Kara Chipiwalt

Kara has been passionate about the environment since childhood and grew up surrounded by acres of wooded landscape, creeks, and ponds to explore in Central Virginia. She studied geography in both undergraduate and graduate school, obtaining her bachelor’s degree at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and her master’s degree at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. Throughout her academic career, Kara focused her research on climate change impacts in various places and communities. Prior to Solstice, she worked within the energy industry focused on energy efficiency for homes and businesses in Virginia. She is excited to bring her data background to Solstice, where she hopes to improve the systems and processes necessary to achieve the company’s goals. In her free time, you can find Kara at the beach, enjoying the outdoors, watching a good horror movie (every month is spooky month for her), hanging out with friends and family, or taking photos on her Canon.