Training for the future.

ASC's public engagement trainees have taken their skills and experience gained at ASC to a range of impactful careers. Through our signature ascBoost program and first-hand experience on a wide range of projects, trainees gain a network of support at ASC and beyond.

All public engagement trainees participate in our signature professional development series, ascBoost. These regular training sessions led by our senior staff give trainees the chance to engage with best practices in the the field, share their learning experience, and further explore the range of projects ASC undertakes. Read on for more on trainees' experiences with ASC and where their work has taken them.

Class of 2023

  • Mary Locke

    Climate Strategy

    Mary supported ASC’s work in the energy sector. Mary is a current MPH candidate at Columbia University, where she is focusing on epidemiology through the lens of aging.

    Learn more about mary

  • Yang Chi

    Climate Strategy

    Yang supported ASC's work in climate strategy. She is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in economics, with a minor in statistics, from Hamilton College.

    Learn more about Yang

  • Jaemie Bennett

    Transportation

    Jaemie supported ASC’s work in transportation and civic planning. Master’s degree in Environmental Health Sciences, with a certificate in Climate and Health, from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.

    Learn more about Jaemie

  • Valeria Rivas

    Economic Development

    Valeria holds Bachelor’s degree from Baruch College in International Business with a minor in Marketing and a concentration in Media Coverage of politics and policies. She is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Global Management at ESMT Berlin. Valeria supported ASC’s work on the economic development team.

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Class of 2022

  • Jubayer Ahmed

    Digital

    Jubayer supported ASC's work on the digital team. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor's in Computer Science and working as an intern with the NYC Department of Health.

    Learn more about Jubayer

  • Gennaro Maria Xavier Balzano

    Climate Strategy

    Gennaro supported ASC’s work in the energy sector. He holds a Master’s Degree in Energy and Environmental Policy.

    Learn more about Gennaro

  • Deanna Gardner

    Digital

    Deanna supported ASC’s digital team. She holds a BA in General Assembly and currently works as a Full Stack Engineer Intern.

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  • Patrick Gaughan

    Climate Strategy

    Patrick supported ASC’s energy team. He holds a BS in Environmental Science & Policy and is an EHS Technician at Weill Cornell Medicine.

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  • Laureen Makar

    Digital

    Lauren supported ASC’s digital team. She holds a MS in Urban Policy & Leadership and is currently working with the Fund for the City of New York on the Community Planning Fellowship.

    Learn more about Laureen

  • Olivia Pfetsch

    Digital

    Olivia supported ASC’s digital team. She is currently pursuing a BS in Applied Math at Columbia University.

    Learn more about Olivia

  • Jasmine Wibisono

    Climate Strategy

    Jasmine supported ASC’s energy team. She holds an MS in Climate Science and Policy and is currently a sustainability and climate research and policy analyst for the Food and Agriculture Organization.

    Learn more about Jasmine

  • Yawen Zhang

    Climate Strategy

    Yawen supported ASC’s energy team. She is currently pursuing a BA in Philosophy at Columbia University.

    Learn more about Yawen

Class of 2021

  • Claire Berg

    Transportation

    Claire supported ASC’s transportation team. She is currently working as a Higher Education Coordinator at the Association of American Universities and holds an MA in Public Policy.

    Learn more about Claire

  • Carlos Martinez-Mejia

    Energy Policy & Grants

    Carlos supported ASC’s energy team. He holds a BA in Anthropology and Global Public Heath, Environmental Studies, and is currently working as a health analyst at Phelps & Phillips, LLP.

    Learn more about Carlos

  • Shawn Wallbillich

    Climate Strategy

    Shawn supported ASC’s energy team. He holds an MA in Climate Science & Policy, and is currently a laboratory technician at the New Materials Institute, University of Georgia.

    Learn more about Shawn

  • Kyra Williams

    Digital

    Kyra supported ASC’s digital team. She holds a BA in Digital Communications and Media/Multimedia and is currently a public affairs specialist at DYRS.

    Learn more about Kyra

Class of 2020 and before

  • Jonathan Gerstein

    Digital
    2020

    Jonathan supported ASC’s digital team. He holds a BA in Political Science and Government and is a research assistant on the Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control.

    Learn more about Jonathan

  • Zoe Levitt

    Digital
    2020

    Zoe supported ASC’s digital team. She holds a BS in Marketing & Communication and is currently the supervisor at Little Cupcake Bakeshop.

    Learn more about Zoe

  • Michael Mazzei

    Digital
    2020

    Michael supported ASC’s digital team. He holds an IBBA in Strategic Management & International Business and is currently working as a payment sales analyst at JP Morgan.

    Learn more about Michael

  • John (Jack) Ryan

    Digital
    2019

    John supported ASC’s digital team. He holds a BA from SUNY Oneonta and is currently a senior associate, digital activation at Spark Foundry.

    Learn more about Jack