and discover the diverse pathways that drive today’s energy landscape.

For more information about the event, please contact energypolicyevents@columbia.edu.

When Nimita Uberoi transitioned from the public to the private sector, she quickly realized that her network and skill set didn’t transfer as seamlessly as she had hoped. “You have to build an entirely new network,” she said. “That’s why this fellowship was so particularly helpful. New people, new skill set, and new industry.”

Nimita is one of 21 early-career professionals selected for the Women in Energy Fellowship, a program led by the Center on Global Energy Policy (CGEP) at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. Directed by Jessica Weis, Program Director of CGEP’s Women in Energy initiative, the fellowship is designed for women with three to eight years of experience in the energy sector. It provides participants with a variety of energy topics, professional skills, and a strong peer network—three pillars essential to advancing in a rapidly evolving industry.

Nimita Uberoi (right), Co-Founder of Giraffe Financial, speaks to the group of fellows.

CGEP launched the program in response to a persistent challenge: while women make up about a third of entry-level energy positions, they account for just 19 percent of executives. Many leave the field before reaching senior leadership roles, creating a loss of talent and perspective at a time when the sector is undergoing profound transformation.

The fellowship is a direct investment in closing that gap. Over several months, participants take part in in-person sessions at CGEP’s New York City offices, featuring deep dives on timely energy topics such as sustainable finance, offshore wind, nuclear energy, and energy equity. They also engage in skill-building workshops on public speaking, negotiation, conflict resolution, and, in a recent session on August 6, 2025, confidence-building.

The confidence session began with reflections on how fellows had approached challenges differently since the last meeting. Ava Ibanez-Amador, Associate Attorney at Earthjustice, shared:

I’ve learned a lot about areas outside my own field. And each time we present, I notice the hesitation fading. This kind of cohort builds you up to do it without thinking twice.

Ava Ibanez-Amador

The session then welcomed guest speaker Dr. Luisa Palacios, Interim Director of Research and Managing Director of Energy Transition Finance at CGEP. With a career spanning leadership in energy companies, finance, and policy—including serving as the first chairwoman of Citgo Petroleum Corporation—Palacios brought decades of insight.

“It became very clear to me that I had to learn and relearn every time I changed jobs,” she told the group. “I thought: I might not be the best person right now, but I will become the person to figure this out.”

Dr. Luisa Palacios, Interim Director of Research and Managing Director of Energy Transition Finance at CGEP

For Carly Ayukawa, Senior Program Manager at Solar One, this perspective was grounding:

We’re so used to US stability, but hearing about volatility abroad put things into perspective. It makes me more confident seeing the longevity that speakers have had in their careers.

Carly Ayukawa presents.

Cheryl Ma, Project Manager for Clean Energy Origination at Walmart, found Palacios’ points on resilience especially relevant:

Policies change, companies change—sometimes overnight. Her message was that it’s your responsibility to work toward the resilience of your organization. That’s something I can take back to my professional life.

Cheryl Ma

For CGEP, the fellowship is an extension of its mission to not only produce evidence-based research but also to shape the future of who leads in energy. The program’s impact is already measurable. In its pilot year, fellows reported a 49% increase in knowledge of energy equity, a 28% increase in professional networks, and a 17% increase in confidence about public speaking. Six months after completing the pilot, 67% reported that they had been promoted or changed jobs—a testament to the fellowship’s tangible career impact. Eighty-five percent said they would recommend the fellowship to a colleague.

By bringing together women from across sectors—utilities, clean energy startups, law, public agencies, and multinational corporations—CGEP is creating a cross-disciplinary community that will remain connected long after the program ends.

As Palacios reminded the group, “The learning process never stops.”

With the skills, knowledge, and networks built at CGEP, these fellows are not just preparing for the next step in their careers: they are shaping the future of the energy sector itself.

Find more information on the Women in Energy Fellowship here.

The Center on Global Energy Policy’s Women in Energy initiative hosted an event at the Pillsbury law firm on November 21, 2024, featuring two panels: women who funded sustainable startups and women founders or early employees of sustainable startups. The event also featured a presentation by three partners at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman (contact Women in Energy at womeninenergy@columbia.edu for a copy of this presentation). 

This first panel featured Sunaina Ocalan, senior director of corporate strategy and climate change at Hess, and Naomi Zimmermann, venture capital analyst at Creadev. Columbia University graduate student Neeti Sabnani served as the moderator.

Some key takeaways from this panel include the following:

• Startups should frame their pitch in terms of the problem they are trying to solve, how their solution is the best, and why they are best poised to solve the problem.
• Pitches should be short and punchy. Your pitch will likely be reviewed by an analyst first, and it should be as easy as possible for the analyst to explain the elevator-style pitch, especially because sustainable startups can be very technical.
• The CEO or founder plays an outsized role in the success of an organization. Founders who are extremely passionate and obsessed with what they do, with conviction behind their ability to produce value, tend to perform better.
• To maximize investors’ potential investment, startups can communicate extensively with investors to share updates and build relationships. Getting an investor involved in your success beyond financial metrics can help them advocate for you.
• Some untapped opportunities in sustainable startups are cold chain management, food waste, sustainable protein, and the decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors.

The second panel featured women who founded or were early employees at sustainable startups. The panelists were Kristy Drutman, co-founder of the Green Jobs Board; Katharine Greco, director of technology at Still Bright; and Alex Goldstein, co-founder and CEO of Bison Fuels. Columbia University PhD candidate Daniela Bushiri served as the moderator.

Some key takeaways from this panel include the following:

• Passion and proof of concept are key to the success of a sustainable startup. 
• A well-aligned and highly skilled team can make or break a startup. Bespoke skill sets, especially those related to project management and data analysis, are an asset.
• A clear narrative articulating the startup’s technical aspects while explaining how the project is a great investment is key.
• While policy can be a bonus for a business, it is important not to depend on policy because it often changes with the political winds. 
• Focus on pain points in an industry when designing your pitch. 
• Adjust your pitch to appeal to different audiences, especially as political and economic climates shift. 
• Work to find mission-aligned investors and build trust with your team and the investors.

This event is at capacity, registration is closed.

In the wake of federal rollbacks, climate professionals are increasingly turning to state and local governments, philanthropy, and the private sector to sustain the progress made. But where exactly is the money flowing—and what does that mean for your career?

The Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University SIPA’s Women in Energy initiative and Pillsbury invite you to join us for Follow the Capital: Investment and Careers in Climate, a timely conversation and networking event that explores the evolving climate funding landscape—and how to navigate it.

This event will focus on two key questions:

1.     Where is climate capital moving under the new administration?

2.     How are those shifts shaping hiring and talent demands across sectors?

Hear from leaders tracking the flow of climate capital—from venture investments to government grants—and learn how these trends are influencing not only what gets funded, but who gets hired. Whether you’re seeking your next job, making investment decisions, or simply trying to stay ahead of the curve, this event will provide actionable insights, meaningful connections, and a sharper understanding of where opportunities are headed in the climate space.

Speakers include:

• Kenan Arkan, Managing Director in Commodities Origination, J.P. Morgan
• Manjot K. Bhatti, Senior Associate, BlackRock
• Jason Bordoff, Founding Director, Center on Global Energy Policy
• Amy Chiang, Chief Sustainability & External Affairs Officer, Topsoe
• Meghan Dougherty, Vice President, Talent & Organizational Development, Constellation
• Ana Paula González, Consultant, Egon Zehnder
• Lillian Kim, Partner, Pillsbury
• Elina Teplinsky, Partner, Pillsbury

The Center on Global Energy Policy’s Women in Energy initiative co-hosted an event with the New York City Economic Development Corporation’s Women NYC program on April 24, 2024, to inform people interested in entering the sustainability field in New York City. The event began with a networking roundtable, where attendees met with sustainability professionals in small groups. Following networking, the New York City Economic Development Corporation presented highlights from New York City’s Green Jobs Action Plan. The program concluded with a panel discussion by sustainability professionals, including Monica Medina, former president and CEO of the Wildlife Conservation Society; Miquela Craytor, vice president at Kearns & West; and Jully Merino Carela, program manager of sustainability and social innovation at IBM. The panel was moderated by Columbia University graduate student Anjaly Ariyanayagam.

Green Jobs Action Plan highlights include the following: 

• Only 2% of venture capital funding goes to women-led firms.
• Despite women comprising 57% of the life sciences workforce, they only receive 2.6% funding. 
• The “green economy” in New York City is already significant, with 133,000 jobs. 
• New York City aims to have 400,000 jobs in the green economy by 2040.
• About 70% of job growth is in occupations that will transition to the green economy. 

Panel highlights include the following: 

• Career changers who want to transition into sustainability are encouraged to emphasize their transferable skills.
  • Transferable skills are skills that can be applied across industry. These skills vary, but examples include communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. 
• Achieving success in sustainability often relies on relationship-building and making connections.
• When people interview for a new job, they are also interviewing the company and should feel confident asking questions to ensure it is a good fit.
• A job can often be a stepping stone to another goal, and certain jobs can serve as strategic career moves. Even if the opportunity is not what is sought right now, it can lead to better things. 
• Candidates should always negotiate salary and benefits. 
• Building relationships with other women in the field and leveraging female-led sectors for resources is essential.
• Many free resources, like IBM SkillsBuild, can help career changers build their skills for career growth or pivot to new industries.  

Join us for a virtual information session focused on career pathways at the World Bank, one of the world’s leading international financial institutions dedicated to poverty reduction and sustainable development. This session will offer an overview of the Bank’s mission, structure, and recruitment process, with a particular emphasis on current and upcoming employment opportunities.

Attendees will hear from representatives from the World Bank’s Human Resources team as well as professionals currently working at the institution. Panelists will share insights into the skills and qualifications the World Bank seeks in candidates, how to navigate the application process, and what it’s like to build a career in global development and finance.

This event is open to students and professionals interested in learning more about impactful careers that support global economic development, sustainability, and energy access.

This event is open to the public and will be hosted via Zoom. The Zoom link will be shared with registered participants prior to the event. Advance registration is required.

This event is open to press, and registration is required to attend. For media inquiries or requests for interviews, please contact Adam Kilduff (ak5351@columbia.edu).

For more information about the event, please contact energypolicyevents@columbia.edu.

On Tuesday, April 29th, Women in Energy hosted Claire Steichen, founder of Clear Strategy Coaching,
 for a virtual roundtable. The session discussed how the fast-evolving energy sector can feel like the ground is shifting beneath you, and how to stabilize your career and reclaim control despite the evolving nature of the industry. 

Please join the Women in Energy initiative at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia SIPA for a public roundtable featuring Claire Steichen, Founder of Clear Strategy Coaching. 

The fast-evolving energy sector can feel like the ground is shifting beneath you. New technologies, market demands, and leadership expectations create a relentless pace of change that’s hard to keep up with. You’re not alone if you feel like you’re constantly reacting rather than driving your career forward.

It’s time to stabilize your career and reclaim control—even in a volatile field, you can create long-term security and thrive.

In this virtual session, you’ll discover:

• How to define your unique impact and consistently staying relevant in a rapidly changing industry.
• A proactive roadmap for career stability, balancing short-term wins with long-term growth.
• Resilience tools to manage overwhelm and focus on what matters most to your success.

Join us to learn how to adapt confidently to change, stay ahead of industry shifts, and build a career that feels stable, even in uncertain times.

About the Facilitator:

Claire Steichen founded Clear Strategy Coaching in 2008 to help ambitious mid-career professionals reach their goals, authentically and without burn-out.  Claire is the author of “Confidence at Work: The High Achiever’s Guide to Navigating Uncertainty”.  Using her I to the 4th Power methodology, Claire has trained hundreds of mid-level and senior professionals in career strategy and leadership development.  Corporate clients have included L’Oreal , Visa, American Express, ESPN, Firmenich, International Flavors & Fragrances, and Omnicom. Claire received her certification through Coach Training Institute and is a Certified Professional Coach with the International Coach Federation

This event is open to the public and will be hosted via Zoom. The Zoom link will be shared with registered participants prior to the event. Advance registration is required. 

This event is open to press, and registration is required to attend. For media inquiries or requests for interviews, please contact Adam Kilduff (ak5351@columbia.edu).

For more information about the event, please contact energypolicyevents@columbia.edu.