SEI's Climate Corps brings together talented early career professionals (Fellows) and host organizations (Partners) to lead real, positive change in the world. Projects span all facets of climate resilience, including climate equity, environmental justice, corporate sustainability, renewable energy, green infrastructure, facilities, education, conservation, and more.
See below for examples of fellowship scopes across sectors.
See below for examples of fellowship scopes across sectors.
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Pallavi Sherikar
Alameda County General Services Agency Pallavi designed adaptation workshops for departments and agencies within the County to catalyze adaptation implementation, going beyond simply planning for climate change by taking concrete action to protect communities from negative climate impacts. In the first workshop, the Planning Department tackled Extreme Heat and Heat Islands, exploring built environment strategies to reduce the impact of heat such as cool roofs, cool pavement, and trees/vegetation. With a focus on unincorporated communities with the highest heat vulnerability, the workshop outcomes inform the County's General Plan and Climate Action Plan. In the second workshop, the Public Health Department tackled Poor Air Quality from Wildfire Smoke,. exploring effects of projected increases in heat and wildfire risk on the respiratory health of department’s clients and identified the best ways to communicate with clients when there is poor air quality. After Climate Corps, Pallavi attended Yale University as a Masters of Environmental Management Candidate. |
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Stacey Lee
University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) With a population of over 28,000, UCSF is the second largest generator of waste in San Francisco. UCSF currently diverts 75% of its waste from landfills through a comprehensive recycling, compost, reuse, and e-waste & bulky item collection program. To reach the university's zero waste goal, Stacey designed new recycling, compost, and garbage signage to be used campus-wide; increased recycling & composting capacity on campus by rolling out over 60 recycling bins and 45 compost bins; decreased capacity for trash on campus by removing 108 individual garbage bins; conducted over 40 site visits & assessments; and engaged over 750 UCSF employees, students, & community members. Stacey was hired after her Fellowship at another Climate Corps Partner site, Alameda County, where she supported their environmental waste programs and supervised new Climate Corps Fellows. Izzy Parnell-Wolfe City of San Rafael Izzy's fellowship focused on aiding local community centers and institutions in moving toward zero waste. Her goal was to design and implement a more efficient and uniform recycling system that would be accepted, understood, and properly utilized by office staff, clergy, and custodial staff. She conducted an initial walkthrough to identify problems areas, got buy-in from the executive director and the lead custodian, updated the waste infrastructure, streamlined the custodial bin servicing schedule, and co-facilitated a custodian training. After her Fellowship, she was hired to continue her work at Marin Sanitary Service for several years before she moved on to become the Zero Waste Specialist at University of California, Berkeley. Ricardo Magallon San Francisco International Airport (SFO) Ricardo supported SFO’s Green Business program, aimed at increasing energy and water efficiency, generating cost-savings, reducing waste, and creating a healthier environment for all employed at or traveling through the airport. He focused on SFO’s Zero Solid Waste Plan, examining the current sources of waste generation at SFO and identifying the material handling practices that are used to dispose of Material Solid Waste (MSW) and source-separated recyclable and compostable materials. For his work during his time as a Climate Corps Fellow, Ricardo was honored as one of GreenBiz’s 30 under 30. He was hired on at SFO after his Fellowship and currently works as their Green Operations Specialist. |
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Isaac Knipfing
Contra Costa Community College District Isaac supported the district’s energy efficiency programs across multiple campuses and identified over $50K in savings. He managed the installation of lighting occupancy sensors throughout the district offices, which resulted in a savings to investment ratio of 1.89. He also identified significant savings by researching cell tower payments and uncovering missing utility reimbursements that were due to the district. In addition, Isaac coordinated with campus stakeholders and third-party firms to procure, install, and program occupancy sensors to meet Prop 39 requirements. Ellen Lomonico SunPower Ellen worked on SunPower's Horizons program, linking education and industry to prepare students for careers in STEM. She played a key role in the comprehensive restructuring and rebranding of SunPower’s educational services into one robust deliverable. Ellen educated students about SunPower and the solar industry, coordinated career chats with SunPower employees, and led site tours of the office. She also managed operations for the SunPower Summer Solar Energy Academy, a 5-day work-based learning experience for high school students. In collaborative teams, students constructed a residential solar proposal, culminating in a high-quality presentation. Her key fellowship responsibilities included engaging districts and partners, coordinating field trips & professional visits, supporting teachers, and developing hands-on activities. Ellen was hired at SunPower after her fellowship. Justin Marquez MCE Justin served as a Community Affairs Representative where he supported MCE’s enrollment of new communities in Contra Costa County. He attended community events and gave presentations, coordinated the strategic outreach plan for houses of worship, community-based organizations, and green businesses. He also solicited enrollment into MCE’s Deep Green 100% renewable energy program and built stakeholder relationships with city staff, community, and business leaders. Across the nine new communities in Contra Costa County he enrolled, an estimated 8,282 metric tons of GHG emissions were reduced. Justin was hired at MCE after his fellowship and currently works as a Community Equity Specialist. Natalie StClair Los Angeles Community College District In her fellowship with the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) in the department of Facilities, Planning and Development, Natalie engaged with 800+ Los Angeles City College campus and community members in energy and water education through a series of workshops, tabling events, and media. She facilitated a the three-month competition, over the course of which 11 participating building teams saved 105,795 kWh of electricity, generating $15,509 cost savings and a greenhouse gas emission reduction equivalent of 13 homes’ electricity use per year. |
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Parin Patel
Commute.org Parin led engagement for San Mateo County’s Transportation Demand Management Agency. She engaged with employers and residents through social media, newsletters, tabling events, and emails to encourage green commute alternatives. She also helped plan and facilitate Commute.org’s annual event promoting carpool and vanpool options for employers in partnership with Spare the Air San Mateo County Resource Team. She is now a transportation planner at San Francisco Metropolitan Transportation Agency (SFMTA) Erik Bahnson Santa Rosa Junior College Erik was the campus point-person for handling commuter concerns, while encouraging the school community to embrace low- or no-emission transportation methods. Erik organized a Transportation Fair to raise awareness of alternative commute modes and provided SRJC’s accounting office with discount train passes and carpool parking permits - incentives to reduce campus transportation emissions. He also conducted a survey to collect data on students’ commuting habits and keeps track of the trends in SIMAP, a carbon and nitrogen accounting platform. This work informed policy priorities and transportation action on campus. Erik participated in green policymaking with the Sonoma County Transportation Authority, and joined a coalition of local environmentalist groups to mobilize Sonoma County residents for Strike With Us, a nationwide three-day series of climate strikes commemorating the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Michael Alves Capitol Corridor The Capitol Corridor is an intercity passenger rail system that spans across eight California counties. Michael modernized the rail’s ticket transfer process, reducing cost and paper waste and increasing accessibility and ridership. Because the newly modernized transfer process is ticketless and contactless, it’s proven to be an extremely valuable asset in the time of Covid-19. A previous Capitol Corridor Fellow now manages the agency’s climate action planning, analyzing sea level rise and its effects on public transit. |
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Salote Soqo
Environmental Justice Coalition for Water (EJCW) & Carbon Cycle Institute EJCW’s program addresses the water-related risks that climate change presents to environmental justice communities in the Bay Area. Salote engaged EJCW’s members and allies around water and climate policies, assessed the water-related risks of climate change on environmental justice communities, strengthened relationships between grassroots organizers and researchers, and supported the development of community-based resilience planning. She developed several technical analysis reports and convened three joint outreach meetings in Richmond, Oakland, and San Francisco. After her Fellowship, Salote was hired on at the Environmental Justice Coalition for Water. Mariana Estrada Climate Resolve As the Outreach and Communications Fellow, Mariana engaged with underrepresented communities around climate change, energy efficiency, and water conservation to learn how they are being effected by climate change and ensure access to resources. She researched and compiled a roster of community-oriented events and opportunities for tabling and outreach, and led presentations and webinars for local stakeholders. By connecting communities, organizations, and policymakers, Mariana supported Climate Resolve in developing inclusive initiatives to reduce climate pollution and prepare for climate impacts. Sydney McCotter-Bicknell The Portland African American Leadership Forum (PAALF) Sydney supported the crucial work being done at PAALF to dismantle Portland’s oppressive systems that have resulted in environmental injustices. As part of the Transportation and Energy Subcommittees, she issued briefs for current policies happening on state, regional, and local levels and advanced partnerships with community organizations led by people of color. This included research and policy recommendations on issues such as transportation equity and access. |
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Sarah Grossman-Kahn
Dolores Huerta Elementary School Sarah Grossman Kahn was the Climate Corps Education Outside educator at Dolores Huerta Elementary School. She advanced science education and environmental literacy by bringing student learning to the outdoor classroom and providing outdoor STEAM instruction to over 350 K-5 students. During her term of service, she added a chicken coop to the garden space to enhance her students' connection to nature and taught over 270 class sessions to create an inviting space for her students to begin their journey in environmental stewardship. |
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