Jen-Osha Buysse writes: “Hello friends! I continue to be the director of the Mountain Stewardship and Outdoor Leadership School (www.mountainsol.org). Recently, inspired by my late pediatrician mother and the need for health insurance, I leaned into an old dream of becoming an EMT. Now working as an EMT part time, I’m learning many new skills and enjoying challenging my middle-aged brain with new concepts and situations. It is a hard and often very sad job that has heightened my dedication to provide supportive community and access to wild places for young people. Our eldest son, Elijah, is now 20, a wilderness first aid instructor and majoring in studio art at Fairmont State University on a full wrestling scholarship. Our youngest son, Rowan, is in seventh grade, a disc golf champ and budding fiddler. Nick and I have been married 14 years now, and life is good at our little home in the Appalachian Mountains!”

Abby Sarmac and Matt Clark write: “We are becoming increasingly unpopular with our two teenage sons but remain popular with one another. Abby is a consultant and facilitator focused on community-based philanthropy and Matt leads a Latin American conservation nonprofit. We live in Portland, Oregon. Give a shout if you're in the neighborhood.

Kate Hammond writes: “I am back in the Denver area along with my husband, two teenagers, and another vizsla. I returned to the National Park Service after graduation, where I currently am the regional director for an eight-state region encompassing national parks from Glacier on the northern border to Big Bend on the southern border.”

Florence Miller writes: “Life in the U.K. feels only marginally less insane than the U.S. The forces at play in the U.S. around disinformation seem to have made their way over here recently, with action on climate change being pulled into the (entirely fomented) culture wars, after previously enjoying cross-party support. All good stuff to explore on a professional level with the Environmental Funders Network, which I’ve run since returning in 2012. Bill Finnegan (who finished a midcareer PhD on climate and education in 2023) and I haven’t seen enough YSEers this year but Liz Roberts, Catherine Bottrill ’02 and Jessie Barnes ’04 have featured semiregularly. In late 2022, I got to see Becca Asare Ashley in Ghana, which was wonderful (despite her having to nurse me back to life after a truly fantastic bout of food poisoning). We will be in the U.S. with the kids in July/August and are hoping to see more people if we can!”

Abdalla Shah writes: “Time runs fast. It is now more than 20 years since graduation day in May 2003. Now a grandfather, I am about to retire from employment in the next two years. Looking forward to life in the twilight years of my time on earth. In the last 20 years, it is amazing how mobile phones and computers have profoundly changed how we live, including how we communicate, interact, and trade.”

Ann Grodnik-Nagle writes: “Hi friends! Life in Seattle feels sometimes like a mostly happy blur. It is always improved by the YSE cabal we have here. I cannot believe we are approaching our 20-year reunion next year. That is not possible. Who is going? How can we organize a Great Mountain getaway to lounge together and really catch up?”

Gonzalo Griebenow writes: “Hello friends, this is my fourth year working for the World Food Programme regional office in sunny Panama. From this corner in Central America, I cover the whole LAC region coordinating the climate and environment portfolio of projects of the organization. I haven’t met with any YSEers here so far but would love to see any of you. There are plenty of spots to visit if you are into tropical/beach destinations. So give me a shout if you are passing by or taking a vacation break in Panama.
Salud!”

Chris Meaney writes: “Five years ago my wife, Kristin, and I and our two kids, Hallie and Evan, made the move from D.C. to Portland, Maine. I am working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, leading a program that conserves Gulf of Maine coastal habitats. It's been great to connect with YSEers like the Social Ogor ’07, so if you are in Vacationland, please look us up.”

Allison Rau writes: “I serve as the legal director of the environmental conservation branch at the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. My kids have found passions for rock climbing and skiing at Mohawk Mountain in Cornwall, Connecticut, part of our state forest system!”

Derrick Dease writes: “Hi Friends! It's been a while since I actually submitted a note, so I thought I’d do a quick check-in. I'm still living in the Denver metro area and would love an opportunity to connect and reconnect with some fellow YSEers. Definitely feel free to reach out!”

Charlotte Kaiser writes: “I left The Nature Conservancy after thirteen great years and joined BTG Pactual Timberland Investment Group as our first head of impact finance. I still get to work with a lot of my NatureVest colleagues as TNC is our conservation advisor in North America, and I’m figuring out how to create more positive outcomes for biodiversity across our portfolio, 3 million acres of working forest in North and South America. Nick, Linus, and I moved full time to Missoula in July 2020 and we are loving mountain life. After 48 years as a city dweller, I’m working on building my backcountry skills. We love visitors!” 

Tamara Muruetagoiena writes: “I recently became vice president of sustainability at the International Fresh Product Association. I enjoy meeting member companies around the world and supporting them in their sustainability journey. A highlight was to spend time with Dada Bacudo ’06 at COP28. My most precious times are family adventures with my son Luke.”

Tanja Srebotnjak writes: “I’m enjoying life in the Berkshires and my work at Williams College. Together with my great team at the Zilkha Center, many partners across campus, and wonderful cohorts of student interns, we always have a lot going on: decarbonizing campus operations, improving the systems we have to reduce waste and increase composting and recycling, fleet electrification, etc. I also appreciate having access to a wonderful network of sustainability leaders in the Pioneer Valley and greater New England, and running into fellow YSE alumni, whether in person or virtually, is always a treat.” 

Anton Chiono writes: “I continue to live in northeast Oregon and work on Columbia River basin salmon restoration for the Umatilla Tribes, which is what I’ve been up to for roughly the last decade. I had the good fortune of catching up with some fellow FESers (yes, FES — betraying my age!) last summer, seeing Brandon (Berkeley) Middaugh ’07 in Seattle and enjoying a canoe trip with Scott Laeser and Chelsea Chandler ’10 in Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Beyond that, my black Labrador and I are both a little grayer in the muzzle these days but doing well otherwise!”

Yuliya Shmidt writes: “I’m living on the island of Alameda in the San Francisco Bay and now heading up electric procurement for BART, the local train system. I’m buying green energy and zero carbon electricity and also get free BART rides! Come visit the island any time.”

Andre Mershon writes: “After nearly 14 years with USAID, I recently became a Foreign Service Officer. I’m still awaiting my first overseas assignment, but I will continue to work on environmental issues, hopefully in Africa. Looking forward to new experiences for myself and my family — Kristin, Alexander (9), and Vivienne (7).”

Janet Lawson writes: “We got to have a mini-reunion with Tristan Contesse and Sean Dixon with our families at the Pacific Science Center in Seattle this winter! I’m currently living in Rabat, Morocco, with my husband and two sons while working for USAID. Visitors welcome!”

Kathryn Au writes: “I got married in October to a college friend that I met freshman year through playing chess. We had a dramatic 15-year saga (2007-2022) of missed connections/bad timing despite a strong connection before we finally got together. YSEers in attendance included Marissa Ramirez, Josh Gange ’08, Kevin Kromash ’11, Connie Xu ’11, and Melissa Ivins-Lukse ’11. Our first baby arrived in February 2024! Currently in Somerville, Massachusetts, but hit me up if you’re ever in western Mass or the Boston area!”

Jen Baldwin writes: “We moved from South Africa to Jamaica for my next posting as USAID Jamaica’s Environment Division Chief, based in Kingston. I encourage anyone working on climate change adaptation and finance in the Caribbean to reach out! Ian Starr ’11 continues his forest carbon work remotely with EP Carbon. Our littles are 4 and 2 and enjoying more time at the beach.” 

Ian Cummins writes: “After returning from various misadventures in forestry in the Ecuadorian Amazon to the outer rungs of the Bay Area in late 2019 broke and disgusted, we settled into a life of environmental compliance, last year relocating to the Inland Riviera (Visalia). I am working as a tribal forester for the Tule River Indian Tribe. Erika and I have two sons, 10 and 8, and a 3-year-old girl. All are in good spirits, though trying at times. I have no pets but keep good relations with the free-range dogs. We maintain what I claim to be the largest durian farm in the Amazon.” 

Casey R. Pickett writes: “YSE alumni Stuart DeCew ’11, Sara Harari ’19, Justin Freiberg, Konstantine Drakonakis ‘06, Cortney (Ahern) Renton ’20, and I are working with colleagues across Yale, New Haven, Connecticut, and the Northeast to build ClimateHaven, a new climate tech incubator in downtown New Haven. Please get in touch! We’d love to help you launch your climate tech startup among friends in New Haven.” 

Elyzabeth Earnley writes: “After 10 years working in software development in the science publishing industry, I have taken a big leap and moved from D.C. to Arlington, Virginia! Kidding aside, I am also working on a move to the cleantech industry to help build the software systems that will be needed to integrate distributed, renewable energy into the grid. I am looking to connect with others in the industry so please be in touch! Thanks to Eliza Cava ’11 for the nudge.”

Matthew Fried writes: “After nine fulfilling years as San Mateo's managing arborist, I’m thrilled to launch Heartwood Consulting Arborists, offering extensive arboricultural and urban forestry consulting across the San Francisco Bay Area. This new venture marks a professional milestone and enables a better work-life balance, affording me more quality time with my 3-year-old son, Makaio. I look forward to the exciting opportunities ahead.”

Geoffrey Giller writes: “After finishing up my MFA in creative writing at Columbia this past fall, I find myself back at Yale, working as a staff writer in the Office of Development, where I get to write about all the groundbreaking work and impressive achievements happening at Yale!”

Vanessa Lamers writes: “I started a new job with the Maryland Department of Health!”

Michelle Lewis writes: “In 2022, I qualified as the unaffiliated candidate from North Carolina for the United States Senate. I ran a campaign focused on the environment and criminal justice reform. I’m working with the Peace Garden Project, growing food and teaching others how to grow food while looking at the intersection of justice issues. I also lead a Youth Leadership Institute focused on teaching middle and high school students about environmental justice and growing food.”

Pablo Peña writes: “After a few years working in conservation and climate policy in Peru, I went back to school in 2021 to pursue a doctorate in socio-legal studies at the University of Oxford. My research project is about the relationship between property and deforestation in the agricultural frontiers of the Peruvian Amazon. I’m currently in Madison, Wisconsin, for some months as a visiting scholar at the UW School of Law and I brought along Camilo, my son, who was born in New Haven while I was at YSE. I’m happy to report that he’s now a joyful 11-year-old boy. Time flies!”

Katherine Romans writes: “I’m proud to be a part of a small but mighty band of YSE alumni working to advance conservation in the Texas Hill Country. Shout out to Daniel Oppenheimer ’11, Marisa Bruno ’22, and the Hill Country Alliance! We recently launched a new leadership program for local elected officials and secured a Sentinel Landscape designation to advance private land conservation and stewardship. When not at work in the Hill Country, our kids Callie (5) and Lucas (3) keep Cody and me busy. Come see us!”

Dustin Schinn writes: “After a few years of climate-security work in the Middle East, I now live in Manila, Philippines, where I work for ADB as the regional climate anchor for East Asia. Finally got my diving license and enjoying the Coral Triangle’s many turtles and nudibranchs. Jorge Barbosa and Lucas Tyree ’14 already visited and got a glimpse of the sardine swarms and coral garden’s magic. Also get to catch up with Peter Baum once in a while when he’s ditching his PNG pastures to visit us at HQ in Manila. Oh, I almost forgot, I got engaged and we’re expecting twins (one boy, one girl). Come visit!”