Programs +
We are thrilled to welcome Regina Sung as ClimateHaven’s new full-time Associate. Regina recently graduated from Yale University with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies and a Certificate in Energy Studies. In her new role, she’ll continue expanding our portfolio of startups, strengthening the catalytic support we provide, and helping build new initiatives that push climate innovation forward. We conducted an interview with Regina so you could get to know her and her role at ClimateHaven better.
Ananyaa: Why is it important to catalyze climate technology now more than ever?
Regina: I've seen firsthand how policy and innovation intersect, shaping market trends through federal regulations, state and local policies, and incentives. Right now, the demand for climate tech solutions is higher than ever, with policy fueling innovation and new funding infrastructure making it possible to scale. But beyond the numbers, signs from and nature and climate change are impossible to ignore; our world needs bold, scalable systemic solutions.
Ananyaa: What focus areas you will be working on and are most excited to work on?
Regina: I’ll be leading startup recruitment to enhance our portfolio and expanding the resources available to founders. What excites me most is working on the Water Innovation Hub, water tech is often an overlooked sector and I am excited do a deep dive into the landscape. There’s a significant gap in bringing water tech solutions to real-world impact and too few solutions are making it to market. An incubator can play a crucial role in amplifying these innovations and bridging that gap, and that’s what I hope to build here at ClimateHaven.
Ananyaa: What do you hope ClimateHaven will be in 5 years?
Regina: In five years, I hope ClimateHaven will have a startup portfolio that spans all high-emitting sectors, driving impact across the climate economy in Connecticut and beyond. I envision a thriving internal organization with a strong network that attracts top startups from across New England. Developing a venture arm would be an exciting step and of course, I’d love to see ClimateHaven become a net-zero energy office.
Ananyaa: How does your academic and previous work experience tie into your work here at ClimateHaven?
Regina: I’ve worked on grassroots initiatives, community organizing, and interned with a large international solar company. Through all of this, I started noticing a gap between innovation and scalable climate tech, which became a huge focus for me. I wanted to work at the intersection of identifying global problems and developing local solutions that make a difference, regionally. My thesis at Yale was on water conservation in the Southwest, which sparked my interest in the Water Innovation Hub here at ClimateHaven. It’s been great diving deeper into the challenges local water utilities face, especially with our partners like the RWA. I’m really looking forward to collaborating with more stakeholders in the water tech landscape.
Ananyaa: What do you enjoy most about working at ClimateHaven?
Regina: Challenging my incredible co-workers to ping pong tournaments in the middle of the workday.
