ALUMNI

2024 SXSW Innovation Awards Finalists Announced.
The 2024 SXSW Innovation Awards feature over 50 finalists, including an EV-charging platform co-founded by SUMA alumni Jeff Prosserman and Luke Mairo, recognized in the Urban Design category. This platform, alongside innovations in AI and Health & Biotech, highlights visionary ideas shaping the future. Finalists, selected by industry leaders, will be honored on March 11.

Dr. Bobuchi Ken-Opurum ('18) is making clean energy more affordable for families in Texas.

Chak Cherdsatirkul, one of the first graduates of Columbia University's Sustainability Management (SUMA) program, reflects on his journey since completing the program in 2011. He shares updates on his award-winning plans to establish a bird sanctuary in Chiang Mai, Thailand, as well as his other ventures, including the development of a sustainable tourism resort and an environmental book series for children. According to Chak, the SUMA program shaped his career aspirations and gave him the practical skills for realizing ambitious projects.

Marly Isler, a Columbia Sustainability Management alumna, shares her journey from managing sustainability at a law firm to leading ESG strategy at Johnson & Johnson. Reflecting on her time at Columbia, she discusses the program’s influence on her work, her commitment to environmental justice, and advice for aspiring sustainability leaders.

Aditi Desai is currently the Director of Partnerships at Voltpost, a company she helped to start with fellow SUMA alums Jeff Prosserman and Luke Mairo while still a student. Voltpost works to retrofit lamp posts into electric vehicle charging stations managed by a mobile application — a solution they hope will accelerate electric vehicle (EV) adoption by providing cities with scalable curbside charging for drivers.