Pasang Lhamo

Rice University, Jones Graduate School of Business

“Tibetan-American Buddhist aspiring to be more fully present and do good in business.”

Hometown: Cambridge, MA

Fun Fact About Yourself: I was born in the countryside of India and raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts. I cherish my upbringing: Saturday morning cartoons, Bollywood movies with my family, and Tibetan Sunday school, where I explored my heritage through traditional performing arts.

Growing up among neighbors from diverse backgrounds and serving on Cambridge’s Mayor’s Youth Council shaped my early awareness of social equity, public policy, and economic development. These experiences gave me a global perspective and a deep appreciation for things often taken for granted. Navigating multiple cultural realities continues to shape how I move through the world and connect with others.

Undergraduate School and Major: Bachelor’s in Public Policy from Syracuse University

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: ClimatePartners, Sustainability Consultant

What has been your favorite part of Houston so far? Why? I have a strong affinity for urban parks and always seek them out in any city I visit or live in. Hermann Park is by far one of my favorite places to unwind and be active. We’ve even started a small, yet energetic, weekly MBA running group there, which has been a great way to destress and connect with others.

Hermann Park is conveniently located near campus and serves as a refuge from many of life’s stressors. The park is situated next to Brays Bayou and features mini wetlands that attract various birds and mammals. It also includes the Houston Zoo and Miller Outdoor Theatre, which hosts fantastic free concerts and offers amazing sunset views. The reflection pool near the Obelisk reminds me of the monuments in Washington, D.C., as well as New York City’s Central Park.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the one key part of the Rice Jones MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? After working in financial services and consulting, I realized I wanted to deepen my understanding of the energy system and explore how finance can drive sustainable solutions. As a sustainability consultant, I worked with clients across sectors on decarbonization, which sparked my interest in energy finance and entrepreneurship.

Rice stood out to me because of its strong pipeline into energy roles, integration of real-world energy cases into core classes and proximity to Houston’s climate tech ecosystem, including Greentown Labs.

In Texas, a predominantly oil and gas state, many individuals rely on jobs in these industries. Fortunately, there’s a growing number of jobs in renewable energy, and many large energy companies are taking interest in low-carbon solutions. Transitioning to a more diverse range of energy sources is essential. I hope we can accomplish this in a compassionate way — addressing immediate local needs while considering long-term global energy requirements.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Rice Jones? The finance recruiting process has been a highlight. From informational sessions with over 19 Houston firms to networking with alumni, the experience offered deep exposure to the energy sector. The support from the Rice Business Finance Association and second-year mentors has been great, and connecting with Professional MBA students, many of whom work in energy, has made the journey even more enriching.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: While working at JPMorgan, my team in the Portfolio Analytics Group began exploring how to incorporate Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) metrics into our client reports. After transitioning to consulting at Sia Partners, I took the initiative to establish our company’s ESG business development group. I collaborated with a team of passionate colleagues who shared my curiosity about this evolving field.

It was exciting to connect with others and find meaningful ways to collaborate, creating new opportunities for the company. I had the pleasure of presenting on ESG to the entire Sia Partners U.S. team, which enabled me to build connections across various verticals, including fintech and banking. This experience helped us discover new collaboration opportunities and explore how the ESG framework could be effectively leveraged. It also introduced me to the sustainability field, ultimately leading me to ClimatePartner, a startup based in Boston.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? Working with my core team, four individuals from different countries and backgrounds, has been incredibly rewarding. We spent hours collaborating, challenging each other, and growing together. I made a conscious effort to improve our dynamic and stretch beyond my comfort zone.

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far? Valhalla right after the final exams. The energy at this student-run bar, under a canopy of lights and trees, was pure celebration. It was a chance to reflect on our efforts, bond with classmates, and truly feel part of a tight-knit community.

DON’T MISS: MEET THE RICE JONES MBA CLASS OF 2026

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