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Senior Associate, RMI

Jackie Lombardi was curious about sustainability and ethics when she started at Leeds. By the time she graduated, her curiosity had transformed into a passion to make a positive change in the world. 

While pursuing an emphasis in Operations Management, one of her classes, Sustainable Operations, became a transformative experience that defined her career. Looking for ways to pursue her passion for sustainability, Jackie decided to join the CESR Fellows at the Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility (CESR), becoming the president of the program in her senior year. She treasured working within a community of individuals with similar values and forging connections with mentors who could help her navigate her career journey.

"There are so many resources offered at Leeds, both within and beyond the community. I really benefited from taking advantage of those valuable opportunities,” she says.

Her mentors cheered her on academically and encouraged her to take advantage of every opportunity to explore her passion. They also helped her reflect on her values and determine how she wanted to live her life both personally and professionally. With this foundation Jackie carried her desire to make a difference into her career, where she works as a Senior Associate at RMI (formerly the Rocky Mountain Institute), a global nonprofit focused on transforming the global energy system to secure a clean, prosperous, zero-carbon future for all.

As part of the Urban Transformation team, Jackie works directly with cities and local governments on local climate action. She provides technical support to sustainability leaders and staff on topics ranging from renewable energy projects to transportation infrastructure. Currently, she’s working on a federal grant to support historically disadvantaged communities across the country advance local transportation and mobility projects. She still checks in with her mentors, who guide her and share their wisdom to help her do her best work for communities in need. They’ve also helped instill confidence for managing new challenges as she expands her understanding of the industry.

She encourages Leeds students to establish connections along the way who will be a resource long after graduation.

“Whenever I run into a challenge, one of the first things I do is reach out to a peer or an experienced mentor and talk through it. Mentors can help you look at the problem in a way you haven’t considered before.”