Alumni
Kaddu Kiwe Sebunya F02 - Solimar International, Uganda
With concentrations in Law and Development and International Environmental and Natural Resource Policy at Fletcher, it is clear how Kaddu’s studies have built a strong foundation for his professional experience. “I apply this knowledge when exploring and developing innovative mechanisms for improved conservation in Africa that link biodiversity protection and management to economic incentives for stakeholder populations” says Kaddu.
Currently, Kaddu is the Chief of Party for a USAID program in Uganda, his native country. The program is implemented by Solimar International, a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Alliance (GSTA). Using his experience in Law, Development, and Environmental Policy, Kaddu leads the program’s objectives in reducing conflicts between communities and protected areas as well as diminishing threats to biodiversity in Uganda. Previously, Kaddu worked with the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), building strategic partnerships and creating innovative opportunities towards development plans in Africa. For more information on Kaddu’s projects visit Solimar International.
Corey O’Hara F08, N ‘08 - Clinton Global Initiative, US
“At Fletcher, I was exposed to a broad understanding of international organizations and customary international law, different theories and tools for international development, and a broad range of content areas that we focus on at CGI.” Now working at the Clinton Global Initiative, Corey manages the “Commitments to Action” portfolio bringing together CEOs, NGOs, heads of state, and philanthropists to discuss global challenges and partner on innovative solutions.
Building on his experience at Fletcher, Corey is leading projects to better the understanding the diverse strategies that NGO’s and corporations use to combat climate change or improve global health. While at Fletcher, he studied International Environment and Resource Policy and International Negotiation and Conflict Resolution. Corey truly took advantage of Fletcher’s interdisciplinary opportunities and acquired another degree in Agriculture, Food, and Environment at the Friedman School of Nutrition. “My focus,” explains Corey, “if I can be said to have one, was the intersection between environment, development, and the food we eat.”
Caleb McClennen F04 - Wildlife Conservation Society
Caleb currently oversees the Wildlife Conservation Society’s (WCS) marine conservation efforts primarily in ten coral reef seascapes in Belize, Kenya, Madagascar, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Fiji and two oceanic seascapes off the Congo Basin Coast and Southwest Atlantic.
While at Fletcher, Caleb pursued a degree in International Environmental Policy and Development Economics. His Masters research investigated the changing sustainability of Shrimp Farming in coastal communities of Latin America including field research in Mexico, Ecuador and Peru. His doctoral studies utilized Environmental Economics to conduct an ecosystem services estimation and econometric evaluation of the environmental costs of coastal urbanization in the coral atolls of the Marshall Islands in the central western Pacific Ocean due to the loss of critical ecosystem services such as coastal protection, reef fisheries and fresh water provision.
According to Caleb, Fletcher provided him with a comprehensive picture and literacy in the range of actors in the international arena, many of which WCS as a large international non-profit engage with on a regular basis. “It was an exceptional education for the international environmental field, where I met exceptional people who are now all doing exceptional things!” To learn more about Caleb’s work and about new WCS initiatives, visit http://www.wcs.org/ or wcs.org/marine
Neeraj Doshi F06 - Artha Initiative, India (Listen to interview on NPR "Young Indians Abroad Return to Help Better Country")
While at Fletcher, Neeraj concentrated in International Environment Policy and Development Economics. “I think the best thing at Fletcher was its true international nature. Interaction with my friends was a huge learning and humbling experience; in this milieu, I realized, whatever one said could be wrong, as experiences are very contextual and culture specific. This learning still helps me in my job as India, though a country, is a microcosm of the world with incredible diversity.”
Neeraj is now working with Artha Initiative, a social and environmental investment fund, in New Delhi. Artha focuses on enabling the poor and marginalized to help serve themselves and their environment by supporting social enterprise, entrepreneurship, and the growth that comes from building social capital around empowered people.
According to Neeraj, the best part of his job is “meeting with extraordinary people developing extraordinary solutions. For instance, I bumped into this entrepreneur who has developed a beautiful product that channels sunlight minus heat to light the interiors for commercial, institutional and residential buildings. The simplicity of the product and its huge application could only come from who know the local conditions better. With 300 days of clear sunshine and rapidly grown economy, this solution provides a ray of hope. What struck me most was the behavior changing potential of this innovation. My takeaway: think local act local.”
Greg Unruh F99 - Thunderbird School of Global Management, US
“In order to understand and devise solutions to the world's pressing sustainability challenges, you need to bring together economics, policy, technology, global studies and business. Fletcher was one of the only places in the world where this combination was possible.”
Today, Greg is the Director of the Lincoln Center for Ethics at Thunderbird School of Global Management where he teaches and researches business innovation and sustainability. His most recent work "Earth, Inc." will be published by Harvard Business Press on Earth Day - April 22, 2010. The book lays out a sustainability strategy for business based on the only model of a sustainable production system we have: the Earth's biosphere.
While at Fletcher as a doctoral student, Greg studied international technology and sustainability policies. It is easy to see how he has applied the interdisciplinarity of his studies in his professional career thereafter. “Both the practical opportunities, like engaging with diplomats negotiating the Kyoto Climate Change treaty, and the academic training provided the foundation I needed to both research global sustainability issues, and more importantly, devise solutions.”