Aisha Saad ’18 Selected as a 2017 Switzer Environmental Fellow

Aisha Saad ’18 is one of twenty environmental scholars chosen as 2017 recipients of the Switzer Environmental Fellowship, a program of the Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundation. Saad’s research focuses on advancing legal mechanisms for addressing corporate human rights abuses and environmental liability.

The Switzer Fellowship Program recognizes the achievements of environmental leaders and their potential to drive positive change. The twenty Fellowships total $300,000 in awards, with each Fellow awarded $15,000 for academic expenses. The Switzer Environmental Fellowship is the hallmark of Switzer Foundation programs and this year’s Fellows bring an impressive diversity of backgrounds and expertise. In addition to these Fellowships, more than $70,000 has been awarded in 2017 under other related Switzer grant programs, including our Leadership Grant Program and Network Innovation Grant program, which support the environmental leadership careers of Switzer Fellows.

“I’m delighted to join such an inspiring and dynamic community of environmental leaders, and grateful to the Switzer Foundation for supporting my work in advancing corporate environmental justice,” said Aisha Saad.

Each year, the fellows advance their skills and develop their expertise to address critical environmental challenges. Over $15 million in grants has been invested in Switzer Fellows during the past 31 years. The Switzer Foundation identifies, supports and nurtures emerging environmental leaders through academic funding, leadership training, and preparation for policy impact.

The 2017 Switzer Fellows hail from a variety of schools and professional fields of study across many academic institutions. Fellows are supported in their interdisciplinary and collaborative work, positioning them for leadership in the nonprofit, government, business and academic sectors. Fellowships are merit-based and rigorously competitive. Candidates must be recognized for their leadership capacity by their academic institution or by environmental experts.

The Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundation is a results-driven family foundation that invests in individuals and organizations that drive positive environmental change. Founded in 1986 the Foundation is a grantmaking organization that mobilizes leaders from diverse disciplines who focus on integrated solutions to environmental problems. More than $15 million has been given through the Switzer Environmental Fellowship Program and related grant programs. The Foundation supports a network of more than 600 Fellows who are leaders in nonprofit, public policy, business, academic, and government sectors working to solve today’s environmental challenges.