Hometown: Boulder, Colorado, USA
Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Deputy Director for Clean Energy Innovation and Implementation, The White House (Biden-Harris Administration)
How has studying business in the United Kingdom enriched your learning experience? After eight years working on climate policy in the U.S., I wanted to pursue an MBA to jumpstart a pivot to the private sector in clean energy. But I was ready to expand even further—into a global career, with a global network, in a global place. London is the best place for me to have landed because it’s an extremely welcoming place for people around the world. It’s also a global hub for nearly everything, including business, climate, diplomacy, and energy. I also am eager to learn from the UK’s leadership on climate, especially on transitioning away from coal and building offshore wind.
What has been the toughest transition to living in the United Kingdom so far? What have you done to overcome this difficulty? This is the furthest north I’ve ever lived, so the short days in the winter have been a new challenge. Luckily, Londoners are experts in winter coziness and holiday spirit. My partner and I spent this Christmas here in the UK to get the full holiday experience—from the lights on Regent Street to mulled wine at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park.
What school service has been the most helpful in transitioning to living in the United Kingdom? How has it helped you adapt? LBS’ Visa team has been very helpful as we navigated separate visa processes for me and my partner, and understanding what opportunities I can take advantage of while on a student visa in the UK.
What has been the most interesting cultural nuance of people living in the United Kingdom? Why has this struck you? While I do have an advantage as a native English speaker, American English is quite different than British English. I am still getting the hang of the vocabulary here—saying “courgette” instead of “zucchini” and “rubbish” instead of “trash.” But I am having so much fun learning and picking up various British sayings—from “you alright” and “cheers” as greetings for every occasion, to “have a butcher’s” (which means “having a look”). As an American who is used to being direct and saying things in the shortest possible way, I still marvel at how things are communicated in the UK—sometimes long-winded, but amazingly polite. So far, I think the nuances of language here in the UK mirror the people—respectful, witty, and often willing to have a deep, thoughtful conversation. I look forward to traveling around the UK more in 2026 to learn more about regional accents and slang.
Are you seeking a Visa to work in the United Kingdom after graduation? If so, what obstacles have you faced and how did you overcome them? I am very interested in staying in the United Kingdom after graduation to work in clean energy. Between the Graduate Visa and the Skilled Worker visa, I am grateful that the UK offers opportunities for professionals to contribute to the local economy during and after their studies.
What have you done to make it easier to make friends with people from outside your home country at business school? Having the opportunity to make friends with people from all over the world is a big reason why I chose to study at LBS—and I’ve had no trouble at all because all my classmates are in the same boat! Everyone at LBS is kind, inclusive, and genuine about making friends with people from very different backgrounds. It’s exciting to think that I’ll have a good friend in basically every major city around the world after this program.
What piece of advice would you give to an international student looking to study in a UK graduate business program? The UK, especially London, is one of the best places in the world to study and engage in the future of global business. If you’re looking for a global mindset and network, this is where you’ll find it. It’s always scary to make a big investment and move to a country you’ve never lived in—but it’s worth it for the friendships, experiences, and global connectivity that will benefit you for the rest of your career.
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