The actions we all take over
the next ten years will come
with consequences.

Either we begin to restore Earth’s capacity to
support life as we know it,

or we risk global
catastrophe across our ecosystems and
communities.

Time is running out.

Now, we set forth our bold ambitions for a sustainable future

and the actions we will take to realize them.

We call on you
to join us.

Trienens Institute Strategic Plan 2021–2025

Bold

Discovery
Global

Resilience
Aligned in urgent purpose 

for the benefit of all

Skip Introduction >

Every moment
matters

Every action
counts

Emboldened by the global imperative to accelerate a decarbonized future, the Paula M. Trienens Institute for Sustainability and Energy’s strategy builds Northwestern’s capacity for sustainability and energy research, education, and engagement with goals designed for speed, scale, and impact.

The circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic underscore just how critical continuous investment in discovery and education is to our ability to adapt and mitigate worldwide risk, inspiring us to redouble investment in basic science discovery and to envision future climate change solutions beyond the constraints of current knowledge.

Our histories have shown that well-resourced scientific collaboration aligned in urgent purpose can drive transformative technological, political, and socioeconomic change. We now have the responsibility and opportunity to safeguard life on Earth for future generations.

50%

Decade of Consequence

Science unequivocally shows that cutting greenhouse gas emissions in half within the next decade is critical to reaching a global net-zero trajectory by 2050. This is our time to take action to limit global temperature increases to between 1.5ºC and 2.0ºC above pre-industrial levels in alignment with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s call to action.

Total Net
US Emissions
(GtCO₂e)

Bold
discovery

global
reslience

Michael R. Wasielewski

Clare Hamilton Hall Professor of Chemistry
Executive Director (2013-2024)
Director, Center for Molecular Quantum Transduction (CMQT)
Director, Initiative for Quantum Information Research and Engineering (INQUIRE)

As academics and scientists, we measure Earth’s history in intervals marked by major events that leave distinctive fossil and geological records, which typically span from tens of thousands to billions of years.

Standing in stark contrast, the current interval, labeled by some the Anthropocene to reflect the dominant impact of human beings on Earth’s physical, chemical, and biological systems, is most alarmingly characterized by the rate at which human activity has radically altered our planet’s natural climate system.

This indelible human fingerprint reminds us that just as we have been responsible for driving a planetary-scale perturbation that could significantly degrade quality of life for generations to come, we also have the power to change this trajectory.

By leveraging the University’s multidisciplinary assets, the Paula M. Trienens Institute for Sustainability and Energy at Northwestern can meet our planet’s climate and energy challenges on three fronts: collaborative scientific discovery, interdisciplinary and experiential education, and globally engaged partners and alumni.

The Trienens Institute’s 2021-2025 strategic plan—Bold Discovery, Global Resilience—articulates a vision for and a commitment to accelerating the speed, broadening the scale, and deepening the impact of climate and energy solutions worldwide.

We invite you to align with us in urgent purpose as we overcome the hurdles of current knowledge and finite resources and rise to this challenge together.

Michael R. Wasielewski

Clare Hamilton Hall Professor of Chemistry
Executive Director (2013-2024)
Director, Center for Molecular Quantum Transduction (CMQT)
Director, Initiative for Quantum Information Research and Engineering (INQUIRE)

More about the Institute More about our team

Paula M. Trienens Institute for Sustainability and Energy

The Trienens Institute’s mission is to expand the University’s global leadership in sustainability and energy through transformational research, interdisciplinary education, and engagement.

Launched in 2008 as an initiative under the leadership of former Northwestern President Henry S. Bienen and later named a pillar of the University’s We Will strategic plan, the Institute was elevated to institute status in 2011 with the overarching charge to discover, integrate learning and experience, connect with community, and engage with the world. In 2023, Northwestern University received a $25 million grant from the Howard and Paula Trienens Fund to advance global sustainability and energy solutions which renamed the Institute as the Paula M. Trienens Institute for Sustainability and Energy (formerly Institute for Sustainability and Energy at Northwestern).

The Trienens Institute supports the work of Northwestern faculty members and team science research, builds educational value for current students, and forges collaborative networks that include alumni and the broader sustainability and energy community. The Institute also deepens public understanding of scientific and policy issues by continually expanding the reach and impact of our own and partner communications.

In alignment with the University’s commitment to social equity and inclusion, the Trienens Institute examines and supports actions to overcome the pervasive systemic injustices that place a disproportionate share of the economic and environmental burdens of climate change on communities of color and under-resourced regions. Equalizing the impact of sustainability and energy solutions is integral to building resilient communities worldwide.

Trienens Institute Impact

Leadership Team

Our multidisciplinary leadership team includes world-renowned faculty and experts from core disciplines across the University.

2023/11/3sargent970__FitMaxWzk3MCw2NTBd.jpg

Ted Sargent
Co-Executive Director; Lynn Hopton Davis and Greg Davis Professor of Chemistry, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Michael R. Wasielewski
Executive Director (2013-2024); Clare Hamilton Hall Professor of Chemistry; Director, Center for Molecular Quantum Transduction; Director, Initiative for Quantum Information Research and Engineering (INQUIRE)

Ted Sargent is the Lynn Hopton Davis and Greg Davis Professor in the Department of Chemistry and in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Northwestern University.

His publications have been cited over 100,000 times and his 2005 book, The Dance of Molecules: How Nanotechnology is Changing Our Lives, has been translated into five languages. He is founder and CTO of InVisage Technologies. Sargent is a Fellow of: the Royal Society of Canada; the American Association for the Advancement of Science “…for distinguished contributions to the development of solar cells and light sensors based on solution-processed semiconductors;” the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers “… for contributions to colloidal quantum dot optoelectronic devices;” and the Canadian Academy of Engineering for “…ground-breaking research in nanotechnology, applying novel quantum-tuned materials to the realization of full-spectrum solar cells and ultra sensitive light detectors. The impact of his work has been felt in industry through his formation of two start-up companies.”

Michael R. Wasielewski’s research centers on light-driven charge transfer and transport in molecules and materials, photosynthesis, nanoscale materials for solar energy conversion, spin dynamics of multi-spin molecules, quantum information science, and time-resolved optical and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy.

His work has resulted in over 725 publications, with honors and awards that include election to the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences; the Bruker Prize in EPR Spectroscopy; the Josef Michl American Chemical Society Award in Photochemistry; the International EPR Society Silver Medal in Chemistry; the Royal Society of Chemistry Physical Organic Chemistry Award; the Chemical Pioneer Award of the American Institute of Chemists; the Royal Society of Chemistry Environment Prize; the Humboldt Research Award; the Arthur C. Cope Scholar Award of the American Chemical Society; the Porter Medal for Photochemistry; and the James Flack Norris Award in Physical Organic Chemistry of the American Chemical Society.

Demetria Giannisis
Senior Managing Director (2014-2024)

Brad Sageman
Co-Director; Academic Director, Master of Science in Energy and Sustainability;
Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences

Center Directors

Justin M. Notestein
Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering; Director, Center for Catalysis and Surface Science

Executive Council

james Denault in the Nomura Securities Inc. New York Offices 2023/01/DeNaut-J-07-11-C.jpg

James DeNaut (WCAS ’84)
Co-Chair, Executive Council
Trustee at Northwestern University
Senior Advisor, Thurston Group

Michael Cox (SoC ’02)
Co-Chair, Executive Council
President, CFO, BluePath Finance

James DeNaut

Jim is a member of the Northwestern University Board of Trustees and a Senior Advisor at Thurston Group. Before this role, Jim was a Senior Managing Director, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Nomura Securities International, Inc., Asia’s global investment bank. Jim previously served as Head of Investment Banking Americas and Joint Head of International Investment Banking at Nomura. Jim joined Nomura in 2010.

Prior to joining Nomura, Jim was at Deutsche Bank where he held a number of senior positions including Head of Global Banking Americas. He joined Deutsche Bank in 2000 from Morgan Stanley, where he was a Managing Director in the Global Energy Group.

Jim has over thirty years of investment banking experience. He has worked on numerous M&A and financing transactions throughout his career.

Jim graduated with an MBA from Harvard Business School, an MPA from Harvard Kennedy School of Government and a BA from Northwestern University. He is Chairman of Youth About Business (YAB), serves as a Trustee of Northwestern University and is a Board Member of Research Corporation for Scientific Advancement (RSCA).

Michael Cox

In 2012, after a career in investment banking, Michael launched BluePath Finance, which invests in energy efficiency and distributed renewable generation projects. BluePath has invested over $300M in projects across the country through a broad network of partners including national energy services companies and regional mechanical/electrical contractors. Michael’s responsibilities include developing new financing solutions, capital raising, transaction execution and new partner development.

Michael was born and raised in Northwest Illinois and he, his wife, son and two daughters live in California. Michael received his B.S. from Northwestern University and J.D. from the Georgetown School of Law.

Leigh Avsec
Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Affairs, Fortune Brands Innovations

Ken Boyce
Senior Director, Principal Engineering, UL Solutions

Michelle Carr
Chief Executive Officer, Evergreen Climate Innovations

Sunny Elebua
Senior Vice President, Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer, Exelon

Steve Feldman (McC ’92)
Partner, Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP

Georgie Geraghty
Executive Director and Midwest Partner, Illinois at The Nature Conservancy

Amanda Hickman
Honeywell ESS Research Leader, Honeywell UOP

Eric Kanter
Managing Director at Morgan Stanley

Nat Kreamer (SoC ’99)
Chair, AMP Robotics; Founder, Fairtide

Cory Lichtenberger
Vice President, US Strategy and Business Development, Schneider Electric

Mark S. Lillie (McC ’81)
Partner, Kirkland & Ellis LLP (retired); Former Chief Counsel, Federal Highway Administration

Stacy Mahler (KSM ’14)
Head of Sustainability, Siemens Smart Infrastructure US

Anthony Mann (KSM ’86)
President & CEO, E-J Electric Installation Co.

Pin Ni
President, Wanxiang America; Trustee, Northwestern University

Ray O’Connor (KSM ’88)
Partner, Energy Capital Ventures; Managing Director, Samuel A. Ramirez & Co.

Tom O’Flynn (WCAS ’82)
Venture Partner, Energy Impact Partners; Board Director, TransAlta; Lead Operating Director, Dimension Energy (a Partners Group Co.)

Bruce Stephenson (WCAS ’87)
Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy, Leidos

2021–2025

Our strategy

The Trienens Institute’s 2021-2025 strategic plan builds on the University’s fundamental strengths and articulates through the Trienens Institute a new vision built on two complementary pillars.

Climate and Energy Transition

The first pillar encompasses interdisciplinary approaches to understanding climate and carbon cycle dynamics and to developing ecological, technological, economic, and policy solutions for climate adaptation and mitigation. Sample project scopes include climate modeling, decarbonization, sustainable materials & circular economy, sustainability- and energy-related finance & capital markets, and policy & governance.

Resilient Communities

The second pillar encompasses implementation strategies, developed with communities and stakeholders, to address acute and chronic stressors stemming from global sustainability and energy challenges. Investment in these solutions strengthens people and planetary health. Sample project scopes include sustainable development and infrastructure, ecosystems & biodiversity, preparedness & adaptation, climate change & public health, and equity & social justice.

Discovery

Our
Legacy

The
Future

Milan Mrksich

Vice President for Research (2019-2023)
Henry Wade Rogers Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Professor of Chemistry
Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology

Bold scientific exploration is a hallmark of Northwestern’s research enterprise. Our faculty take on humanity’s toughest challenges, working collaboratively across disciplines to create breakthrough solutions—and a better world.

The importance of climate science in the current sociopolitical environment signals an increased appetite for investment across funding agencies. Likewise, opportunities to work with corporate partners to scale up University intellectual property and technologies for sustainability and energy solutions have never been greater.

The Trienens Institute is an exemplar of Northwestern’s research excellence—and of our institutional values. It’s an interdisciplinary knowledge hub that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship to solve society’s most challenging problems.”

The Trienens Institute represents an investment in furthering Northwestern’s eminence. But it’s more than that: Trienens Institute’s work matters for our collective future—as an institution and a society—and epitomizes one way the University fulfills its primary commitment to outstanding research and teaching that promote the public good.

Milan Mrksich

Vice President for Research (2019-2023)
Henry Wade Rogers Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Professor of Chemistry
Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology

The Trienens Institute represents an investment in furthering Northwestern’s eminence. But it’s more than that: Trienens Institute’s work matters for our collective future—as an institution and a society—and epitomizes one way the University fulfills its primary commitment to outstanding research and teaching that promote the public good.

Milan Mrksich

The Trienens Institute is an exemplar of Northwestern’s research excellence—and of our institutional values. It’s an interdisciplinary knowledge hub that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship to solve society’s most challenging problems.”

TOP 10

National research universities, US News and World Report 2023

$1B

Annual sponsored research in fiscal year 2023

84%

Increase in sponsored funding in the past decade

Accelerating Our Global Impact

The Trienens Institute’s science thrusts are determined by faculty research priorities and sponsored research and enabled by Northwestern’s cross-cutting capabilities in economics and business, public health, law, communications, and emerging innovation platforms. Joint research with corporate and non-governmental organizations amplifies the translational impact.

CCSS promotes interdisciplinary research fundamental to the discovery and atomistically-controlled synthesis of catalysts that optimize the sustainability of industrial and consumer goods.

Visit CCSS Online >

Impact Example >

CMQT develops the fundamental scientific understanding needed to carry out quantum-to-quantum transduction (the coherent exchange of information between quantum systems and its essential use for information processing) through a bottom-up synthetic approach, which imparts atomistic precision to quantum systems.

Visit CMQT Online >

Impact Example >

The Trienens Institute provides vital scientific infrastructure to promote discovery in a collaborative environment. Our research facilities set the stage for the learning and innovation that will fuel our future.” Michael R. Wasielewski

Expanding Collaborative Discovery

Trienens Institute-managed labs and core facilities create the dynamic infrastructure and shared resources that enable the work of our centers, programs, and partner research networks.

To meet the diverse needs of educational, governmental, and private-sector research collaborators in sustainability and energy, Flex Lab offers access to a laser lab and basic amenities that can be reconfigured to accommodate the diverse layout and equipment requirements of today’s demanding research.

Visit Flex Lab Online >

The Glovebox Inert Atmosphere (N2) Thin-film Fabrication and Testing core facility supports the future of renewable energy science with equipment for manufacturing and testing thin films of optically and electronically active materials used in next-generation solar cells, LEDs, wearable electronics, and more.

Visit GIANTFab Online >

With a suite of standardized material interface characterization tools, the Reactor Engineering and Catalyst Testing core facility aids investigators in advancing understanding of the surface chemistry of materials and helps users develop expertise in instrumentation, standard practice, and experimental design.

Visit REACT Online >

Ambitious Goals

Discovery

The Trienens Institute will realize our strategic vision for research by building new networks across our stakeholder base of faculty, students, alumni, and partners and by amplifying the power of convergent team science to solve global sustainability and energy challenges.

Secure substantial funding for rapid discovery of scalable solutions

Diversify funding sources for the climate and energy transition research pillar and triple the resource base to $15 million

Establish a foundational program for the resilient communities research pillar with a $5 to $10 million naming opportunity

Provide early-stage research funding and bridge sponsored research funding cycles by replenishing the Trienens Institute’s seed funding program to $20 million

Establish a new Trienens Institute faculty fund

Hire seven to ten new faculty lines over the next decade with joint appointments between the Trienens Institute and other University academic departments by establishing a $30 million endowment

Expand research and teaching communities of practice for sustainability and energy scholarship

Create collaborative coherence around complex research topics

Focus on expanding our resource base and partnerships for work in renewable energy, insurance and financial services, environment and biodiversity, public health, food security, transportation, and sustainable materials and manufacturing

Develop programs, partnerships, and structured alliances with public and private sector stakeholders

Education

Learning
by
Leading

Fulfilling
the
Promise

Kathleen Hagerty

Provost, Northwestern University
First Chicago Professorship in Finance and Professor of Finance, Kellogg School of Management

Northwestern students thrive on tough challenges. They confront Earth’s deadly serious climate and energy challenges daily. Their passion reflects Northwestern’s indomitable spirit—discovery, innovation, and theory applied in practice—to make our world a more resilient, equitable home for all.

Northwestern students thrive on tough challenges…. Their passion reflects Northwestern’s indomitable spirit—discovery, innovation, and theory applied in practice—to make our world a more resilient, equitable home for all.

The Trienens Institute occupies a unique place in the university landscape as the first Northwestern research institute to offer a master’s program. Working across schools and disciplines, the Trienens Institute empowers creative discovery, integrates student learning with experience, connects diverse communities, and engages with the world at large.

Northwestern’s role on the global stage is pivotal. With no time to spare in addressing the climate crisis, the Trienens Institute’s work has become more relevant than ever to preserving Northwestern’s legacy and fulfilling its promise.

Kathleen Hagerty

Provost, Northwestern University
First Chicago Professorship in Finance and Professor of Finance, Kellogg School of Management

The Trienens Institute occupies a unique place in the university landscape as the first Northwestern research institute to offer a master’s program. Working across schools and disciplines, the Trienens Institute empowers creative discovery, integrates student learning with experience, connects diverse communities, and engages with the world at large.

Northwestern’s role on the global stage is pivotal. With no time to spare in addressing the climate crisis, the Trienens Institute’s work has become more relevant than ever to preserving Northwestern’s legacy and fulfilling its promise.

Kathleen Hagerty

Northwestern students thrive on tough challenges…. Their passion reflects Northwestern’s indomitable spirit—discovery, innovation, and theory applied in practice—to make our world a more resilient, equitable home for all.

20+

Majors and minors represented among Trienens Institute Certificate students

1,000+

Northwestern alumni working in sustainability or energy sectors or roles

28

New graduate-level courses created for the MSES degree program

Undergraduate and Graduate Study

The Trienens Institute Undergraduate Certificate curriculum provides a core course of study in sustainability, energy, and climate for thousands of students. Certificate students and faculty represent more than 20 majors and minors across the University’s schools and broad array of degree programs.

The Trienens Institute’s Master of Science in Energy and Sustainability (MSES), a one-year professional degree program, prepares students for careers at the complex intersection of technology, business, and public policy in the energy and sustainability sectors. The program’s hybrid teaching model pairs eminent Northwestern scholars with senior practitioners to ensure students receive relevant, current perspectives on key trends and opportunities.

more about the mses program

Master of Science in Energy and Sustainability

Accelerated learning. Maximized impact.

A 12-credit program, including a consulting capstone project
Ten months to complete, reducing tuition burden and time out of the workforce
MSES Scholars Fund, merit-based grants to recruit and retain top graduate student talent
MSES International Scholars Fund, to lessen the economic burden for students from lower income areas and to ensure diversity of perspective and lived experience
Impact-focused career counseling, personalized for each student

Living the Solution

The Trienens Institute’s expansive array of experiential opportunities exemplifies Northwestern’s “learn by seeing and doing” culture. Generous philanthropy—by the Resnick Family Social Impact Program, Wanxiang America, and others—funds many of these programs and makes possible new projects and engagement opportunities in areas of unmet need.

Study abroad in China, Taiwan, Chile, Germany, or Israel in collaboration with the Global Learning Office and McCormick Global Initiatives
Impact Example>

Entrepreneurship in collaboration with the Office of the Provost and the Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Impact Example>

Extracurricular activities through the rich University ecosystem of student clubs supported by the Trienens Institute formally and informally
Impact Example>

Ambitious Goals

Education

The Trienens Institute’s strategic vision for education keeps Northwestern at the forefront of academic institutions for sustainability, energy, and climate scholarship and makes the University a priority destination for students and faculty alike.

Expand opportunities for climate and energy literacy

Engage Northwestern students across all disciplines by continuing to develop curricula in sustainability, energy, and climate topics

Advocate for a minimum undergraduate academic requirement in Trienens Institute-related areas akin to distribution requirements in other Northwestern schools

Embed experiential and co-curricular programming in our education portfolio

Expand diverse climate and energy learning opportunities, including project-based entrepreneurship and social impact, research, and study abroad

Endow Trienens Institute experiential and co-curricular education programs at a level of $3 million

Lower the cost barrier to education

Expand access to Trienens Institute-managed student financial resources to attract the best undergraduate and graduate talent

Establish a climate corps student fellowships program with priority access for minority and under-resourced student communities with a $3 million endowment

Broaden Northwestern’s sustainability and energy community

Hire seven to ten new faculty lines over the next decade with joint appointments between the Trienens Institute and other academic departments across the University by establishing a $30 million endowment

Expand the full-time master’s cohort and create new program opportunities for executive education and part-time or joint-degree options

Global

Engagement

Engaging
Others

Broadening
Our
Impact

Solving our planet’s climate and energy problems demands broad-based, urgent collaboration across institutions and disciplines worldwide. At the Trienens Institute, developing formal strategic engagements with corporate, civic, and not-for-profit partners is a fundamental operating principle.

Leveraging shared expertise and resources, the Trienens Institute and its partners discover, develop, and deploy sustainability and energy solutions more quickly and with transformative, long-term impact. Working at the crux of innovation and scalability, the Trienens Institute connects partners to the rich ecosystem of intellectual and human capital across Northwestern.

The Trienens Institute is a constant source of engagement opportunities for faculty and students. It connects the Northwestern community to the biggest challenges in sustainability from the global to the local levels.”

Abigail M. Foerstner, Associate Professor; Director, Health, Environment, and Science Specialization, Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications
With the energy landscape evolving faster than ever, Exelon is building relationships with top research centers to create an ecosystem for advancing energy technology and ingenuity. This partnership brings together Exelon’s industry and market expertise with Northwestern’s deep research capabilities.”

Chris M. Crane, President and CEO,
Exelon Corporation (2012-2022)
The partnership between Northwestern and The Nature Conservancy is a natural fit.
Both are science-based, truth-seeking institutions focused on mitigating the effects of climate change and building a path toward a clean energy future.”

Michelle Carr, Illinois State Director,
The Nature Conservancy (2013-2023)
Our work with the Trienens Institute and its partners has given students this extraordinary opportunity not only to learn about the law but also to actually experience it.”

Nancy C. Loeb, Clinical Professor of Law Emerita; Director, Environmental Advocacy Center, Bluhm Legal Clinic, Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law
Global sustainability challenges demand transformative solutions. Our partnership with Northwestern helps us address these challenges head-on. Together we’re developing innovative approaches to environmental disaster management, ecologically sensitive and climate-resilient infrastructure, and conservation planning.”

Kate Newman, Vice President, Sustainable Infrastructure and Public Sector Initiatives, World Wildlife Fund
The Trienens Institute has been instrumental in introducing me to fellow researchers who are all thinking about solutions to the global problem of plastic waste. I appreciate the work the Institute has done in pulling together these sorts of teams.”

Linda J. Broadbelt, Sarah Rebecca Roland Professor; Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering; Senior Associate Dean, McCormick School of Engineering
When we try to think about how to address climate change, the center of gravity has really shifted to the private sector. The challenge for many business leaders is to think through how to integrate climate change considerations into the core of their business. The Trienens Institute is a leader in helping drive those conversations.”

Klaus Weber, Thomas G. Ayers Chair in Energy Resource Management and Professor of Management & Organizations, Kellogg School of Management
Our sustainability mission at Colgate-Palmolive is to create a healthier, more sustainable future for all. Critical to this are innovation and collaboration, such as with the Trienens Institute. Connecting a wide range of industry leaders with the Trienens Institute’s renowned faculty creates an invaluable dynamic to advance our shared global sustainability goals.”

Greg P. Corra, Director of Global Packaging Innovation & Sustainability, Colgate-Palmolive Company

Partnering with Purpose

As a hub of interdisciplinary collaboration across the entire University, the Trienens Institute is uniquely positioned to foster partnerships with leading sustainability and energy organizations and to engage others, including internal stakeholders and members of the general public, in our vision.

Inspiring and Informing Stakeholders

The Trienens Institute’s integrated marketing communications team advances Northwestern’s brand recognition across global sustainability and energy stakeholder groups. This includes elevating a growing body of alumni who have professional roles in sustainability and energy through customized events and outreach.

The Trienens Institute collaborates with schools across Northwestern such as the Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications and the Pritzker School of Law to magnify the impact of scholarship and research that is relevant to the Trienens Institute’s mission.

Through the Ubben Program for Climate and Carbon Science, faculty research explores public climate change opinion formation to understand effective communication about complex scientific topics.

Consistently ranked by Fortune as one of the nation’s top utility companies, Exelon collaborates with Northwestern in research focused on transforming how energy is produced, transmitted, and consumed in the future.

Experts from Northwestern and other academic, civic, NGO, and industrial partners explore the environmental and human implications of plastics, scalable solutions, and the discovery of new sustainable materials.

Read about the Program

The Trienens Institute’s work with these two preeminent conservation leaders has generated a significant portfolio of science and technical research, law and public policy analysis, engagement and communications, and social equity initiatives.

Council members—executives, conservationists, and sustainability leaders representing the full public and private spectrum—advise on strategy, trends, and policy and help bring financial resources to the Institute.

Read about the Executive Council

Transformation through engagement

To support its objective of connecting research and real-world impact, the Trienens Institute collaborates with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) at global and local levels. Here is a snapshot of these efforts.

science and technical Research

Building Materials for Environmental Disaster Reconstruction and Recovery (WWF): Develop a tool that supports environmentally responsible reconstruction following disasters and extreme weather events

Ecosystem Impact Analysis of Infrastructure Expansion in Myanmar and Southeast Asia (WWF): Develop a quantitative procedure to assess the effect of earth-moving operations in natural landscapes and to identify sustainable design alternatives

Global Status of Infrastructure Financing (WWF): Map past and future global infrastructure investments with the goal of encouraging sustainable planning

Gender Equity and Sustainable Construction (WWF): Collaborate on integrating gender considerations into the decision-making process of post-disaster community construction projects in developing countries

Climate Change and Global River Systems (TNC): Study the effects of climate change on global river systems in Colombia

Community-Based Research on Green Infrastructure in Chicago (TNC): Assess communities’ experiences with urban flooding and the value of nature-based infrastructure

Preventing Poaching and Deforestation with Technology (TNC): Test Northwestern University bioacoustic technology aimed at preventing poaching and deforestation

Visiting Scholar Appointments at Northwestern (TNC & WWF): Host visiting scholar appointments for members of both organizations with emphasis on sustainable community resilience, urban biodiversity, and floodplain restoration

Nature’s Impact at the Indian Boundary Prairies (TNC): Measure the environmental impact of urban prairies in Chicago’s southwest neighborhoods

LAW AND PUBLIC
POLICY RESEARCH

Hydroelectric Impacts in Nepal and the Amazon (WWF): Examine hydroelectric power development impacts

Support Solar Energy Development in Cambodia (WWF): Study the legal and technical viability of using floodplains in Cambodia as future sites for large-scale solar energy farms

Disaster Recovery and Asbestos Legal Study in Africa, Latin America, and Asia (WWF): Outline legal avenues for global asbestos remediation in post-disaster environments

Global Plastic Waste Prevention (WWF): Craft model legislation that would create standards, governance processes, incentives, and disincentives to achieve the goal of no additional plastic leakage into nature by 2030

Mainstreaming Natural Capital and Livelihood Planning in the Amazon (WWF): Support compilation of laws and policies related to “mainstreaming” ecosystem and livelihood considerations for infrastructure planning

Disaster Relief in Latin America and the Caribbean (WWF): Examine public policies in Guatemala, Jamaica, and Colombia with a focus on the interaction between environmental laws and disaster risk management

Arctic Wildlife Protection (WWF): Conduct a joint analysis of laws and guidelines that govern the region to protect wildlife from harmful effects of increased underwater industrial activity

Innovative Water Protection Policies in Montana (TNC): Develop legal models for implementing water conservancy districts in the state

Implement Wetlands Permitting Regimes in the Pacific Northwest (TNC): Design public policy structures aimed at implementing effective wetland permitting protocols

Limit Agricultural Runoff in the Mississippi River Basin (TNC): Produce model legislation to prevent agricultural pollution

Protect Groundwater in Minnesota (TNC): Investigate water pollution management policies

Preserve Healthy Watersheds in Colorado (TNC): Revamp the state’s water conservation policies and funding regime

Stakeholder
Engagement

Nature-Based Methods for Flood Mitigation in Thailand and Southeast Asia (WWF): Educate government stakeholders, academics, and NGOs on successful community engagement for nature-based flood management interventions

Global Sand Crisis Symposia (WWF): Explore global sand shortages and study sustainable sand extraction, concrete production, and infrastructure development

TNC Leadership on Trienens Institute Executive Council (TNC): Collaborate with Director of the Illinois Chapter of TNC, as a member of the Trienens Institute’s Executive Council

Plastics, Ecosystems, and Public Health (TNC & WWF): Engage with both organizations in the Program on Plastics, Ecosystems, and Public Health at the Trienens Institute, a multidisciplinary team science initiative

Alumni Leaders and Advocates

Engaged alumni from across all of Northwestern’s schools and programs rank among the Trienens Institute’s greatest sources of collaboration and support. As frontline professionals and industry thought leaders, our network of more than 1,000 leaders and advocates brings new insight and depth of understanding to our ongoing work.

Yuxi Suo (TGS ’18)

Vice President, BlackRock Global Sustainable Investing

Samir Mayekar (WCAS ’06, KSM ’13)

Co-founder, NanoGraf Technologies; Deputy Mayor, City of Chicago

Steve McDougal (KSM ’95)

Co-founder and CEO, 3Degrees

Javier Manzanares (KSM ‘01/KH-02)

Co-Chief Executive Officer, Green Climate DAO

Neha Palmer (KSM ‘07)

CEO, TeraWatt Infrastructure

Danielle Merfeld (TGS ’99)

Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, General Electric Renewable Energy

Liz Georges (Law ’94)

Senior Director, Climate Communications, World Wildlife Fund

Richard Shandross (McC ’79)

Associate Director of Energy, Sustainability, and Infrastructure, Guidehouse

Mark Silberg (WCAS ’14)

Special Advisor, Climate and Energy, Governor Jared Polis

Will Schafer (KSM ’05)

Vice President of International Marketing, Beyond Meat

Karen Zelmar (WCAS ’93)

Senior Vice President, Network Planning, Volta Charging

Matt Price (McC ’01)

President, Activate

Cassi Saari (WCAS ’11)

Natural Areas Project Manager, Chicago Park District

John Romankiewicz (McC ’06)

Senior Analyst, Beyond Coal Campaign, Sierra Club

Tiffany Kwakwa (McC ’16)

Project Manager, US Army Corps of Engineers

Rohan Patel (BSm ’03)

Senior Global Director of Public Policy and Business Development, Tesla

Laura Oakleaf (SPS ’05)

Associate Director, Illinois Solar For All, Elevate Energy

Rob Opsomer (KSM ’13)

Executive Lead for Systemic Initiatives, Ellen MacArthur Foundation

Bryce Meredig (TGS ’12)

Scientific Advisor, Citrine Informatics

Burgess S. Davis (WCAS ‘03)

Vice President, Chief of Staff, Office of CEO, PepsiCo

Joseph LaRusso (TGS ’81, Law ’89)

Energy Efficiency and Distributed Resources Finance Manager, City of Boston Environment Department

Ambitious Goals

Global Engagement

In the years ahead, the Trienens Institute will magnify our reach and effectiveness to promote expansion and optimization in key areas. Our engagement strategy will focus on solutions with the greatest potential impact on combating climate change and ensuring community resilience. By optimizing existing relationships and continuously reassessing partner needs, the Trienens Institute can help minimize duplication and amplify the scale and scope of our efforts.

Expand the expertise and diversity of the Executive Council

Target private- and public-sector organizations involved in the transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient future

Increase representation in key areas, such as renewable energy, insurance and financial services, environment and biodiversity, public health, food security, transportation, and sustainable materials and manufacturing

Deepen engagement with Northwestern alumni to advance our strategy

Leverage alumni expertise through a new recurring speaker series

Build community by convening groups in the Midwest, West Coast, East Coast, and key global locations

Deepen the impact of our partnerships

Grow student and faculty engagement opportunities by emphasizing applied research and experiential learning

Understand and jointly address policy challenges with partners, including technoeconomic and socioeconomic issues

Grow strategic, measurable outreach to support our mission

Heighten the impact of communication channels and technologies by establishing a $3 million endowed fund

Increase targeted stakeholder communication by relaunching Empower magazine

Action

Aligned

in
Urgent
Purpose

Bruce Stephenson

Former Chair, Executive Council
Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy, Leidos

2021/12/giannisis_headshot_CMYK-RETOUCHED1.jpg

Demetria Giannisis

Senior Managing Director (2014-2024)

The vision, strategy, and goals presented in this plan set our course for the next five years during this most consequential “climate decade”. We believe that progress to reach global climate change mitigation and adaptation targets by 2030 emphatically depends on rapid implementation of decarbonizing policies and innovations to sustain all life on Earth.

Thus, an overarching objective of our strategy is to amplify the power of Northwestern’s impact as global communities unify around scientific and socioeconomic solutions to meet humanity’s greatest challenge.

Speed, scope, and scale are critical to realizing our vision to empower the University’s contribution to meaningful sustainability and energy innovation impacts. Opportunities for transformational innovation are possible and depend on the continuous engagement of diverse communities, investment in team science, and implementation through partnerships across multiple sectors.

Our long-term plan also includes continued investment in the very fabric of our university, as we gain momentum to establish a school for sustainability and energy —built on Northwestern’s renowned culture of multidisciplinary research and scholarship.

Support for and collaboration with the Trienens Institute at this time will accelerate our work to secure a sustainable future built on scientific advancement, restored ecosystems, and socioeconomic equity for all. We invite you to join us, aligned in urgent purpose for the benefit of all.

Bruce Stephenson

Former Chair, Executive Council
Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy, Leidos

Demetria Giannisis

Senior Managing Director (2014-2024)

Discover

Your Role
Today

Explore how you can help us implement our strategic plan and realize our vision for the future of the planet.

Contact Us

Curtrice Scott
Director of Development, University Research Centers and Initiatives
curtrice.scott@northwestern.edu
847.491.4981

https://trienens-institute.northwestern.edu/

Every moment matters

Every action counts

50%

Decade of Consequence

55% of global GDP depends moderately or highly on Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services

Bold discovery

global reslience

America’s Best Universities

US News & World Report 2023

TOP 10

TOP 20

Paula M. Trienens Institute for Sustainability and Energy

Trienens Institute Impact

Leadership Team

Executive Council

2021–2025

Our strategy

Climate and Energy Transition

Resilient Communities

Discovery

Our Legacy

The Future

TOP 10

$1B

84%

Accelerating Our Global Impact

Expanding Collaborative Discovery

Ambitious Goals

Discovery

Education

Learning by Leading

Fulfilling the Promise

20+

1,000+

28

Undergraduate and Graduate Study

Master of Science in Energy and Sustainability

Living the Solution

Ambitious Goals

Education

Global

Engagement

Engaging Others

Broadening Our Impact

Partnering with Purpose

Inspiring and Informing Stakeholders

Working with corporate partners

Forming Multidisciplinary Consortia

Collaborating with Global NGOs

Engaging Experienced Leaders and Experts

science and technical Research

LAW AND PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH

Stakeholder Engagement

Alumni Leaders and Advocates

Yuxi Suo (TGS ’18)

Vice President, BlackRock Global Sustainable Investing

Samir Mayekar (WCAS ’06, KSM ’13)

Co-founder, NanoGraf Technologies; Deputy Mayor, City of Chicago

Steve McDougal (KSM ’95)

Co-founder and CEO, 3Degrees

Javier Manzanares (KSM ‘01/KH-02)

Co-Chief Executive Officer, Green Climate DAO

Neha Palmer (KSM ‘07)

CEO, TeraWatt Infrastructure

Danielle Merfeld (TGS ’99)

Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, General Electric Renewable Energy

Liz Georges (Law ’94)

Senior Director, Climate Communications, World Wildlife Fund

Richard Shandross (McC ’79)

Associate Director of Energy, Sustainability, and Infrastructure, Guidehouse

Mark Silberg (WCAS ’14)

Special Advisor, Climate and Energy, Governor Jared Polis

Will Schafer (KSM ’05)

Vice President of International Marketing, Beyond Meat

Karen Zelmar (WCAS ’93)

Senior Vice President, Network Planning, Volta Charging

Matt Price (McC ’01)

President, Activate

Cassi Saari (WCAS ’11)

Natural Areas Project Manager, Chicago Park District

Every moment
matters

Every action
counts

55% of global GDP
depends moderately or
highly on Biodiversity
& Ecosystem Services

Bold
discovery

global
reslience

Our
Legacy

The
Future

Learning
by
Leading

Fulfilling
the
Promise

Engaging
Others

Broadening
Our
Impact

Working with
corporate partners

Collaborating with
Global NGOs

LAW AND PUBLIC
POLICY RESEARCH

Stakeholder
Engagement

in
Urgent
Purpose

Your Role
Today