People

Yale Planetary Solutions Team

The YPS team supports the Yale Planetary Solutions mission and programs. Together, we work to raise awareness of climate and biodiversity work across Yale, spark new approaches, and facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations that unlock novel solutions. We strive to lead by example, building on Yale's long history of excellence in research, education, and leadership.

Julie Zimmerman – Vice Provost for Planetary Solutions, Professor of Green Engineering, Deputy Director for Research at Center for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering 

Julie Beth Zimmerman serves as the inaugural Vice Provost for Planetary Solutions at Yale University. Julie holds joint appointments as a Professorin the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the School of the Environment.  Her research focuses on innovations in sustainable technologies and the policies necessary to advance them.  She serves as the deputy director for the Center for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering at Yale and holds leadership positions in both national and international research consortia. In addition, Julie teaches in the Yale School of Management’s Executive Education program on sustainability and leadership. Throughout her career, Julie has consulted for a wide range of organizations and institutions, including Fortune 500 companies and state and international organizations, providing guidance on sustainability, innovation, green chemistry, and green engineering. Beyond her roles at Yale, Julie is the editor-in-chief of Environmental Science & Technology, the most highly cited journal in the fields of environmental science and engineering. Prior to joining Yale, Dr. Zimmerman was an Engineer and program manager at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development.  Dr. Zimmerman earned her B.S. from the University of Virginia and her Ph.D. from the University of Michigan jointly from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the School of Environment and Sustainability.

Sara Smiley Smith – Assistant Provost, Planetary Solutions

Sara Smiley Smith serves as the Assistant Provost for Planetary Solutions.  In this role, she works to implement strategic initiatives, expand interdisciplinary collaboration, build capacity and engage stakeholders both within and beyond Yale’s campus.  Prior to this role, Sara served as the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Research, and Sustainability at the Yale School of the Environment (YSE). She received her Ph.D. from YSE in 2016 and completed the joint master’s degree program between the School of Epidemiology and Public Health and YSE in 2007. During her time at Yale, she has also had the opportunity to work in the University’s Office of Sustainability. Sara holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Political Science from Middlebury College (2004). She spent her childhood on the remnants of her family’s dairy farm in the small town of Winslow, Maine.

Alex Reich – Director of Research and Impact

Alex builds and manages relationships with faculty and staff across Yale, as well as with partners and stakeholders outside of the university to promote, accelerate, and coordinate the translation of planetary solutions-related knowledge from inquiry to positive impact both on and off campus. He facilitates interdisciplinary collaborations, supporting synergistic opportunities for knowledge generation, advancement, and implementation across the wide range of topics relevant to planetary solutions. Alex joins YPS from the National Academies, where he worked as the Climate Crossroads Program Officer, leading efforts to implement climate solutions programs and studies.

 

 

Ash Baker – Program Manager, Engagement and Implementation

Ash joined the Yale Planetary Solutions team in February 2025. As YPS's program manager, she provides planning and support for events, coordinates internal communications, and oversees the website. In this role, she also manages relationships with key partners and stakeholders and ensures operational excellence. Ash brings a decade of experience working at the intersection of science, sustainability, and community. She holds a B.S. in chemistry and a M.Sc. in multimedia journalism. 
 
 

 

Caitlin Rubenstein – Senior Executive Assistant

Caitlin joined the office of the Provost in July 2023. In her role as senior executive assistant, she supports the Vice Provost for Planetary Solutions, Julie Zimmerman and Head of Strategy, Chad Losee. Caitlin joined Yale in 2019 as a Senior Administrative Assistant in the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs.  She received her B.A. in English from Merrimack College in 2006.

 

 

In addition to YPS staff,  the YPS Steering Committee helps set the goals and ambitions for this critical part of the University's work. Learn more.