Skip to content
students holding award in front of Duke Chapel

People

Design Climate is part of a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem at Duke University and the North Carolina Research Triangle that attracts top academic and professional talent from around the world. Serving as a bridge between industry and academia, our program recruits experts who are leaders in their fields to instruct and mentor students, advise faculty, and steer commercialization efforts toward success.

Design Climate Program Instructors

Experienced professionals who bring decades of real-world experience to the classroom, Design Climate instructors have secured tens of millions of dollars in non-dilutive funding and shepherded dozens of climate tech startups through raises and successful exits to Google, S&P Global, and more. Meet our team!

Alexis Carpenter

Alexis Carpenter, Ph.D.

Design Climate I & II
Judy Ledlee

Judy Ledlee, Ph.D., P.E.

Executive Director of Design Climate, Instructor of Design Climate I & II, and Climate Tech Studio
Rebecca Simmons

Rebecca Simmons, Ph.D.

Climate Tech Studio
Helen Whiteley

Helen Whiteley

Design Climate I & II


Mentors and Co-Designers

The Design Climate program recruits entrepreneurs, community leaders, and professors to guide our student teams, steer financial modeling and prototype development, facilitate stakeholder introductions, and more. Together with our instructors, these seasoned professionals share their expertise and guidance with the students, collaborate in regularly scheduled meetings (usually monthly), and help to shepherd students through the entrepreneurial experience. Examples of our current and previous program mentors are below, to inquire about becoming a mentor, fill out this application. We would love to hear from you!