Sophie Weinberg always knew she wanted to work in sustainability. She just needed the right door to open.

After more than two years in her previous role, the 2021 alum began searching for opportunities that more closely aligned with her interest in environmental work. She had an academic foundation that included a chemistry degree from the University of Richmond, a minor in environmental studies, and a master’s in environmental and green chemistry. She was missing a connection to the right place and people.

She found that connection at a University of Richmond alumni event in New York City, where she met Eric Hunter from the University’s alumni network. They followed up after the reception, and Weinberg shared what she hoped her next step might look like: a role that combined data, strategy, and sustainability in a meaningful way.

Hunter saw a clear match and introduced her to fellow Spider Zach Sussman, a 2010 University of Richmond graduate and Alumni Association board member working in sustainability in New York. The two soon met for coffee.

“As it turns out, the work Sophie had been doing was very similar to the work I had done earlier in my career,” Sussman said. “She was evaluating utility energy efficiency programs, some of the same programs I helped manage when I was at Con Edison.”

That common ground made the conversation easy. Weinberg could ask specific questions about the industry, and Sussman could speak candidly about his path and the realities of the work. For someone navigating a career transition, the chance to connect with someone who had been there made the possibilities feel more tangible.

A few months later, Weinberg came across an opening at Con Edison, the energy company that supplies electricity and gas to millions of customers in New York City. She applied, then reached out to Sussman to let him know.

The introduction allowed her to move beyond a résumé and demonstrate how her skills and experience aligned with the team’s needs.

“Zach’s connection really helped get my foot in the door,” Weinberg said. “It turned into an opportunity that ended up being the perfect fit.”

By December 2025, Weinberg had joined Con Edison, stepping into a role that brings together her scientific training, her interest in sustainable energy, and her experience evaluating programs and outcomes.

The position was built on her Richmond experiences, where she paired her chemistry major with an environmental studies minor to explore sustainability more formally. Internships in environmental justice, retail distribution, and energy broadened her perspective, showing how sustainability plays out across industries. Each experience added another layer to the work she does today.

The final pieces included Sussman’s insights. Sussman said helping Weinberg make the leap was meaningful.

“I work in a relatively small and evolving space,” he said. “Earlier in my career, I didn’t always have the network or the experience to help in this way. Being able to do that now really shows how impactful these connections can be.”

He credits the Office of Alumni Engagement for setting the stage. Although Sussman and Weinberg were at the same New York event, they never met there. It was Hunter, drawing on his knowledge of their backgrounds and interests, who connected them afterward.

“If Sophie hadn’t gone to the event and talked with Eric, there’s a good chance we never would have connected,” Sussman said. “That’s what makes these events so valuable.”

Weinberg hopes her story encourages other students and alumni to actively engage with the Richmond network.

“Every Spider I’ve spoken with has been willing to take the time to talk,” she said. “Even just 30 minutes can make a big difference. You never know where a conversation may lead.”