Executive Master of Natural Resources (XMNR) - Class of 2021 - Center for Leadership in Global Sustainability
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Executive Master of Natural
Resources (XMNR) — Class of 2021
ELLEN ELLEN SZYMANSKI is a resourceful and highly analytical executive and lawyer with global and domestic
SZYMANSKI experience in policy development, advocacy, stakeholder relations, coalition building, and program
management. With a proven track record of both government and trade association roles, she spent the
first half of her career addressing challenges faced by inventors and artists in the laws and regulations
of countries around the world. Now she is pivoting the focus of her career to sustainability-related
issues. As a dedicated and insightful leader, she looks forward to playing an active role in bringing about
positive change.
TIMOTHY (TIM) TIMOTHY (TIM) PANDAJIS is a broadcast meteorologist in Norfolk, Virginia, at the ABC News affiliate,
PANDAJIS WVEC 13News Now. He holds the Certified Broadcast Meteorologist Seal awarded by the American
Meteorological Society and several Associated Press awards for his broadcasts. As a meteorologist, Tim
has covered numerous record-breaking hurricanes and winter storms. Most memorable was Hurricane
Arthur, where he was in the eye at landfall on the Outer Banks, and Hurricane Dorian in 2019. Seeing the
impacts of a changing climate firsthand has driven Tim to want to gain a better understanding of what
we can do to become more responsible world citizens.
ANDREA PEREZ ANDREA PEREZ JARAMILLO holds a Bachelor’s degree in Process Engineering and an M.B.A. from EAFIT
JARAMILLO University. Her academic and professional experience has been devoted to the water and sanitation
sector, focusing on productivity, technology, and innovation programs, as well as project evaluation.
She worked in the water and sanitation sector in Chile and Colombia for over five years, focusing on
operational efficiency and process improvement in water distribution utilities. She also worked at the
United Nations, supporting the evaluation of ECLAC’s programs. Currently, Andrea is the Head of the
Water Distribution Section in Henrico County – Department of Public Utilities. During this time, she
has had the opportunity of supervising a multidisciplinary team; coordinating COVID-19 response with
different institutions to achieve public health, safety, environmental, and operational objectives; and
ensuring regulatory, safety, and environmental compliance. She is especially interested in contributing
to drinking water and sustainable sanitation solutions to make a difference in improving the living
conditions of people in underserved communities.
BARB BELSITO BARB BELSITO is a product designer with 10+ years of experience building products with diverse teams
throughout Silicon Valley. She received her M.S. in Human–Computer Interaction, B.A. in International
Studies, and B.A. in Japanese from Indiana University. She currently works at Lyft, where she leads
projects focused on electric vehicle integration, fleet management, and operations enablement. She is
excited to focus her attention on learning the skills necessary to acquire a deeper understanding of the
most pressing issues related to sustainable development. Moving forward, she hopes to apply a human-
centered, interdisciplinary approach to translate insights into equitable, effective, and sustainable
solutions.
CHAD CHAD OBERDOERSTER has spent the past 23 years as an environmentally-focused educator teaching
OBERDOERSTER grades 2–6 and as an instructional coach. He holds a B.S. degree in education from Western Michigan
University and a M.S. degree in curriculum and instruction from Portland State University. He has been a
tireless advocate for sustainable practices in the city of Dubuque, Iowa over the past decade, serving on
the Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission, advocating for such practices as greenhouse gas
reduction, curbside composting, and plastic bag reduction initiatives. He hopes to leverage his teaching
skills and knowledge of sustainable and resilient practices into advocacy for, and implementation of,
sustainable best practices at both local and global scales.
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Executive Master of Natural
Resources (XMNR) — Class of 2021
ANGIE ZALINSKY ANGIE ZALINSKY served two decades in the U.S. Army, where she gained a deep understanding for
management and leadership in many environments. She sees herself as a life learner and enjoys
taking opportunities to expand her knowledge in many entities. She is a licensed Emergency Medical
Technician and a wildlife rehabilitator. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Natural Science with
concentration in Biology, and has just finished her certificate and licensing for personal training. With
the love for knowledge and learning, her passion has always belonged to nature and science. As she
transitions into a second career somewhere in the world, she wants to focus on leaving Earth in a better
position for her children and her family to come thereafter. Her hobbies include hiking (she is planning a
hike-through of the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine), camping, photography, and more.
LORI LOMBARDO LORI LOMBARDO graduated from Lafayette College in 2016 with a degree in Environmental Studies.
Since then she has worked in undergraduate and graduate admissions, engaging with prospective
students from all over the country and the world. Currently, she serves as the Assistant Director of
Admissions, Events, and Recruitment at the Yale School of the Environment. This is a role that has
combined her passion for the environment and her love of higher education. Outside of the professional
world, Lori loves to spend time with her rescue pup and friends and family, and is always day-dreaming
about where she will explore next!
JUNIE DJAMEN JUNIE DJAMEN is an entrepreneur and wife, and most importantly, a super MoM (Mom of Multiples—this
is where she gets her multitasking skills from.) A native of Cameroon, Junie has gained considerable
international exposure thanks to her studies abroad. She is a linguaphile, owing her global citizenship
to her commitment to interculturalism. Junie is obsessed with the idea of seeing her offspring live a
decent life no matter their geographical location, thus her interest in global sustainability. She holds
an International Business M.B.A. from Anaheim University, and is hoping to leverage her educational
background in the field of international development.
ANDREW ANDREW BRENNER has spent nearly two decades working in financial services in the U.S. and Asia,
BRENNER most recently at Refinitiv in New York. A graduate of the University at Albany with a B.A. in English
and Theatre, he has had a lifelong passion for conservation, and seeks to transition the second half of
his career towards roles focused on sustainable development. An avid traveler, he has visited over 70
countries across five continents and scuba dived in three of the five ocean basins, and he aspires to
develop successful strategies for overcoming sustainability challenges.
JAIME CAHALAN JAIME CAHALAN has over ten years of experience in the consumer-packaged goods space with a strong
background in natural foods, hemp, and cannabis. She graduated from Berkeley College with a B.S. in
Business Administration and a concentration in Marketing. Jaime has spent many years leading teams
and organizations through start-up to acquisition, and is looking forward to enhancing those skills
with a focus on sustainability and conservation. In her free time, Jaime enjoys quality time with her two
children as well as spending as much time outdoors as possible.
ANGELICA ANGELICA NAVARETTE graduated from Northern Arizona University with a B.S. in Environmental
NAVARETTE Science with emphasis in Biology. She has always had a passion for wildlife conservation and
sustainability. For the past four years, she has worked as a high school environmental science teacher,
which allowed her the opportunity to promote the importance of preserving the natural resources for
future generations. Her goal in pursuing the XMNR degree is to gain the skills necessary to implement
innovative sustainability practices and continue to promote conservation. In her free time, she enjoys
nature walks, hiking, and scuba diving.
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Executive Master of Natural
Resources (XMNR) — Class of 2021
ELIZABETH ELIZABETH (LIBBEY) KELSO received her Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree from Virginia Tech
(LIBBEY) KELSO in 1992. She began her career in landscape design across the South, involved in historic preservation
and coastal development. She acquired a retail design business in SC. After six successful years, she
started a family and moved back to VA. She currently works for the Charlottesville Parks Department,
which plans to transform outdated practices toward the use of natural resources for environmental
management, where she aspires to be the team leader. She is proud that she and her two children will all
be college students in 2021.
SARAH KEY SARAH KEY worked as an academic advisor for the School of Arts and Sciences at Dalton State College
where she also completed her B.S. in Biology degree in 2020. She created the Girls in STEM summer
camp to empower young girls and increase their interests in the sciences in 2016, and co-created the
B.S. Environmental & Sustainability Studies program in 2017. She is passionate about human rights,
empowering women in STEM, and fighting poverty. She enjoys spending time with her puggle, Darla,
reading, podcasts, and the outdoors.
TYLER WHITFORD TYLER WHITFORD is a Customer Experience Lead at “ROOM,” a startup that endeavors to redefine the
open office landscape with modular furniture solutions. Before joining ROOM, Tyler was a Peace Corps
Volunteer serving in Northern Ghana as an Agriculture Extension agent. Tyler studied Chinese Language
and Culture at Washington State University and Harbin Institute of Technology. These international
experiences have given Tyler a macro perspective and appreciation for the global challenges we face.
Tyler believes the best solutions to these complex issues come from multicultural and diverse teams of
empathetic change-makers—he aspires to lead such teams in his professional career.
JOHN DROSSART JOHN DROSSART is a proud Veteran of the United States Marine Corps. In 2018 he graduated from
the University of Montana with a B.S. in Parks, Tourism, and Recreation Management. He is currently
working as a Natural Resources Specialist–Ranger with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in West
Virginia. His previous experience in natural resources includes time with the U.S. Forest Service as
a Wilderness Ranger for the Scapegoat Wilderness in NW Montana, a Park Ranger at Anan Bear and
Wildlife Observatory in SE Alaska, and a trail crew member with the National Park Service in Yellowstone
National Park.
CONNOR RADTKE CONNOR RADTKE is a Park Ranger working as a Natural Resource Specialist for the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers. He manages the dams and reservoirs within a 2,252 sq. mi. floodplain known as the
Walhonding River Basin. With skills learned from his B.S. in Environmental Resources Management
from Virginia Tech, he institutes research-proven tactics and best-management practices to improve
the watershed and surrounding natural resources. In his tenure, he has aided in the development of a
25-year master plan and began the development of a comprehensive interpretative habitat restoration
learning site. Connor previously served as a military police officer in the U.S. Marine Corps.
PATRICK SCHULER PATRICK SCHULER has over two decades of leadership and problem-solving experience focused on
engaging with partners across the globe. Patrick currently works at the U.S. Department of State, and
is a retired U.S. Army officer who has lived and worked in the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East, Europe, and
Africa. His formal education includes a Master of Arts in International Relations from Boston University
and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Virginia Military Institute. Patrick is interested in the national
security impacts of global climate change.
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Executive Master of Natural
Resources (XMNR) — Class of 2021
CAROLINE LEWIS CAROLINE LEWIS, a Virginia native, received her B.A. in Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communication
from James Madison University. Now an Oregon resident, Caroline works for 3Degrees, a certified
B Corp that offers sustainability solutions to utilities and businesses, as a sales representative and
marketing specialist. In these roles, Caroline develops integrated marketing strategies and implements
renewable energy programs by selling RECs through various utilities. In her lifetime, Caroline hopes
to make the biggest environmental sustainability impact she possibly can, and believes her graduate
studies at Virginia Tech will help her do just that. In her free time, Caroline enjoys growing organic
vegetables in her garden and mountain biking on beautiful trails.
JESSICA LINGREN JESSICA LINGREN has been working in government contracting for the past three years. Prior to that,
she worked in various government agencies at the state and federal level. She served in the United
States Army from 2004 to 2009. She graduated from Troy University with a B.S. in Criminal Science. She
has had a passion for environmental studies and sustainability from an early age and hopes to start a
new career once completing her degree. In her free time, Jessica enjoys spending time with her son,
who also loves nature and has inspired her to continue her studies in sustainability and preserving the
environment.
ALHASAN (AL) ALHASAN (AL) ALOBAIDI has over five years of professional experience in the real-estate project
ALOBAIDI management field. He graduated from The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand with a B.S. in
Environmental Science. Currently, he works as an Asset Manager in his own company, as well as a
part-time field supervisor for Geo-Tech, a Virginia-based company specializing in quality assurance,
construction site materials testing, and observation services. He also volunteers for the Loudoun
Wildlife Conservancy, assisting them in re-writing parts of the zoning ordinance for Loudoun County.
He has travelled to over twenty countries, learning people’s ways of life, and has lived in five different
countries. His hobbies include fishing and diving. Al is passionate about the environment we live in and
the sustainability we need to preserve its beauty for future generations.
BRIAN COLE BRIAN COLE was born and raised in Northern Virginia with one brother and two sisters. In that time
he went through educational chapters as a homeschool, private, and public student. Post-high school
Brian began a six-year enlistment in the United States Air Force. He was able to finish an undergraduate
degree in health science through Kaplan Online before leaving the military in 2017. Since then, Brian has
grown in business, security, and pre-hospital medicine, with a deep conviction to be in tune with the
existential threat of the climate crisis that is quickly permeating all facets of life.
REILLY PARK REILLY PARK is a recent graduate from the University of Virginia with a B.A. in Politics. They currently
serve as a College Adviser with the Virginia College Advising Corps, where they help underrepresented,
low-income high school seniors transition to life after high school. Reilly has been driven to pursue
a career in environmental sustainability since college, where they engaged in coursework and
organizations centered around social justice, environmental sustainability, and animal rights. Reilly is
eager to grow from this program and transition to a career in global sustainability.
ALYSSA KUHN ALYSSA KUHN is a recent graduate of the University of Central Florida, where she majored in
Interdisciplinary Studies and minored in Environmental Studies. Alyssa is currently interning at the
Orange County (Florida) Environmental Protection Division, where she works alongside non-profit
organizations to promote adherence to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals at the
community as well as the county level. Alyssa also runs a committee in the neighboring county of
Brevard, Florida, to create a sustainable garden for use in the Meals on Wheels food delivery program.
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Executive Master of Natural
Resources (XMNR) — Class of 2021
MAKAYLA MAKAYLA HAERTEL graduated with a B.S. in Conservation Biology and a minor in Marine Science
HAERTEL from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. After working
on various wildlife conservation projects, she saw firsthand the effects of climate change on the
natural resources and people in different communities. Currently working for the Fairfax County Park
Authority, she develops conservation and sustainability-focused programs to educate the public on the
importance of being environmental stewards. She aims to further her understanding and leadership in
sustainability on a global scale to help modern industries make more sustainable choices for products
and services.
KIARA DAVIS KIARA DAVIS is a recent graduate from Virginia Commonwealth University with a B.S. in Environmental
Studies and a Certificate in Sustainable Innovation. Originally from Northern Virginia, Kiara currently
works as a receptionist at a children’s therapy center. She strives for a future career in a field that allows
positive change to happen, as she has a passion for sustainable innovation and renewable energy. She is
excited to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to facilitate a positive impact and begin her career.
In her free time, Kiara enjoys spending time in nature, hanging out with her family, and taking naps with
her dog.
ROBERT (BOBBY) ROBERT (BOBBY) HUNDEMER is a native of Northern Virginia and has spent the past 10 years
HUNDEMER working in multiple logistics fields, both as a U.S. Army officer and a supply chain professional for The
Home Depot. He currently supports the Department of Defense as a business transformation and
transportation analyst. His interests in sustainability started after his wife introduced him to several
food documentaries that discussed the effects of our current industrial food system. His spare time
is often filled on the golf course or fishing from his kayak. He holds a Bachelor of Science from George
Mason University in Information Technology.
SYLVIANNE SYLVIANNE VELASQUEZ earned a B.S. in Poultry Science from Texas A&M University. Throughout her
VELASQUEZ professional career, she has gained a robust portfolio through experiences at the San Antonio Zoo and
Aquarium in Texas, NASA Johnson Space Center INSPIRE, SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, Brazos
Valley Food Bank, and a tropical ecology study abroad research trip in Costa Rica. She witnessed
environmentally friendly trends as more American households chose reclaimed wood and recycled vinyl
flooring options, while theme parks got rid of single-use plastic straws. She hopes to explore current
land development and agricultural practices to develop a system to minimize the environmental impact
on global flora and fauna.
REESE VAN REESE VAN HOUTEN graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from Oakland
HOUTEN University in Michigan. While attending Oakland University, Reese wrote many environmental policy
analyses and conducted her own research on paradiplomacy in the United States. Additionally, she
founded an environmental service organization and was a member of Pi Sigma Alpha, a national honors
society for political science students. In tandem with her education, Reese gained experience with
campaign field organizations and has worked with the Community Action Program. With her background
in international relations, Reese continues to strive to support international sustainable development.
GRACE RIHL GRACE RIHL is a Geotechnical Engineering Coordinator at an engineering and materials testing firm in
Northern Virginia. During her time in this position, she has managed engineering projects, performed
geotechnical soil investigations, and written geotechnical reports. Grace received a Bachelor of Science
degree in Geology from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia. While at UMW,
she was the lead scientist on a research project studying sedimentation rate and trace metal input in
Lake Occoquan and Lake Manassas, two drinking water reservoirs in Northern Virginia. This research
took her to multiple professional conferences where she had the opportunity to present her findings.
Grace looks forward to redirecting her career to focus on environmental conservation and stewardship,
and contributing to building a greener future.
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Executive Master of Natural
Resources (XMNR) — Class of 2021
THOMAS THOMAS PAPASTAVROU is a recent graduate of James Madison University with a B.S. in Healthcare
PAPASTAVROU Administration, where he was president of the Fly Fishing Club. During his time in the club, he worked
with conservation organizations and local businesses in the Shenandoah Valley on numerous projects
benefiting local groups and waterways. Thomas aspires to build a career focusing on conservation and
creating a more sustainable future for generations to come. He looks to use the knowledge, experience,
and network that he gains through the XMNR program to achieve this goal.
HEATHER TALTON HEATHER TALTON graduated from UNC Charlotte in 2014 with a B.S. in Business Administration
with a concentration in Management, and went on to complete a Certificate of Nonprofit Leadership
and Management in 2018. She currently works in resource development for Club Nova Community,
Inc., a nonprofit located in Carrboro, NC that serves adults living with serious and persistent mental
illness. Heather is passionate about sustainability and strives for a career that will enable her to make
a difference in providing access to local, sustainable food sources and clean water for low-income
households in North Carolina.
JENNIFER HUX JENNIFER HUX is a 2020 graduate of George Mason University with a Global Affairs Degree, where
she concentrated her studies in environmental science. The past three years she has also been an
Assistant Manager for Pandora Jewelry, a brand she is proud to represent. Having been exposed to
Pandora’s commitment and dedication to addressing climate change, while having seen the company
implement programs to reduce their environmental impact firsthand, Jennifer determined that resource
management can seamlessly blend her two passions into a meaningful career .
VICTORIA (TORI) VICTORIA (TORI) MCLEOD is a driven professional, board member, and change maker. After graduating
MCLEOD from James Madison University (go Dukes!), Victoria spent seven years working with public and private-
sector partners in the areas of clean water and gender equity. As the former Director of Women’s
Empowerment for a D.C.-based NGO, she collaborated with local government and community leaders
across Africa, the Middle East, and Eurasia to advance gender equity through corporate water access
initiatives. She currently works for Eagle Hill Consulting. Victoria looks forward to both broadening her
knowledge of the field and sharpening her global sustainability toolkit
AMMAR KHAN AMMAR KHAN is an entrepreneur and digital media analyst based in Chicago, Illinois. His background
in digital media, music production, and cinematography has allowed him to collaborate with incredible
talents in the film industry while also working closely with educators to further learning through media.
His goal is to follow his curiosity in sustainability and environmental law, as well as to be a vital part of
the green movement of the coming century. Working closely with like-minded individuals in the XMNR
program will be an essential part of making this dream a reality.
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