Celebrating the EcoLeaders Top 50 Inspirations

David Corsar | Last Updated: June 27, 2017

Last year, the EcoLeaders Career Center began celebrating the motivating stories and career accomplishments of past National Wildlife Federation interns, fellows, and partners making their names (and a difference) in the sustainability movement. We called this group of change-makers “The EcoLeaders Top 50 Inspirations.”

In addition to recognizing the accomplishments of these 50 terrific NWF alumni, these interviews contain a wealth of useful career advice for students and young professionals who are designing their own career paths. The Top 50 discussed a number of themes from their personal career inspirations and mentors to project-based leadership skills and internship opportunities, to pertinent certifications, such as the NWF EcoLeader Certification, and much more.

NWF EcoLeader Certification

The National Wildlife Federation has long recognized that students and young professionals have always been catalysts for change on their campuses and in their communities. And since 1989, NWF has been highlighting the sustainability and environmental leadership by students and young professionals. With the newly launched EcoLeaders program, we have developed a professional certification to further recognize and boost these emerging leaders.

Amira Odeh: [The NWF EcoLeader Certification is] a confirmation by a group of people who are supporting you and can certify that you’ve sought to make a real difference in the world and in your community.

EcoLeaders are able to obtain a variety of certifications, at varying levels. At the starting level, campaign badges help volunteers learn about various NWF campaigns and initiatives, take action, and communicate with peers. Above that, project teams can certify their projects together. The highest level of recognition is the “Certified NWF EcoLeader.” This suite of certification offerings is unique in that rather than certifying specific technical knowledge or experience, NWF is vouching for individuals’ development of project-based leadership skills and experience.

Kindra Ramos: I think that [the importance of obtaining project-based leadership] can’t be overemphasized. You can certainly learn a lot by just being in a place and learning and observing, but actually doing something hands-on provides such a deeper understanding. It provides confidence and accomplishment that allows you to enter the work force truly ready to take on what’s next.

In the process of obtaining certification, EcoLeaders are prompted to reflect on their past experiences, their current positions, and their personal missions for the future.

Hala Elbarmil: The environmental field is really big, you can go into wildlife conservation, policy, science, anything really. And being an EcoLeader – doing the project and getting certification – has helped me find out more about my passions and what works best for me.

Upon becoming certified, EcoLeaders are provided with a digital badge that they can post to their EcoLeaders community profile, their LinkedIn profile, and other social media pages. Badges can be also included on their resume in order to set themselves apart from the pack when embarking upon their career paths.

Anthony Cooper: I would describe the [Campus EcoLeader] certification as something that sets you apart from others in the field. It allows potential future employers to know that you have the motivation to go after your goals and make them happen.

These interviews complement the array of career resources within the EcoLeaders Career Center such as career sector outlooks across pathways from environmental justice to renewable energy to sustainable purchasing; webinars and an annual conference featuring green employers and thought leaders; a personalized career exploration and planning tools; and much more! Check out all 50 interviews using the links below for inspirational career paths and valuable advice, such as these recommendations from the Jane Goodall Institute’s Kamilah Martin:

Kamilah Martin: My advice… can apply across any sector. Get your hands dirty! I worked in a lot of different industries. I had many different jobs and internships. What that does is it helps you to narrow down what you are interested in and maybe even what you’re not interested in. You just chisel away until you come up with the sculpture for what works for you and your personality… step outside of your comfort zone… ask a lot of questions. Find people that you can look up to and learn from…

Presenting: All 50 of the EcoLeaders Top Inspirations!

Name	Current Position	Alma Mater	Fellow/ Intern Project	Year
Alex Harker	Landscape Architect; Creo Landscape Architecture	University of Colorado, Boulder; University of California, Berkeley	Colorado School of Mines Traffic Alleviation Plan	2006
Alison Erlenbach	Program Manager; Pacific Gas and Electric	University of Florida	Carbon Footprint Evaluation and Outreach	2007
Amira Odeh	Graduate Student; Universidad Austral de Chile	University of Puerto Rico	No Mas Botellas	2010
Andrew Sartain	Founder and President; Earth Rebirth	University of Oklahoma	Earth Rebirth	2014
Andrew Kamerosky	Ph.D. Student and Research Assistant; Florida Atlantic University	Bethune-Cookman University	Initiating Sustainability at Bethune-Cookman University	2009
Andrew Lee	Founder, Esper, Inc.; Advisor, Creative Action Network	Claremont McKenna College	Irrigation Optimization	2006
Anthony Cooper	Certified EcoLeader	Florida A&M University	Floridians for Solar Choice Petition Collection	2016
Bilal Key	After School Counselor at YMCA	Lincoln University	2013-2014 Toyota Green Ambassadorship	2013
Bri Jones	Executive Director; Equality State Policy Center	University of Wyoming	Emerging Leaders Advisory Council	2013
Christina Rinas	PhD Student; University of Sherbrooke	Alaska Pacific University	Alpine Vegetation Change on the Joint Base Elmendorf- Richardson, Alaska	2013
Christopher Murakami	Research Consultant University of Missouri; Assessment Resource Center	University of Missouri	Community Garden for Mizzou	2011
Cody Kamrowski	Student; University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point	University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point	Conservation Leadership Corps	2014
Daniel Weisshaar	Produce Manager and Buyer; Glen’s Garden Market	Warren Wilson College	Global Warming Policy Intern	2009
Daniella Lewis	Farm Stand Manager; Plant It Forward	University of Texas, Austin	Urban Community Garden	2011
Deborah Scott	Research Fellow; University of Edinburgh	Goshen College	Sustainable Landscaping Guide	2001
Erica Tauzer	Community Planner; Environmental Design & Research	Albion College	Greenhouse Gas Inventory	2008
Evan Reimondo	Environmental Stewardship Coordinator; National Outdoor Leadership School	University at Buffalo	“Portraits of the Real Wyoming”	2013
Gideon Burdick	Marketing and Development Associate; Red Tomato	Warren Wilson College	Energy – Real-Time Monitoring	2009
Gina Schrader	Director, Business Model Innovation; NextEnergy	Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies; Western Michigan University	NWF Conservation Intern	2000
Hala Elbarmil	Outreach Specialist; Fairfax County Park Authority	George Mason University	Get your wheels ready! Bike events at #GMU!	2015
Ian Johnson	Sustainability Director; Colorado College	University of Wisconsin, River Falls	Theoretical Rotational Management Plan	2009
Ivy Dunlap	Environmental Specialist and Landscape Architect; City of Portland	University of Oregon	Campus Landscape Sustainability Scorecard	2001
Jessian Choy	Green Purchasing and Toxics Reduction Specialist; San Francisco Department of the Environment	University of California, Santa Cruz	University of California Santa Cruz Student Environmental Center (UCSC SEC)	2001
Jomar Floyd	Certified EcoLeader	Florida A&M University	“Science for Us” 4-H Club Charter: Engaging Youth in STEM/Environmental Awareness,	2014
Jonitka Hall	Marketing, Whole Foods Market	Clark Atlanta University	Emerging Leaders Advisory Council	2014
Julian Dautremont-Smith	Director of Programs; AASHE	Lewis and Clark College	How-To Guide for Inventorying Campus Greenhouse Gas Emissions	2002
Kamilah Martin	Associate Director; Jane Goodall Roots & Shoots Program	The City University of New York	Methods for Encouraging Conservation Stewardship in Underrepresented Populations	2014
Katharine Pelzer	Director of Commercial Operations; SparkMeter	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	Climate and Energy Intern	2010
Kawika Winter	Director of Limahuli Garden and Preserve; National Tropical Botanical Garden	University of Hawai`i at Manoa	Natural Resource Management System for the Limahuli Garden and Preserve	2005
Kaylon Paterson	Founder; Amicus Terrae	Morehouse College	AUC Clean Up	2014
Kellan Lyman	Economic Development Volunteer; Philippines	The University of Georgia	How-To: Getting a Polluting Refinery Under Control	2014
Kimberly Reeves	Sustainability Programs Manager; University of Colorado, Colorado Springs	Agnes Scott College	Agnes Scott Arboretum Update and Virtual Tour	2011
Kindra Ramos	Director of Communications and Outreach; Washington Trails Association	Western Washington University	Policy and Lobbying Intern	2000
Mary Ellen Kustin	Director of Policy for Public Lands; Center for American Progress	University of Maryland College Park	Advocacy Intern	2009
Michael Gale	Special Assistant; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service	University of Florida	Engaging Young Adults with Technology, Fantasy Storytelling	2014
Michael Slotten	Extension Educator; North Dakota State University	St Edward’s University	Central Texas Endangered Species Education Project	2013
Niraj Ray	Founder; Cultivate the City	The Bethune Cookman University	J.O. Wilson Elementary School Kitchen Garden	2013
Pamela Millan	Student; St. Edward’s University	St. Edward’s University	Relationship Between White-Tailed Deer Density and Activity in a Residential Area	2015
Phil Aroneanu	Campaign Strategy and Organizing Consultant; philaroneanu.com	Middlebury College	Worm Composting Program	2004
Phoebe Romero	Energy Efficiency Consultant; ‎CLEAResult	St. Edward’s University	Rainwater Harvesting System Proposal	2013
Rachel Sholly	Chief of Program Development; Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources	University of Rhode Island	Clean Transportation Policy and Public Education	2008
Ron Schlidge	Computer Science Teacher; American School of Paris	Middlebury College	Biofuel Feasibility Evaluation	2002
Samantha Weaver	Renewable Energy Strategy Analyst; Pacific Gas and Electric Company	Kalamazoo College	Campus Energy Group Initiatives	2007
Sean Hackett	Environmental Protection Specialist; Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment	Gonzaga University School of Law; Fort Lewis College	NWF Summer Legal Intern	2010
Sean Armstrong	Project Manager; Redwood Energy	Humboldt State University	Campus Center for Appropriate Technology Research and Writing	2000
Sherill Baldwin	Source Reduction and Recycling Analyst; Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection	Michigan State University	Edible Food By-Products Research	2002
Stacy Cachules	Operations Director; Central Indiana Land Trust	Indiana University Bloomington	NWF Grassroots Communication Intern	2004
Summer Rayne Oakes	Founder; sugardetox.me	Cornell University	Organic Portraits	2004
Tessa Haagenson	Principal Planning Analyst; Great River Energy	Bemidji State University	Renewable Energy Education and Petitioning	2005
Ursula Ible	FAMU Campus Fellow; Vote Mob and Florida Student Power Network	Florida A&M University	Power Vote 2010	2010

Learn More about EcoLeaders

Check out all 50 full interviews (and much more!) in the NWF EcoLeaders Career Center (requires registration with EcoLeaders for full access). EcoLeaders is the nation’s first project-based leadership development program for sustainability, leading to certification for college students and young professionals. EcoLeaders provides a career edge that helps the planet while helping thousands of emerging leaders do well by doing good for their communities.

Become an EcoLeader Today!