WORKING ON THE LAYOUT OF THESE!
Placeholder for alphabetical listing of fellows (15). Senior Fellows (5) first followed by other fellows (10). The placeholder should include space for: photos, names, pronouns, location, superhero, bios (250 words or less), and link to LinkedIn.
SENIOR FELLOWS
Chad Martin is currently working for the the North Carolina Black Alliance as an Environmental Justice Policy Strategist. He recently became a private grant reviewer for the USDA and the Virginia Food Access Investment Fund (VFAIF) grant evaluation committee. Chad has served on the Board of Directors for the Virginia Food System Council. He is a current 2021 Walking College Fellow, 2019-2020 Virginia Natural Resources Leadership Institute, 2019-2020 Leadership Southside Fellow, 2018-2020 Virginia Tech VALOR Fellow, 2017-2018 Roanoke City works Xpo Fellow, DC ’17 Starting Bloc Fellow, 2016-2017 Middle Border Forward Fellow, and has recently become an AIR Shift Facilitator through Virginia Tech. USGLC Global Leader Network Class of 2022 and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Inaugural Gender Equity Learning Exchange Fellowship Class of 2022. JLUSA Emerging Leaders Training Program 2022. Virginia Tech Center for Food Systems and Community Transformation Fellow. The class of 2023 School for Food Justice, Faith, and Storytelling, Climate Equity Policy Fund Fellow 2023-2026, and The Climate Advocacy Lab’s Climate + Health Peer Learning Circle Cohort 2023-2024. The Carolina Farm Stewardship Association 2024 Member Advocacy Program and the 2024 North Carolina Political Leadership Institute. 2024 IRA Cohort. Chad was inducted as a Global Goodwill Ambassador. Martin was just appointed to the State of Virginia Commission on Food Insecurity. Councilman Martin was just appointed to the International Code Council’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee and has spent his life in service to others.
Ki’Ana Speights (they/them), also known as KD, is a Southern Queer from Gaston, South Carolina, dedicated to advancing climate, health, and equity. They currently serve as a Climate, Health, and Equity Program Associate at the American Public Health Association. KD holds a B.S. in Environmental Science with a minor in Social Justice from Hollins University and an M.A. in Ethics, Peace, and Human Rights with a concentration in Global Environmental Justice from American University. With a background in Environmental Justice, community engagement, and advocacy, KD brings both professional and lived experience to their work. Outside of work, they are a multimedia artist, reality TV enthusiast, and longtime volleyball player who loves the outdoors, African diaspora cuisine, and their beloved dog, Honey.
Richard has over 10 years in the energy space. At Constellation, Richard is using his expertise to bridge decarbonization gaps across the transportation and power generation sectors. Prior to his current role, Richard spent over five years supporting various program offices across the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as a contractor. His primary focuses were on strategic planning and leading interagency and external coordination across federal agencies toward the development of roadmaps.
Samiha Hoque is a Bangladeshi-American environmentalist and co-founder of the independent publishing house Shaherazad Shelves. She was a Climate Justice Fellow at the University of Maryland in 2024 and holds a B.S. in the Earth and Environmental Sciences with an English minor. Her debut novel, Slums of Paradise, was selected as a winner of the She Writes Press STEP contest and is forthcoming in Summer 2026. She is a Master’s candidate at NYU’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, studying the intersection of environmental conservation in medieval religious poetry. Samiha’s essays have won the Dean Myrtle Saxon-Jacobson Award in Expository Prose and were nominated for the 2021 Brooklyn Non Fiction Prize. She resides in Brooklyn, New York, where she was born and raised.
Sydney Rorke is currently a rising Junior at the University of Maryland majoring in Environmental Science: Politics and Policy, with a minor in Classical Mythology. Sydney has experience working in the Maryland General Assembly and spent last summer rehabilitating wildlife. She was a Climate Justice Fellow in the 2024 cohort and is excited to be returning as a Senior Fellow for 2025. She is studying abroad in Dublin, Ireland, this fall, learning about sustainability initiatives in an international setting. After graduating from UMD in 2027, she hopes to attend law school and become an environmental attorney.
FELLOWS
“Alana Lewis brings 14 years of legislative and political experience, dedicated to empowering communities through her advocacy in the labor movement with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO and American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO. In her most recent role, Alana served as the Climate Investments Federal Policy Manager for Dream.Org Green for All, where she championed integrating equity principles, like the Justice 40 Initiative, into government agency implementation frameworks to advance climate and economic justice. Her work reflected a deep passion for driving a just transition to a green economy grounded in community-centered solutions to benefit disadvantaged communities economically. She has spent the year speaking at various programs and conferences with organizations like ASPEN Idea’s, Croatan Institute, Advanced Energy Group, City Parks Alliance, and the annual C2ER Conference.
Alana firmly believes in the transformative power of knowledge-sharing as a vital tool for empowerment and lasting change. She learned the importance of serving the community through her family by educating and empowering others through the political process. Alana’s unwavering passion for advocacy is deeply inspired by her grandmother, Cordelia Lewis Burks—a trailblazing political activist and retired Vice Chair of the Indiana Democratic Party—whose lifelong commitment to leadership, dignity, and the fight for equality and economic justice for working families serves as a guiding force in Alana’s work. Alana holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Hampton University and resides in Philadelphia, PA.”
Albert is the Environmental Best Practice Coordinator for Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation, where he leads sustainability initiatives, tracks environmental metrics, and advances the county’s Climate Action Plan. He also volunteers as the DMV Program Coordinator for Latino Outdoors, a non-profit that connects Latino communities and leadership with nature and outdoor experiences. Albert is committed to increasing Latinx community access to public lands and educating students about environmental career opportunities. Additionally, he serves as a Senior Chesapeake Regional Fellow for the Environmental Leadership Program and leads the DEIJ subcommittee supporting the establishment of the Chesapeake National Recreation Area. Albert earned his Bachelor’s in Sociology from Texas State University and his Master’s in Sociology from New Mexico State University.
Alma Segoviano – Advancing Environmental Justice, Land Rights, and Racial Equity
Alma Segoviano is a Senior Legal Advisor with over 18 years of experience in environmental justice, land tenure, property rights, conflict transformation, and sustainable development. She has collaborated with international organizations such as USAID, UNODC, WWF, RFFUK, and FARM COMMONS, and led advocacy efforts for indigenous forest peoples in the DRC, securing land rights through peaceful, non-judicial means.
Her academic background includes an LLB from Universidad Iberoamericana, an LLM from the London School of Economics, and a PhD in Law from Birkbeck, University of London, where her research highlighted the role of Mexico’s ejido system in advancing sustainability and equity. She is fluent in Spanish, English, Danish, Italian, and is learning Sign Language and French.
Alma teaches at the Universidad del Medio Ambiente (UMA), where she coordinates a Certificate in Socio-environmental Conflict Transformation and mentors’ future leaders. She is involved with the American Society of International Law, the Environmental Peacebuilding and Energy Bar Associations.
Founder of KHaRMAlma Land & Environmental Justice (KALEJ), Alma created this initiative to empower indigenous, rural, and Afro-descendant communities through legal advocacy, capacity building, and inclusive governance. Her work bridges legal innovation and community wisdom to address climate challenges and promote collective rights.
Mission: To empower communities and transform systems through rights-based approaches.
Vision: A just, inclusive world where land and environmental rights are protected by collective action and equitable legal frameworks.
I am a climate justice advocate fighting for the frontline communities, especially the marginalized areas. I was born and raised in Rosetta, a city in the Nile Delta that is extremely vulnerable to climate change. I hold a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and am currently working as a project coordinator for the Empower Hub initiative in Egypt. I work to raise awareness among young people about sustainability and the climate crisis. I also support young people, especially the ones with fewer opportunities, to start their green initiatives and to adopt best practices. Moreover, I have previous experience working with prestigious entities such as the United Nations Development Programme, Pollution Inventory Project, and Lampa Environmental Initiative, which enabled me to set solutions to environmental challenges, including climate change, biodiversity conservation, and pollution. I had the opportunity to collaborate with multiple entities such as Goethe Institut, the British Council, and Bibliotheca Alexandrina. My beneficiaries are more than 2,000, including various governorates such as Alexandria, Al-Buhirah, Port Said, and Dakahlia. I also worked on national environmental projects in different governorates in Egypt to achieve sustainable development goals by 2030 and nationally determined contributions of the government of Egypt.
Antonio Hernandez is a visual and audio storyteller based in the D.C. metro area. He joined the Hip Hop Caucus as the Digital Video Producer in November 2023. Previously he worked as an editor at WUSA9, the D.C.-affiliate of CBS News. From 2017 through 2022, he worked in various roles, including producer, editor, and master control technician at the D.C. Office of Cable, Television, Music, Film & Entertainment (OCTFME). As a freelance media producer, Antonio has worked with clients including LCV/Chispa, GreenLatinos, the Prince George’s African American Museum & Cultural Center, Johns Hopkins University and more. In his spare time, he continues to work on an ongoing documentary series entitled “INDELIBLE,” highlighting performing artists in the DMV and Baltimorel. He was nominated as a 40 Under 40 in Prince George’s County in 2017 and as “Best Renaissance Man,” in Baltimore City Paper in their 2016 “Best of” edition.
“Beatrice Ola Ogbuagu (née Enya) is a geologist and sustainability scholar currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Sustainability at the University of South Dakota. With a first and second degree in geology, her current research focuses on dust sources, emission, transport, and health impacts in Utah’s Great Basin, particularly how human disturbances contribute to dust sources. She’s passionate about education and community impact; she also serves as a teaching assistant and enjoys tutoring undergraduate students and contributing to discussions on environmental sustainability.
A mother of two, Beatrice balances academic life with parenting, drawing inspiration from her experiences and mentors to advocate for inclusive and practical sustainability solutions. Her goal is to advance sustainability science through research, teaching, and practical solutions that empower communities, especially in vulnerable regions, to adapt to environmental changes and protect public health.
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Caegan Jackson was born in Louisiana and has always been acutely aware of the environment around her. The states’ unique biodiversity and vastly rich ecosystem would prove to be one of her best teachers. Growing tomatoes in her grandmothers’ garden as a child and being surrounded by various plants in her childhood home nurtured a reverential relationship for life around her. Nature has always been around and very present in many aspects of her life. She pursued her Bachelor’s in Biology to understand more about how the life around her came to be. It wasn’t quite the experience she thought it would be, but it introduced new opportunities to her. The next avenue she pursued was her Master’s in Public Health which she will complete in the Fall of 2025. Focusing on environmental health she still looks for meaningful ways to engage with the community around her connecting them with the resources they have and expanding on self-sufficiency in areas where there are deficits.
Cherrelle J. Duncan, MPSA, is a dynamic public servant, entrepreneur, and community leader driven by a commitment to social, racial, and environmental justice. She is the Director of Community Engagement for LINK Houston, where she leads efforts to ensure equitable, affordable, and reliable transportation systems for all Houstonians. Cherrelle’s work includes building coalitions, advocating for vulnerable communities, and advancing policies that improve transportation access.
Her extensive public service career includes serving as Chief of Staff for Houston City Council District F, where she coordinated pandemic relief efforts, organized town halls, and tackled critical issues such as housing, resiliency, and workforce development. As a fundraiser, she raised $5 million for various nonprofit initiatives mobilizing resources for impactful change.
Cherrelle earned a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from the University of Louisiana and a Master’s in Public Service & Administration from Texas A&M University’s Bush School of Government and Public Service. Her work has garnered accolades, including Outstanding Alumni from the Bush School, the Association of Fundraising Professionals Young Outstanding Award, and the City of Houston’s Bravo Award. In 2023, she was appointed by the Biden Administration to the EPA’s National Advisory Committee on Environmental Protection.
Beyond her professional roles, Cherrelle is committed to nonprofit leadership, serving on the boards of the National Forum of Black Public Administrators Greater Houston Chapter and Ashmay’s Seeds of Abraham. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the National Urban League Young Professionals, Junior League of Houston, and Leadership Houston Class XLIII.
Claudia Lugo-Candelas, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in the perinatal programming of risk and resilience for neurodevelopmental disorders. She obtained a B.A. from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and completed her clinical internship at the NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln.
Dr. Lugo-Candelas completed a postdoctoral research fellowship in the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Division in 2018. That same year she joined the faculty and in 2020 was named the Bender-Fishbein Scholar in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Dr. Lugo-Candelas’ overarching research interest is to better understand the early development of inhibitory control difficulties, particularly within developmental disorders such as ADHD. She is particularly committed to understanding the exposures and experiences that are most relevant to communities that are minoritized, underserved, and underrepresented. Her work is funded by the NIH, NARSAD, and various Columbia University pilot awards. At the heart of her mission is the strongly held belief that diversity and equity are indispensable to the development of sound science and public health. Mentorship and training are core missions of her lab, with the aim of increasing access to higher education and increasing the representation of minoritized communities within the STEM fields, particularly psychiatry and neuroscience.
Highly driven, equipped to analyze and interpret health data and evaluate the environmental factors that affect community health. Skilled in the application of the concepts and methodology of social justice and the behavioral sciences relevant to public health solutions. Dedicated lifelong learner with a passion for advancing early childhood and women health via interdisciplinary approaches and humans centered actions.
Dionna L. Brown (she/her) is a passionate environmental justice advocate, public health professional, and community organizer from Flint, Michigan. She currently serves as the National Director of Youth Environmental Justice Policy & Programs at Young, Gifted & Green, where she leads national youth programming focused on climate justice, policy advocacy, and community engagement.
Dionna earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Afro-American Studies from Howard University and her Master’s in Sociology from Wayne State University. She is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health at Michigan State University, and she plans to pursue a law degree focused on environmental and public health policy. Her work is deeply rooted in her lived experience as a Flint native and survivor of the Flint Water Crisis, which shaped her commitment to advancing justice for frontline communities.
Dionna is a 2024 Yale Environmental Fellow and a member of the inaugural cohort of the MI Healthy Climate Corps. She has presented research on environmental health disparities at national conferences, led youth policy initiatives, and developed programs that bridge environmental education with advocacy and action. Dionna believes in the power of community-led solutions, youth leadership, and systems-level change to build a more equitable and resilient future.
I am a multiple award-winning multimedia journalist based in Kenya, accredited by the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), an independent national institution mandated to regulate and uphold media standards as outlined in the country’s Constitution. A holder of a Diploma in Mass Communication and Journalism from Eldoret Aviation Training Institute, I am a member of the Political Journalists Association, the Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK), and the Kenya Correspondents Association. My dedication to impactful journalism has earned me numerous prestigious awards, including African Journalist Gender Equality Award (2021) – Organized by the African Women’s Development and Communications Network (FEMNET), a Pan-African feminist network. Agenda 2063 African Women in Media Pitch Zone Award (AWIM) – Africa Category – Recognized for my work on Digital Transformation Strategy: How the Digital Economy Can Accelerate the Achievement of ‘The Africa We Want’. Media Council of Kenya Awards – Winner in Agriculture & Food Security Digital Reporting and Sports Reporting Digital categories Journalist for Human Rights (JHR) Award (2022) – Finalist for Journalist of the Year. Agenda 2063 AWIM Pitch Zone Award (2022) – Recognized for my work on the AU Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Strategy (GEWE) National Association of Science Writers (NASW) – Awarded for my contributions as a science writer. MERCK Foundation Media Recognition Award – For the More Than a Mother campaign With extensive experience in reporting, feature writing, audio editing, scriptwriting, radio production, and public relations, I am a results-driven professional committed to impactful storytelling. Currently, I work as a reporter for People Daily, Mt Kenya Times , The Sun Weekly , where I specialize in audio editing, scriptwriting, voicing, and feature/news writing. My work has also been published and aired by various national and community media outlets, including: Print & Online Publications.
Hello! My name is Elyse and I am a Policy Coordinator at Missouri Coalition for the Environment (MCE). Before joining MCE, I organized with friends and neighbors towards energy democracy for the St. Louis area. I was also a research assistant at the Saint Louis Art Museum, where I wrote about ecological memory in the art of Sub-Saharan Africa. I enjoy birding in St. Louis’ many parks, playing board games, and wrangling three cats and a dog with my wife.
Hello! I’m Eunjin Kim (Jin), a graduating senior at UT Austin majoring in Sustainability Studies and Geography, with interests in energy reduction, clean energy, urban planning, and environmental justice. I’ve developed technical expertise in data analysis and visualization through Excel, Tableau, and ArcGIS Pro, as well as emissions tracking using SIMAP. My project and internship experiences have strengthened my ability to work independently and enhanced my communication and teamwork skills across diverse settings. I’m eager to leverage my skills and interests to help create affordable, equitable, livable, sustainable, and walkable communities for all. I’m so grateful for this opportunity to learn more about environmental justice and excited to connect with like-minded people!
Eva Tatum is an environmental studies and business student at Trinity University with a passion for sustainable policy. She has spent the past two years dedicating herself to learning about sustainability, specifically within environmental economics and waste management. Her most recent research was within sustainable cities and their connection to a circular economy. On campus, Eva is president of the Pi Omega chapter of Delta Sigma Pi, is a student ambassador, a member of the Chamber Choir, and is a vocal soloist. Eva is excited for the opportunity to learn more about environmental policy and justice through CEEJH.
“Evelyn Kelly is a public health professional working at the intersection of science, public policy, and advocacy. She has over 25 years of experience improving the living conditions that affect the health of communities such as food, education, healthcare and the environment with a focus on equity and racial justice.
Ms. Kelly currently serves as the Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Institute for Public Health Innovation (IPHI) based in Washington, D.C. She collaborates with a variety of stakeholders to implement policy, systems, and environmental changes aimed at improving the quality of life of the communities across the region.
During her tenure at IPHI, she has worked with a coalition to secure the passage of legislation to raise the tobacco sales age to 21, co-founded a local food policy council and developed Maryland’s first Food Charter outlining policy recommendations to improve the food system. Currently, she is working to advance environmental justice through the interconnection between the food system and climate change.
She earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion from American University and a Masters of Public Health from the University of South Carolina. Ms. Kelly was born in Washington, DC and currently resides in Hyattsville, MD. In her spare time, she enjoys connecting with nature, traveling around the world to enjoy opera, and paddle boarding on the Chesapeake Bay. “
Francesca Edralin is a first-generation Filipino American environmentalist whose dual upbringing and heritage shaped her passion for climate justice since a young age. Seeing the Philippines’ natural landscapes in need of protection growing up, as well as the unjust impacts of climate change on her family’s local communities, has inspired Francesca to work in the global climate justice movement.
Francesca is an Associate Specialist at World Wildlife Fund (WWF), where she works with companies on consumer engagement campaigns that drive environmental education, fundraising, and behavior change. As an alumnus of WWF’s Building Relationships, Inclusivity, Diversity, Growth, and Excellence (BRIDGE) program, Francesca also leads initiatives that promote youth empowerment within the organization. Francesca obtained her B.A. in International Affairs (International Environmental Studies) from the George Washington University, with minors in Sustainability and Journalism. She also has an extensive background in inclusive environmental storytelling, representing her university at COP26 as a student reporter and reporting environmental justice stories for outlets such as Mongabay and Planet Forward. Francesca also previously served as the Director of Global Outreach for youth-led nonprofit ThinkOcean, where she coordinated global climate justice campaigns across 20+ countries. At the State Department, Francesca conducted and advised on research projects focused on environmental defenders and human rights conflicts in the Philippines and Indonesia.
This fall, Francesca will pursuing a MSc Environment and Development at the London School of Economics, where she hopes to further study the linkages between climate justice and inclusive sustainable development through a Global South-centered lens.
Francis K. Bondinuba is an Associate Professor at Kumasi Technical University’s Department of Construction Technology and Quantity Surveying in Ghana. He is a visiting scholar at the Urban Institute, Heriot-Watt University AND AN honorary Research professor at the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, Durban University of Technology, South Africa. His research interests include Construction Management, Climate and Housing Justice. He has worked on construction management and housing topics with scholars from Nigeria, Libya, the Netherlands, the USA, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
I’m passionate about using ethical supply chains to make a lasting difference and dedicated to ongoing professional development. With more than eight years of expertise in supplier and stakeholder management, capacity building, sustainable practice implementation, and traceability—specifically in the textile and manufacturing industries—I am a specialist in supply chains and sustainability.
Working with international stakeholders in Pakistan, China, India, Bangladesh, and Europe, I have effectively led and supported projects in sustainable cotton programs, supplier onboarding, compliance assurance, and responsible sourcing. My areas of experience include integrated pest management, regenerative agriculture, life cycle assessments (LCA), Chain of Custody compliance, certifications, and environmental impact reduction techniques.
I manage Better Cotton’s interactions with supply chain participants throughout Pakistan to implement the Chain of Custody Standard and traceability mechanisms. Every year, I supervise training and reporting for more than 300 ginners and manufacturers, helping Pakistan maintain its position as one of the major producers of Better Cotton, accounting for around 15% of the licensed Better Cotton volume worldwide.
Additionally, I led the Primark Sustainable Cotton Programme in Pakistan, which encourages cotton growers to adopt socially and environmentally responsible practices. Thousands of farmers have benefited from the initiative, with measurable improvements in yields, input efficiency, and livelihoods.
Jamoni Overby is a dedicated leader with a passion for community engagement, accessibility and cross-cultural communication. With extensive experience in teaching, advocacy, creating and managing programs for under-resourced populations and event coordination, Jamoni has developed a career rooted in adaptability, creativity, and a commitment to fostering sustainable change.
As the Co-Chair of the Taking Nature Black Conference 2025, Jamoni designed a 4-day conference to empower the Black community, share perspectives and highlight environmental justice efforts in the DMV area and beyond. Her innovative approach includes spearheading a nationwide Student Climate Competition, amplifying youth voices in the climate crisis conversation.
As an advocate, Jamoni works tirelessly to empower Washington, DC residents in environmental advocacy. She facilitates coalition meetings, designs community engagement programs, and leads advocacy efforts for clean water and intersectional justice issues. As the project manager for Rise Above: Building Flood Wise Communities, she supports capacity building efforts with local partners to promote water quality awareness, flood awareness and environmental stewardship in Wards 7 and 8.
Jamoni’s leadership extends beyond advocacy, by creating systems and sustainable programs that enhance long-term organizational impact. Jamoni has developed and fostered relationships with community organizations, residents and elected officials. Her ability to connect social issues with environmental concerns has allowed her to build bridges between communities and policymakers, ensuring that marginalized voices are heard in critical climate conversations.
A graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, Jamoni holds a degree in Government and Politics and African American Studies, with a minor in Sustainability. She is currently enrolled in the University of Pennsylvania’s Executive Program for Social Impact Strategy.
Jess Clark began her professional career in adult education serving overburdened communities – immigrants, refugees, formerly incarcerated people, and unhoused community members, supporting their educational path through counseling, resources, and wrap-around services. Currently she is a Project Monitor with the US Department of Energy, with a project portfolio and cross-cutting activities including air quality, siting, social acceptability, workforce development and STEM education. She is looking forward to this fellowship enriching her understanding of key climate concerns, environmental health impacts, green infrastructure, funding/policy and risk reduction strategies.
“Joan is an ardent researcher and conservationist with enthusiasm in protection of natural resources for their sustainability. Joan holds a bachelor’s degree in conservation ecology from Kenyatta University and currently undertaking her postgraduate in MA Environmental Policy at the University of Nairobi. She is an environmental practitioner with experience in policy research and sustainability consultancy. She is an advocate for environmental inclusiveness in the realms of business. Her policy research work has ingrained in her the interest of making smart in both environmental sound decisions at different capacities both with NGOs and private sector.
Some of the key success that I have been able to attain included; Partnership management, Contribution to development of insightful articles, ensuring environmental legal framework have been adhered to, capacity building of women and youth. She has also been featured in FSPI Blue Economy Week 2021. She strives for attainment of sustainability and green development especially in development countries.
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Am Kasereka silulikongundu Augustin (Augustin kasereka),a Young activist comités to biodiversity conservation and environnemental justice in the Republic Democratic of the Congo (DRC)
Active member of VPF (volontaire pour la protection de la faune et flore ) association,And founder of AWC-UPCED Network (Activistes Allience for wildlife conservation).
I work to raise awareness among local communities about peaceful coexistence Between Humans and Nature, the restoration of degraded ecosystems, and the promotion of ecological solutions Adoptés to conflict contexts.Passionate about community action and sustainable change. I place Young people at thé heart of my initiatives to build resilient and environmentally friendly Societies.
Kevin Hernandez is finishing his MPA from Villanova University where he is focusing on nonprofit management. He is a graduate from the University of Illinois at Chicago, where he studied marketing & communications. His experiences are in the intersection of politics and climate. Most recently, he helped lead When We All Vote’s texting mobilization efforts, where he supported volunteers to reach over 12 million voters across the country. He was part of Mercy for Animals’ LEAFS Fellowship & Azul’s 2024 Rising Leaders Initiative. Through his work at Green 2.0, he wrote “Embracing your Heritage Doesn’t Mean You Need To Eat Meat” where he advocated for embracing a plant-based diet by connecting his Mexican heritage to the environmental effects of animal consumption. In his free time, you can find him enjoying nature, cooking a plant-based recipe or spending time with his pets. He is based in the suburbs of Chicago.
“An Associate Professor in the Faculty of Engineering and Environmental Design, Usmanu
Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Satellite Expert and Engineering Manager in Satellite Operations & Applications with over 24 years Engineering practice and research. Academic Advisory Board Member, International Education Management Agency, Editorial Board Member of American Journal of Engineering and Technology Management, International Advisory Board member of I4CT; Accreditor and Board Member & Chair, Aerospace & Aviation Sector of Engineering Regulation Monitoring and Enforcement, Council of the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria.
Had my first degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering in 1999, and a Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Business Management Technology in 2006, from the Federal University of Technology, Minna-Niger State, Nigeria. I gained an MSc (Distinction) in Satellite Communications and Space Systems from the University of Sussex in the UK in 2011 and a PhD in Engineering from the same University in 2014. Also a Master’s Degree holder in Communications Engineering from the University of Nigeria in 2016 and just completed an MBA (awaiting result) course programme with the same University.
2023 Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Global Impact-in-Society Award Winner in Digital Health leveraging multidisplinary fields comprising Communications Satellite Systems, Software Application, Cybersecurity, Telemedicine, Digital Technology, Informatics and Green Energy.
Research includes Digital & Renewable Energy, New Space 2.0, Impacts of Climate Change and the near-term benefits of mitigating Greenhouse Gases (GHG), Ethical Considerations in the use of AI for Health Systems and Robotic Applications, Satellite Applications & Solutions, Sustainable Space & Environment etc”
Lauryn Hudson is a Public Health Analyst at RTI International with previous professional experience in higher education and college access. Although Lauryn currently resides in Raleigh, NC, she is originally from Los Angeles, CA, and lived in New Orleans, LA for seven years where she received a Bachelor of Science in Public Health in 2021 and a Master of Public Health in 2024 from Tulane University. Lauryn is passionate about eliminating health and societal inequities and leaving a positive impact on the community that she lives and works in. Although she has limited experience working within environmental justice and climate injustice spaces, Lauryn is excited by the opportunity to participate in the Climate Justice Fellowship and to learn how to incorporate this field into her future career and education. Lauryn aspires to work as a monitoring and evaluation specialist for public health programs and hopes this fellowship will allow her to expand her knowledge and gain her skills.
“Lilan Dayananda is a globally recognized social-tech entrepreneur and the Co-Founder and CEO of Elzian Agro. Renowned for his impactful contributions to sustainable development and climate action, he was named one of the top ten Social Entrepreneurs of the Global South by the UN Youth Envoy, UNFPA, ITU, and UNDP. He earned a place on Forbes Asia’s “”30 Under 30″” list in the social impact category.
Lilan was the only Sri Lankan to win the 2022 Commonwealth Youth Award for Excellence in Development Work and was nominated for the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust Youth Award. In 2023, he was recognized among the top 100 meaningful business founders by EY, Hogan Lovells, and Babson College. In 2024, he received the Social Entrepreneur of the Year award at the New Generation Awards, the Climate Action Leadership Award from the Global Climate Action Partnership, and led Elzian Agro to win the Best Brand Leadership Award and Best Employer Brand Award.
As the technology partner of the International Analog Forestry Network, Lilan supports over 100,000 farmers in 20+ countries. He is an accredited member of the UNFCCC’s Technology Executive Committee and has held key youth leadership roles within UNEP and UNEA-6.
Beyond entrepreneurship, Lilan mentors with the Resolution Project and supports youth in Central and Eastern Europe through CCG. He also serves as an ambassador and climate advocate for several global organizations including WYCJ, GYCN, Connect4Climate, Island Innovation, and Blue Planet Alliance. His work continues to drive systemic change and empower communities worldwide.”
Lizbeth García Conde (she/her) is a dynamic professional with an M.A. in International Affairs & Public Policy from Nankai University (南开大学) in China and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Puerto Rico. Committed to community development and empowerment, she has built a career advancing impactful initiatives within the nonprofit sector.
She has held pivotal roles at organizations such as All Hands & Hearts, El Estuario de la Bahía de San Juan, and Fundación Borincana, contributing to disaster recovery, community resilience, and renewable energy efforts across Puerto Rico and the U.S.
At the Environmental Protection Network (EPN), Lizbeth leads the organization’s efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. She has built a network of over 300 organizations and frontline communities across the region. Through strategic partnerships and tailored support, she connects communities with funding, expert guidance, and long-term resources to drive environmental, energy, and public health initiatives.
Lizbeth resides in Puerto Rico, where she finds joy in nature, dancing with no rhythm, and exploring various culinary delights as a proud foodie.
Mia Delano lives in Nashville, Tennessee, working as an epidemiology research project manager. Mia has a Bachelor’s degree in Global Environmental Science and a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in Environmental Health. Mia’s passion for climate change and public health have led her far and wide: from studying ocean acidification and sea level rise in Hawai’i, to interning in Switzerland at one of the world’s largest international vaccine organizations, to managing the COVID-19 response among unhoused and incarcerated populations in her home state of Colorado. Mia currently works in public health research investigating the links between environmental exposures and health outcomes in Southern, environmentally segregated populations. These communities have endured decades of systemic discrimination and are now subject to the health threats posed by or exacerbated by climate change. Mia hopes to bring her scientific background to the community action space by supplementing local climate and health justice initiatives. She joined CEEJH to learn from subject matter experts how to center the voices of her community, to obtain hands-on policy and advocacy experience, and to leave the program ready to fight for climate and health justice for the duration of her professional and personal life.
Scientist , thinker and innovator / SDGs ,climate change and sustainable development expert / food safety, environmental pollution , health and well-being , blockchain , circular economy and green hydrogen specialist
“I am a geologist and climate justice advocate, currently working as a Senior Data Analyst at Tech for Good Africa. My work focuses on leveraging data and technology to drive impact in communities facing environmental and social injustices.
As a Student Ambassador for Stop Ecocide International and the Campus Focal Point for the Friends of Nature Network, I help raise awareness about ecocide and empower youth to take part in environmental protection and legal advocacy. My activism is deeply rooted in community engagement and education.
I also serve as a researcher and energy ambassador, committed to promoting sustainable and equitable energy transitions. I’m proud to be an alumnus of the FXB Climate Advocates and the Green Soldiers program, where I deepened my skills in environmental leadership, advocacy, and cross-sector collaboration.
I believe in the power of science and grassroots movements to create lasting change. Through every project, I strive to amplify marginalized voices, support climate resilience, and work toward a future where environmental justice is a lived reality for all”
“I am deeply committed to building workplace environments that are both people-centered and operationally sustainable. My work lives at the intersection of corporate responsibility, organizational culture, and practical people strategy—aligning what teams need day-to-day with the broader mission, vision, and goals of an organization.
With a lifelong love for people and the environment, I’ve grounded my career in the study of organizational leadership and the belief that Human Resources is one of the roots of success. To me, HR is not just about policy—it’s about trust, relationships, and creating spaces where people feel safe, valued, and empowered to do their best work.
At my core, I believe sustainable systems start with people. “
I am a highly passionate individual who thrives upon seeking new challenges through my career as a data analyst. I have a proven track record of success in project management, problem solving, and database administration. I am adept at utilizing cutting-edge technologies to optimize equipment effectiveness, data management processes, and overall efficiency.
Perry Dowell is the Program Manager of Climate Change and Community Engagement at GASP (Greater-Birmingham Alliance to Stop Pollution), where she advocates for environmental justice in the Birmingham area. Perry holds a B.A. in Business Management with a minor in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Agnes Scott College in Decatur, GA. Since 2020, she’s worked with nonprofits like the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance, Roots Down, and SWEET Alabama, tackling a wide range of environmental issues. Perry was raised in Birmingham and moved back after college to be closer to family and to advocate for sustainability in her home city.
Hello! I am Pranjul Sharma, a climate activist, leading Fridays for Future, Bareilly Chapter as a City Coordinator. Also I am a Secretary and a Trustee at Activate Green Trust, which works on SDG 13 Climate Action. Moreover I am volunteering as a research blog writer with Greener is Cleaner, a South Korean based environmental organisation. I am deeply interested in waste management practices and solutions, together with environmental impact and circular economy.
“Sabrina Shadie is a dedicated leader in the intersections of health, education and environmental justice. With over 25 years’ experience championing social impact, equity, and diversity, across public, charity and private sectors, the importance of people and planet is central to her work. As an independent consultant focused on ethics and equity Sabrina supports organisations to implement effective diversity and social inclusion strategies.
Using her expertise as an inclusive educator, Sabrina lead an accredited academy developing leaders and learning programmes to enable more ethical and equitable outcomes for all. Successfully coaching small and microbusinesses in implementing impactful approaches, fostering inclusive and sustainable business practices. Providing ethical frameworks and inclusive organisational strategies for national entities such as universities.
Her advisory roles at national and international levels have presented a range of insights and research leading to the development of impactful projects that promote equity and diversity within various industries. Highly skilled in policy development, stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, leadership advancement and accredited training design. Her work continues to drive positive change, promoting inclusive and sustainable development. Sabrina is passionate about integrating environmental and social justice initiatives, making her a formidable advocate for equity and sustainability.
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Sami Maldonado is dedicated to promoting equity, sustainability, and justice in the food system and agriculture. With a master’s degree in Environmental Justice from the University of Michigan and a bachelor’s degree in Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems from the University of Minnesota, Sami focuses on the intersection of food and people. At the University of Michigan, she was a Transformative Food Systems Fellow and the course coordinator for a community-academic partnership course titled “Food Literacy for All.” A highlight of her graduate experience was serving as a 2024 Yale Environmental Fellow, supporting a ClimateWorks Foundation fund for climate justice. Sami is also a mentor on the 2025 National Wildlife Federation Education & Engagement Youth Advisory Council. In her free time, she enjoys visiting farmers’ markets, biking, eating ice cream, and spending time with animals.
Senay is a Ward 7 resident concerned with how complex but relevant policy decisions impact people, particularly those overburdened by environmental injustice and inequitable community investment. He comes from a policy, research, and social work background, having conducted qualitative and quantitative analyses of civil rights and environmental issues impacting the most vulnerable communities at home and abroad, along with serving as a community builder with asylum seekers and immigrants in the DMV area with various organizations. He has worked to develop connections between community engagement and policy analysis to build diverse advocacy coalitions and movements on multiple initiatives leading to increased proliferation of clean energy projects, connections to natural spaces like parks and rivers, and addressing problematic polluters like trash incinerators, in Justice 40 communities from California to Maryland. Most recently, he has engaged with Maryland’s General Assembly and DC’s Public Service Commission on climate and ratepayer issues, including Renewable Portfolio Standard reform, as a consultant and analyst for local non-profit organizations. In his free time, he enjoys curling at his local club, riding his bike, exploring nature, and volunteering in his community.
“Sherry (she/her) is from Acoma Pueblo. Prior to joining Tewa Women United as the Environmental Justice Program Manager, she was the Library Director at the Espanola Public Library for 14 years. She holds an Associates Degree from the Institute of American Indian Arts, and is Leadership Certified through American Library Association.
Sherry is the youngest of ten siblings and has worked with farmers (Father/Grandfather) for many years to learn how to plant and work with seeds.
Española has been Sherry’s home for the past 17 years, along with her wife (Loretta) and son (Sabastian). They have created a wonderful home which includes Miniature Nigerian goats, Royal Palm Turkeys, as well as a dog and cat.
Sherry says, “Being able to work in the community as the Environmental Justice Manage is an honor and especially working with Tewa Women United. They have created a wonderful space here on this new campus and they have also created great programs in the community. Through the EJ Program, it will be good to inform the general public about all the upcoming issues facing the area, and New Mexico in general.””
Sheryl is an Environmental Justice Specialist at EPA Region 1, where she served as a liaison for New England communities, fostering partnerships with local leaders, nonprofits, and government organizations. Throughout her professional and academic career, Sheryl has focused on understanding human and economic interactions with the environment, while being guided by passions in environmental justice, community engagement, and sustainability. She holds a B.S. in Environmental Economics and a B.A. in Environmental Studies from the University of Delaware.
Stephanie Uzenzile Cooper
Stephanie is a Massachusetts native with a deep passion for service. Raised in a family devoted to community engagement, she learned early on that addressing systemic issues such as environmental injustice, poor education, food insecurity, and high unemployment required a collective effort. With both parents leading by example, Stephanie became deeply committed to education and mobilization as tools for community betterment.
In college, she pursued a degree in psychology with an interest in criminal justice. After earning her BA, she took a temporary position in the environmental justice field. What was meant to be a one-year role became a three-year commitment until she transitioned to law enforcement, following in her aunt’s footsteps. Believing that her psychology background complemented the criminal justice system, Stephanie returned to school to earn her master’s degree and remained in the field for eighteen years. She focused on understanding the mindset of those within the system and on serving her community.
With the evolving landscape of criminal justice and personal reasons guiding her, Stephanie returned to her roots in environmental justice. She now serves as the Director of Programs and Operations at the Harambee House, Inc. Aware of how the field has shifted, she is committed to engaging, educating, training, building capacity and mobilizing Black and Brown communities with the tools to create solutions. Stephanie believes we are in a critical moment to be the change, and that through partnership and collective resolve, there is light ahead for us all.
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Stephanie Yarborough is a dedicated advocate for climate and food justice, currently serving as a Climate Justice Fellow for the 2025 cohort and a Fellow with the James E. Clyburn Leadership Institute’s 2024–2025 cohort. She holds an MS in Food and Nutrition, a BS in Family and Consumer Sciences, an AAS in Business Agriculture, and an AAA in Baking and Pastry Arts. A lifelong learner, Stephanie is passionate about building great products and solutions that make people’s lives easier and more equitable. With over a decade of experience, she has crafted innovative, human-centered strategies for a range of organizations — from small startups and political campaigns to some of the world’s largest brands, including Walt Disney World. Stephanie blends creativity, leadership, and a commitment to community empowerment in every project she undertakes.
Tarshire Battle, a Boston native, is a social entrepreneur, artist, and social justice activist driven by a passion to elevate marginalized populations through education, empowerment, and sustainability. As the founder of Roots 2 Empower, she uses her lived knowledge and more than a decade of professional experience to serve the needs of formerly incarcerated individuals, the homeless, at-risk youth, and low-income families. Her work operates at the convergence of environmental justice, economic opportunity, and community wellness.
Tarshire’s passion for change stems from a background as a mental health counselor, social justice advocate, and strategic consultant. Her experience in mental health counseling guides her work with others in a compassionate, trauma-informed, and holistic way. She has led high-impact programs in workforce development, climate and food justice, and civic engagement across the New England region. With Roots 2 Empower, she has launched youth STEM initiatives, community gardens, and policy advocacy efforts centered on equity and systems change under her direction.
Her vision of justice is bold and pragmatic, using collective power, ancestral wisdom, and innovation to create regenerative economies and equitable futures. Tarshire also provides thought leadership through public speaking, writing, and grassroots organizing. She is the author of *Rooted in Resilience: A Pathway Towards Global Social Change* and a committed voice for those too often left behind.
Tatiana Zapata (she, her) is a Legal Fellow at the State Energy & Environmental Impact Center at NYU School of Law. A first-generation college and law school graduate, Tatiana graduated from Georgia State University summa cum laude (2018) with a BA in political science and minor in sociology and earned a JD from St. John’s University School of Law (2023). During law school, Tatiana was a criminal enforcement intern for EPA Region 2 and was the Co-Founder and Vice President of the Environmental Law Society at St. John’s Law. She was a student member of the New York City Bar Association’s Committee on Environmental Law and continues to serve on the committee. She also participated in the 2024 cohort for the New York City Environmental Law Leadership Institute (NYCELLI), an annual seminar for a select group of junior environmental attorneys committed to leadership in the field and making a positive contribution to the City’s environment.
Te’Yah Wright is the Program Manager for the Yale Conservation Scholars – Early Leadership Initiative at the Yale School of the Environment (YSE). She earned her Master of Environmental Management from YSE, specializing in environmental policy, local and regional planning, and community engagement. With experience across government, philanthropy, and the nonprofit sectors, she has collaborated with a range of organizations to address critical environmental and social issues. Notably, she partnered with the City of New Haven to present anti-gentrification and displacement strategies. Additionally, she has worked with WE ACT for Environmental Justice to develop and lead COP27 youth programming for the inaugural Climate Justice Pavilion. Te’Yah also holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, with a concentration in environmental ecology and biology, from Alcorn State University. She is an alumna of the Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program at the University of Michigan and the Environmental Fellows Program.
Senior Fellows: Richard Coaxum; Myra Cobb-Davis; Nicole Jackson; Aminah Oladapo; Crystal Soo; and Stephanie Willett
Yolanda Bonner; Natasha Cavanaugh; Rosemary Curran; Danielle Freeman Jefferson; Greg Genco; Samiha Hoque; Linda Joyner; Glenda Knight; Chad Martin; Aida Mohajeri; Boebin Park; Kelly Perry; Sydney Rorke; William Scarborough; Ki’Ana Speights; Danielle Stokes; Valerie Washington; Christian Weaver; and Maliyah Womack
Payton Albers; Richard Coaxum; Myra Cobb-Davis; William Ellis; Cynthia (Cindy) Herrera; Azania Heyward-James; Nicole Jackson; Asia Jackson; Julie Jimenez; Zaki Lewis; Aminah Oladapo; Kirsten Purnell; Laura Schmidt; Brittney Smith; Crystal Soo; and Stephanie Willett
Collaborate with residents, advocates, and policymakers driving justice.
Since 2011, CEEJH INC has partnered with front-line and fence-line communities to address environmental, climate, and energy injustices through grassroots action and policy co-creation. We center those most impacted by harm to lead action and social change.
