Colorado State University

Meredith is from Ann Arbor, Michigan and earned a degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Michigan. A CDC internship and another with a supportive housing non-profit organization in Detroit heightened Meredith’s passion for creating a more socially and environmentally just world. After college, Meredith served as an AmeriCorps VISTA, working for the City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department.

Most recently, Meredith has managed Garfield County Outdoors, which is part of the statewide Generation Wild initiative to break down barriers to outdoor access and connect more youth to nature. Meredith loves all things outside,  volunteering, questioning the world and trying to find ways to make it better.

Montanya Distillers Fellowship Q&A

About Montanya Distillers: Montanya Distillers is an American Craft Rum Distillery located deep in the Rocky Mountains in the town of Crested Butte. The company aims to maintain and increase its commitment to social and environmental sustainability as it navigates continued growth.

Q: What are you most looking forward to about your fellowship? 

I am excited to be a part of a business that wholeheartedly believes in, and actively contributes to, creating a better world for all humans and the environment. My position with Montanya Distillers will be entirely new to me, industry and function-wise. However, all of my work has focused on trying to make things better on an individual and systems level and I look forward to continuing this mission. At Montanya Distillers, I’ll be working to create and implement a system that will track compliance with environmental policies, measure environmental impacts and document employee participation. I am eager to learn firsthand how corporate social and environmental responsibility can be the foundational heartbeat for all businesses in the future. Also, I am pretty excited to work at a distillery in a beautiful corner of Colorado. Good spirits all around!

Q: Why did you decide to pursue the Impact MBA? 

I was running into limitations after my undergraduate degree and primarily working with non-profit organizations. I realized that the best next step in serving others and creating lasting positive change required an advanced degree. Researching programs, I realized that the Impact MBA would be an ideal blend of familiarity and challenge – combining my social and environmental background with new tools and knowledge to truly create sustainable change through business. Corporate sustainability professionals are able to view challenges in nuanced ways as well as seek out win-win opportunities that can advance a business socially and environmentally all while making a profit. Figuring out how to use profit (and be profitable) to protect people and the planet aligns well with my life’s purpose: to ensure that everyone has opportunities to live their best life, know that they matter and are valued and to use my privilege to speak up for those who have been systemically prevented from speaking up for themselves.

Q: What type of work do you want to do after graduating? 

I hope to be known as “The Professional Lorax.” I would like to be in a position that speaks for the trees (and the people) who are not represented but who will be impacted by a company’s decisions. I aspire to shape the trajectory of a company that prioritizes environmental efficiency, social sustainability and community impact in its daily operations. I hope to leverage the influence and ability of a large company to create positive change throughout all levels of the organization, supply chain and community commitment.

Dylan graduated from Warren Wilson College with a Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Sustainable Forestry and a Minor in Fine Art. He held many different jobs after graduating including arborist, climbing guide and bicycle mechanic. After several years of seasonal jobs, Dylan found employment with the Colorado Outward Bound School in Leadville, Colorado. There he led multi-week backcountry expeditions focusing on communication, character development and leadership. He went on to work as a program administrator, training staff and overseeing expeditions. Dylan’s goal is to combine the interpersonal skills learned during his time in outdoor education with new knowledge from the Impact MBA to create socially and environmentally conscious enterprises.

Leprino Foods Fellowship Q&A

About Leprino Foods: Leprino Foods is headquartered in Denver and is in the world’s #1 producer of mozzarella cheese. The company has more than 4,000 employees worldwide and maintains a strong commitment to responsible supply chain practices, environmental stewardship and has committed to carbon neutrality by 2050.

Q: What will you be doing with Leprino Foods? 

My fellowship project will focus on true cost accounting for water and energy use throughout their manufacturing process and comparing those costs with the value they add. I love thinking about the way human processes interact with natural systems, and then from there thinking about ways we can minimize impact on the natural world.

Q: What drew you to the Impact MBA program? 

For someone who’s trying to make a career shift, the curriculum is accessible. At the start of each course they will instruct you as if you’ve never had a business courses, which is great for me because I’ve never had a business course. That being said, the professors hold you to a very high standard and expect good quality work. The program is set up in a way, especially with fellowships offering hands-on experience, that makes a career shift manageable. The wide range of experience and the type of person this program attracts has also been really impactful and I’ve learned a lot from my other students in my cohort.

Sarah Roeder

Sarah graduated with a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from Baylor University. During her studies, she took courses such as Sustainable Engineering and Ethics for International Service that fueled her passions for environmental and social issues. As a student she gained internship experience with Toyota.

After graduating Sarah went to work for a global manufacturing company in Boulder, Colorado where she learned product marketing and project management skills. She also had the opportunity to work in operations in Suzhou, China where she gained continued experience. In her free time Sarah loves to hike, cook, and read.

Lightning eMotors Fellowship Q&A

About Lightning eMotors: Businesses have a major role to play in the push toward developing a carbon-neutral transportation infrastructure. Lightning eMotors is helping organizations adapt by modifying existing gas and diesel commercial vehicles to run on electric power, lowering the barrier to entry for operating a zero-emission vehicle fleet. The company’s production is expected to reach 20,000 medium duty commercial electric vehicles by 2025.

Q: What do you hope to gain from your experience working with Lightning eMotors?

I’m excited to gain more experience in the automotive industry and narrow in on alternative vehicles. Lightning eMotors is expected to grow extremely fast, and I’m excited to jump into that environment and hit the ground running. I’ve always been super interested in alternative vehicles, and I’m grateful for this opportunity.

Q: What drew you to the Impact MBA Corporate Sustainability track to begin with?

After working in the corporate world, I’ve seen that major companies have huge potential to combat climate change. As more companies realize the diverse benefits of sustainability, corporate sustainability professionals will be more in demand. I am passionate about people, the planet and making profits, and this program provides me with the skills to affect the corporate world for the better. I’ve also been impressed by the faculty and staff that make this program possible. It’s been a fantastic experience to be a part of this cohort and learn from everyone.