Georgetown ESM Alumni Career Stories and Professional Outcomes
How the M.S. in Environment and Sustainabilitiy Management Shapes Early Career Success
The Georgetown M.S. in Environment and Sustainability Management (ESM) blends knowledge in business and science to prepare graduates to bring comprehensive expertise to their work. Early-career professionals enter the market prepared to make the scientific and business case for sustainability. Our graduates enter careers in a variety of industries, including retail, legal, consulting and energy, and solar.
Hear from our alumni, who share more about how their experience in the ESM program and how it has accelerated their careers.
Industry: Solar Company: Standard Solar, a Brookfield Company Job Title: Sustainability Analyst
What impact did the ESM program have on your career?
“The ESM program equipped me with the interdisciplinary expertise to thrive at the intersection of environment, energy, and finance. In my role advancing sustainability in the solar sector, I collaborate with domestic and international partners to deliver decarbonization solutions, protect vulnerable ecosystems, and strengthen the resilience of the electrical grid.”
Consulting/Energy
Emily Javedan (ESM’24)
Industry: Consulting/Energy Company: Guidehouse Job Title: Energy Transformation Consultant II
What impact did the ESM program have on your career?
“The ESM program helped me bridge the gap between science and strategy, blending technical depth with real-world business applications. That interdisciplinary lens has been essential in my work at Guidehouse, where I support clients navigating the complexities of energy transformation.”
What impact did the ESM program have on your career?
“The ESM program was the perfect way for me to kickstart my career in sustainability. With a background in ecology, the coursework complemented my scientific foundation with the business acumen I needed to solve real-world sustainability challenges. The career resources and networking opportunities available to ESM students were also instrumental in helping me land my first role. Thanks to the ESM team, I graduated equipped with professional skills, a strong cohort network, and the interdisciplinary knowledge needed to drive meaningful impact toward a more sustainable future.”
Legal
Juliet Buntuguh (ESM’25)
Industry: Legal Company: Hudson Martin Law Firm Job Title: Paralegal
Describe the best part of your GRA experience.
The ESM program really broadened my perspective on how to analyze and solve problems, particularly in the context of business transactions and sustainability challenges. It also connected me with a strong network, my classmates and the alumni community were incredibly supportive, offering valuable advice and insights during my job search and interview process.
Retail
Fiona Max (ESM’25)
Industry: Retail Company: LVMH funded apparel brand—Dbjourney Job Title: Sustainability Intern for Digital for eCommerce /Recommerce and Design & Development for ESG
Describe the best part of your GRA experience.
“If given the choice to redo this year, I would choose the ESM program again without hesitation. The faculty are among the kindest and most down-to-earth professors I’ve had the privilege to learn from. They empowered me to elevate the sustainability standards I hope to champion in the business world.”
Jamaica Gayle (ESM’25)
Company: Plant Based Products Council Job Title: Senior Director, Sustainability and Environmental Affairs,
What impact did the GRA program have on your career?
“The ESM program was exactly what I needed to grow both professionally and personally—it gave me the opportunity to connect my background in sustainability policy with a deeper understanding of business and science. The interdisciplinary approach helped me fill important knowledge gaps that I had coming into the program, and ultimately helped me find where I wanted my focus to be within sustainability. In my role now, I often work at the intersection of government and industry, and this program gave me the business insights that I needed to navigate that space with more confidence—I think it’s made a real difference in how I approach and advance my work.”
Felipe Villa (ESM’25)
Company: Colombia Green Building Council Job Title: Lead Technical Specialist
What impact did the GRA program have on your career?
“The ESM program gave me the tools to drive impact in the green building sector. I learned how to design and implement sustainability strategies that are both credible and profitable, avoiding greenwashing and aligning with business goals. The program’s foundation in green finance has been critical in helping me identify innovative funding mechanisms for sustainable development. I also use the knowledge I gained in nonfinancial accounting to assess how real estate companies can integrate green buildings into their sustainability reporting and decarbonization plans—an emerging trend shaping the industry. And thanks to the communication and leadership skills I developed, I’m now more effective at making persuasive pitches and engaging stakeholders across the construction and real estate value chain.”
