Sandra Goldmark

Sandra has over 25 years in higher education, with deep subject matter expertise in circular economy, design, and climate. She is a professor of practice and Associate Dean for Engagement and Impact at the Columbia Climate School. Her team at Columbia leads the Global Impact Lab, an accelerator for cross-sectoral climate solutions, engages climate leaders from across Columbia through the Earth Networks, and develops applied and experiential learning opportunities.

Sandra is interdisciplinary by training and practice. She doesn't stay in her lane—she fearlessly builds bridges between fields, bringing climate thinking into unexpected places and connecting the right people to create unique solutions. She also helps nurture leaders to unlock their own capacity to lead meaningful change.

Sandra has proven experience turning her vision into real-world change. She builds effective programs from the ground up using design thinking, partnership development, and expert facilitation. Prior to the Columbia Climate School, she built Barnard College’s Office of Sustainability, and founded and operated a social enterprise repair service.

Sandra started her career as a theatrical designer, and brings her abilities as a storyteller and collaborator to all of her work. She is a national leader in sustainable design and production for theatre.

Sandra’s work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, the BBC, CBS News, The Sunday Times of London, The Daily News, Salon.com, and many more. Sandra is the author of Fixation: How to Have Stuff without Breaking the Planet.