2025 Graduate Fellows
Dorothy Janick is an MA student in Climate & Society at the Columbia Climate School. Her research interests include environmental geography, food systems, and climate resilience. Prior to graduate school, she worked in sustainable agriculture. As an AC4 fellow with the CRISP network, Dorothy is contributing to a study examining the current state of research on climate overshoot and its social impacts.
Carissa O'Donnell is a graduate student at the Columbia Climate School, pursuing a career at the intersection of public service, climate policy, and the global energy transition. Originally from Larkspur, Colorado, she has lived and worked across the U.S.—from Oregon to Washington, D.C., and now New York City—gaining diverse experiences that shape her approach to environmental and economic challenges.
Carissa earned her B.S. in Environmental Economics and Policy from Oregon State University, where she held leadership roles and began her work in climate and development policy. Her professional experience includes internships with international economic development organizations and the U.S. House of Representatives, where she contributed to legislative initiatives focused on climate resilience and equitable growth.
With a passion for systems thinking and societal wellbeing, Carissa is committed to advancing just responses to climate change. She believes deeply in the power of community impact and the responsibility to use knowledge and skills in service of others.
Alexandra is a graduate student in the MA in Climate and Society program at Columbia University, where she focuses on the intersection of climate justice, environmental law, and public policy. She currently works with ClientEarth as a Policy Research Intern, where she conducts research on regulatory frameworks and public perception related to environmental harm, including greenwashing and misleading energy transitions. Alexandra holds a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies with a minor in Public Policy from the University of California at Berkeley and is committed to using legal and policy tools to hold powerful actors accountable and promote equitable climate action.
Thayer Kennedy is a sustainability professional and a Sustainability Management Master's candidate at Columbia University, set to graduate in December 2025. Thayer's focus is on the built environment with a focus on urban planning and architecture. During her time at Columbia she has worked at Orsted, a global leader in offshore wind power and one of the largest renewable energy companies in the world. Thayer has led various M&A work streams for Orsted, supporting the execution of commercial partnerships and investments.
In the summer of 2025, Thayer participated in Columbia's peace and sustainability field study in Hiroshima and Etajima, Japan. There she studied the intersection of peace and sustainability from survivors of the A Bomb, students from around the world, and various peace, sustainability, and radiation experts with the Network for Education and Research on Peace and Sustainability at Hiroshima University.
Lucia Macagno is working towards her MS in Sustainability Management at the Columbia School of Professional Studies, driven by a passion for nature-based solutions and biodiversity. With experience in non-profit leadership, environmental advocacy, and science communication, she serves as Vice President of Columbia’s Biodiversity Club, where she bridges research and real-world impact. Lucia excels in collaborative settings, applying her skills in stakeholder engagement and project management to advance sustainable change at the intersection of biodiversity and policy.
Born and raised in the Soviet Union, Maya Murad graduated from Lomonosov Moscow State University with an undergraduate degree in Economics. Maya is currently studying at Columbia University's School of Professional Studies, Sustainability Management Program. Having completed a full circle of working in organizations such as the UN World Food Programme and the US Navy, Maya is committed to learning about the peaceful resolution of conflict and international collaborations in sustainable development. Maya is also very keen on wildlife preservation and hunger alleviation causes; thus, Maya volunteered with a marine wildlife preservation organization and hunger prevention programs. Maya Murad hopes to be able to do more of that in the future, and is always grateful to those who do it on a consistent basis.