ENREP Students

Faizatu Adamu

Education: Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, BSc., Natural Resource Management,  2018.

Interests: I am interested in Sustainable mining governance, Critical Minerals, Supply Chain Management, Environmental justice, ESG, Climate risk, stakeholder engagement, Natural resource management, Environmental law, and Environmental impact assessment (EIA – EMS).

Career Goals: I am open-minded about my career goals, but would ultimately like to work on high-impact solutions to the critical mineral supply chain. My dream jobs currently include consulting, analysis, and responsible mineral sourcing.

Work Experience: I have worked as a sustainability intern, field manager, research assistant, and volunteer.

Personal interests: Sustainable development, cooking, baking, traveling, and spending time with my family.

Ella Baldwin

Education: Brigham Young University, B.A., Middle East Studies & Arabic,  2022.

Interests:I am interested in building localized strategies for water security and energy transition in the Middle East and North Africa. I will also add a Resource Commodity Analytics Certificate to build my quantitative credentials.

Career Goals: I am open-minded about my career goals but would ultimately like to work internationally on high-impact solutions to pressing global issues. My “dream jobs” currently include consulting, analysis, and diplomacy.

Work Experience: I have worked as an Arabic instructor, international volunteer, research assistant, pastry chef, and talent acquisition specialist.

Personal interests: I enjoy traveling (both domestically and abroad), cooking, camping, skiing, and spending time with my family

Quincey Baum

Education: Colorado School of Mines, B.S., Mechanical Engineering, 2024. Colorado School of Mines, M.S., Engineering and Technology Management, 2025. 

Career Goals: I would like to work in helping create more sustainable world.

Work Experience: I’ve worked P&G my last 2 summers. Once in West Virgina just outside DC and in Utah just north of Salt Lake. I’ve been doing manufacturing processes, including six sigma, lean manufacturing, and loss eliminations.

Personal interests:I love playing sports and running! I spend most my time doing that, or watching them! I also love movies and spending time with my family and friends. As a Colorado native I grew up doing all things outdoors. So, I enjoy any time I can get into the mountains! 

Francis Gyamfi Boateng

Education: University of Geneva: MA Sustainability (Environmental) (August 2024); University of Ghana: BA Sociology (May 2013).

Interests: Environmental research (extractive and production sector), sustainability, climate change mitigation, impact assessment, data analysis.

Career Goals: I want to pursue a career in sustainability and environmental policy, with a focus on extractives, climate change mitigation and impact assessment.

Work Experience: UN Climate Change (UNFCCC): Impact Assessment Intern (May 2024 – Present); Ajocin Group: Administrative Intern (January to March 2023); Ville de Geneve & Uni of Geneva: Research Assistant (February to June 2023); Weitwet Co. Ltd: Health & Safety Officer (May 2020 – August 2022); Ghana Forestry Commission: Environmental Specialist (January 2017 to March 2020); Twin Project Africa Foundation: Youth Coordinator (June 2013 to December 2016).

Personal interests: Environmental conservation, sustainable development, youth education and mentoring in STEM fields, outdoor activities related to forestry and ecosystem health.

Christian Cerne

Education: Geosciences (B.S.), University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (2023).

Interest: International Energy Security, Sustainable Development, Global Security, Community Livelihoods, International Organizations, Critical Mineral/ Rare Earth Metal Supply Chains​.

Career Goals: Upon graduating from Mines, I intend to pursue my PhD in international relations. In the long term, I aspire to work in the U.S. government or for international organizations in the global security and diplomacy spheres.

Hobbies: Volleyball, Traveling, Cultural Exploration, Creative Writing, Rehoming stray cats.

Ethan Cornell

Education: Undergraduate Degree: BA International Affairs, Environmental Studies at Wofford College.

Interests: The intersection of renewable energies, sustainable development, and environmental policy. I am particularly interested in how these fields can be used to create a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

Work Experience: Environmental Law firm, Judges, Congressman in DC.

Personal interests: Playing golf, fly fishing, hiking, anything outside!

Majok Deng

Education:  Pepperdine University, B.S. in Economics 2023.

Interests: My professional interests are immigration law and understanding energy policies and geopolitics.

Career Goals:  I want to work with youth in East Africa and provide them with opportunities for a better education and learning environment. Also, I would love to work at The United Nations and be part of the policy process that deals with refugees.

Work Experience: I’ve worked in Retail, Athletics Game Day Operations, and The Sudreau Global Justice Institute.

Personal Interests: I love basketball (I am currently on the Mines Basketball Team), reading, playing saxophone, and acting (although I don’t like do it!).

Samuel Freedman

Education:  Sewanee–The University of the South, B.S. in Biology with a concentration in Biodiversity and Ecology, 2022.

Interests:  My interests include becoming proficient with GIS, learning how to create and understand the policy process, and having a strong grasp of current environmental challenges and opportunities.

Career Goals:  Want to pursue a career with the government or companies/NGOs with a commitment to environmental protection and regulation.

Personal Interests: Hiking, meditation, biking, and rock-hounding.

Reggie Mayeso Kakwela

Education:  University of Malawi, The Polytechnic, BSc. (Honors) in Electrical Engineering, 2016.

Interests:  Sustainable mining governance & policy, ESG & sustainability reporting, critical minerals analysis, environmental & social impact assessment, community engagement and corporate social responsibility, mining law & regulatory compliance, natural resource economics, stakeholder negotiation, sustainable development, research & policy writing, and responsible resource development in mineral-rich regions.

Career Goals:  Help shape solutions that strengthen the integrity and sustainability of critical mienerials. I am particularly excited by work that involves consulting, policy development, ESG analysis, responsible sourcing, and strategic sustainability planning. I am commited to advancing extractive industry frameworks that prioritize transparency, environmental responsibility, and community equity.

Work Experience: Over seven years of experience in Malawi’s public mining sector. As Principal Mining Engineer, I have overseen sustainable mining practices and environmental compliance and provided technical advance on mining law, land tenure, and carbon market frameworks. I have supported negotiations for Mining Development Agreements and Community Development Agreements.

Personal Interests: Sustainable development, civic education and awareness on environmental and mining issues, playing and watching soccer, and driving.

Riley Miller

Education: Loyola University Chicago: B.A. in Environmental Policy, Minor in Environmental Science (December 2021).

Interests: Energy policy & markets, decarbonization, grid reliability, CCUS, water resource management, and critical mineral extraction.

Career Goals: Use my education and experience to build equitable solutions for the energy transition and future natural resource challenges.

Work Experience: Currently, I work for Xcel Energy within commercial operations. In the past, I have held positions as a Reclamation Specialist, contracting with government & mining clients, and as a Park Ranger in Northern Colorado.

 Personal Interests: I enjoy any “type-2 fun” mountain activities, including climbing, backpacking, mountaineering, and trail running.

Clayton Nash

Education:  BS, Chemical Engineering (Texas Tech – 2004).

Interests: Oil and gas development and processing, greenhouse gas mitigation (especially methane), energy investment strategy

Career Goals: I would like to work more at the intersection of engineering, development, and policy, especially as it relates to helping emerging areas develop responsibly and with lower greenhouse gas emissions.  I also have a strong interest in the idea that policy in the western world should be biased towards self-sufficiency and hope to have more opportunities to work with governmental agencies, NGOs, investors, and individual companies develop pragmatic strategies for meeting resource demand.  I view myself as a strong public speaker and would like to have more opportunities to communicate to many different audiences about critical issues with regard to global energy, policy, and the environment.

Work Experience:  I worked as a Process Engineer for BP from 2004 to 2020.  During that time I worked in the Gulf of Mexico, Egypt, and various locations in the US (including Durango and Denver, CO).  I held various management positions and was the US L48 Engineering Authority from 2016 to 2017.  I am currently the Director of Strategic Development at Tegre Corporation, where I focus on upstream and midstream oil and gas development and emissions mitigation solutions.

 Personal Interests: Spending time with my kids, skiing, all things soccer (go Rapids and Gunners!), and reading. 

Henry Novicki

Education: B.S. Environmental Engineering from Bucknell University, May of 2023.

Interests: Play varsity baseball in an amazing setting while pursuing a great degree.

Career Goals: To have an opportunity where I can make an impact on the environment in order to conserve it for future generations.

Work Experience: 7 years of laying tile in construction during the summers and winters for my father’s business.

Personal Interests: Archery, hunting, fishing, hiking, German Shepherds.

Eric Payne

Education: Genetics & Microbiology (B.S.), Purdue University, 2003. MBA, Regis University, 2011. Registration to practice before the United States Patent & Trademark Office, 2005.

Interests: Renewable energy, innovation policy, economic development, public-private partnerships, the Bayh-Dole Act.

Career Goals: To leverage policy analysis with techno-economics to accelerate the energy transition in a way that leverages existing infrastructure.

Personal Interests: Road and mountain biking, Colorado history, hiking with my family.

Lauren Perez

Education: B.S. in Biological Sciences

Interests: Sustainable Development, Renewable Energy, Environmental Health and Protection, Animal Rights and Activism. 

Career Goals: I would like to work in Formula 1, specifically to contribute towards its ongoing transition to renewable fueling and commitment to sustainability.

Work Experience: I am the CEO of my own non-profit animal rescue and rehabilitation!

Personal Interests: Formula 1, tennis, playing guitar and piano, reading, spending time with friends, painting, and hanging out with my guinea pig, Lacy. 

Geoffrey Pott

Education: BS Mechanical Engineering, Colorado School of Mines.

Interests: Nuclear Power, Robust Energy Security, Intercultural Encounters, Far and Near East Asian Society and Culture, Global Cultures and Transnational Studies.

Career Goals: Long Term, I plan to join the Department of State as a Foreign Service Officer as an Economics Officer. I am currently working to pursue further education in Transnational and Cultural Studies or work in an intercultural space focusing on Communications.

Work Experience: Internships with Energy Based EPC Engineering Contractors and Public Transportation with the San Francisco Bay Area Regional Transit.

Personal Interests: Snowboarding, Languages, Travel, Coffee and Tea, Photography.

Maria Saavedra

Education: University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina 2015-2019. B.A. in Political Sciences. Concentration: Global Affairs.

Interests: The intersection of renewable energies, sustainable development, and environmental policy. I am particularly interested in how these fields can be used to create a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

Career Goals: After I finish my studies, I intend to contribute to carrying out projects on renewable energies both from the private and public sectors. In the private sector, I would like to contribute as a driver of projects for reducing carbon emissions and developing renewable energies that are compatible with the local realities of different countries. In the public sector, I would like to work with national or local governments in designing the regulations and incentives necessary to comply with the commitments that Latin American countries have made in international forums.

Work Experience: Energy Research Specialist for the private sector focusing on Renewable Energy and Natural Resources investments based on international trends, regulations, and macroeconomics.

Personal Interests: I love to spend my free time reading, cooking, riding my bike, and spending time with my family and friends in the outdoors. On a typical weekend, I might start my morning by drinking mate and reading the news. Then, I might go for a bike ride with my husband. In the afternoon, I might cook dinner for my family and friends. And in the evening, we might watch a movie together or read. My hobbies help me to relax, stay active, and connect with the people I care about.

Sarah Severin

Education: Texas A&M B.S. Political Science ‘25.

Interests: Interested in the intersections between communities, policy, and energy.

Career Goals: Strategy, corporate, government, and public affairs for an energy company.

Work Experience: Chevron Corporate Affairs Intern, Political Science Research Assistant, Talent Committee Member PRAGMA, and Bush School Board Fellow.

Personal Interests: Hiking, jewelry making, cheering on the Aggies, spending time with my family and friends.

Hunter Sims

Education: B.A. Anthropology with an Archaeology concentration, Colorado State University (2024); Minors in Interdisciplinary Global Environmental Sustainability and Interdisciplinary Global Studies.

Interests: Relationship between humans and the environment, environmental governance, land use policy in the American West, interdisciplinary approaches to sustainability, GIS and spatial analysis.

Career Goals: I hope to transition from a field-based archaeologist into a policy professional working at the intersection of environmental compliance, cultural heritage, and sustainable development. My goal is to support ethical and inclusive policy frameworks related to land use, renewable energy, water rights, and resource extraction—particularly in the Intermountain West.

Work Experience: Archaeologist and cultural resource professional at Statistical Research, Inc.; experience supporting Section 106 and 110 compliance for federal agencies including the BLM, NRCS, DRMS, and USFS across Colorado, Utah, and Arizona.

Personal Interests: Hiking, camping, volleyball,  off-roading, running, my dog, visiting breweries and coffee shops (which is the typical pastime in Fort Collins).

Kiara Walthall

Education: University of Connecticut, B.A. Human Development and Family Science (May 2021).

Interests: Renewable Energy Transitions, Urban Heat Island Effect, Sustainable Development, Carbon Capture and Storage, Community Engagement.

Career Goals: I would love to contribute to sustainable development and renewable energy policy. I am open-minded to my professional journey — my goal is to remain intentional in prioritizing equitable and sustainable solutions in natural resource management and policy.

Work Experience: I was a teaching professional with over seven years of working with young children and families.

Personal Interests: Reading, camping, crochet, board games, paddleboarding, and going to coffee shops.

Molly G. Watkins

Education: B.A. in Political Science from Colorado Mesa University.

Interests: Water rights, natural resource protection, geopolitics.

Career Goals: I want to connect state and local governments with private firms to leverage technology for environmental remediation, natural resource protection, and the implementation of renewable energy policies.

Work Experience: Water rights, natural resource protection, geopolitics.

Personal Interests: Skiing, camping, embroidery, and most importantly – my 12 year old cocker spaniel named Remington.

David Whisenhunt

Education:BA Economics & Political Science (Texas Christian University); BBA Finance (University of Texas at Arlington); MS Real Estate and the Built Environment (University of Denver).

Interests: Academically: Resource Policy, International Political Economy, Security Studies, IR Theory & Policy. Professionally: Investing in esoteric startups with significant ROI potential.

Career Goals: Finding a way to merge my academic and professional interests. Reach out if you have any ideas!

Work Experience:  I provide equity capital and operations advisory for entrepreneurs seeking to start their own business. Prior to this I was a founder/senior executive at two different natural gas power generation companies that were ultimately acquired by private equity. Before that I worked in energy finance.   

Personal Interests:Spending time with my wife and daughter, reading, travel, and a variety of outdoor hobbies: fly fishing, Nordic skiing, alpine touring, hiking, long-range shooting, SCUBA).