In December, we were delighted to welcome three new members of UNH’s Sustainability Advisory Board (SAB). Founded in 2021, the SAB is comprised of a dedicated group of volunteers – alumni, parents, and friends – who all share a passion for UNH and sustainability. The unique cross-cutting aspect of sustainability defies traditional boundaries or silos and requires bringing together a diversity of perspectives. Accordingly, our board members represent a diverse set of expertise across fields and sectors, and bring incredibly valuable strategic input and guidance, as well as advocacy and support for our work at the Sustainability Institute, and ultimately to the university at large.
Deborah served as the Dean of the Peter T. Paul College of Business & Economics 2015-2022, leading the College through a period of incredible success, innovation and growth. She has significant depth of experience in higher education, having served as Dean of two other business schools, where she has consistently and effectively been a champion for sustainability as a core part of the schools’ missions. Deborah was instrumental in shaping and supporting UNH Sustainability Institute’s partnership with the Paul College of Business and Carsey School of Public Policy, the Changemaker Collaborative. Deborah is an anthropologist by training.
Kate has been a valuable partner to UNH and our work in sustainability for many years. As Managing Principal at the investment consultant Prime Buchholz from 2005-2022, she was the lead consultant to the UNH Foundation. As the firm’s Mission-Aligned Investment Practice Lead she played a key role in the transition of the UNH endowment to sustainable investing over the last 7 years. She has been a strong supporter of UNH Sustainability Institute on many levels. Kate is currently an angel and impact investor, and is planning the next phase of her career.
UNH alum and UNH parent, Michael has spent his career dedicated to education, particularly experiential education focused on helping students build skills for a sustainable future. He has a Masters in Sustainability and is a passionate advocate for the environment and public education. He and his wife recently returned to New Hampshire, where Michael also manages his family’s property investments. Michael has been a dedicated volunteer and advisor to our Social Venture Innovation Challenge and our high school Community Changemaker Challenge.
We hope you enjoy this New Year’s reflection from one of our new board members!
My deepest hope is that after weather extremes of 2023, 2024 will prove to be the pivotal year that global society begins to finally harness all of its resources to address climate change in a systemic and powerful way. This critical moment for change underscores how urgent and important the mission and work of the UNH Sustainability Institute, and the related initiatives across the university, are to shaping and inspiring our students to be the future doers and leaders we need to hold the worst effects of climate change in abeyance.
– Dr. Deborah Merrill-Sands, UNH SAB Board Member, former Dean of the UNH Peter T. Paul College of Business & Economics
