Background of ECO's current board members
Welcome to SIPA's Environmental Coalition! We're very excited to get to know you better. Here's a little background on each of our board members and some insight on why we joined the organization. We look forward to getting to know you throughout this semester!
Nick Kraft, President
Nick is a MPA student in the class of 2023. He was drawn to the ECO club out of a desire to engage with a community concerned about prioritizing sustainability in our politics, our policy, and our day-to-day decision making. Leading up to his time at SIPA, Nick spent six months on an organic vegetable farm in Virginia and four years working with a rural development nonprofit in Nepal.
Gabrielle Hayes, Director of Sustainability
Gabrielle Hayes is a 2nd-year MPA-DP student specializing unofficially in food systems and officially in Data & Quantitative Analysis. Before coming to SIPA, she worked in urban agriculture and outdoor education in New York City for 6 years, farming in every borough but Staten Island. She is a founding member of the NYC chapter of the National Young Farmer’s Coalition and lives in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. As ECO’s Director of Sustainability, she hopes to connect with other students who care about environmental stewardship and environmental justice, and to encourage exploration of NYC’s farms and green spaces.
Feby Utari, Director of Events
Hi everyone! My name is Feby. I’m a J-termer student in MPA-DP and currently in my 2nd semester. Before coming to SIPA, I mainly worked with UNDP and also IBM Indonesia. I am interested in climate actions, particularly in environmental justice, low-carbon economy, and local-transformative approaches to climate adaptation. My hobbies are taking naps, watching Japanese anime or comedy shows, and calling my family back in Jakarta. I also like to eat. The reason why I joined ECO is to channel my interest in climate change and to make more friends! Looking forward to connect with you!
Nathaniel Maekawa, Director of Communications
Nathaniel is a 2nd-year MPA-DP student with a specialization in Technology, Media, and Communications. He has previous experience as a Peace Corps health education volunteer in Mongolia and an aquaculture intern for the NGO, ReefDoctor in Madagascar. Nathaniel enjoys hiking, taking pictures, and staying active. He joined ECO to meet friends who share a passion for the environment and to learn new ideas and skills to progress solutions that protect our planet.
Marc Boddewyn, Director of External Affairs
Marc is a third-year EMPA student concentrating in Environmental Policy and Sustainability. Currently serving as one of the co-chairs of the Circular Economy Club New York, and committed to bringing the students of the various sustainability programs at Columbia University together. Trained as a landscape architect, lead the design and construction of the Hudson River Park, served as the construction project manager for the Culture Shed in Hudson Yards, and now as the VP of Capital Projects at Bryant Park / 34th St. Partnership.
Gudfinnur Sveinsson, Treasurer
MPA student at SIPA, focusing on Energy and Environment and International Conflict Resolution. Management consultant, focusing on executive team coaching, former product manager and team coach at QuizUp and a musician. Interested in long hikes, meditation and competing at basketball despite lack of real skills. Through ECO I want to promote the adaptation of progressive climate change policy.
