<p>As director of investor relations and corporate sustainability at FuelCell Energy, Liubov Volkova leads key initiatives in ESG reporting, operational sustainability, investor relations, and stakeholder engagement, helping to drive the company’s mission toward a cleaner energy future. Volkova credits her time at the NYU Center for Global Affairs (CGA) as a transformative period that reshaped her understanding of environmental policy and its far-reaching implications.</p> <p>“Studying at CGA profoundly transformed my understanding of environmental policy and its instruments,” she shares. “The program broadened my perspective on the complex network of actors shaping the energy and environmental landscape, ranging from international and governmental organizations to the private sector, grassroots movements, and individual stakeholders.”</p> <p>Courses such as <i>Energy, Environment, and Resource Security</i> and <i>Sustainable Development</i> deepened her insight into the interdependence of global systems and the ripple effects of policy decisions. “Exploring the full spectrum of ESG principles and stakeholder needs equipped me with the knowledge and practical tools to design effective ESG strategies, sustainability reports, and stakeholder engagement frameworks,” she adds.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>When asked what makes her most proud to be a CGA alum, Volkova immediately points to the school’s rigorous academic environment and inspiring faculty. “CGA has been an incredibly inspiring place to learn and grow. Its rigorous programs, brilliant faculty, and close ties with industry leaders create a truly dynamic environment,” she says.</p> <p>Volkova also values the sense of camaraderie that defined her experience as a graduate student. “Throughout the program, I felt deeply inspired, challenged in the best ways, and genuinely supported,” she recalls. Volkova chose the Global Affairs program for its comprehensive curriculum and inspiring leadership, naming Carolyn Kissane and Vera Jelinek as key influences in her academic journey.</p> <p>Volkova continues to stay informed and inspired by leading thinkers in sustainability and global development, recommending resources such as <i>Higher Ground</i> by Alison Taylor, <i>The Age of Sustainable Development</i> by Jeffrey D. Sachs, and <i>Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution</i> by Paul Hawken, Amory Lovins, and Hunter Lovins.</p> <p><i>If you're interested in shaping the future of global energy policy and sustainability,&nbsp;CGA's new <a href="https://www.sps.nyu.edu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-sustainability-and-global-energy-practice.html">MS in Sustainability and Global Energy Practice</a> empowers practitioners to deliver holistic solutions across a wide range of fields including energy, agriculture, water, food systems, tourism, real estate, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and global finance.</i></p>