What are the career opportunities in business and environment? In Summer 2024, over 100 MBA students found internships at the intersection of business and the environment. This post provides a sample of some of the types of companies that students worked at this summer as well as their roles before joining HBS.
Brett Atkinson (MBA 2025, Section H), Summer Internship: Business Development Intern, Lithios, Inc
Lithios is a venture-backed start-up commercializing a new electrochemical platform for producing sustainable, low-cost lithium from vast untapped resources. By using no chemical reagents and far less power and fresh water than other methods of extraction, Lithios is unlocking a responsible, domestic supply chain of one of the most critical raw materials for the energy transition. Brett's role prior to HBS was an Engineer & Designer at Ford Motor Company.
Mike Finocchio (MBA 2025, Section F), Summer Internship: Supply Chain Intern, Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS)
The world needs a fundamentally new source of clean energy to meet our growing energy demands and combat climate change. Scientists have been studying fusion for decades and have made significant progress, but have yet to achieve its potential as a commercial power source. However, its promise has continued to drive interest with the understanding that successfully deployed fusion power would transform the world’s energy landscape. Commonwealth Fusion Systems has assembled a world class team and developed a collaborative approach to commercialize fusion energy on the fastest track possible to mitigate climate change. Mike's role prior to HBS was a U.S. Army Aviation Officer and Helicopter Pilot.
Ines Gurmendi (MBA 2025, Section D), Summer Internship: Corporate Development, NextEra Energy
NextEra Energy is one of the largest and most innovative clean energy companies in the world. Headquartered in Florida, NextEra operates primarily through its subsidiaries, including Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) and NextEra Energy Resources. The company is a leader in renewable energy, particularly in wind and solar power generation and is committed to driving the transition to a decarbonized energy future. As one of the top five largest capital deployers in the U.S., NextEra has been a driving force behind significant investments in clean energy infrastructure. Their strategic focus and growth have led to their trajectory of becoming the largest utility by market cap in the U.S., underscoring their influence and leadership in the energy sector. Ines's role prior to HBS was Corporate Business Strategy at Mercado Libre (E-commerce & Fintech Company in LatAm).
Max Israelit (MBA 2025, Section H), Summer Internship: Summer Project Manager, E-liability Institute
The E-liability Institute is a not-for-profit organization founded by two HBS professors that are reshaping carbon accounting standards. Their methodology applies traditional financial accounting practices to greenhouse gas reporting and requires emissions be allocated to products rather than simply reported at an organizational level. This approach is specifically designed to track the carbon released as products move through the value chain, a critical feature as indirect (including purchased) emissions make up more than 75% of the average company's footprint. Their accounting standard has already enabled organizations to develop deep insights into their environmental impacts and will be of critical importance as countries implement Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms to tax imported products' embodied emissions. Max's role prior to HBS was Manager of Analytics, Environmental Markets at 3Degrees.
Ian Kuhlenthal (MBA 2025, Section E), Summer Internship: Commercial lead, Ammobia
Ammobia is developing a new technology to produce ammonia at lower pressure and temperature, enabling a flexible process best suited to synthesize cost effective clean ammonia with renewable energy for fertilizers, maritime fuel or as an energy carrier. Ian's roles prior to HBS were Business Development at Walmart and Management Consulting at Bain & Company.
Eli Litchman (MBA 2025, Section A), Summer Internship: Summer Associate, Clean Energy Ventures
Clean Energy Ventures is a venture capital firm focused on investing in early-stage companies in the climate space. Their thesis requires each investment have the potential to mitigate >2.5 GT of carbon (or equivalent) emissions cumulatively by 2050. Eli's role prior to HBS was Sustainability & Technology Collaboration Engineer at Pratt & Whitney.
Luca Mantovani (MBA 2025, Section J), Summer Internship: Business Operations, Antora Energy
Antora Energy is a Series B California-based startup that develops modular thermal batteries, which convert low-cost renewable electricity into reliable, zero-emissions heat and power for industrial applications. Their innovative technology utilizes solid carbon blocks heated to high temperatures, enabling the storage of energy that can be dispatched as needed, thus helping industries transition away from fossil fuels while reducing carbon emissions. Luca's role prior to HBS was a Project Leader for the development of driving assistance systems at Italdesign, an Audi-group company.
Diana Mongare (MBA 2025, Section C), Summer Internship: Summer Investment Associate, Decarbonization Partners
Decarbonization Partners is a BlackRock and Temasek joint venture that will invest in the next generation of innovative decarbonization solutions and businesses to accelerate global efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Decarbonization Partners are late-stage venture / early growth investors looking for opportunities in CCUS, Advanced Mobility, Bio and Low Carbon Products, Clean Energy, Carbon Management, and the Digital Transformation. Diana's role prior to HBS was Early Stage VC at Future Africa, in Nairobi Kenya.
Faisal Olanipekun (MBA 2025, Section J), Summer Internship: MBA Investment Associate Intern, Segue Sustainable Infrastructure
Segue Sustainable Infrastructure is a principal investment firm providing development capital to renewable energy projects and the infrastructure enabling them, hence accelerating pace of transition to renewable energy. To date, Segue has over $250M in AuM and 125+ projects totaling ~4GW solar and ~6.5GW battery capacity across all major energy markets in the United States and Ontario, Canada. Faisal's role prior to HBS was Associate Principal at CrossBoundary Mini-grid Innovation Lab.
Anish Subramanian (MBA 2025, Section E), Summer Internship: Strategy & Business Operations Intern, Tesla, Inc.
Tesla’s mission is to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy. A key part of this effort is increasing electric vehicle adoption by providing fast, convenient, and accessible charging solutions. As a member of the Supercharger team, Anish contributed to Tesla’s global charging network, which holds over 80% market share in North America and a significant presence in EMEA and APAC. The team’s goal is to expand and optimize charging infrastructure, making clean transportation more viable and affordable for both Tesla drivers and users of the North American charging standard. Anish's role prior to HBS was Project & Product Portfolio Management at Mercedes-Benz AG.
Kate Swain-Smith (MBA 2025, Section I), Summer Internship: Growth and Strategy Intern to the Co-Founders, KEY ESG
KEY ESG is a pre-seed software startup (founded by two HBS grads) focused on solving the inefficiency and inaccuracy of ESG management processes for investors and companies. Their platform enables integrated reporting of climate, carbon, and other ESG related data and enables companies and investors to drive sustainable business practices. Kate's role prior to HBS was Advisor to the Secretary at the US Department of Labor.
Lia Turrini (MBA 2025, Section B), Summer Internship: Summer Associate, Clean Energy Ventures
CEV is a venture capital firm invest in early-stage startups commercializing disruptive energy technologies and business model innovation with the potential to mitigate >2.5 GT of carbon emissions by 2050. Lia's role prior to HBS was Energy Transition Geoscientist & Project Manager at Shell.
Tom Walkinshaw (MBA 2025, Section E), Summer Internship: Venture Fellow, Gigascale Capital
Gigascale Capital is a venture capital firm that invests in and supports the growth of early-stage climate tech startups. Gigascale’s portfolio companies are replacing fossil fuels, cleaning up the atmosphere, and modernizing massive sectors such as power, steel, cement, food, and more. Tom's role prior to HBS was a Procurement Engineering Manager at Invenergy.
Carina Young (MBA 2025, Section A), Summer Internship: Strategy Consultant, FoodCloud, a food redistribution nonprofit
40% of all food is wasted, contributing to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions while almost 800M people are experiencing food poverty – FoodCloud is using surplus food to build a more equitable, inclusive, and circular food system by feeding those in need. Carina's role prior to HBS was Brand Manager at Little Leaf Farms, an indoor agriculture startup.