Tell us about what you're doing with your life
I am the Chief Sustainability Officer at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, serve on the Board of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and am the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the California Ocean Science Trust. I am also active with a number of environmental and civil rights organizations in California. With the great weather here, I enjoy the outdoors — hiking, biking and skiing. I am a season ticket holder with the Angel City Football Club in the NWSL.
What was your favorite class at Cornell, or the one you found most useful?
I really enjoyed all the history, government and economics courses I took (I was a Government major). They really helped me prepare for a career in public policy.
What extracurricular activity or hobby from your time at Cornell was most meaningful?
My work study job at Olin Library. Maybe it sounds nerdy, but I really enjoyed working at the library for most of my four years at Cornell - I liked spending time there. I am grateful to the Library and have made a regular donation to the Library.
What random or surprising encounters with Cornell or Cornellians have you experienced since you left? Alternatively, who do you keep in touch with?
In my professional life - in Washington DC and in California- I had a number of colleagues who are Cornellians representing many different classes. Cornell turns out great Environmental leaders. It’s also great to see a big and active group of Cornell alumni in Los Angeles. When friends here in LA have children going to Cornell, I always give them the same advice - buy them a warm coat but don’t buy it LA - it won’t be warm enough!
What advice would you give to a student starting at Cornell?
Buy warm clothes! It’s really cold in Ithaca!