Meet Sustain Charlotte’s Summer 2025 Interns

We’re thrilled to welcome two passionate and talented college students to the Sustain Charlotte team this summer: Seven Saenz and Shruti Agrawal! Both bring unique perspectives and lived experiences that fuel their dedication to environmental justice and sustainable growth. With backgrounds in Environmental Studies, Economics, Public Health, and advocacy for immigrant and underserved communities, Seven and Shruti are already making an impact.

Read on to learn more about what inspired their passion for sustainability, what they’ll be working on this summer, and how their journeys have led them to Sustain Charlotte.

Hello! My name is Seven Saenz, and I am excited to introduce myself as a Sustain Charlotte intern for the summer of 2025. I am currently a Questbridge Scholar and a rising sophomore at Davidson College, and I intend to major in Environmental Studies on the Natural Science track and possibly minor in Computer Science. 

Originally, I am from Brownsville, Texas, which lies just on the border between the US and Mexico. My parents grew up on just the other side– in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. At Davidson, I pride myself on my participation in the Immigrant Justice Coalition and Organization for Latin American Students.

My hometown is partly why my passion for environmental justice was discovered as urbanization takes over the permeable soil and habitats– with little to no public transportation to aid people. When I moved to Davidson, I quickly became familiar with CATS as it was my only affordable way to get around independently. Sustain Charlotte caught my attention as it aims to further the growth of public transportation, which many people rely on daily in order to live their day to day life. I am thrilled to be able to begin my journey with sustainability and environmental justice with a wonderful organization.

This summer, some of my responsibilities with Sustain Charlotte include advocating for the “One Cent for Mobility” sales tax, planning a number of events to engage residents in the use of public transportation, and developing educational materials to allow business partners to further understand the various transportation choices available to employees. I hope to have a well-rounded experience this summer and gain more information to further continue my education in Environmental Studies.

Hello! My name is Shruti Agrawal, and I’m a rising sophomore at UC Berkeley, but I am originally from Charlotte, North Carolina. I am pursuing a degree in Economics and Public Health with an interest in the intersection of equity, sustainability, finance, and community health. 

Growing up in Charlotte, I became aware of how environmental issues affected people differently based on where they live, work, and go to school. That awareness motivated me to take action through various ways including volunteering locally and founding a nonprofit that encourages students to take on eco-friendly challenges.

This summer, I’m excited to return to my hometown and work with Sustain Charlotte to help advance sustainable transportation and smart growth solutions to build a healthier city for everyone. 

Outside of academics and work, I enjoy running, dancing Kathak (a form of Indian dance), and collecting rare coins from around the world. At Cal, I’m involved with Women on Wall Street, the Bio-Business Initiative, and the Haas Finance Group where I have been learning a lot about healthcare systems, business development, and more. 

At Sustain Charlotte, I will be supporting initiatives that uplift community voices, promote sustainable infrastructure, and improve access to clean and equitable transit. I’m looking forward to learning from local residents and contributing to meaningful projects. 

Thanks for reading!

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