By: Emily Siegel
Isaac Rosenthal, MEM ‘21, represents the spirit of the Nicholas School and the passionate alumni it produces. Isaac, currently a Senior Program Manager at National Grid, credits much of his knowledge and success to his time in graduate school. With an MEM degree to thank and the impactful connections formed along the way, he is an emerging leader in the energy space with a love for his field and the school that got him there.
Isaac always knew he was drawn to the environment. In high school, he had the forethought to pursue a condensed three-year undergraduate degree at Bard College, which would then be immediately followed by a two-year master’s program. Making the most of his time in undergrad, Isaac majored in environmental and urban studies while taking a wide variety of classes from environmental justice to science to history, all with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. He knew that before starting a job he needed to develop more quantitative skills, discover exactly what environmental problems were out there, and learn how to address them holistically – and what better place to do so than at the Nicholas School?
Duke provided the perfect curriculum and opportunity to advance Isaac’s career in the energy sector. He made the most of his classes, and still thinks fondly back to learning Excel skills in Dr. Dalia Patino-Echeverri’s Modeling for Energy Systems course or the technical energy terminology he learned in Dr. Lincoln Pratson’s Energy and the Environment course – all concepts he continues to use in his current role. Isaac also developed both leadership and problem-solving skills during his time at Duke, many of which can be credited to the group-focused nature of his courses and the ability to learn from his own cohort. When speaking to the strength of the Nicholas community, Isaac says the time spent with his peers “fostered an impactful relationship both inside the classroom and out”.
These experiences have allowed Isaac to excel as the Senior Program Manager for Residential Electric Vehicle Programs at National Grid. In this role, he largely works on the energy transition in the transportation sector, with an important emphasis on accessibility for low-income and environmental justice customers. He is passionate about bridging the gap between environmental justice and energy access, tackling ambitious state goals which ensure such communities aren’t left behind in the electrification of transportation . This involves program design, on-the-ground work with customers, supporting technologies to lower costs, and overall facilitating the smooth transition to clean energy.
Isaac feels equipped to solve these challenges head-on as a result of the solution-focused nature of the Nicholas School, as well as the forward-thinking mindset he developed while there. “NSOE provided me with the optimistic outlook that these challenges can be solved,” he said.
Isaac’s advice for Nicholas graduates? Utilize the Nicholas School network. He notes that NSOE alumni are passionate about solving key environmental issues, such as curbing emissions, and wants to advise, support, and connect with future leaders looking to do the same. Current students should feel encouraged to send notes on LinkedIn, keep up with projects on social media, and seek guidance from professionals in their field of interest. As Isaac says, Nicholas School graduates are all aligned in their common goals and values and want to support the next generation.
Did you know Duke has an online alumni database that is searchable by school, location, and industry?
Visit the Duke Alumni webpage to view Isaac’s profile and to update your information.
