Nichole Wissman

Nichole Wissman, PhD is an Assistant Professor of Management at the University of San Diego (USD) Knauss School of Business and the Co-Director and Co-Founder of USD’s Environmental Integration Lab (EIL), where she fosters interdisciplinary understanding of social and environmental challenges. In her roles, she bridges research and practice to drive meaningful change.

Nichole’s research addresses complex social and environmental challenges, with a focus on climate change, social equity, and the political economy of climate adaptation. She examines how communities, organizations, and governments navigate these critical issues, while also exploring partnerships for regenerative efforts, innovative organizational forms, and the intersection of climate justice and industry. Her work is published in Organization Studies, Organization, Global Strategy Journal, and Organization & Environment.

Nichole is driven by a commitment to connecting research to practice, particularly in social equity, climate adaptation, and food systems. She has led multiple equity-focused projects, including serving as the lead researcher for the County of San Diego Equity Climate Action Plan’s Equity Framework. Beyond academia, she has organized and facilitated multi-stakeholder events, served as a certified conflict mediator in restorative justice programs, contributed to international ecological restoration projects, and worked in policy.