Michael Wilkinson

Michael Wilkinson is pursuing a Master’s in International Policy at Stanford University, specializing in Energy, Natural Resources, and the Environment. His academic interests center on the geopolitics and political economy of the energy transition, particularly how nations can advance decarbonization and energy security amid intensifying global competition in energy and artificial intelligence. His work is grounded in a commitment to environmental protection and preserving a livable planet for future generations.

Michael brings experience across the private sector and government. Prior to Stanford, he worked in Bank of America’s Global Infrastructure and Sustainable Finance Group, supporting the development and financing of energy and digital infrastructure. He previously served as a Senior Investment Officer in the United States Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office, helping finance innovative clean energy technologies, and began his career in Goldman Sachs’ Renewable Power Group, working on solar and battery storage projects across North America. He graduated summa cum laude from Tufts University with a B.A. in International Relations and Environmental Studies, where he was a Cowdery Memorial Scholar. He also conducted international field research on renewable energy and sustainable development in Vietnam, Morocco, and Peru.

Outside of his academic and professional pursuits, Michael is drawn to environmental storytelling and the power of awe, exploration, and film to inspire deeper connections with the natural world and its protection. He is fascinated by imaginative visions of sustainable living, from ecological arcologies and self-sufficient communities to emerging technologies that could fundamentally reshape humanity’s relationship with the natural world. He is inspired by the possibility of a more peaceful, cooperative world, where collective ingenuity and shared purpose advance human flourishing and environmental stewardship. His curiosity extends to ecological anthropology and how cultures, technologies, and built environments shape the ways people live alongside nature. An adventurous spirit, he enjoys exploring new places, discovering unconventional ideas, and spending time outdoors with his golden retriever, Franklin (“Frankie”).