Alumni Network
Our Alumni Network has been an integral part of the Turning Green journey over the past seventeen years. These inspiring and bold leaders are mentors and beacons of hope to the next generation of young leaders.
The Alumni Network works to connect, honor, and represent Turning Green alumni. Its purpose is to create, sustain, and support a mutually beneficial relationship between Turning Green student constituents and Turning Green alumni to foster collaboration, mentorship and change making.
MEET OUR ALUMS
Isaac Aguilar
PGC 2017 Finalist, Berkeley, CA
Isaac is a student at University of California, Berkeley studying Ecology and Environmental Sciences.
“Turning Green awoke my passion for sustainability and environmental stewardship. My experiences with Turning Green and Project Green Challenge inspired me to pursue environmental science in my education and strive towards a career that promotes a sustainable future for everyone.”
One word to describe Turning Green? Passionate!
Jasmine Bylander
PGC 2018 Finalist, Warrensburg, MO
Jasmine is studying Business Management at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire.
“Turning Green has changed my perspective and showed me that I can do so much more than I thought I could. I want to become an influential businesswoman with a company that takes care of the Earth!”
One word to describe Turning Green? Valuable!
Sarah Hope Dolce
PGC 2013 Finalist, Elon, NC
Sarah is completing her final year at Elon University, double majoring in Environmental and Ecological Science and Biology.
“My involvement with Turning Green shapes my individual decisions to this day. I am always conscious of my actions and how they will affect the Earth. I continue to pass the information I learned in PGC onto others: friends, family, and strangers."
One word to describe Turning Green? Monumental!
Catalina Lane
PGC 2017 Finalist & Summer 2018 Intern, Bellingham, WA
Catalina is a student at Western Washington University, studying Environmental Education.
“Without Turning Green I wouldn't have a set direction in school of what I want to study, or how I want to impact the world. I participated in PGC on a whim and that pushed me forward and solidified my interest in environmental activism.”
One word to describe Turning Green? Essential!
Hannah McGovern Gross
Teens Turning Green Student Leader, New York, NY
Hannah is an actress and a singer.
“My involvement with Turning Green in high school completely changed my life. I learned that teens can make a difference!”
One word to describe Turning Green? Incredible!
Emma Ramos Reyna
Summer 2016 Intern, Downey, CA
Emma is a recent graduate from UC Davis, working as an Everlane Ambassador and intern at htm.elle.
“Turning Green really helped me see the passion I had for the environment and how I could help incorporate sustainability into everyday life. I know consumer education is vital in our journey to a more environmentally friendly world and I want to take part in that.”
One word to describe Turning Green? Impactful!
Aradhya Seth
PGC 2018 Finalist, Bhopal, India
Aradhya is a student at the Oriental Institute of Science and Technology pursuing a career in sustainable energy management.
“I will forever be grateful for what PGC has given me. Such is the impact of PGC that I see my life in 2 parts, one before PGC, and one after it. It was my dream to be in the US once and PGC made that possible.”
One word to describe Turning Green? Life-changing!
Tamsin Stringer
PGC 2016 Champion, Summer 2018 Intern, Bloomington, IN
Tamsin is a student at Bates College majoring in Environmental Studies.
“Turning Green was a platform that gave me the wings to pursue environmental sustainability. The organization, with both PGC and an internship, gave me lifelong connections and friends, a career path moving forward, and a strong focused leadership with regards to sustainability.”
One word to describe Turning Green? Life-changing!
Claire August
PGC 2015 Finalist, Washington, DC
Claire works in congressional affairs for the solar energy industry.
“Everyone involved with Turning Green really believes in you and exudes positivity. I have been able to stay connected with an amazing community of friends and mentors across the world who have shared an experience with me."
One word to describe Turning Green? Family!
Hannah Cohen
Summer 2018 Intern, Huntington Woods, MI
Hannah is a student at Michigan State University.
“My involvement with turning green has taught me so much. I learned about the inner workings of a nonprofit and what it takes to make one run successfully. I learned more about my passions in environmentalism and how I can follow these passions and through turning green inspire and mobilize others to do the same.”
One word to describe Turning Green? Transformative!
Megan Fuerst
PGC 2013 Finalist, CCRT Campus Rep, Summer Intern, Turning Green Staff, South Royalton, VT
Megan graduated from Vermont Law School and now works as a Program Assistant at the Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program, working to provide business planning and technical assistance to Vermont farmers.
“My involvement with Turning Green MADE my journey forward; it created the path I'm on now in the most significant way. Turning Green helped me find my passion, my voice, and my individual power. It gave me the knowledge and resources necessary to rise up against the current industrialized system that operates against people and the planet in so many ways. Being part of Turning Green was the first time I truly felt part of a community.”
One word to describe Turning Green? Empowering!
Sophia Ludtke
PGC 2018 Third Place, Gladstone, NJ
Sophia is a student at Newark Academy in Livingston, NJ. She is involved with the New Jersey Student Sustainability Coalition and works for the Climate Museum.
“I feel like PGC sparked something in me, and I am now confident that I will pursue a career centered around the environment all because of my transformative experience with Turning Green. I will forever be grateful to my fellow PGCers and to Turning Green for a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
One word to describe Turning Green? Transformative!
Sophie Moniz
PGC 2018 Finalist, Alexandria, VA
Sophie is a student at TC Williams High School in Alexandria, VA.
“My experience with PGC and Turning Green has made me more aware of my actions and the actions of others, and I keep the environment in mind with every action and decision. After participating in PGC, I have tried to live the most sustainable lifestyle I can while also promoting environmentalism and living sustainably to my friends and family.”
One word to describe Turning Green? Inspiring!
Juliana Rojas
PGC 2014 Finalist, Bogota, Colombia
Juliana is a Design Student and an intern at the Organization of American States.
“I am very thankful to have been able to participate in PGC, and to meet all the amazing people behind Turning Green, because it really changed my life and shaped my decisions.”
One word to describe Turning Green? Leadership!
Sarah Settanni
PGC 2012 Finalist, CCRT Campus Rep, Summer 2013 Intern, Chicago, IL
Sarah runs the YouTube channel Abundantly Minimal and the company Mr and Mrs Social Studies.
“My involvement with Turning Green really opened my eyes to the truths about the environmental movement, and it sparked my curiosity into aspects of sustainability that I didn't know as much about. Turning Green empowered to be the change I wished to see in the world, and put myself out there more than I likely would have otherwise. It also gave me the chance to collaborate with amazing leaders in the environmental movement!”
One word to describe Turning Green? Transformative!
Sophia Walling-Bell
PGC 2011 Runner-Up, Salt Lake City, UT
Sophia is a recent graduate with a degree in Foreign Languages - French and living in Germany for the summer.
“The impact from Turning Green has been huge, in many small and big ways. I think many of the habits that I formed from PGC in 2011 have stuck with me until now. It helped me learn how to have a voice, form opinions, and then engage others in the problems I was seeing. It helped me be a leader, step out of my comfort zone, and be comfortable with speaking up.”
One word to describe Turning Green? Empowering!
Lara Breithaupt
PGC 2018 Champion & Summer 2019 Intern, Bloomington, IN
Lara is a student at Bloomington High School South in Bloomington, IN.
“The sheer magnitude of meaningful and applicable knowledge that I gained through PGC highlighted to me how few people are aware of details of the biggest issue facing humanity in the modern world: environmental degradation. I will continue to involve others in Turning Green's mission and that of environmentalists around the globe.”
One word to describe Turning Green? Motivational!
Brooke Crouch
PGC 2018 Finalist, CCRT Campus Rep, & Summer 2019 Intern, Charlottesville, VA
Brooke is a student at the University of Virginia, studying Environmental Science and Global Sustainability.
“Prior to PGC, I knew I wanted to impact change, but I didn’t know how. Participating in PGC was like being fully alive for the first time. For the first time in my life, it was clear to me what I wanted to do. The whole concept of educating and inspiring youth to protect the environment and fight for a more sustainable future was a wonderful one- it completely encapsulated what I wanted to do with my life!”
One word to describe Turning Green? Empowering!
Travis Kwee
PGC 2017 Finalist & CCRT Campus Rep, San Francisco, CA
Travis graduated from Rice University and is working for the Circular Economy team for Cisco in San Francisco, CA.
“Turning Green made me become much more conscientious and well-researched into many sustainability topics.”
One word to describe Turning Green? Inspiring!
Johannés Tre Maquiling
PGC 2017 Finalist, Iloilo, Philippines
Johannes is studying Biology as a college student in the Philippines.
“The biggest and most visible impact Turning Green had on my life is definitely on my family and I’s lifestyle. We are much more conscious as consumers and as citizens of the world. We attempt at every chance we get to influence those we know and those around us to act the same.”
One word to describe Turning Green? Transforming!
Emily Packer
Teens Turning Green Chapter President 2008-2010, New York, NY
Emily is a documentary filmmaker with a focus on border control.
“Turning Green served as a way for me to funnel my activism and learn more about advocacy, environmentalism, and organizing. It made me unafraid to be involved and passionate, to take leadership roles for causes I cared about.”
One word to describe Turning Green? Ambitious!
Eryn Russell
PGC 2014 Finalist, Tallahassee, FL
Eryn is a student at Florida State University and works for the Florida League of Cities in Tallahassee.
“Participating PGC in high school gave me the tools I needed to make changes in my lifestyle. PGC was a fun and engaging way to learn about sustainability, but impactful enough that it stayed with me. Since PGC, I have focused on a goal each year, which gives me time to change my habits in a practical, sustainable way.”
One word to describe Turning Green? Impactful!
Dylan Simpson
PGC 2018 Finalist, Morton, IL
“Turning Green helped give me confidence. It showed me that I can truly make a difference, not only in my own life, but that I can spark change in others and the communities around me.”
One word to describe Turning Green? Empowering!
Shayla Walker
CCRT Campus Rep, Summer 2014 Intern, Volunteer, Stafford, VA
Shayla works with a nonprofit advocating for rare diseases.
“Turning Green served as a catalyst for my interest in sustainability and public health. During my time with TG, I gained an enormous breadth of knowledge regarding my personal impact on the environment and positive ways to improve it, lessons that are still applicable to my daily life. It also helped me break out of my comfort zone to be more involved in things I'm passionate about.”
One word to describe Turning Green? Momentous!
Ruthie Burrows
PGC 2012 Finalist, CCRT Campus Rep, Volunteer, Minneapolis, MN
Ruthie is working on her PhD in Geography at the University of Minnesota, studying the impacts of climate change on agriculture and health.
“Turning Green set a precedent for how I think about my individual actions within the bigger picture of environmental degradation and climate change. I truly believe my experience with PGC served as a catalyst for living my life with intention, not only in regards to conscious lifestyle decisions but also in regards to my education and career.”
One word to describe Turning Green? Family!
Nelson DiBiase
CCRT Campus Rep, Pittsburgh, PA
Nelson is a student at Chatham University in a dual masters program for a Masters of Sustainability and Masters of Business Administration.
“Through hosting the CCRT, I discovered how to inform individual's minds on a more conscious lifestyle. The CCRT helped link me to like-minded individuals with similar motivators, which inevitably lead to shaping my future plans.”
One word to describe Turning Green? Inspiring!
Emi LaFountain
PGC 2014 Finalist & CCRT Campus Rep, San Francisco, CA
Emi is a Construction Engineer and Regional Sustainability Manager in San Francisco, CA.
“My mindset totally changed with Turning Green – and my career path. I’m now the Regional Sustainability Manager for my construction company with 9,000 other employees and worldwide impact. Everyday I look forward to being able to imbue sustainability into one of the most conventional private sector industries in the world.”
One word to describe Turning Green? Empowering!
Missy Martin
PGC 2015 Champion, CCRT Campus Rep, Summer 2016 Intern, Austin, TX
Missy is a student at University of California, Berkeley studying Society and Envrionment and studying to get a business certificate from Harvard Business School. She is also the Vice President of Member Development at the Bay Area Environmentally Aware Consulting Network.
“My whole life changed because of Turning Green. I switched universities so that I could build a healthier life and have better access to local and organic foods. The organization opened my eyes to our broken food system, and now I am studying how to heal our food system through policy and business.”
One word to describe Turning Green? Inspirational!
Cami Provencher
PGC 2017 Finalist, Summer 2018 Intern, Student Advisory Board Vice President, Chicago, IL
Cami is a student at Loyola University of Chicago, working with Loyola’s Institute of Environmental Sustainability and the Restoration Club.
“Turning Green gave me a sense of belonging. I am now so much more aware of my impact and through my experiences with Turning Green, I am able to better educate and communicate what conscious living means to others.”
One word to describe Turning Green? Genuine!
Danielle Schoen
PGC 2013 Finalist and Summer 2014 Intern, Asheville, NC
Danielle is a certified yoga instructor and in graduate school for social work.
“Turning Green gave me the confidence to move forward and pursue my passions with heart and hard work. My experience with Turning Green has forever impacted my lifestyle and made sustainability a central component of my daily life.”
One word to describe Turning Green? Empowering!
Emmaline Spier Camposano
CCRT Campus Rep, Clemson, SC
Emmaline is working towards a Masters in Environmental Engineering at Clemson University.
“Turning Green truly changed my trajectory and made me want to be a champion for change.”
One word to describe Turning Green? Motivating!
Darya Watnick
Teens for Safe Cosmetics Volunteer, New Haven, CT
Darya is working on a Masters of Environmental Management from the Yale School of Forestry, focusing on Business and the Environment.
“Turning Green taught me that young people can have a great impact. My involvement with Turning Green has inspired my academic path and future career.”
One word to describe Turning Green? Inspirational!