Katie Kaplan, founded Next Wave Carbon based on a deep-rooted passion for marine conservation. Katie’s academic and professional path uniquely equipped her to innovate in the field of environmental preservation. With a PhD in Applied Ecology from Cornell University, her dissertation explored ecological processes within marine protected areas, shedding light on their dynamics.
Following her PhD, Katie enhanced her research credentials with a post-doctoral appointment at the University of California, Davis, collaborating with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Here, she played a pivotal role in developing a comprehensive monitoring plan for California’s 124 marine protected areas. This plan has guided the state of California in the allocation of millions in funding annually.
Katie’s transition into the tech world saw her embracing roles that harnessed data science to drive significant insights and innovation. As a Research Scientist at Meta, she contributed to the Small Business Group Marketing Science Team, where her work supported small businesses in leveraging data for growth. Her tenure as a Senior Data Scientist at Spotify on the Ad-Machine Learning Team further refined her expertise in machine learning and causal inference, skills that she would soon pivot back to the service of the environment.
With her company, Katie aims to revolutionize how we evaluate and enhance marine coastal ecosystems’ health. By leveraging AI and cutting-edge technology like satellite and drone imagery, she intends to provide unprecedented precision in measuring carbon stocks and biodiversity. This approach not only promises to boost conservation efforts but also offers robust carbon offset solutions, enabling businesses to contribute meaningfully towards achieving net-zero emissions.
Katie believes that by integrating advanced technology with ecological stewardship, we can unlock sustainable solutions that protect biodiversity and combat climate change. Her vision is clear: a future where innovative technology and a commitment to the planet converge to forge sustainable pathways and a thriving Earth. Driven by a firm belief in science, dedication, and technology, Katie Kaplan is on a mission to empower businesses and communities to make a tangible impact on our world.
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Advisory Team
Lila Holzman is a Manager within RMI’s climate finance program. Her work focuses on engaging the financial sector to understand and develop solutions for systems-level barriers and firm-level challenges to unlock climate finance opportunities. Lila has more than a decade of experience in climate change mitigation and sustainability, both domestically and internationally. This includes managing As You Sow’s growing energy and climate program, where Lila represented investors in shareholder engagements with management of companies in finance, energy, and other high-impact sectors. Other experience includes working in clean energy, serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Panama, serving as president of the Northern California Peace Corps Association’s board of directors, and promoting the UN Sustainable Development Goals through the UN Global Compact. Lila holds an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering from Rice University.
Ignasi Montero Serra is a seasoned Environmental Data Scientist currently enhancing research and development at Bayer Crop Science. With a robust background in deploying machine learning models, Ignasi has significantly contributed to multiple startups by optimizing marketing strategies and streamlining operations through innovative data-driven approaches. Holding a PhD in Machine Learning with a special focus on Marine Conservation, Ignasi has dedicated his academic pursuits to the advancement of Marine Protected Areas and Restoration initiatives in response to climate change. His research has been enriched by academic sojourns at notable institutions including the University of Colorado, Duke Marine Lab, and a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Queensland. At the core of his expertise, Ignasi integrates cutting-edge machine learning technologies with environmental science to develop solutions that not only address immediate organizational needs but also foster sustainable ecological practices. His work is a testament to his commitment to leveraging data science for the greater good of the planet.
Emily Stiever is a solar professional who has spent the last 15 years scaling equitable, distributed solar across the country. She currently works as a Senior Solar Equity Program Analyst supporting the Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office. Prior to DOE Emily served in a number of senior roles at Solar United Neighbors, a national nonprofit that is a leading implementer for residential solar deployment. Before joining Solar United Neighbors, Emily worked as a renewable energy consultant specializing in solar electric and solar water heating initiatives and incentive programs. She graduated from Grinnell College with a Bachelor’s in Political Ecology and was a member of the 2016 Neighborworks Achieving Excellence program at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.
Next Wave Carbon 