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Carly Simmons, a 2025–2026 Sustainability Scholar at the Leeds School of Business, and a student who’s proving just how far passion and purpose can take you. As a junior studying Business Analytics and Supply Chain Management, with minors in Creative Technology & Design and the SRE Certificate, Carly has woven sustainability into nearly every corner of her CU Boulder experience. Outside her academic and leadership roles, Carly enjoys hiking, skiing, camping, scrapbooking, and baking—especially key lime pie.

Originally from Reno, Nevada, Carly chose CU Boulder for its nationally recognized sustainability ecosystem and strong commitment to clean energy. It didn’t take long for her to dive in. During her first year, she joined what was then the CESR Fellows Club, and ultimately helped rebrand and grow it into today’s Sustainable Business Club (SBC). Her leadership journey with SBC has been remarkable. Now serving as co-president, Carly has helped expand the club to more than 50 active members.

“For me, being involved is about surrounding yourself with people who genuinely want to make a difference,” she shared. That philosophy is reflected in her involvement across campus—Delta Sigma Pi Business Fraternity (former Pledge Educator and VP of Community Service),��Ralphie’s Closet (former President and Committee Founder), and��Kappa Alpha Theta. Everywhere she goes, she looks for communities driven by purpose.

“Being part of the Scholars cohort connected me with people who are values-driven and excited to think bigger,” she said. “The networking alone has opened so many doors.”

How the Sustainability Scholars Program Helped Her Level Up

For Carly, the Sustainability Scholars Program has helped propel her forward to continue her impact-driven work. One of the biggest ways she’s grown is through the program’s��stipend, which she used a portion of to attend��, the largest mountain-community sustainability conference in the country located right here in Breckenridge, Colorado. The ability to fund that trip was transformative as it gave her firsthand exposure to Colorado’s clean-energy initiatives, connected her with leaders shaping the state’s sustainability landscape, and ultimately confirmed that this is the state where she wants to build her career.

But the impact didn’t stop there. The Sustainability Scholars community itself- students, alumni, and CESR partners- became a network that opened new doors. At CESR events, Carly connected with��Evan Goodman, a former SBC executive member and SRE Certificate alum now working at��KeHE. Their conversations, mentorship, and his willingness to help her navigate the application process directly supported her in landing her��Business Analytics internship for this summer.

Through a combination of funded experiential learning and a values-driven professional community, the Sustainability Scholars Program has helped Carly accelerate her path, deepen her purpose, and step confidently into her next chapter.

A Project With Global Reach

Every Sustainability Scholar designs a project that reflects their personal commitment to positive impact- and Carly’s journey is a great example of how meaningful work can evolve. She initially planned a campus-based reusable cup and coffee-loyalty initiative modeled after the Moss Loyalty Program, but after running into challenges with vendor engagement, she realized a pivot was necessary.

That shift led her to one of the most meaningful collaborations of her college experience. Carly had previously taken the class��Hacking the Apocalypse with��Jane Zelikova, who oversees CU's Sustainability Research Initiatives and leads��, a humanitarian project supporting communities affected by war and ongoing energy insecurity. After hearing Jane talk about her initiative, Carly immediately knew she wanted CU students to be part of this work.

Her Sustainability Scholars project now partners directly with��Sunflower Seeds For Ukraine. With support from CESR and her Scholar cohort, Carly is helping convert��40+ small solar panels into USB charging units that will be distributed across Ukraine to power essential devices. She is also organizing a��campus-wide clothing drive to gather cold-weather essentials for families facing severe hardship.

This shift from a local campus initiative to an international humanitarian project highlights Carly’s adaptability, her values-driven mindset, and her willingness to act where help is urgently needed.

Carly’s Message to Future Scholars

Carly’s energy is contagious, and she leaves future students with one clear reminder:

“There’s no reason we shouldn’t all be looking at climate tech, renewable energy, or food-system sustainability. It’s our future in our hands.”

Whether you’re an aspiring Scholar or a student just starting to explore sustainability, Carly’s story is a reminder that you don’t need a sustainability major to make a sustainability impact- just curiosity, involvement, and a willingness to say yes to the opportunities that come your way.