Proof of Concept
Convening
The Kleinman Center continues to serve as a trusted convener for leaders shaping energy policy. Over the past year, we welcomed U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, hosted discussions around the UN Climate Change Conference in Washington, D.C., and supported Penn experts in their efforts to inform policy through congressional testimony. On campus, the Kleinman Center is investing in the next generation of energy leaders through its undergraduate seminar program, connecting students directly with researchers, policymakers, and practitioners tackling today’s most pressing energy challenges.
Connecting with Policymakers
This year, the Kleinman Center expanded its engagement with policymakers and journalists in a series of events at Penn Washington, the university’s premier meeting space on Capitol Hill. A standing-room-only policymaker panel brought together government leaders, researchers, and practitioners for a discussion on the future of energy and climate policy, with lively audience participation underscoring the demand for continued dialogue across sectors.
We also hosted a media roundtable that established new relationships with national energy and climate reporters, creating opportunities for future coverage and positioning Kleinman experts as trusted sources on emerging policy issues. Together, these convenings reinforced the Kleinman Center’s role as a bridge between academic research, policymaking, and public discourse.
Expert Testimony
Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Expertise from Senior Fellow Ben Schmitt continued to shape energy policy at the highest levels of government this year. Schmitt briefed U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse on critical energy and security issues and was selected to testify before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee on maritime sabotage and energy security. These engagements reflect growing demand for Penn’s research and analysis as policymakers navigate the complex intersections of energy, climate, and national security.
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse on Campus
The Kleinman Center welcomed U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse to Penn for a discussion on the colliding intersection of climate change, insurance markets, and energy affordability. Convening researchers, policy experts, and university partners, the conversation highlighted the need for stronger data, improved economic modeling, and more effective public communication to address rising climate-related costs.
Undergrad Fellows Program
The Undergraduate Fellows Program prepares Penn students to become the next generation of energy and climate leaders through research, mentorship, and direct engagement with experts across disciplines. This year, fellows met with scholars and practitioners including Erick Guerra, William Burke-White, Scott Moore, Vanessa Chan, Danny Cullenward, Carolyn Kousky, Hélène Pilorgé, and Dennis Culhane. Students gained firsthand insight into topics ranging from innovation and international law to housing, transportation, and climate policy. By connecting students with the people shaping today’s energy landscape, the program bridges classroom learning with real-world policymaking.
Supporters
Growing support from donors, foundations, and partners is expanding the Kleinman Center’s capacity to address today’s most pressing energy challenges. This year, new philanthropic investments strengthened research, student opportunities, and public programming, while the launch of the Shleifer Senior Fellows program brought distinguished leaders into our community. Together, these investments are building long-term momentum and deepening Penn’s leadership in energy policy research and engagement.
Shleifer Senior Fellows Program
This year, the Kleinman Center launched the Shleifer Senior Fellows Program, made possible through the generosity of Scott and Elena Shleifer. The inaugural fellows—climate finance leader Leslie Labruto and energy policy expert Danny Cullenward—bring decades of experience at the forefront of climate, finance, and public policy. Through teaching, research, and public engagement, the fellows strengthen the Center’s ability to connect scholarship with real-world decision-making, expanding Penn’s influence on energy policy while enriching opportunities for students and faculty alike.
Grants and Foundation Gifts
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