

Personal and professional news and updates from YSE's more than 5,600 alumni around the world.
Classes of 1953-1992 | Classes of 1993-2016 | Classes of 2017-2022
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Class of ’93
Class VolunteersKatharine E. Frohardt, Dean Gibson, Molly Goodyear, Daniel Hudnut, John M. Norwood, Jefferson W. Tone, Margaret D. Williams
Submitted by Sara St. Antoine
Cynthia Caron writes: “Fall 2022 was busy and productive. I am part of a Clark University-UNAM team that received a National Science Foundation grant. Our project aims to use extended reality (XR) technology with municipal-level planners, farmers, and other resource managers in the watersheds surrounding Mexico City. Using GIS, remote sensing, oral history, and other data, we will create virtual worlds for resource users to inhabit and experience a range of climate change and development scenarios. Hopefully we will help transform XR into a useful planning tool. Fall 2022 was also full of secondary school visits, as Anjali will graduate eighth grade in June. While we don’t know where she’s headed yet, it certainly was a good introduction to what I imagine the college search will look like!”
Sara St. Antoine writes: “I’ve just published a new novel for teens and tweens (and their parents) called ‘Front Country’ (Chronicle Books, 2022). It’s a story about coming of age in a time of climate crisis. Most of it takes place in the mountains of Montana, and pikas feature prominently!”
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Class of ’94
Class VolunteersJane Calvin, Eliza Cleveland, Cynthia Henshaw, Diana Wheeler, Jane Whitehill
Submitted by Gregory Harris
Gregory Harris writes: “I enjoy living in Minnesota where for a hobby I recently ventured into producing a non-timber forest product — spruce tip syrup. Last spring, I collected about 40 pounds of early flush from white spruce near the Chippewa National Forest. Following a traditional Swedish technique, I extracted the moisture and phytochemicals from the needles to create a syrup using brown sugar. After receiving rave reviews from friends and a few local chefs, I entered it into the Minnesota State Fair, where it received a first-place prize. I plan to harvest spruce tips again this year and experiment with flavoring maple syrup to create an even more local and decolonized syrup.”
Submitted by David Moffat
David Moffat writes: “Carol and I continue to love living in Victoria, BC, and spending good parts of the winter remote working and cross-country skiing on our ‘local’ mountain. We are a bit intimidated by the plan to renovate our little cottage on the Juan de Fuca but overjoyed to be upgrading the heating system from cups of tea and big sweaters. It brings back memories of Diana Wheeler’s beach house our first year. Inlandsis closed on its second climate impact fund in December 2022, and I have such fun running into alums in the conservation and carbon worlds all the time. On a sad note, I was sorry that T Swayze ’92 passed away this summer, just a week after we were to get together. He hired me as a summer intern at the World Bank and we stayed in touch ever since. I have high hopes of seeing lots of classmates this summer and even more at next year’s reunion!”
Submitted by Eileen (Cates) Stone Eileen (Cates) Stone writes: “Hello from upstate New York. I have been enjoying raising California Red sheep with the family and working on renewable energy transactions for Scout Clean Energy’s mergers and acquisitions group. Scout is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, and I travel to Boulder frequently. I would love to catch up if you pass through the Saratoga Springs, New York area or when I am out in Boulder.”
Karen Terwilleger writes: “I’m still living in Olympia, Washington, with two bossy Chihuahuas and trying to tame my 1.5 acres. My family did have a passing last year … my dear father passed away. He was a wonderful, gentle soul. He lived a very full 90 years. He married the love of his life. He was a craftsman — wood and iron. We made lots of sawdust in our shop. Lately we were using heirloom wood — creating beautiful new things out of old restored wood. He was the reason I became a forester. I miss him. Please hug all of your loved ones very tight. Life is far too short to miss any moments. Have a glorious summer!”
Jane Whitehill writes: “I’m working in drug development, continuing to be surprised but happy that I can combine an interest in how things work (that’s the forest science part) with an interest in setting my own schedule (as a medical writer, I have to have my material in on Tuesday at 10 a.m. if I say it’ll be in on Tuesday at 10 a.m., but I can go see an old noir movie on Monday night if I’m willing to work when I get home). Plus, Lyman is flourishing in Chicago and I’m flourishing more generally.”
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Class of ’95
Class VolunteersMarie Gunning, Tetsuro Mori, Ciara O’Connell
Kelly Hogan writes: “After 11 years in the Midwest, I’ve headed back to my PhD-granting university as an assistant research professor in biochemistry and molecular biology at the Eberly College of Science at Penn State. My research focuses on reproductive aging with a special interest in ‘gerontogens,’ which are toxicants that induce tissue aging. Always thrilled to connect with YSE folks — my most enjoyable classmates!”
James Jiler writes: “I have recently purchased a coffee plantation (4,200 altitude) with forest acreage on the slope of Poás Volcano in Costa Rica. I am constructing cabinas to create a sanctuary resort and restoring the surrounding area with native trees to provide habitat and canopy cover in this cloud forest system. All are welcome, especially during the coffee harvest.”
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Class of ’96
Class VolunteersKristen Phelps, Julie Rothrock, Theodore Schwartz
Submitted by MK Dorsey
MK Dorsey writes: “I was appointed the new chair and director of the Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Service at Arizona State University and extended a concurrent appointment as professor of practice in the College of Global Futures. Looking forward to collaborating with alums, current students, faculty, and many others.”
Submitted by Steve Dunn
Submitted by Alison Ormsby
Steve Dunn writes: “Last fall I shifted positions at the Department of Energy, from the world of residential energy efficiency programs that I have worked in since 2010 to a new role supporting grants to states, local governments, and Indian tribes through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program, which received $550 million through the bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Our funding is going to all 50 states, D.C., and six U.S. territories. I am working with Kate Donatelli ’20 and many other talented climate- and energy-minded professionals. I would love the opportunity to meet up with former classmates or alums in my travels. Last summer my son and I hiked our first 14er, Handies Peak near Lake City, Colorado. Maybe Mount Yale will be our second climb next summer!”
Alison Ormsby writes: “I am the sustainability director at the University of North Carolina Asheville and co-edited the book ‘Religion and Nature Conservation: Global Case Studies,’ recently published by Routledge. I also have a chapter in the book ‘Spiritual Values and Ecosystem Services of Sacred Groves in Karnataka, India,’ co-authored with Smitha Krishnan.”
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Class of ’97
Class VolunteersJeffrey Adams, Paul Calzada, Praveen Khilnani, Mary Tyrrell
Kelly Keefe writes: “I’m enjoying working for the Army Corps of Engineers, especially doing ecosystem restoration. For over 10 years I lived in Florida working on Everglades restoration and projects to reduce coastal storm flooding. Recently I moved to Vicksburg, Mississippi, where I live on the rolling, forested bluffs of the Mississippi River. I oversee the planning of Army Corps projects throughout the Mississippi Valley from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. There are endless opportunities here to restore estuaries, coasts, bottomland forests, and riverbanks while working with great teams in every state that touches the river. Before moving, I was awarded a Department of the Army Civilian Service Commendation Medal, an honorary award presented by the United States Army to civilian employees for commendable service and achievement, and I hope to continue such public service in my new role. Please send me postcards from your faraway places: Kelly Keefe, P.O. Box 820228, Vicksburg, MS 39182. Cheers!”
Submitted by Jon Kohl
Jon Kohl writes: “This year along with my nonprofit, PUP Global Heritage Consortium, we are working on two projects of possible interest to fellow Yalies: 1) a 12-day study abroad program in Costa Rica for university students studying the evolution of protected area planning paradigms throughout human history, and 2) a new kind of natural and cultural heritage toolbox called the Biocultural Heritage Collaboratory. Unlike most free and open toolboxes on the internet that do not have income and thus cannot hire editors/curators, our collaboratory is subscription based and will work to help users identify, learn, and adapt tools in the field and with communities. We are still building it and welcome interested parties — both individuals and organizations — who feel that there has to be a better way to find, learn, and apply conservation and management tools.”
Submitted by José Juan Terrasa-Soler
José Juan Terrasa-Soler writes: “Last January, I led a group of research fellows from the Harvard Graduate School of Design and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health on a tour of the El Portal de El Yunque Visitor Center, which was recently awarded LEED Gold certification. I was the landscape architect for this facility at the entrance to El Yunque National Forest in eastern Puerto Rico.”
Submitted by Peter Yolles
Peter Yolles writes: “Jill and I have now launched both of our kids into college (Amanda at Bates and Sam at Colorado College), and we are enjoying this new free bird phase. Funny coincidence: Amanda is taking her first economics course at Bates from Professor Lynne Lewis, from whom I took my first econ class at YSE. I’ve also launched a new venture fund, Echo River Capital, to invest in early-stage water and climate technology companies. It’s an exciting time to support entrepreneurs around the world who are digitizing, decentralizing, and decarbonizing the water economy. If you’re starting a company or seeking a new position in the water-tech space, please get in touch! I completed the LeCiel Foundation’s Holistic Visions training that brought together 144 global leaders in the environment and the creative arts to help craft a new narrative for relating to and caring for nature. Check it out if this resonates with you.”
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Class of ’00
Class VolunteersMaureen Cunningham, Sarah Morath, Erika Schaub, Zikun Yu
Sylvia (Stone) Busby writes: “I had so much fun catching up with Peter Kostishack and his lovely family when they were in San Diego in January. I continue to work at The Nature Conservancy as a donor communications specialist. I hope to visit other YSE classmates in the Northeast this summer or fall while visiting colleges with my older daughter.”
Ashley (Prout) McAvey writes: “I created an all-volunteer, statewide organization with the sole mission to have Vermont join the other states in the nation to ban the sale of imperiled wildlife parts. After eight years of leading a grassroots campaign of countless events including movie screenings, marches, talks, articles, speaking in kids’ classrooms, networking with legislators, and delivering dozens of pieces of testimony at the Statehouse, on October 8, 2020, Governor Phil Scott signed H.99 into law, making Vermont the12th state in the nation to put an end to illegal wildlife trafficking (more information at www.vermontforwildlife.org). Thirty-seven states have yet to act — please find out if your state has taken action!” ashley96@aya.yale.edu
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Class of ’01
Class VolunteersKristal Aliyas, Leigh Cash, Adam Chambers, Mary Ford, Jennifer Grimm
Submitted by Jen Osha Buysse Jen Osha Buysse writes: “Hello, friends! I am happy and healthy, living in the mountains of West Virginia with my husband and two sons. I am the co-founder of the Mountain Stewardship and Outdoor Leadership School, whose mission is to connect with the natural world to cultivate leaders for a just and resilient Appalachia. I am also a fellow at the Center for Resilient Communities at West Virginia University. I am continuing to pursue a combination of emergency medicine and herbalism and am thrilled to be able to certify students in wilderness medicine. I am working now on extending the reach of our little school and would love to connect with others about outdoor education and supporting our youth.”
Tracy Scheffler Melbihess writes: “Recently took on a position as assistant state supervisor with U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Idaho. Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Hope you are leading big lives wherever you are — stay strong.”
Georgia Silvera Seamans writes: “I am an adjunct professor at NYU teaching a course about the social and environmental history of urban parks in the U.S. I host a podcast called ‘Your Bird Story,’ which is in its third season. In May, I plan to visit Shimona Quazi and Rusaslina Idrus ’02 in Singapore and Malaysia.”
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Class of ’02
Class VolunteersCatherine Bottrill, Yenyen Chan, Peter Deschenes, Roberto Frau, Derik Frederiksen
Submitted by Sarah Canham Sarah Canham writes: “In October 2022, I accepted the position of state botanist for the Oregon/Washington Bureau of Land Management. After 12 ½ years as a botanist with the Prineville, Oregon, District of the Bureau of Land Management, this promotion comes with new challenges and opportunities as an advocate for botanical resources while still allowing for fieldwork. It was great to reunite with so many fun YSE personalities, especially from the extraordinary Class of 2002, at the reunion!”
John Homan writes: “Gregg and I had a fun travel year visiting Wyoming and the Black Hills of South Dakota on our drive to see every state (currently at 48!) and then a trip in the fall to northern Italy. Still working for the Bank of America, newly co-leading a wealth management team. We’re up in Cornwall in Litchfield County on the weekends. Give a holler if you’re ever in the area.”
Submitted by Colleen Ryan Colleen Ryan writes: “I’m happy to report that, after a few years of consulting for the New England Forestry Foundation, I now work for them full time synthesizing and interpreting science related to climate-smart forestry. Last month I was able to Zoom with Stephanie Perles, who is doing interesting work on forest resiliency, among other things, for the National Park Service in Pennsylvania. I’m living in the beautiful White Mountains of New Hampshire with my 6-year-old son and would love to see any classmates who pass through the area. The’02 reunion in October was a blast; it was amazing to see so many of you there and to show the current Forestry Club how things were done in the good old days.”
Submitted by Becky Tavani Becky Tavani writes: “OMG, what an amazing 20-year reunion we had last October. It’s been a while since I wrote, but I just wanted to say what a blast the Class of 2002 had during reunion weekend! Kudos to the organizing committee, who spoiled us from beginning to end. And a particular hats off on the food selection. I had an amazing time meeting up with fellow classmates Josh Zaffos, Shane Duigan, Sarah Canham, Citlali Cortes, Roberto Frau, Colleen Ryan, Hatsy Moore ’06, Carrie Magee, Rachel Fertik, Vic Edgerton, Marc Stern, Kim Thurlow, Kendra Kinscherf, Neal Etre, Derik Frederiksen, Philip Rigdon, and Rebecca Rundquist, to name a few! And seeing Professor Mark Ashton ’85 was the cherry on top. It was wonderful hearing how much the School has grown and evolved over these last 20 years. We even made time for maintaining our traditional Sage Boy midnight mischief. Next time we need more time with the new students to pass on more of our mischief! I’m still in Rome working on national forest monitoring for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UNFAO). My team is always looking for possible consultants and interns with a focus on forest sampling and geospatial skills in land use change assessment.”
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Class of ’05
Class VolunteersDavid Cherney, Dora Cudjoe
Submitted by Alvaro Redondo-Brenes Alvaro Redondo-Brenes ’10 PhD writes: “I am celebrating 10 years as general manager of MTF Teca of Costa Rica. Producing timber in a socially and environmentally proper way!”
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Class of ’06
Class VolunteersKrista Anderson, Reilly Dibner, Sue Ely, Ross Geredien, Gonzalo Griebenow, Jill Savery
Gonzalo Griebenow writes: “After many COVID-related delays, I finally moved to Panama in January 2022 to start work with the United Nations World Food Programme as a regional sustainability advisor. I am looking forward to meeting with YSEers in the region since I will be traveling all over LAC countries. Please shoot me a message if you are around!”
Submitted by Luisa Fernanda Lema Vélez Submitted by Alison Rau Luisa Fernanda Lema Vélez writes: “After surviving a pandemic while doing consultancy work for different multilaterals, I went back to being an employee for the Inter-American Development Bank. I moved to Paraguay, where I take care of the portfolio related to the environment, agriculture, and tourism. It is quiet but nice down here. I had the opportunity to spend New Year’s with Inés Angulo ’05, in Bolivia.”
Alison Rau writes: “I’m currently the legal director for the environmental conservation branch of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. I work with law and policy on solutions for rogue bears, safer state parks, better fish passage, and keeping our beautiful outdoor places welcoming for everyone. My kids are Calvin, 7, and Tily, 4, and are already pros at climbing trees and swimming. My husband has dreams of scaling West Rock with them this summer!”