Alumni Spotlights
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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