Pace Energy and Climate Center Announces 2025–26 Executive Board

The Pace Energy and Climate Center (“PECC") is thrilled to announce the 2025–26 Executive Board, which is comprised of three exceptional Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University students committed to advancing PECC’s mission and outreach.

Frances Gothard ‘26 brings an invaluable global perspective to energy and environmental law using her background in International Studies along with her diverse experiences. At Pace Haub Law, she has served as the Co-Chair of the New Directions in Environmental Law Conference (“NDEL”) and as Vice President of the Environmental Law Society (“ELS”). Additionally, she worked as a research assistant for a collaborative law review article exploring the contours of environmental policy specifically on the legal landscapes surrounding natural resources, national parks, and national monuments. She also externed with Consolidated Edison Company of New York’s Energy and Environmental Law Department. Currently, she is practicing as a student attorney with the Food and Farm Business Law Clinic working with local small businesses and nonprofit organizations and serves as an editor for the national law journal The Urban Lawyer. Looking ahead, Frances is committed to elevating international perspectives on energy, food systems, and environmental policy to shape energy and climate law and advance equitable and sustainable energy and climate solutions.

Carington Lowe ‘26 has a background in science and brings an interdisciplinary approach to energy and environmental law. At Pace Haub Law, she serves as Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Pace Environmental Law Review, completed an externship with the Land Use Law Center, practiced as a student attorney in the Food and Farm Business Law Clinic, contributed as a research assistant on climate-conscious affordable housing, and serves as a Sustainable Business Law Hub Scholar. These experiences have shaped her commitment to advancing renewable energy transitions. Looking forward, Carington’s focus is on biofuel, nuclear energy, and identifying climate harm, with the goal of bridging science, technology, and policy to build a more equitable and sustainable energy future.

Kenneth Sumter ’26 is a creative professional driven by a deep passion for renewable energy. With a unique eye for design and storytelling, he channels his creativity into advancing clean energy solutions that connect people, places, and purpose. At PECC, his research this academic year focuses on reimagining urban battery storage to build a sustainable infrastructure dedicated to creating resilient cities and making affordable, reliable energy a reality for urban neighborhoods.

Under new leadership from its Executive Director Michael Hamersky and the ongoing expertise of Energy Policy Advisor Emma Lagle, PECC is driving innovative energy and environmental initiatives to tackle the planet’s most pressing climate and energy challenges. Student involvement is at the core of PECC, which is committed to an open-door policy that encourages all Pace Haub Law students to engage with the Center by getting involved in projects that spark their interest. Students will also be selected to serve as the Center's Energy and Climate Law Scholars and contribute to research, legal scholarship, and hands-on projects across the diverse initiatives of PECC. The Energy and Climate Law Scholars also have the opportunity to have their writing featured in the Center's newsletter: R.E.A.C.T. by PECC.

PECC also hosts student interns and externs, including Mercè Martí I Exposito LLM ‘26, Joseph Mayson LLM ‘26, and Clara Cusanelli ‘27, who are assisting with PECC’s innovative work on thermal energy networks, research related to sustainable biofuels, and international issues that PECC will address at IUCN and COP30.