Meet The 2025 ClimateCAP Fellows: Motivated To Make A Difference

Now entering its third year, the ClimateCAP Fellowship has become a cornerstone for aspiring new leaders in climate-conscious business, especially MBAs.

The Fellowship is a program of a broader ClimateCAP Initiative spearheaded by the Center for Energy, Development, and the Global Environment (EDGE) at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, and it attracts well-qualified candidates from top institutions across the world.

At the start of 2025, the Fellowship welcomed an expanded cohort of 16 Fellows, growing from 12 the previous year. United by a common thread but diverse in their ambitions, the Fellows are using this unique opportunity to set them up for success now and post-grad as they set forth on their journeys to address climate and sustainability challenges.

WHY THESE FELLOWS STUDY CLIMATE CHANGE

Growing up in the Philippines, Gaby Coseteng, who studies at Harvard Business School and graduates in 2026, discovered her passion for climate action through witnessing the devastating effects of coral bleaching on ecosystems and local economies. She shares, “The helplessness of communities to enact environmental change, compounded by the emissions from developed nations ravaging the Global South, is what truly motivates me.” Her dedication stems from seeing firsthand how global systemic issues disproportionately affect vulnerable regions.

For Esa Tilija, her path to the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business deeply intertwines with her connection to nature and cultural identity. Originally from an Indigenous village in Nepal’s Annapurna mountains, she recalls, “From my first falling steps in snow to climbing above the clouds, I find home in the Pacific Northwest.” Esa’s experiences and her culture deeply inform her values. Today, she channels her love for the outdoors and commitment to community into meaningful environmental action.

Growing up in São Paulo, Daniela Narimatsu has experienced the effects of deforestation and urban expansion on what was once a lush, humid environment. A Columbia Business School student graduating in May 2026, she says sometimes her school had to cancel her P.E. classes due to dangerously low humidity levels. As her awareness grows, all-in-all, Daniela says she’s become frustrated by the disconnect between corporate intentions and actions in addressing climate change. “Many companies express interest in reducing their climate impact but are unwilling or unable to invest in real solutions.” This is in part why she decided to pursue an MBA — to drive her to close these gaps.

Divya Agrawal’s upbringing across the U.S., Japan, and India gives her a unique perspective she’s bringing to her studies at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. She says, “I witnessed stark disparities — from rickshaws to bullet trains and tap water to boiled water.” It was these disparities that ignited her passion for tackling global issues, with all demographics in mind.

WHAT DREW THEM TO THIS FELLOWSHIP

Many MBA students are drawn to the ClimateCAP Fellowship because it offers them a chance to deepen their expertise, grow their networks, and focus their energy on solving the climate challenges they care about most.

Chidera Osuji, MBA candidate at UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, brings her passion for sustainability and circularity to the ClimateCAP Fellowship. Inspired by her previous role at SCAPE, where she witnessed the power of thoughtful design to address climate challenges, she saw ClimateCAP as a great opportunity to deepen her expertise and align her MBA journey with her goals. “I’m looking forward to using this platform to develop practical tools that empower consumers to advocate for better products and business practices,” she shares.

Over at Boston University, Ariana Milligan spent six years of her early career uncovering the ways consumers and brands can drive or hinder sustainable purchasing behaviors. As a lifelong lover of design, fashion, and lifestyle, she says, “I found myself particularly drawn to the role of vintage objects, textile recycling, and upcycling.” Recognizing gaps in her climate knowledge, Ariana saw the ClimateCAP Fellowship as a way to expand her understanding and become a lifelong learner in the field.

For David Foye III, graduating from Columbia Business School in May 2025, Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact on his home state of North Carolina was the direct reason for applying to the ClimateCAP Fellowship. Foye’s experience motivated him to join a global community dedicated to combating these types of challenges head-on. “Witnessing the destruction of places tied to my childhood was a stark reminder of the urgency of addressing climate change,” he says.

Studying at HEC Paris, Hui-Wen Wang brings a unique approach to sustainability by combining her expertise in climate risk with her creative side. During her ClimateCAP Fellowship, she plans to focus on the art and culture sector. Wen believes, “Art has the powerful ability to inspire environmental awareness and action,” and she aims to leverage this potential to engage communities in meaningful climate discussions and practices. Through this niche area, Hui-Wen aims to engage communities in impactful climate discussions and practices.

WHAT THEY’RE MOST EXCITED FOR IN THIS FELLOWSHIP

Each Fellow is looking forward to something different in their journey, whether it’s tackling new challenges, exchanging ideas, or collaborating with like-minded Fellows.

Studying at the MIT Sloan School of Management, Fakhri Guniar is eager to engage with other forward-thinking professionals and peers. “Conversations with forward-thinking professionals and fellows will enable me to explore innovative ways to address climate challenges while creating value for businesses and communities,” says Guniar.

Fellow Jaya Kumari is at London Business School, where she’s excited to collaborate with her peers and exchange ideas. Currently at a European business school, Jaya is especially looking forward to connecting with American fellows who share her enthusiasm for climate action and collective problem-solving. “As a student at a European business school, I’m keen to meet my fellow American peers who are also interested in working in climate,” she shares.

Set to graduate in June 2026, Will Barror at the University of Washington Foster School of Business is thrilled to dive into his climate action project. Choosing to focus on climate risk – an emerging area he sees as a bridge between climate, policy, and capital – Will views the fellowship as an opportunity to explore uncharted territory and learn alongside others working on innovative solutions. “I am most excited to get started with my climate action project. I chose to explore climate risk, an emerging area that I see as a potential throughline for connecting climate, policy, and capital,” he says.

The ClimateCAP Summit, which recently took place in Berkeley, was a standout for Andres Joven, who will graduate from MIT Sloan in 2026. He saw the event as an exciting opportunity to meet other emerging leaders in the climate space and exchange ideas that could inspire impactful change on a global scale.

THIS FELLOWSHIP WILL SET THEM UP FOR SUCCESS

Each of these fellows saw the program as a vital step toward launching impactful and forward-thinking careers in the near future.

Felipe Gatos, originally from São Paulo, Brazil, is using the ClimateCAP Fellowship to prepare for a career in climate finance. Through ClimateCAP, he’s building the skills and connections to rethink investment strategies and fund resilient infrastructure. “Shifting to a low-carbon economy isn’t just about raising more capital — it’s about finding smarter, more effective ways to deploy it,” he says. After graduating from Columbia Business School in Spring 2026, he plans to use financial innovation and climate expertise to drive impactful investments.

For Mary Chen, an HBS Class of 2026 student, the ClimateCAP Fellowship gives her the opportunity to dive deeper into the climate investing space. “I’m hoping my ClimateCAP experience will help me understand the gaps within the climate investing space and how different stakeholders can best work together to support companies innovating within the space,” she shares. Mary is also looking forward to contributing to the fellowship’s legacy by mentoring future fellows.

Becs Richardson, of UCLA Anderson’s Class of 2026, brings a keen focus on technology innovations to the ClimateCAP fellowship. “I plan to leverage my ClimateCAP experience to enhance my breadth of climate knowledge, expand my professional network, and identify niche areas of interest within the climate sector.” She says that this foundation, paired with her MBA education, will set her up for success with a forward-thinking career in the fast-paced climate technology field.

Honing his passion for ecosystem restoration and nature-based climate solutions, John Wells from UC Berkeley says the ClimateCAP has been pivotal for him. “I’m most interested in the acceleration of high-quality nature-based solutions to climate change, with a particular focus on the financing and development of ecosystem restoration projects,” he says. By connecting with like-minded peers, John says he is building the expertise needed to preserve natural capital and the environment which will support him tremendously into the future.

DON’T MISS FIRST CLASS OF ABANA FELLOWS: BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN THE U.S. AND MENA REGION AND ATTENTION UNDERGRADS: COMPETITION SEEKS ‘BUSINESS AS A FORCE FOR GOOD’ PROJECTS