Q&A with TOMODACHI Program Participants and TOMODACHI Alumni: Amelia Stastney
Amelia Stastney is a clean energy policy professional with a focus on advancing the adoption of green hydrogen and e-Fuels in the U.S. and internationally. At StormFisher Hydrogen Ltd., she plays a key role in shaping strategic initiatives around e-Methane, e-Methanol, and e-SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel), supporting decarbonization in the maritime, aviation, and chemical industries and other hard-to-abate sectorsasectors. Amelia brings international perspective to her work through her involvement in the Japan-America Student Conference (JASC) and membership in the US-Japan Council. She is passionate about fostering global collaboration in the transition to a net-zero economy.
I heard you were a recipient of the Japan-America Student Conference (JASC) Ichiro & Toyoko Matsudaira Memorial Fund Scholarship while attending the University of Wisconsin. Could you tell me a little about that experience and how it impacted you?
While studying at the University of Wisconsin, I originally intended to pursue a career in medicine. However, a chance enrollment in a seminar on Asian political movements profoundly shifted my academic trajectory. For the course’s thesis component, I chose to research Kanno Suga, a prominent Japanese figure from the 1920s. That project not only deepened my intellectual curiosity but also served as my entry point to the Ichiro & Toyoko Ichiro & Toyoko Matsudaira Memorial Fund Scholarship .
At the time, I didn’t have a particularly strong interest in Japan—my focus was still largely on the sciences. The interdisciplinary nature of the scholarship program intrigued me. It brought together students from diverse fields—health, engineering, history—and fostered dialogue across disciplines, which I found compelling. I applied, somewhat on a whim, and was selected to participate in the summer program in Japan. It wasn’t until I arrived that I realized the prestige of the program; many of my peers came from elite institutions across the US and Japan. I felt like I had stumbled into something extraordinary.
That experience became a defining moment in my life. It sparked a deep interest in international studies, ultimately leading me to pursue a Master’s in International Affairs and launch a career in public service, including work on Capitol Hill. The Ichiro & Toyoko Matsudaira Memorial Fund Scholarship didn’t just open doors—it reshaped the entire arc of my professional journey.
Can you tell me about your current job and responsibilities? What excites you most about the work you do?
I work for StormFisher Hydrogen, a low-carbon fuel production company that creates e-Fuels using renewable energy, green hydrogen, and CO₂. Our process involves capturing carbon dioxide— from sources ranging from landfills to ethanol plants—and using it as a core building block for synthetic fuels. By combining this captured CO₂ with hydrogen derived from water electrolysis, we’re able to produce methanol that is chemically identical to fossil-derived methanol, but with a crucial difference: it’s nearly carbon-neutral. Since the carbon used to create the fuel was captured before being emitted to the atmosphere , its eventual release does not contribute additional greenhouse gases—effectively closing the carbon loop.
What excites me most about this work is the innovative chemistry at its core and the global momentum behind it. The ability to deconstruct and recombine hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide into usable fuels is a proven and scalable methodology in climate technology, the market is now ready for its adoption. Countries such as Japan, Korea, Singapore and members of the European Union are leading the way by supporting and importing clean fuels.
How did you land your current job?
I landed my current role through a combination of strategic networking and a willingness to explore new professional directions. During a period of active job searching, I utilized a LinkedIn-likefeature called TOMODACHI Connect—now unfortunately discontinued—that allowed me to connect with members of the TOMODACHI Network. Through that outreach, I received my first job offer, though I ultimately chose to accept a position with the U.S. Government Accountability Office instead.
After nearly four years in that role, I came to realize that while the work was valuable, I was more energized by roles involving people and collaboration than by the auditing focus of my position. That realization led me to re-engage my network and explore opportunities that better aligned with my evolving interests. It was during that process that I discovered StormFisher Hydrogen.
At the time, I didn’t have a deep background in renewable energy. But the more I learned, the more I saw the potential for meaningful global impact, especially at the intersection of international policy and sustainability. Today, I work on initiatives such as shipping mandates in collaboration with the United Nations, combining my interest in international affairs with forward-looking climate solutions. It’s been an unexpected but incredibly rewarding journey.
Does your current work involve Japan or U.S.-Japan relations? If so, how?
Yes, my current work does involve Japan and contributes to broader U.S.-Japan relations, particularly in the area of clean energy collaboration. Japan has been a proactive and forward-thinking player in the global transition to renewable energy. For example, Japan is accelerating efforts to produce and procure e-methane, especially overseas where renewable energy is cheaper, to help achieve their 2050 net zero goal. The country aims to replace 1% of city gas volumes with e-methane by 2030 and 90% by 2050. Gas companies, such as Osaka Gas and Toho Gas, can use existing LNG import infrastructure to transport e-methane.
In many countries, government incentives and regulations are necessary to drive clean fuels adoption. What’s remarkable about Japan is that many companies are voluntarily seeking out cleaner fuel alternatives, even in the absence of aggressive regulatory mandates. That level of initiative speaks volumes about Japan’s commitment to sustainability, and it aligns closely with the work I’m involved in—building international partnerships and supporting policy frameworks that accelerate the global transition to low-carbon energy.
What made you decide to go into government and policy?
My decision to pursue a career in government and policy evolved organically through a series of formative professional experiences. Remember that I originally went to school to be a doctor? Well, early on, I volunteered and worked alongside a physician in a clinical setting, where I initially imagined I might follow a path in medicine. However, I soon realized that while doctors play an essential role, the kind of direct, sustained interaction with individuals that I craved was more aligned with social work. That realization led me to spend three years in a Wisconsin clinic as a “resource navigator,” which was sort of like a social worker without the degree.
Over those three years, I became increasingly disheartened by the systemic limitations of the role. Many of the challenges I encountered lacked adequate institutional support, and I began to see how deeply public policy shaped people’s daily lives. It became clear to me that addressing the root causes of these issues required work at the policy level. This insight motivated me to pursue a Master’s in International Public Affairs.
My Master’s degree ultimately led me to work with Congress. There, I engaged in shaping policy from the legislative side, but I found the work somewhat removed from visible outcomes. It was the inverse of my hospital experience: instead of being too close to the problems, I now felt too distant from the impact.
At StormFisher Hydrogen, I’ve found a meaningful balance. I’m able to work on forward-looking policy issues with international implications—particularly in sustainability and energy—while also seeing the tangible effects of those policies as they’re implemented. That blend of strategic influence and practical outcomes is what makes this work so fulfilling.
Do you have any advice for people who are interested in working in sustainability?
For those interested in pursuing a career in sustainability, my advice is to look beyond domestic trends and consider the global forces shaping the industry. One of the most significant recent developments is the clean energy mandate introduced by the United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO). This ruling is poised to become a major driver of both regulation and innovation within the global energy and shipping sectors.
While domestic demand for renewable energy products may fluctuate, the international appetite—particularly for cleaner fuels and technologies—continues to grow. Countries and industries around the world are aligning their strategies with ambitious climate goals, and this global momentum is creating expansive opportunities throughout the renewable energy supply chain.
If you’re exploring where to specialize, I encourage you to consider sectors that are less saturated and on the cusp of rapid transformation. The maritime industry, for example, is undergoing a fundamental shift as it works to decarbonize international shipping. Similarly, the nuclear sector—especially in its advanced and small modular forms—is gaining renewed attention as a low-carbon energy source.
Ultimately, sustainability is no longer a niche—it’s becoming a central pillar of international policy, commerce, and innovation. Aligning your career with these macro trends will position you well for long-term impact and growth.
Are there any current projects or goals you’re especially excited about?
One of the areas I’m most excited about right now is the evolving landscape of renewable energy policy—both in the United States and internationally. Domestically, there’s currently a great deal of policy uncertainty, which has resulted in delays or pauses in some infrastructure projects. However, I’m optimistic about how renewable energy investments will move forward and how the broader policy framework in the U.S. will ultimately take shape. The choices made now will significantly influence the country’s long-term leadership in the global clean energy market.
Internationally, I’m particularly encouraged by Japan’s continued commitment to hydrogen energy. Japan has introduced a number of forward-looking programs to promote the use of renewable hydrogen, and this kind of international demand is only expected to grow. The big question moving forward is whether the United States will emerge as a dominant supplier of clean hydrogen and related fuels—or if another country will step in to fill that role.
This alumni highlight interview was conducted by Camille Nikaido on May 2, 2025. Camille is currently an alumni intern with the TOMODACHI Alumni Leadership Program.
