Dan Helmeci
President
Dan Helmeci is a first-year Master of International Affairs (MIA) candidate at SIPA, concentrating in Climate, Energy, and the Environment. He is a David Leuschen Global Energy Fellow at the Center on Global Energy Policy and a researcher at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and Johns Hopkins Net Zero Industrial Policy Lab. He previously worked at the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center and the Center for Energy Studies at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, where he received his undergraduate degree in Political Science and History. At SIPA, he hopes to refine his focus on climate finance strategies in developing markets to expand access to emerging clean energy and industrial technologies. Dan is a steadfast supporter of Pittsburgh’s failing sports franchises and proud AMC A-lister.
Tulika Gupta
Vice-President
Tulika Gupta is a second-year Master of Public Administration (MPA) candidate at SIPA, concentrating in Climate, Energy, and Environment. Prior to SIPA, she worked at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), India’s leading climate and energy think tank, where she supported government engagement on clean energy, critical minerals, and environmental policy during India’s G20 and Quad presidencies. She began her career as a lawyer, practicing litigation before the Supreme Court of India and the Delhi High Court. At SIPA, Tulika is focused on the role of capital and energy systems in driving economic development and enabling large-scale climate transitions in emerging markets. When not at SIPA, she can be found exploring New York City’s parks, beaches, and hot yoga studios.
Baptiste Saez
Treasurer
Baptiste Saez is a second-year Master of Public Administration (MPA) candidate at SIPA, concentrating in Climate, Energy, and Environment. Originally from France, but having grown up in China and California, he is interested in the intersection of energy security and a more circular economy. Baptiste holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Economics from Sciences Po Paris and Columbia University. Prior to SIPA, he contributed to research on the social cost of greenhouse gases at the U.S. EPA and Columbia. Returning from Paris, where he was working on circular economy and resource management at the OECD, he is currently interning at the Council on Foreign Relations, supporting its Climate Realism Initiative. In his free time, Baptiste enjoys cooking, exploring New York through its architecture, and strolling along the Hudson.
Ellen Wang
Director of Alumni
Ellen Wang is a dual degree MIA student at Columbia SIPA and PSIA Sciences Po, concentrating in international finance and energy transitions. Originally from the SF Bay Area, she studied Environmental Science and Philosophy at NYU for her undergraduate degree, where she discovered her passion for the energy transition and its intersection with policy and market mechanics. At SIPA, she focuses on the challenges and opportunities shaping energy transitions in emerging markets, with particular interest in financing mechanisms and equitable development. When not at SIPA, you can find her at Metrograph—or, more likely, catching up on sleep (unfortunately).
Ashish Sharma
Director of Symposium
Ashish Sharma is a Master of Science in Sustainability Management candidate at Columbia University. Ashish graduated from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 2017, and subsequently spent seven years in New York working across roles in investment banking, private equity, and private credit. After taking a brief sabbatical to travel, Ashish joined Columbia in 2025 to study the energy sector and pivot into renewable energy project finance. Outside of the Columbia Energy Association, Ashish is a David Leuschen Global Energy Fellow at the Center on Global Energy Policy, as well as a Teaching Assistant for the class Energy Markets & Innovation. As an avid Manchester United supporter for the past 20+ years, he is doing just fine, thank you for asking, and is perennially optimistic that next season will be United's comeback season.
Aanchal Sharrma
Director of Women in Energy
Aanchal Sharrma is a first-year Master of Public Administration (MPA) candidate at SIPA, concentrating in Climate, Energy, and Environment. She is a behavioral science and development professional with over four years of experience applying economic, behavioral, and systems-based approaches to policy, programs, and investment decisions across more than 15 countries in the Global South. Prior to SIPA, she worked at the Busara Center for Behavioral Economics, where she led multi-country research and advisory projects with governments, multilaterals, and foundations across climate resilience, energy, health, sanitation, gender, and finance, translating rigorous quantitative and qualitative evidence into actionable policy and climate insights. At SIPA, her interests lie at the intersection of climate finance, energy systems, and equity, with a focus on how institutional design and behavioural frictions shape the real-world impact of climate investments in developing markets. Outside of work, she enjoys reading thrillers, deep-sea diving, and experimenting with new cuisines and cocktails.
Christy Wong
Director of Events
Christy Wong is a Master of Public Administration (MPA) candidate at SIPA, concentrating in Climate, Energy, and Environment. She focuses on energy transition policy, clean energy finance, and energy security, with particular interest in Asia-Pacific and emerging markets.
Vaishnavi Agarwal
Co-Director of Treks
Vaishnavi Agarwal is a Master of Public Administration (MPA) candidate at SIPA, specializing in Climate, Energy, and Environment. Her professional and academic focus lies at the nexus of climate policy, energy systems, and international relations, particularly exploring the geopolitical implications of the energy transition in emerging markets.Before her studies at SIPA, Vaishnavi gained experience working with various government and policy research institutions, where she focused on areas such as energy diplomacy, carbon markets, and critical mineral supply chains. Her central interests revolve around understanding how global power dynamics, capital flows, and industrial strategy collectively shape the trajectory of climate transitions. In her free time, Vaishnavi enjoys taking long walks through Central Park and is an avid user of Beli, where she passionately rates restaurants and discovers hidden culinary gems.
Supriya Gokarn
Co-Director of Treks
Supriya Gokarn is a first-year Master of International Affairs (MIA) student at SIPA, with a focus on Climate, Energy and Environment. She comes to SIPA after a 17-year career in tech, where she specialized in developing the first-generation of innovative hardware-software products at companies like Google and Cruise (General Motors). In her most recent role, she led Product Management for Cruise's autonomous vehicle program, in partnership with General Motors and Honda. Pivoting from consumer tech to energy, Supriya is now getting her second Master's degree. She hopes to use her education and experience to explore how innovative technology and climate finance can help tackle persistent issues in the global energy transition. A proud Californian, she spends her free time hiking, trail running, cooking or planning her next outdoor adventure.
Ashley Joo
Director of Socials
Ashley Joo is a first-year Master of Public Administration (MPA) candidate at Columbia SIPA, concentrating in Climate, Energy, and Environment and minoring in International Security and Diplomacy. As a Texas Native with a bachelor’s degree in Government at UT Austin, she developed an interest in comparative environmental politics while studying the Great Barrier Reef abroad in Australia. Prior to SIPA, she worked in various US Congressional and State Senate offices, building a portfolio in Natural Resources, Water, and Agricultural issues, and followed President Biden and Vice President Harris on the campaign trail. As an intern at NY-BEST and the United Nations, she is focused on global energy security and decarbonization at SIPA to prepare for a career in the Foreign Service as a Rangel Fellow. In her free time, Ashley enjoys laying in grass and listening to electronic music.
Alyssa Plascencia
Director of Communications
Alyssa Plascencia is a first-year graduate student pursuing a Master of Science in Climate with an advanced certificate in Climate Systems and Analytics. Before coming to Columbia, she was a U.S. DOE Community Energy Fellow with the City of Santa Monica’s Office of Sustainability, where she managed the City’s e-bike voucher program and supported City sustainability reporting. Alyssa received her Bachelor of Science from UC Berkeley studying Environmental Sciences with a minor in Energy and Resources. At Columbia, she hopes to deepen her technical expertise in renewable energy project development. Outside of coursework, you'll find her at hot yoga, deep in a book, or at the gym.
