Tracey and Ken Pontarelli have endowed the Pontarelli Professorship at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. The couple’s contribution is intended to support students pursuing careers in sustainability, reflecting their long-standing commitment to the field.
Ken Pontarelli, a 1992 graduate of Syracuse University, credits his education for shaping his career path and enabling him to contribute positively to public welfare. He stated that their goal is “to build a sustainability program that ties together distinctive strengths from across the University.”
The professorship builds on previous initiatives by the Pontarellis, including a five-year funded professorship initiated in 2019 and a scholarship fund at the Martin J. Whitman School of Management. These efforts helped create a joint master’s degree in sustainable organizations and policy from both the Maxwell and Whitman schools.
Jay Golden, holding the Pontarelli Professor of Environmental Sustainability and Finance position, noted an improvement in rankings for Syracuse University’s environmental policy programs. “Each year our rankings have increased,” he said.
Ken Pontarelli’s professional journey includes a significant role at Goldman Sachs where he leads private equity impact investing within its Asset Management Division. His work emphasizes pragmatic solutions like investments in energy efficiency technologies.
The Dynamic Sustainability Lab at Syracuse has grown under this support, maintaining around 40 to 50 research fellows each semester since its launch in 2021. According to Golden, “we have more students interested than we can currently financially support.”
Golden highlighted student involvement with various industries such as energy systems and global supply chain management practices aimed at eliminating forced labor. Students are also engaged in projects related to resiliency strategies for built environments across New York state.
Dean David M. Van Slyke expressed gratitude towards the Pontarellis: “This professorship…will make certain their commitment to climate, energy and environmental sustainability continues.”
Golden also praised the employment success rate of graduates involved with these programs, noting opportunities with major organizations such as Morgan Stanley and KPMG.
Pontarelli concluded by emphasizing his desire for students to find inspiration in sustainability careers: “It’s purposeful, meaningful work as they become problem-solvers who can change the world.”
