WOHESC

Amy Bowers Cordalis is a devoted advocate for Indigenous rights and environmental restoration. A member of the Yurok Tribe and ceremony family from the village of Rek-woi at the mouth of the Klamath River, she is a fisherwoman, attorney, and mother deeply rooted in the traditions of her people. As Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Ridges to Riffles Indigenous Conservation Group, Amy leads efforts to support tribes in protecting their sovereignty, lands, and waters, including the historic Klamath Dam Removal project—one of the world’s largest river restoration and dam removal initiatives. Former general counsel for the Yurok Tribe and an attorney at the Native American Rights Fund, Amy has earned honors as a UN Champion of the Earth and Time 100 climate leader, and is the author of the forthcoming book, The Water Remembers, anticipated in October 2025.

Aimée Okotie-Oyekan is a prayer towards more loving, healing, and earth-based ways of being. A Nigerian diasporan by way of Pasadena, MD and Metro-Atlanta, GA, the indigenous homelands of the Piscataway, Susquehannock, and Muscogee peoples, Aimée is the founder and principal of Aiyé Collaborative, a creative ecosystem of community offerings that engage artistic and cultural production, public education, and community planning as worldbuilding technologies to reconstruct power and facilitate repair with communities most impacted by colonialism, slavery, and the climate crisis. Aimée works through a lens of ancestral and diasporic Afro-indigenous belief systems to envision liberated ecological futures of collective wellness.

Laurie Frankel is the New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of five novels. Her writing has also appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, The Washington Post, Poets & Writers, Publisher’s Weekly, People Magazine, Lit Hub, The Sydney Morning Herald, and other publications. She is the recipient of the Washington State Book Award and the Endeavor Award. Her novels have been translated into more than twenty-five languages and been optioned for film and TV. A former college professor, she now writes full-time in Seattle, Washington where she lives with her family and makes good soup.

Johanna Stoberock is the author of the novels Pigs (Red Hen Press) and City of Ghosts (W.W. Norton). The 2019 recipient of the Artist Trust/Gar LaSalle Storyteller Award, 2016 Runner Up for the Italo Calvino Prize for Fiction, and a 2012 Jack Straw Fellow, Johanna has received residencies at the Corporation of Yaddo, the Vermont Studio Center, and the Millay Colony. Her work has appeared in the Chicago Review of Books, Lit Hub, the Best of the Net Anthology, and elsewhere. She lives in Walla Walla, WA.

Sarah (she/her) leads the office's academic, co-curricular, and community outreach and engagement programming and team, including staff members focused on reuse and recycling and the campus natural areas program. She earned her PhD in Literature from UO and her research focused on how narratives after the First World War manifested, but failed to resolve, the conflict's trauma and grief. She has since extended that overarching curiosity about the cultural and affective consequences of rupture, change, and traumatic events to the "polycrisis" of our current world. She has trained as a facilitator and program teacher with the Good Grief Network, the All We Can Save Project's Climate Wayfinding program, and the Stanford Design School. Sarah uses these trainings frequently in her work, from classes centered on envisioning sustainable futures for all or workshops for faculty and staff focused authentic engagement and deepening of professional practice.

As the daughter of immigrants who has grown up between two cultures, I often draw on my personal experience as a way to connect with and amplify the voices of those who have historically not been heard. As a scholar and academic, I also know that racial equity work is challenging, emotional, institutional, and personal. I’ve taught about global issues, race, gender, identity, and equity to thousands of students, presented at high-profile as well as more humble events, and collaborated with social change agents and innovative thinkers around the world. I partner with clients for the long haul and strive to build inclusivity and collaboration, inviting people into conversation.

Karen Thompson Walker is the author of the New York Times bestselling novel The Age of Miracles, which has been translated into twenty-seven languages and named one of the best books of the year by People, O: The Oprah Magazine, and Financial Times, among others. Born and raised in San Diego, Walker is a graduate of UCLA and the Columbia MFA program. She lives with her husband, the novelist Casey Walker, and their two daughters in Portland. She is an assistant professor of creative writing at the University of Oregon.

Keara is a first-generation, 4th year student at the University of Oregon, originally from Lake County, California. She is studying Globalization, Environment, and Policy with a minor in Geography. Keara has organized the SSC Food Equity Program for 3 years and is also working at a UO Food Security research lab. She intends to pursue a future in contributing to positive change within the systematic global issues of food insecurity.

Born in Blantyre, Malawi, and now based in Portland, Oregon, Tiya Chabwera is a powerful example of resilience, intentional growth, and purpose driven leadership. She currently serves as a Basic Needs Ambassador within the Basic Needs & Sustainability Leadership Program at Portland Community College, where she advocates for student wellbeing, food security, resource accessibility, and community empowerment across multiple campuses. Tiya is pursuing her Associate's degree while preparing to transfer into a Bioengineering program, where she hopes to contribute to innovations that support health, sustainability, and community centered solutions. As an international student from Malawi, she brings a global, compassionate perspective to her academic and leadership roles.

Throughout my time here at Central Washington University, my skillset evolved to be bigger than IT. My sustainability experience started with my interest in researching sustainable technology practices in Data Centers, which eventually evolved into a bigger sustainability literary review presentation for my senior SOURCE presentation. My focus on sustainability grew as I learned about the ethical issues that come with AI and Data Center facilities. I started researching the impacts of data centers around the US, and how AI will have an impact on our environmental resources sooner than we realize. This SOURCE presentation became a passion project for me and cemented my desire to bring awareness to sustainable tech practices moving forward.

Isabella joined the office during Spring 2025. Isabella is a third year Sustainability and Public Policy major with a minor in Psychology. Isabella works with the Sustainability Council to connect students to resources for advancing sustainability objectives. When she has free time aside from school and rowing practice, she enjoys reading, exercising, and traveling!

Hemalatha (Hema) Velappan is a student leader committed to transforming higher education spaces into climate-positive environments. She co-led the successful fossil fuel divestment campaign at the University of Washington and continues to advocate for campus-wide decarbonization. A recipient of the Husky Sustainability Award, Hema has served on various sustainability-focused committees. Drawing on her experience as an environmental decision-making practitioner, she collaborates with the UW Sustainability team to advance impactful strategies for a greener campus. As a forestry researcher, she brings a deep passion for biodiversity and organized a biodiversity monitoring event on campus. She also mentors students, helping to empower emerging leaders, and foster collaborative pathways toward a just and sustainable future.

Morgan Barker (she/her/hers) holds a BA in Recreation Administration, an MBA, and an MLIS. Morgan has led outdoor adventures, taught college courses, and worked in global manufacturing/design, while thoughtfully considering the nuance of sustainability elements throughout. Morgan now works as the Sustainability Librarian at Cal Poly Humboldt, where she supports the campus in nurturing sustainability research and curriculum. Morgan led efforts to attain a Sustainable Library Certification with the Sustainable Libraries Initiative. Morgan’s favorite project is being able to sit on the SHIFT (Sustainable Humboldt Innovative Futures Trust) committee - a place where student fees are distributed by students to fund campus sustainability projects. Morgan loves cold plunging in the crisp waters of the Pacific Ocean, enjoying time with her family and dogs.

Sylvia Blodorn is the Sustainability and Resilience Program Coordinator at Gonzaga University. A recent graduate of the University of Montana, she is passionate about environmental conservation and advocacy, which led her to higher education sustainability. Sylvia also has a diverse background of previous experience working as a Lead Educator with SpectrUM Science Center and a Conservation Lands Attendant with Missoula Parks and Recreation. She has spent time working with project development and resiliency through her time so far at Gonzaga, specifically through her current work organizing sustainability leadership programs for Gonzaga students, staff, and community members. In her free time, Sylvia enjoys birdwatching, crocheting, and competing in timbersports events!

Valentine is a fifth-year student at the University of Oregon studying Indigenous, Race and Ethnic Studies. He helps coordinate the UO Student Sustainability Center’s Grove Community Garden and is the editor of A People’s Guide to the University of Oregon, a guidebook which interrogates the complex interplay of people, place and power at the UO. He is particularly passionate about building place-based communities that can support our needs while outgrowing the systems we organize against.

Jeff Bousson leads and oversees the Office of Sustainability at Central Washington University (CWU). Having earned a master’s degree in Climate Science and Solutions from Northern Arizona University, Jeff is responsible for the strategic implementation of CWU’s Climate Action Plan and campus-wide sustainability initiatives. Jeff and his team work to produce environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable outcomes in partnership with the campus and local community.

Lauren Brohawn is the Associate Director for the Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship in the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington. As manager of the Environmental Innovation Challenge, Lauren has given a platform to hundreds of student entrepreneurs to showcase their innovative solutions to climate-related problems and earn the funding and support to become early-stage ventures. Lauren is also known for her extensive education-focused work in the areas of representation, equity, and sustainability and is a lifetime advocate for solving climate-related issues. She has held prior roles as a Waste Zero Specialist and Conservation Policy Coordinator, among others. Lauren earned a Master of Education from UW and a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Conservation from the University of Delaware.

Ada is an Environmental Studies major pursuing a Bachelor of Science at the University of Oregon. As a first year student worker with the Student Sustainability Center, she’s most excited about bridging communities with sustainable resources and creating meaningful, collaborative change.

Sadie Creemer has been with the Student Sustainability Center for three years, first as a student staff and now as a professional staff member. She first served as the Leadership and Engagement Lead connecting students with volunteer opportunities. Now she is the Program Coordinator and supports event planning, volunteer opportunities, and services that the center provides to the student body.

Amanda Dassoff supports communication efforts for the University of Washington Building Services Department, primarily working with UW Recycling. For the past six years, Amanda has designed the University’s waste signage, spearheaded the UW’s Trash Art Contest and promoted UW Recycling’s student moveout program. She’s passionate about accessibility and making complex information understandable for everyday audiences. Amanda holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication from Pacific Lutheran University and a master’s degree in Strategic Communication from Washington State University.

Amanda Dassoff supports communication efforts for the University of Washington Building Services Department, primarily working with UW Recycling. For the past six years, Amanda has designed the University’s waste signage, spearheaded the UW’s Trash Art Contest and promoted UW Recycling’s student moveout program. She’s passionate about accessibility and making complex information understandable for everyday audiences. Amanda holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication from Pacific Lutheran University and a master’s degree in Strategic Communication from Washington State University.

Beth Filar Williams is an Associate Professor and User Experience Research Librarian at Oregon State University Libraries, with more than 25 years of experience in many types of libraries and locations. She applies this experience and an evergreen curiosity to understanding our users' needs, connecting people, and empowering libraries as societal strongholds. She co-founded ALA’s Sustainability Round Table, is an elected member of IFLAs Environment, Sustainability and Libraries Section, and continues active involvement across her campus in carbon reduction and sustainable practices. She earned her MLIS from the University of Maryland iSchool and BA in Geography from the Johns Hopkins University.

Claudia Frere-Anderson is a seasoned sustainability practitioner with a proven track record of driving transformative change across higher education, corporate, and consulting sectors. She currently serves as Sustainability Manager for Data & Reporting at Environ Energy leading the team that helps organizations navigate complex ESG frameworks, enhance transparency, and deliver credible sustainability disclosures. Claudia first joined Environ in 2021 as a consultant, leveraging her deep expertise to guide clients through sustainability strategy and reporting before transitioning into her current leadership role.

Liz Gignilliat, Program Administration Manager of UW Recycling, has worked at the University of Washington since 2014. She specializes in the recycling and solid waste department's process improvements, data collection and reporting, and program management. She graduated from Georgia State University with a B.A. in Anthropology, where her studies focused on consumption and material culture, globalization, and visual culture.

Cait Goodwin has been a member of the Oregon Sea Grant marine education team for more than 20 years. She is based at Oregon State University’s Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, Oregon where she uses place-based and hands-on activities to help people of all ages learn about topics such as healthy ecosystems, coastal hazards, and marine debris prevention. Cait runs marine science-focused teacher professional-development workshops, develops and leads K-12 lab and field programs, supports student STEM events, and is the creator and coordinator of the popular Oregon Coast Quests program. In addition, she co-leads the HMSC Green Team which is a group of faculty, staff, and students who work to advance environmentally sustainable practices at Hatfield.

Kasey Gratz (they/he) is a fourth-year chemical engineering student at Oregon State University with a minor in computer science. Originally from Louisville, Colorado, Kasey has been a driving force behind student-led sustainability projects on campus. They first joined OSU’s sustainability community as an Eco Representative, focusing on peer education and outreach on waste reduction. After serving as the Waste Sustainability Club’s marketing officer, Kasey moved into the presidential role, leading the club for the past year and a half. In this position, they have expanded campus-wide initiatives, including a library composting program and a series of repair fairs developed for student collaboration with community mentors. Their work centers on building hands-on, intergenerational repair opportunities that empower students, strengthen community connections, and inspire long-term sustainability leadership.

Sara Holzknecht came to Bellevue College with a deep background in business and non-profit management. Following a decade operating a local boutique winery, Sara shifted her focus from winemaking to addressing climate and environmental challenges. Most recently, she ran the Washington State campaigns for Oceana, an international ocean conservation NGO, where she worked to address plastic pollution, offshore drilling, and build sustainable fisheries at the state, federal, and local levels. Prior to her work with Oceana, she co-founded local climate advocacy non-profit 350 Eastside, where she organized local decarbonization efforts and community education. She holds a Master’s in Energy and Climate Policy from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of Washington, Bothell.

Allyson Jackovics is a Senior Project Associate with O’Brien360, focused on facilitating LEED, Envision, ILFI CORE, King County Scorecard and other local certifications for commercial and infrastructure projects. Her focus is predominately on higher education, airport and transit facility projects as well as commercial spaces around the PNW. As a proud UW Alum, she has enjoyed going full circle from learning about sustainability through the Program on the Environment to facilitating and supporting the LEED certification on over a dozen UW projects, as well as updating the UW’s Green Building Standards.

Drew Karson is an Energy Consultant at Glumac and brings a wealth of expertise in buildings and infrastructure operations, resilient design, and energy master planning. Drew works with clients to develop comprehensive decarbonization and resilience strategies to improve their existing buildings and campus infrastructure. He has extensive experience working with colleges, universities, and military installations to identify climate-related resilience concerns and develop actionable solutions to mitigate risks. Drew has now written over a dozen comprehensive resilience and decarbonization plans and will share insights on creating resilient, interconnected structures that align with the conference's mission of fostering sustainable development.

Michael Kern serves as Program Lead of the Collaborative Leadership Program and Principal Investigator for the Developing Collaborative Leaders for Puget Sound Project. Michael is Director of Special Projects at the Center for Urban Waters (CUW)/Puget Sound Institute (PSI); Principal of Michael Kern Consulting, LLC; Adjunct Associate Professor at Washington State University (WSU) Extension, and Adjunct Faculty at Seattle University's Department of Public Affairs & Nonprofit Leadership. In 2021, he wrapped up 12 years as Director of the William D. Ruckelshaus Center, a joint effort of WSU and UW that fosters collaborative public policy. Michael has more than 30 years of experience, and a national/international reputation, as both a practitioner and an academic in the field of collaborative governance.

Jason is a lecturer at UWB who teaches in the Environmental Studies, Global Studies, Law, Economics & Public Policy, and the Discovery Core Experience. He has a Ph.D. In Political Science from UW Seattle where he specialized in Environmental Political Theory. His work on environmental topics such as extinction politics, freedom and democracy, conservation and wildness, the Green New Deal, and peace parks have been published in the Oxford Handbook of Environmental Political Theory, Interdisciplinary Environmental Review, MIT Press, and The New Republic.

As an Associate Director of Sustainability at UC Office of the President, Agnes supports the implementation of the UC Sustainable Practices Policy by coordinating the efforts of eight UC systemwide sustainability working groups that address sustainability policies, projects, and initiatives related to food, water, waste, procurement, healthcare, health and wellbeing, and laboratories. Agnes has over 15 years of experience leading complex environmental and sustainability projects and programs, including climate action and adaptation, sustainable food, supply chain sustainability and GHG emissions, water and storm water management, waste reduction and recycling, hazardous materials management, watershed planning, and ecological restoration. Agnes has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning.

Kenna McCauley graduated from Reed College with a B.A. in Comparative Race and Ethnicity Studies (CRES) with a concentration in History. She wrote her senior thesis on the Hawaiian Renaissance of the 1970s, and recently presented her findings at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa. Kenna has worked as Coordinator for Reed's Community Pantry, and as a intern for Reed's CRES Program focusing on making community engagement a requirement for the major. She is currently a post-baccalaureate scholar with Reed's Sustainability and Environmental Justice Collective. Kenna is passionate about creating opportunities for community engagement on campus, and empowering students to change their campuses and cities for the better.

Reese Netro is a Sustainability Strategist at Glumac, specializing in sustainable design, decarbonization, and climate resilience. Reese has led and supported projects advancing campus sustainability planning, greenhouse gas reduction, and climate adaptation initiatives. Her experience includes guiding LEED certification efforts as well as contributing to comprehensive decarbonization roadmaps. Reese holds dual degrees in Architecture and Physics, along with a minor in Sustainable Environments from California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo. As an alumna of the CSU System, Reese considers her work on the CSU Resiliency Framework to be both impactful and deeply rewarding.

Haley is a fourth-year Energy Science and Technology student at Western Washington University, where she is also pursuing a Climate Leadership Certificate. During the summer of 2025, she completed an internship with Sustainable Connections on the Toward Zero Waste team, where she discovered her passion for waste management. In this role, she worked diligently to divert prepared food to hunger relief organizations, developed and distributed educational materials throughout the community, and engaged with community members at Sustainable Connections events. Additionally, Haley served as a Zero Waste Coordinator for WWU, where she collaborated directly with campus stakeholders to reduce the university's waste footprint and educate students, staff, and faculty on proper waste sorting practices.

Sam Olson is a senior at Central Washington University. He is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies with a specialization in Geology and a minor is Sustainability.

Marilyn Ostergren serves as an Energy and Sustainability Specialist at the University of Washington, where she has been working on campus-wide sustainability initiatives since 2009. Her work spans decarbonization planning, transportation and air travel emissions reduction, sustainable building practices, GHG inventorying, and the Green Labs program. With a Ph.D. in Information Science, she brings expertise in visual information design to help make complex sustainability systems more understandable and actionable.

Deborah joined Washington Sea Grant in 2018. As the Fellowships and Research Lead, she manages a team overseeing the competitive selection of students and recent graduates to fill marine policy, fisheries, communications and other marine science fellowships. She supports the selection and implementation of competitive research, education and outreach project grants including scientific reviews and technical evaluation for proposals submitted in response to Washington Sea Grant requests for proposals.

Enija grew up in Washington State, leaving for a year to live in Arizona. With a passion for Marine Biology and Environmental Action, she came back to Washington and started her undergraduate degree at Evergreen State College. During undergrad, she studied climate changes effect on migration and traveled to Morocco, to meet with different NGOs who work with migrants and climate change. In addition to this, she worked with CCAS and participated in a community internship program at the Puget Sound Estuarium, focusing on environmental education, exhibit design, and grant database development. Currently within the MES program and Sustainability Grad Fellowship program, Enija hopes to gain more perspective and knowledge on the field of climate change and sustainability, participate in the public knowledge building surrounding the restoration efforts

Blaine holds an undergraduate degree in Biology from Meredith College and a Graduate Certificate in College Student Services Administration from Oregon State University. Originally from the Eastern Shore of Virginia, Blaine has a background in science and environmental education, academic advising, instream habitat restoration and 14 years working with oyster aquaculture breeding and research programs at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and Oregon State University. Blaine previously managed the Molluscan Broodstock Program at the Hatfield Marine Science Center, where she formed deep-rooted connections with shellfish growers, Tribal partners, state and federal agencies and researchers in Oregon, Washington, California, Hawaii and Alaska. In her current role with Oregon Sea Grant, Blaine manages two undergraduate internship programs - Summer Scholars and Oregon Applied Sustainability Internships. Blaine is driven by a strong commitment to helping students and early career professionals gain hands-on research and internship experience that opens pathways into meaningful careers.

Lauren is a Sustainability Planning & Policy Specialist at the University of Washington, where she is currently leading the development of the 2025–2030 Sustainability Action Plan across UW Seattle, Bothell, Tacoma, and UW Medicine. She guides governance, facilitates working groups, and shapes long-term sustainability strategy with a focus on cross-campus alignment and community engagement. Lauren also supports DEI and leadership initiatives through the UW Facilities FAIR Coalition. She has prior experience in environmental policy, multi-stakeholder facilitation, and clean-energy and natural-resource program management, and holds a B.S. in Environmental Science, Policy & Management from the University of Minnesota.

Amelia Shaw is a fourth year student at the University of Oregon, pursuing a major in Environmental Studies with a minor in Indigenous, Race, and Ethnic Studies. This is Amelia's third year working at the University of Oregon Student Sustainability Center (SSC), and their second year coordinating the SSC Habitat Restoration Program. Their work through the SSC reflects their passion for empowering environmental advocacy through community engagement and environmental education.

Megan Simón, M.Ed. (she/her) is a Portland, Oregon native with a B.S. in Social Sciences and a Master’s in Educational Leadership and Policy from Portland State University. Before joining the Residence Life team at Reed College, she served in both the Student Life Office and the Office for Student Engagement, where she supported a range of student programs and leadership initiatives. Megan currently helps lead the Sustainability and Environmental Justice (SEJ) Residential Learning Community at Reed, supporting students in connecting campus life, academics, and environmental justice initiatives. She has particular interests in co-curricular learning, residential education, and the development of residential curricula that are built to maintain meaningful, equity-centered student engagement beyond the classroom.

Jim Simon is Gonzaga University’s first Director of Sustainability, who joined the university in 2014 after serving Buffalo and Western New York in various professional and volunteer capacities. Jim has transformed what began as a one-person operation into a campus-wide sustainability movement, earning him McKinstry's prestigious 'Champion of Sustainability' award. Under his leadership, Gonzaga has secured free bus passes for all students and employees, achieved two gold-level STARS sustainability ratings, installed the campus's first solar panels, and been recognized as a bronze-level bike-friendly university.

Kaylee Smith is a Program Specialist at Oregon State University dedicated to advancing waste reduction and student-powered sustainability. She began in Campus Recycling, advising sustainability clubs, coordinating peer-to-peer programs, and leading hands-on initiatives such as Repair Fairs and donation drives. Beyond campus, she contributes to community waste-reduction education and school district sustainability conversations. As a recent OSU undergraduate and current graduate student, Kaylee’s approach centers on meeting students where they are, both figuratively and literally, by building foundational sustainability knowledge and helping them navigate the slow-moving and often inaccessible nature of higher education systems. She advocates for student voices among decision-makers while mentoring students in how to do the same for themselves, their peers, and the planet.

Jordan Spradlin serves as Central Washington University’s Sustainability Coordinator, where she leads the Student Sustainability Ambassadors and advances campus-wide sustainability outreach, education, and community engagement. She collaborates with departments and student organizations to deliver events, trainings, campaigns, and strategic initiatives that strengthen CWU’s commitment to environmental stewardship and climate action. She holds a B.S. in Public Health from the University of Arizona and an M.P.H. in Environmental and Occupational Health from Oregon State University.

Hattie is a her last year of her undergraduate degree majoring in Environmental Design. She has worked at the UO Student Sustainability Center for three years. She coordinates the Grove Garden which is the student led community garden on campus.

Rohana is a Ph.D. candidate (ABD) in Sustainability Education with hidden disabilities (2e), an international and national presenter & author at the intersectionality of emerging technologies and future ready communities. She is a former Inclusion/Special Education high school teacher in rural and urban learning centers for more than a decade , and was a PATH International CTRI for 10 years. Her Ph.D. studies and memberships in global extended reality (XR) leadership teams promoting women, inclusion, and accessibility drive her mission of empowering sustainability solutionaries from underserved communities, including scholars with learning disabilities and Autism. Rohana's love of virtual reality (VR) focuses on workforce development in STEM and GREEN talent pipelines for future ready communities. She models self-determination, self-efficacy, and resilience to overcome adversity. Her background includes large-scale construction, STEM business administration, commercial new building energy efficiency consulting, technical writing, transition coaching, and therapeutic riding. #HarmonyEduXR #XR4GreenApprenticeships #SpEdPioneeVR #VR4All

Shahrzad currently works at UW Bothell as Sustainability Coordinator where she leads initiatives that promote environmental stewardship and justice across campus. Her work includes education and engagement, sustainability-focused improvements to university operations, data tracking and reporting, and communications. Prior, she worked at the Washington State Department of Ecology where she developed and managed clean transportation grant programs. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from UW Bothell.

Lissan Tibebe (She/Her) is the Student Programs Lead at EarthLab, an institute at the University of Washington working towards taking equitable action on climate change. As a program lead, Lissan helps develop, manage, and support EarthLab's programming and events that aim to bring students together from all majors, years, and experiences who are passionate about climate change and the environment. Before joining EarthLab, Lissan worked as an Academic Advisor with UW's School of Social Work where she supported Master's Social Work students in completing their degrees. Lissan holds a Bachelors in International Studies and Human Rights and a Master's in Social Work both from the University of Washington.

Dr. Robert Turner is a Teaching Professor in the School of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences at the University of Washington Bothell. Dr. Turner teaches a variety of earth science and sustainability courses, with a research and teaching specialization in our interactions with water.

Dori Vaughan is a third year student at the University of Oregon studying Environmental Studies and Outdoor Recreation Education. She currently facilitates the Waste Reduction & Reusables program. This is her second year involved with the Student Sustainability Center and her first year working as a program lead.

Ante is an experienced sustainability consultant, focused on helping new and existing buildings reach their full potential. He works with a range of public and private organizations to develop comprehensive and effective strategies to decarbonize campuses and building portfolios. Recent clients range include the University of Washington, the University of California, Irvine and California State University, Fullerton. Ante is focused on communicating technical information at a comprehensible level for all stakeholders, in order to turn climate goals into actionable projects.

Sarah Wagner-McCoy is an Associate Professor of English and Humanities at Reed College, where she teaches American literature and directs the Mellon Initiative for Environmental Humanities. As a co-editor of The Complete Short Stories of Charles W. Chesnutt (OUP), forthcoming from Oxford University Press, she was generously supported by two grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Her current project analyzes the realist and regionalist uses of pastoral conventions to represent the transformation of nineteenth-century land and labor through US expansion, slavery, industrialization, and immigration. A winner of the Graves Award excellence in teaching, she encourages students to explore connections between the literary imagination and cultural history, and the relationship between writing and social change. She received Ph.D. from Harvard University, where she was awarded the Helen Choate Bell Dissertation prize, her M.A. with first class honours from University College Dublin, and her B.A. from Columbia University.

Nathan Wells is an Environmental Science major at Central Washington University who specializes in practical infrastructure solutions that improve campus sustainability. He recently project managed a $14,600 Student Green Fund initiative to install energy-efficient hand dryers in the SURC, reducing paper towel waste and generating environmental, economic, and social benefits for the campus community. Nathan is now consulting with campus partners to expand this project into academic buildings and explore additional infrastructure focused sustainability initiatives at CWU. He’s passionate about collaborative problem solving and looks forward to connecting with others at WOHESC who are advancing scalable and impactful sustainability solutions.

Hannah Whobrey has worked as a Program Coordinator with UW Recycling since 2023. She is passionate about sustainable food systems and waste reduction, previously leading food recovery efforts for the campus food pantry. Hannah graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor’s degree in Food Systems and Environmental Studies.

Rachel (she/her) is a seasoned sustainability professional and Reed College’s first Sustainability Coordinator. She holds a Master’s degree in Leadership for Sustainability Education and brings deep experience advancing impactful initiatives across higher education, non-profit, and K–12 settings. At Reed, Rachel leads the student sustainability leadership program, oversees operational and energy-efficiency efforts, and serves on the Sustainability and Environmental Justice Collective team, partnering with faculty, staff, and students to develop innovative co-curricular programming.

Briar is the Associate Dean for Sustainability Strategies at Portland Community College, coordinating college-wide sustainability programming and implementation of its Climate Action Plan. She also sits on the Multnomah County Advisory Committee for Sustainability and Innovation. Previously, she worked as the college's Sustainability Analyst and Sustainability Manager. In addition, she has taught sustainability courses at PCC and was a co-founder of the Greater Portland Sustainability Education Network. She holds a Master's Degree in Sustainability from Arizona State University, as well as a B.A. in Sustainability and a B.S. in Justice Studies. She received her LEED Green Associate and Master Gardener certification in 2016. In her free-time, Briar enjoys crafting, being outdoors, any and all things plant-related and spending time with her family.

Originally from Long Island, New York, Perry has a special place in her heart for the Northeast. From 1995-2012, Perry owned and operated a commercial grass-based sheep dairy, made farmstead yogurt and feta cheese, raised layer hens and grew vegetables in Union, Maine. In addition to running her own farm, she worked for five seasons at a greenhouse and nursery operation in Harpswell, Maine and a summer in the fisheries industry in Alaska. Before becoming a farmer, she earned a BA in Environmental Studies at the University of Vermont, and an MS in Natural Resource Management and Public Administration at Antioch New England.

Tim’s teaching explores natural and cultural history, and the ways in which natural and cultural history are intertwined. The Union Bay Natural Area is an important field site for many of my courses and serves as a backdrop for lessons in cultural and natural history, as well as environmental philosophy and pedagogy. Tim’s research over the years has focused on birds and plants in urban and ex-urban settings in both temperate and tropical regions.

Stephan Classen is the Assistant Director of Sustainable Practices at Cascadia College, where he manages the sustainability bachelor's program, supports facilities and grounds management for the permaculture campus. He was the Aquaculture Education Specialist for the Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resources Center (PACRC) in Hilo, Hawai`i, and worked in the environmental field in two other states. He received his Masters of Science in Conservation Biology at the University of Hawai`i at Hilo, and his Bachelors of Science in Environmental Science at the University of Arizona.

Ericka’s deep commitment to sustainability and equity is evident in her work as an architect designing meaningful, inclusive places in the public realm—and in leadership roles inspiring change, facilitating action, and promoting collaboration around sustainability and social issues. She regularly contributes sustainability-focused technical insight and strategies to improve the energy and carbon reduction benchmarks and equity outcomes of built projects. Her work also contributes to design of spaces that are safe and welcoming to people of all races, ethnicities, genders, and abilities.

Linh Giakonoski (they/them) is a first-generation undergraduate student at the University of Washington, Seattle. They are currently enrolled in the School of Public Health as a BA Public Health-Global Health major. They became involved in Project Indoor Farm during their first year at UW, being granted the title of "lettuce head" during WI25 and joining the officer team during SP25. Their interest in food systems and greater access to healthy produce drove their involvement within the farm, with them now leading maintenance sessions once a week. They are currently working towards improving the sustainability of the farm, namely through identifying environmentally friendly alternatives to peat moss plugs.

As a principal at Berger Partnership, Jason has dedicated his career to advancing urban ecology and weaving ecological themes into the fabric of city life. His work on innovative, boundary-pushing projects across the region has established a practice recognized for creativity, integrated ecologies, and fostering meaningful connections between people and nature. Jason brings an encyclopedic knowledge of plant material and a deep passion for regenerative design. Over the past several decades, his expertise has shaped numerous projects within and around the Arboretum, leaving a lasting impact on its landscape and mission. He served on the University of Washington Botanical Garden (UWBG) board from 2010-2024. The UWBG manages the plant collections, research, and education at the Washington Park Arboretum.

Within her professional journey, Maddy has had the privilege of leading environmental justice programs rooted in gratitude, reciprocity, community care, cultural heritage, and sustainability. Maddy's work has been focused on celebrating and uplifting the voices of BIPOC and frontline communities, whose deep-rooted knowledge have long offered holistic and interconnected perspectives on sustainability. Maddy has worked alongside communities to develop initiatives that prioritize sustainability and justice, engaging in collaborative projects, educational programming, and conversations that center the voices and experiences of marginalized groups. Maddy's goal is to support communities in reclaiming their narratives and create spaces that nurture resilience, healing, and well-being at the core of the environmental justice movement. At the Campus Sustainability Fund, Maddy builds meaningful relationships with students and partners, understands sustainability through multiple lenses, and learns from the innovative projects students bring, hoping to help create a campus culture where justice and sustainability are fully intertwined, sparking collective action across the university for a more equitable and sustainable future.

Storytelling and fruit trees are woven into Karolyn's journey towards environmental justice work. Growing up with generational ties to the North Shore of Oʻahu, Karolyn's grandparent's Japanese-American community, she was surrounded by the values of Mālama 'Āina, compassion, and social justice, inspiring my understanding of sustainability. As Outreach and Connections Coordinator, Karolyn amplifies the mission of CSF by integrating love for art into creative approaches to uplift student-led efforts and intersectional narratives to sustainability at UW. She is excited to continue learning from others and build connections rooted in reciprocity and hopes to facilitate community-led events and partnerships across campus with shared goals of justice-centered action, wellness, and joy. At UW, Karolyn is studying Environmental Science and Resource Management with a minor in Urban Ecological Design. She is interested in exploring the intersection of ecological restoration and stewardship to engage community and climate resilience. In gratitude to the lands, people, and stories that nurtured my commitment to sustainability, Karolyn stands in solidarity with BIPOC and Indigenous-led communities at the forefront of the environmental movement.

Lorenzo is a second-year student at the University of Washington studying Environmental Science and Informatics, with a minor in Diversity. Lorenzo's academic and personal passions lie at the intersection of research, environmental justice, and inclusive outreach. As the Grant and Project Coordinator, Lorenzo aspires to support active and prospective project teams throughout the grant process, from application to implementation and long-term success. Lorenzo aims to cultivate a community of on-campus partners and resources, focusing on empowering project leaders who are advancing justice-centered sustainability with research experience within anthropogenic pollution and climate change through data science. Lorenzo is currently conducting research with NOAA, using quantitative methods to analyze oral histories to study the effects of climate change in the Bering Sea. Outside of research, Lorenzo is an officer for the Program on Climate Change Undergraduate Cohort, a Brotherhood Initiative PeerMentor, and an Undergraduate Research Leader.

Robert Smith is an Architect and one of LMN's firm experts on Progressive Design-Build, Integrated Project Delivery, and Low-Carbon Construction. Robert led the design team for two recent low carbon mass timber academic buildings, including Founders Hall at the University of Washington and the Undergraduate Academic Building at UC Berkeley.

Sara Wild is dedicated to the creation of dynamic public spaces and sustainable, enduring higher education buildings that enhance student learning and enrich the campuses on which they reside.  Her background as a skilled Architectural Project Manager over the past 20 years includes working with stakeholders and organizing complex program requirements, especially within the education and historic preservation arenas. Experienced in all phases of design, she has helped develop and update master plans for several community and technical colleges, and has assisted in capital budget planning, securing funding for future campus development. She earned a Master of Architecture at University of Washington and is active in the Design Build Institute of America (DBIA).

David Woodson is the Executive Director of Campus Energy, Utilities & Operations at the University of Washington and is leading the effort to decarbonize the district heating system at the flagship Seattle campus. David had a similar role at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and is enjoying the opportunity to apply the lessons learned from UBC at UW. David is a UW Alum (Aero and Astro ‘91) and holds an MBA ‘06 from UBC. David is presently the Vice-Chair of the International District Energy Association (IDEA).

Camila Flores Sánchez is a Chilean International Business Management student and emerging sustainability researcher at the University of Minnesota. Her work centers on regenerative governance, ethical leadership, and the connections between sustainability and human well-being. She studies how shared power, balanced decision-making, and community-centered leadership can strengthen ecological resilience, social equity, and long-term quality of life. Camila's academic background bridges sustainability, global policy, ethics, and business, allowing her to examine sustainability as a systemic, cultural, and organizational issue. With experience in both the financial sector and nonprofit work, she aims to contribute to research and policy approaches that promote regeneration, equity, and responsible leadership across diverse contexts.

Anna is a PhD Candidate in the Urban Ecology Research Lab at the University of Washington College of Built Environments. Her research interests include scenario planning, urban complexity, landscape ecology, climate adaptation, urban eco-evolutionary dynamics, and planning for both people and nature. She is also pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Climate Science.