Marla is a third-year dual degree candidate, pursuing an MBA and a Master of Environmental Management with a focus on energy and the environment. Prior to attending Duke, Marla spearheaded the development and implementation of a community energy plan in rural Oregon, where she spent five years building partnerships to achieve community resilience and economic development through energy projects.
While at Duke, Marla has explored impact investing and climate finance as a CASE-i3 associate and has focused on business models oriented around achieving energy access as the co-chair of the 2023 Energy in Emerging Markets Case Competition. Sheโs also pursued entrepreneurship training and experience through participation in a Department of Energy commercialization pitch competition, where her team won a bonus grand prize.
As a CASE fellow, Marla is interested in further exploring business models and activities that will support rapid decarbonization and equitable economic development. Post graduation, she aspires to help develop and scale businesses that work at this intersection.