Environmental Leadership Initiative
Meet the
2025/26 LEAF Initiative Fellows
Gretchen Ames
​Gretchen is a senior BBT major, with a minor in business. However, her true passions are in ecology and conservation. She is currently wrapping up her MQP with Dr. Bakermans, which is all about the migratory bird species, the Wood Thrush. She joined the LEAF initiative because it seemed super interesting and environmental conservation is something she is very passionate about. Her favorite outdoor activity is skiing. ​​
​​Mihita Bose
Mihita is thrilled to participate in the LEAF Initiative to expand her knowledge on environmental issues and learn how she can be a leader in finding solutions to these issues. In the future, Mihita hopes to work as an Environmental Engineer studying the effects of global and local issues on individual ecosystems across the globe. In her free time, Mihita enjoys nature walks, hiking, and lying in the grass under the sun.
Grace Choy​
Grace Choy joined the LEAF initiative in the hopes of learning ways to effectively create positive change to the state of the environment and is excited to learn the best ways to protect and restore the environment. Because of her lifelong love for animals, she aims to go into the field of conservation and wildlife biology as a career. She enjoys going on long walks around parks, trails, and occasionally hikes with her father.
Sofia D'Annunzio​
Sofia is excited to join the LEAF Initiative to learn more about environmental leadership and the ways that can help the world. In the future, Sofia hopes to be in an environmental engineering or science field, helping to mitigate climate change with clean energy strategies. In her free time, Sofia enjoys going on walks or relaxing at the beach.
Connor Goudreau ​
Connor is an Environmental Engineering student who is passionate about environmental issues and excited to make positive change in the community. In the future, Connor wishes to work at a company focused on solving environmental issues and supporting local restoration efforts. Connor enjoys getting outdoors and participating in bird watching in his free time.
​Samantha Houle
Sam is delighted to join the LEAF Initiative and broaden her knowledge and connections in the environmental field. Sam hopes to pursue a career where she can focus on the restoration and management of marshlands and their inhabitants. In her free time, Sam enjoys hiking and spending time by local rivers.
​Maya Mussel​​​
Maya studies Environmental Engineering and is excited to learn about the different ways she can make an impact through LEAF initiative. She hopes to have a career in environmental or landscape engineering that can help her community and local ecology flourish. She likes to play sports and hike in her free time.
Nigel St. Jean
I joined the LEAF program for the variety of environmental-focussed opportunities and to meet other like-minded people. I hope to work for a government environmental organization and then hopefully be a politician and professor. I am passionate about community development, sustainable urbanism, and radical environmental concepts like degrowth. My favorite outdoor activity is hiking up mountains.
Kyra Tompsett
Kyra is a Biology and ESS student who is interested in ecological restoration and climate resilience. She joined the LEAF Initiative to explore different solutions to environmental problems and learn about careers within the environmental field. She is excited to participate in hands-on activities and collaborate with others. Kyra enjoys hiking, traveling, and photography.
Emma Toohey
Emma is looking forward to participating in the LEAF initiative to learn how to cultivate environmental conscientiousness within herself and others. In the future, she aspires to become a neuropsychologist, working to assist those with mental illnesses and disabilities. Currently, Emma’s favorite ways to appreciate nature include hiking and running along forest trails.
Grace Touglo
I joined the LEAF initiative hoping to find ways to broaden my experiences with environmentalism, as well as meet other environmental majors. I’d originally wanted to be pre-vet, but am now an Environmental and Sustainability Studies major. I hope to go the urban planning/ environmental justice route, or alternatively, the conservation route.
Alec Waxer
Alec is an Environmental Engineering student who joined the LEAF Initiative to become more knowledgeable about different environmental career paths, and to strengthen the connection between his education and his personal interests in the natural world. Alec loves hiking, mountain climbing, and birdwatching.
​Rowan Winchell (he/him)​​
Rowan is an Environmental Engineering student who is excited to develop his leadership skills and learn how to motivate others to help bring about positive change for our environment. He loves learning about the weird and wonderful planet we inhabit and sharing that curiosity with others. Whenever he can, Rowan likes to go on hikes and climb trees.