Spotlights

Carissa Patrone Maikuri '12 & '18

Carissa Patrone Maikuri '12 & '18

Employer
Project Drawdown, Program Coordinator- Drawdown Lift

LinkedIn Profile
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carissa-m-patrone-maikuri-mpa-91453528/

1. Tell us about your journey since graduation.
Since graduating from my undergrad at GVSU, i've had the privilege of working with various communities and people on development, sustainability, equity, and climate change. After graduating with my Bachelors of Arts degrees in Spanish and Communication Studies in 2012, I served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in a small mountain community in Nicaragua. Upon my return to the U.S., I worked at the Padnos International Center at GVSU as the first Peace Corps Campus Recruiter in West Michigan and obtained my Masters of Public Administration with an emphasis in Nonprofit Management and Leadership. Over the past few years, I worked with various local organizations advancing environmental/climate justice and sustainability before moving to the Twin Cities, getting married, and transitioning to working on climate full time. I am currently working as the Program Coordinator- Drawdown Lift with Project Drawdown advancing knowledge on climate solutions that also have vast benefits for human well-being particularly in Africa and South Asia where people are most impacted by climate change (but have contributed the least to the problem).

2. Share a favorite Grand Valley memory.
Some of my favorite memories that I cherish were from discussions during my Spanish class with Zulema Moret focused on feminist voices from Latin America.

3. What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
It's best to envision your career path like a jungle gym. The path to where you want to go might take you one step sideways or two steps backward, but you will still remain on the path to realizing the future that you want.

4. List three words you would use to describe your Grand Valley experience.
Transformative, joyful, supportive

5. What difference would you like to make in the world?
I would like to continue to challenge leaders and decision-makers to better support and prioritize communities most impacted by climate change and environmental degradation.

October 2022

Interest Area(s)
Public and Nonprofit Admin, Spanish, Communications

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Page last modified October 10, 2022