Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
Nicolette Santos is a Master in Public Policy graduate from the Harvard Kennedy School with an interest in climate and clean energy policy. Last summer, Nicolette served in the New Jersey Governor's Office as a Michael S. Dukakis Policy Fellow. She also supported the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) as an Environmental Justice Fellow in the Office of Environmental Justice and Equity (OEJE). Before attending the Kennedy School, Nicolette served as the Federal Program Lead for the U.S. Energy Foundation, where she supported the development and execution of advocacy and campaign strategies to advance climate and clean energy action at the federal level. Nicolette's primary portfolio consisted of 2024 post-election scenario planning, the implementation of federal investments, state support for EPA power sector regulations, environmental justice, and proactive responses to democratic overreach by the US Supreme Court. Prior to this role, Nicolette served as the Communications Lead at David Gardiner and Associates, where she was responsible for the firm's strategic communications and coalition efforts for nonprofit clients, including Americans for a Clean Energy Grid, the Renewable Thermal Collaborative, and the Combined Heat and Power Alliance. Before joining DGA, Nicolette worked alongside former Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz at Energy Futures Initiative, where she was a critical member of the communications team, and at the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, where she conducted policy research for climate adaptation at the federal and state levels. Contact Information: [email protected]
Reporting to the Assistant Secretary, researched, developed, and advised on state policies and programs as they related to environmental justice (EJ) and clean energy transition challenges across the state.
Reporting to the Deputy Chief Policy Advisor, conducted rapid-turnaround research and analysis to support state policy development to address current and emerging challenges across the state. Portfolio included climate and clean energy, infrastructure and transit, emerging technologies and innovation, and economic and workforce development.
Pro-bono policy support to Pacific Northwest Indigenous communities on accessing tribal-led climate adaptation funding opportunities.
Developed and implemented multi-year philanthropic strategies to advance clean energy and climate campaigns and advocacy at the federal level. Primary portfolio consisted of 2024 post-election scenario planning, the implementation of federal investments/tax credits, state support for EPA power sector regulations, environmental justice, and proactive responses to democratic overreach by the US Supreme Court.