Young Friends Board
Erika Halsey
President
Erika is a public health professional with a keen interest in the impact of climate change and environmental degradation on human health. Originally from St. Louis, she lived in South Korea and London before returning to the region in 2016 to study public health at Washington University. Erika has held a variety of jobs over the past ten years, from costumed Easter Bunny to events planner, always trying to make each place she’s worked a bit more environmentally sustainable. She most recently worked as the Director of Account Success for deviceless remote patient monitoring company CareSignal. In her free time, you can find her biking, picking up trash in her neighborhood, walking in Tower Grove Park, and spending time with her spouse and daughter.
Josh Brown
Vice President
Josh Brown has over 10 years of people and project management experience for Caleres Inc. (previously Brown Shoe Company) in both a corporate and retail setting. He also has over 5 years of experience analyzing data for the University of Nebraska – Lincoln and Caleres Inc. Josh has a passion for the outdoors; when he isn’t out camping, hiking or traveling with his family, he’s working on environmentally focused projects around his home. He hopes to be able to use his experiences to make the world a better place for everyone daily.
Katrina Wiegand
Secretary
Katrina Wiegand is an STL native who proudly works for her city in the Health Department. Katrina earned a bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville in Spanish Literature and also holds a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Puerto Rico. Katrina served three years with Americorps State in Puerto Rico. When she’s not working, she is at the VAL Community Garden, relaxing with her rabbit Glen, being a bookworm, tending her many house plants, or happily with friends.
Brandon Verhoff, Ph.D.
Past President
Brandon Verhoff brings his passion for sustainability to life with earthday365. He is the Past-President of the Young Friends of earthday365 and is also a board member of earthday365. He holds a Ph.D. from Saint Louis University, where he completed his dissertation, “Influences of Student Sustainability Literacy in a University Setting.” Brandon also puts theory into practice – as the past Director of Sustainability & Benchmarking for Saint Louis University he has guided process improvement projects, influenced the adoption of institutional sustainability standards, educated the University community on sustainable operations, cultivated sustainability leaders, and led sustainability initiatives and strategic plans. Currently, Brandon puts his passion to work for Caleres, parent company of Famous Footwear.
Danielle Artis
Member at Large
Danielle Artis is a passionate leader with over a decade of experience in philanthropic efforts. As the Philanthropy Manager for the Partners in Conservation program at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), she has been instrumental in advancing donor relations and strategic fundraising to safeguard vital ecosystems. Since joining WWF in 2017, Danielle has progressed through key roles, demonstrating her expertise in program management and resource development. Her previous experience includes nearly seven years at The Washington Center, where she built strong partnerships in stewardship, business development, and alumni relations. Danielle holds a Master’s in Public Administration from American University, a BA in History from Arizona State University, and completed the Institute for Leaders in Development program at the University of Denver. She actively contributes to the non-profit sector, supporting various mission-driven initiatives, including her work with the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Council of Planned Giving Professionals, Animal Protection Association of Missouri, and alumni associations for her alma maters.
Alyssa Barber
Marketing & Social Media
Committee Chair
Alyssa is a full-time virtual environmental educator and activist for youth around the Midwest and beyond. She has garnered hundreds of thousands of young people across the globe through social media who want to be a part of a community that takes individual and community-based climate action. Her work directly reflects her personal interests and hobbies including sustainable living, secondhand shopping, sustainable cities, and community-based action. She believes that resilient communities can create effective and immediate positive change, and is thrilled to use this role as an opportunity to show that to St Louisans.
Meagan Beattie
Member at Large
Meagan Beattie is the Volunteer Manager at Gateway Arch Park Foundation where she co-manages the program with the National Park Service at Gateway Arch National Park. Meagan also serves as the President of Metropolitan Volunteer Manager Association, leads a Parks & Recreation Community of Practice, and serves on the Programs and Advocacy Committee for the Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement. Meagan holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Historical Administration through Eastern Illinois University. Though she is new to the St. Louis area, she has developed a passion for engaging the public in nature, sustainability, and preserving stories from the St. Louis community. Meagan is excited to be a part of the impact of earthday365.
Jordan Blackhurst
Member at Large
As a member of Ameren Missouri’s Renewable Development team, Jordan supports the implementation of Ameren’s transition to clean energy. In addition to leading the due diligence process for acquiring wind and solar energy resources, Jordan is the founding and current President of Ameren’s Sustainability Employee Resource Group (SERG). Her interest in sustainability goes beyond her professional role at Ameren – Jordan also owns a sustainable lifestyle and refill shop, Dharma + Dwell, located in Webster Groves, Missouri. As a board member, Jordan is excited about the opportunity to engage with her community and develop deeper relationships in the St. Louis region.
Austin Brown
Member at Large
Austin is a native of St. Louis and obtained a bachelor’s degree from Missouri S&T. He is currently an R&D engineer on contract with a passion for sustainable solutions. Austin spends his free time volunteering with green space clean ups, engaging with politicians to create legislation that will help the planet, and working on creating volunteer opportunities planting native trees. He also gardens at home, creating pollinator spaces, composting, and enriching areas with native grass.
Courtney Casteel
Member at Large
Court runs communications for the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism & Lipid Research at Washington University School of Medicine, where they also lead diversity and sustainability initiatives. Court worked for earthday365 from 2018 to 2020 doing marketing, communications and event support, and has since then volunteered in multiple capacities. Additionally, they bring a vast array of experience from working with other nonprofit organizations such as Missouri Coalition for the Environment, The United Nations Foundation, Nonprofit Marketers Network and the Missouri Botanical Garden. Outside of their passion for environmentalism, Court enjoys reading, painting, cooking, and spending time with their loved ones — including their two cats, Sunny and July.
Tim Elwell
Fundraising & Supporting earthday365
Committee Chair
Originally from Nixa, MO, Tim Elwell came to St. Louis in 2002 to play basketball at Maryville University. After receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication, he obtained the Certificate in Fundraising Management from Indiana University Lilly School of Philanthropy. He comes from a successful 14-year career in radio working as Promotions Coordinator and Sustainability Manager for Hubbard Radio where he helped the organization achieve a Green Business Certification. Now, Tim is the Development Manager for AmeriCorps St. Louis where he garners support for the organization as they address issues in environmental stewardship, wildland firefighting, disaster response, and homelessness in St. Louis.
Carly Garrow
Networking & Social Activity
Committee Chair
Carly Garrow’s interest in sustainability started while she was living in Germany, working on a year-long research fellowship. Since then, she has continued to educate herself on sustainability and started looking for ways to bring sustainability to her local community. Carly studied Bioengineering at the University of Missouri – Columbia, and currently works for Zimmer Biomet as a Product Manager. In her role, she focuses on marketing and product development for a neurosurgical robot. She has quite a few hobbies, but some of her favorites are playing soccer, hiking, learning new languages, and traveling with her husband, Matt.
Seth George
Member at Large
Seth George serves as the Strategic Administrator at the World Affairs Council of St. Louis with an interest in cultural exchanges, youth activism, and sustainability. Originally from the Philippines, Seth has lived in the St. Louis region for over 20 years and has become passionate about enhancing the quality of life for the communities and people in St. Louis. The root of Seth’s passion for social justice issues, specifically sustainability, began during his undergraduate career at Loyola University Chicago where he was able to learn about the nature of digital sustainability and greenwashing. His newly profound interest in environmentalism and sustainability led him to earthday365. In his free time, you can find Seth exploring different parks, taking film pictures, or searching for the next best thrift find.
Margaret Gerker
Member at Large
Margaret’s passion for environmentalism and agriculture began in college where they started a community garden and fell in love with building community around growing food. After college, Margaret joined the Peace Corps and taught Zambian subsistence farmers improved gardening techniques, agro-forestry, and beekeeping. Now Margaret is proud to call St. Louis home. They work at EarthDance Organic Farm School running a Pay What You Can Farm Stand that provides organic produce for a pay-what-you-can rate so it is accessible to everyone. Margaret is thrilled to be on the Young Friends of earthday365 Board to connect with other young people doing amazing work in St. Louis.
Hannah Gibson
Member at Large
Hannah Gibson, St. Louis born and raised, strives to give back to the city and parks that fostered her love for community togetherness and spending time outdoors. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Dayton in Human Rights Studies, with a focus on sustainability and community engagement. Hannah is currently the Community Conservation Coordinator at Missouri Botanical Garden’s sustainability division (EarthWays Center) where she helps coordinate community volunteer events, writes the BiodiverseCity St. Louis e-newsletter, leads citizen/community science initiatives such as the City Nature Challenge, and more.
In her free time, you can find Hannah hiking in one of Missouri’s beautiful green spaces, drinking an iced vanilla latte with oat milk, or spending quality time with friends and family. Hannah is proud to be part of the Young Friends board with such wonderful like-minded, earthy individuals and to learn more about conservation in the St. Louis region.
Jack McDonnell
Member at Large
Jack McDonnell is the Program Manager for Beyond Housing’s Forestry and Community Conservation Department, where he leads workforce development and vacant lot remediation programs. He also manages the 24:1 Urban Forest in collaboration with North County municipalities, supporting natural resource efforts for the Normandy Schools Collaborative community. As an ISA Certified Arborist with the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification and a Missouri Master Naturalist, Jack is a passionate advocate for science-based approaches to ecological justice. He’s excited to bring his expertise to earthday365, helping further its mission of fostering a sustainable, thriving future for the St. Louis region. In his free time, Jack enjoys relaxing with his wife, Marla, and their dog, Bugsy, often over a shared love of ice cream.
Mia Salamone
Member at Large
Mia Salamone was born and raised in the Chicago area, and has spent most of her adult life in St. Louis, MO. She studied art in college, in large part because she was inspired by the way that art can be a powerful tool for shifting narratives in service of community change. Mia works in civic education, supporting young people in learning to be informed, active participants in our democracy. She also serves on the Program Committee of MaTovu, a Jewish community center in the Botanical Heights neighborhood. Mia loves to be outside – whether running, hiking, biking, or gardening – and is excited to be a part of the growing movement for sustainability and environmental justice.
Constance Siu
Partnering
Committee Chair
Constance Siu is the Executive Director at the North Newstead Association. Constance has been with the North Newstead Association (NNA) since August 2018 and after many years of serving as the Community Engagement Specialist, she stepped into the role of the Executive Director in June 2022. Prior to her time at NNA, Constance worked at and with various community development organizations and initiatives including the Community Builders Network of Metro St. Louis, Justine PETERSEN, and the Vacancy Collaborative. During her time at NNA, Constance has built strong relationships with resident leaders throughout NNA’s service area as she managed NNA’s Beautification, Safety, Home Repair, and Elderly Services programs. She is excited to further elevate the voice and concerns of residents through her role as a Young Friends of earthday365 Board member.
Although Constance is a transplant to St. Louis, she proudly calls St. Louis City home and is on a constant mission to convince all who will listen to move to the region. In her spare time, you can find Constance either in the community or in her own backyard garden surrounded by her two dogs and cat.
Elliot James Williams
Member at Large
Elliot was born and raised in St. Louis. His interest in advocacy led him to American University in Washington D.C., where he studied political theory and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in political science. While in D.C., Elliot helped to organize demonstrations for climate action, and joined 76 other climate activists from around the world in sharing their stories for “We Hear You: A Climate Archive.” He was honored to perform in the project’s launch at the “COAL + ICE” exhibit at the Kennedy Center. After college, he spent two years teaching English and theater in Lille, France. He currently works to improve energy efficiency in research labs and low-income households as part of the AmeriCorps Campus Climate Action Corps at Washington University in St. Louis.
The Young Friends board celebrates Earth Day 2020.
Emiko Garnaat
Member at Large
Emiko is a global citizen who fell in love with living things and local ecosystems as soon as she could walk in her dad’s greenhouse, help him care for their gardens, search for monarch caterpillars on wild milkweed, camp and hike across the country, and tag along to the plant microbiology lab. Her involvement in earthday365 is a way for her to not only expand her personal sustainability impact, discover and enjoy more natural delights of the region, and find a place of belonging in the St. Louis community. She brings a multicultural, multi-hyphenate perspective with her.
She holds bachelor’s degrees in both communication/media studies and psychology as well as a certificate in horticulture and landscaping. After spending the first few years of her professional career in the marketing agency world as a writer, designer, and strategist, she has embarked on a path emphasizing meaningful, purpose-driven work. She now uses her mix of creative and strategic talents to run the marketing department of a community-driven law firm and in her free time supports the St. Louis Public Radio Generation Listen Leadership Council, Gateway Pet Guardians, MKTG WMN, Democracy Cup, and Our Stories are Your Stories.
Alisha Harris
Member at Large
Alisha is St. Louis born and raised, her earliest memory of celebrating Earth Day goes back to Elementary school days at Jamestown Elementary, where they celebrated Earth Day every year and taught the students at an early age about environmental justice and keeping the Earth clean. Her favorite part about Earth Day as a child was getting to spend more time outdoors and having a delicious pudding dessert after lunch that featured crushed Oreos and a gummy worm to resemble a worm and dirt! Alisha loves to be of service to others and is passionate about making lives healthier. She is a certified yoga instructor and works for EarthDance Organic Farm School. In her free time she loves to spend time in parks, attend sound bowl yoga classes, read, eat, and skate. Since working for EarthDance, Alisha has sparked a new love for environmental justice and is eager to make important changes in the community.
Kelley Krejnik
Member at Large
Kelley Krejnik works at Ladue Horton Watkins High School where she teaches Social Studies and manages the district’s greenhouse and green roof. She holds a Master’s in Teaching from Washington University in St. Louis and a master’s in sustainability from Saint Louis University. Kelley applies her background in the humanities and social justice to emphasize and encourage sustainability’s aspects of equity and innovation. Inspired by her students’ genuine interest and desire to care for the planet and those living on it, she is passionate about integrating sustainability into public education. To aid her in this goal, Kelley is currently pursuing her PhD in Educational Leadership at Saint Louis University. When she’s not hitting the books to teach or learn, she’s outside relaxing in her garden, riding her bike, or walking her dog.
Kristin Hegel
Member at Large
Kristin Hegel is a full-time Vanpool Coordinator for RideFinders, helping take single occupancy vehicles off the roadways and Green Team leader at ACT (Agency for Community Transit). My interest in sustainability started at home with my boys when they were young, but my passion has since spread into the community and workplace. I love spending time with my family, being outdoors and volunteering at community events. I am currently working to begin a recycling program within our school district as getting the students involved in small daily changes sets the foundation for future generations to continue.
Danielle Randall
Member at Large
Danielle Randall (she/her) is an Account Supervisor at FleishmanHillard. She specializes in corporate social responsibility, environmental sustainability, digital marketing and executive communications.
With her creative and project management background, Danielle serves a wide range of clients from large corporations to nonprofits. She helps clients establish their CSR/ESG strategies, manage their annual ESG reports and disclosures, advise clients on industry best practices and elevate CSR/ESG messaging and initiatives to enhance their reputations with key stakeholders. Danielle is also a member of FleishmanHillard’s MOSAIC practice, a global group of DEI counselors who bring a fresh perspective, timely counsel and create lasting change — for clients, their people, their audiences and communities worldwide.
Before joining FleishmanHillard, Danielle worked at Wells Fargo Advisors as a Communications Consultant for their independent financial brokerage. She also worked as the Global Community Outreach Manager for Bayer Crop Science. In this role, she managed the Crop Science Global Social Responsibility and Sustainability Program for over 140 supply chain sites worldwide. Danielle earned a Master of Arts in digital and web design with an emphasis in user experience from Lindenwood University and a Bachelor of Arts in journalism with a public relations specialization from the University of Mississippi.
Angelo Smith
Member at Large
Angelo Smith has 15+ professional years as a financial consultant. She holds a MBA from Saint Louis University. She was originally born in East Saint Louis, IL, but grew up mostly in Saint Louis, MO. Angelo loves the outdoors, she is passionate about fitness and health. She enjoys spending time with family and loves animals.
Amelia Rodgers
Member at Large
Amelia is a sales and events representative for Urban Chestnut Brewing Company, a local brewery that shares her passion for sustainability and community building. With a Master’s in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management, Amelia has over 15 years of experience working for and volunteering with nonprofits. Causes closest to her heart are animal welfare, humane education, and sustainability. Amelia also serves on the Fundraising Committee for the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation.
Not pictured:
Jennifer Brown
Member at Large
Angie Weber
Past President
Angie brings over 10 years of experience to the earthday365 Board in the fields of conservation planning, volunteer management, and environmental consulting. In her current role, Angie provides in-depth assistance on the planning and installation of urban native landscapes and engaging volunteers in the stewardship of those spaces through a position supported by Shaw Nature Reserve and the Missouri Department of Conservation. Angie previously worked as the Conservation Program Manager for Great Rivers Greenway where she established the organization’s first conservation and volunteer programs. Those efforts helped restore native habitats and educated the citizens of the region to be good stewards of our local greenways and watersheds. Angie received her Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and Biology from Drury University and earned a Master of Science in Biology from St. Louis University. Angie previously served on the Young Zoo Friends and Metropolitan Volunteer Management Association executive boards.
Angie was born with a love of nature and the outdoors. Her favorite childhood memories include creekin’ and camping with her family at the Paddy Creek Recreation Area located in the heart of the Mark Twain National Forest. In her spare time, Angie also enjoys hiking, canoeing, landscaping with native plants and spending time at her parents’ 111- acre rustic Bed & Breakfast located just south of Fredericktown, Missouri.
Heather Craig
Member at Large
Heather Craig joined Washington University School of Medicine in 2021 as Sustainability Coordinator, where she works on incorporating sustainability into operational, educational, and community based programs on campus. Prior to that, she spent two years as an AmeriCorps member in the role of Energy Efficiency Coordinator at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine before transitioning to Outreach Coordinator for Maine Green Power, supporting local renewable energy projects. Heather is a Saint Louis native and received her Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and English at Missouri State University, and her Master of Arts in Anthropology from University of Missouri-Columbia. In her free time, Heather can be found at her local library or exploring nature with her niece, Shiloh.
Chelsea Ruholl
Member at Large
Chelsea is a Video Production Supervisor and has worked in advertising for over 10 years. She was born and raised in Teutopolis, IL and received her bachelors from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in Mass Communications- TV/Radio Production. She has always had a passion for sustainability, which drew her to earthday365. She was interested in meeting like-minded individuals and finding more hands on ways to help the environment and the St. Louis community. She also enjoys gardening, spending time with her 2 cats, and catching up on the latest NBC sitcom.
Aurora Blanchard
Member at Large
Aurora Blanchard is a graduate student of English Literature at the University of Missouri – St. Louis (UMSL). Her academic writing in the past has centered on the individual’s relationship to their environment, which includes food, nature, and social identity. She is from the St. Louis area and has a deep connection to the Ozark region. Her prose poem “Silver Dollar City” appeared in the December 2021 issue of The Arkansas Review. As an undergraduate student, she worked as the UMSL Community Garden Coordinator, launching a blog for the office of sustainability, leading teams of volunteers, and donating the garden’s produce to local food pantries to increase food equity. She completed her associate degree in Culinary Arts at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. As part of the program, she worked at Astrid y Gastón, a restaurant in Lima, Perú. She has 5 years of experience working in restaurants and has worked in both front-of-house and back-of-house roles. After being nominated for earthday365’s Emerging Environmental Leader Award in 2022, she was invited to join Young Friends of earthday365 in 2023. She hopes to use her experience in communications and the hospitality industry to advocate for social and environmental justice. She attempted to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail in 2021 and loves exploring the great outdoors. When she’s not working, she loves catching up with friends and learning new things.
Bridget Randazzo
Secretary
Bridget is passionate about sustainability and creating healthier communities. Bridget holds an Environmental Science degree from Loyola University Chicago. Her professional experience with a Chicago public relations agency was solely focused on supporting environmental- and conservation-focused clients. She highlighted zoo and aquariums’ dedication to conservation and environmental non-profits’ work to enhance local green spaces.
Bridget is currently working with Ascension as a Sustainability Analyst. In this position, Bridget supports the communications efforts for this organization’s national sustainability program and engages associates in green practices. These communications experiences support Bridget’s drive to engage people in sustainability to support a safer, healthier planet.
Dr. Britt Tate Beaugard
Member at Large
Britt is an elementary art teacher at two St. Louis Public Schools (Columbia Elementary and Bryan Hill Elementary). She is also an adjunct professor of Art Education at UMSL. Britt holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Printmaking and Ceramics from Columbia College Chicago, a Master of Fine Arts in Print Media from Cranbrook Academy of Art outside of Detroit, and a Doctorate of Education in Heritage Leadership: Sustainability, Social Justice and Participatory Culture from UMSL.
Originally from Illinois, she has lived in Chicago, Detroit, and the greater Philly area before making St. Louis home for her family. Britt has a passion for sustainable practices in and out of the art room and loves taking learning outdoors for her students. This past school year, Britt’s art students were awarded the Green Schools Quest Elementary Winner and Focus of the Year Award for their project “Surviving, Not Thriving.” When not teaching, she is the mother of three and an avid activist for urban agriculture.
Rob Kennedy
Member at Large
Rob joined the EarthWays Center of the Missouri Botanical Garden in 2014. His role began with the coordination of efforts related to the DCWA RainScape Cost-Share Program and MSD Project Clear Rainscaping Small Grants Program.
Since then, Rob’s role has evolved to include work with the Shaw Series for Landscape & Stormwater Professionals, a professional development series highlighting stormwater management and community landscape planning topics, and the St. Louis Green Business Challenge, a voluntary program that delivers “triple-bottom line” results to businesses across the region, by integrating sustainability measures into the everyday operational practices of participating businesses.
Rob earned his BS in Business Administration with an Emphasis in Marketing and a Minor in Economics at UMSL and also holds an MA in Education for Global Sustainability from Webster University.
Personally, Rob enjoys rock climbing, trail running, spending time with his dog Mellie and anything else that gets him outdoors.
Paola Scharberg
Fundraising & Events Chair
Paola Scharberg is a legal assistant at a disability law firm. Currently she is a student at University of Missouri St Louis earning a Bachelor in Communications. Paola grew up in Spain, where she got the equivalent of an Associates degree in Film Production. She moved to the United States in 2012 and served a year as an AmeriCorps VISTA at a non-profit art and theater organization in Albuquerque, NM, where she was then hired. Since 2012 she has lived in Denver and recently moved to St. Louis in 2017. She is passionate about sustainability, art, and helping others. In her free time, she enjoys biking, visiting art museums and galleries, reading, taking photographs, and painting. She is a strong believer in the impact of individuals and the power we hold as consumers. She is committed to a low carbon footprint, always riding public transportation, reducing waste, and making environmentally conscious decisions about everyday actions.
Felicia Ammann
Member at Large
Felicia currently works as the Outreach and Education Coordinator for the Missouri Prairie Foundation and its Grow Native! program. Previously she was a native plant horticulturalist in the Whitmire Wildflower Garden at Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, MO, a division of the Missouri Botanical Garden. After getting her B.S. in Education from Missouri State University, she taught in the Rockwood School District, then moved into the marketing world in the private sector. She eventually decided to change course and enroll in the Horticulture program at St. Louis Community College – Meramec, where she took a strong interest in native plants. When Felicia isn’t working on earthday365 activities or MPF and Grow Native! outreach programs, she is outside playing in the dirt planting natives and playing frisbee with her dogs. Felicia is also involved with Troutbusters, a non-profit organization that helps military veterans and cancer survivors recover from trauma of their battles through therapeutic fly fishing.
Aspen Steiner
Marketing & PR Chair
Aspen currently works as a social media specialist at Timmermann Group, a local web design company, where she manages all aspects of her clients’ social media presences. She began her journey with St. Louis Earth Day as a marketing intern in the spring of 2017 and was soon hired on part-time as the Communications Coordinator. She worked side-by-side with the Green Dining Alliance’s program director promoting sustainability to St. Louis residents and restaurant owners. A St. Louis transplant, Aspen has grown to call this city her home and is passionate about seeing it become the best it can be. Aspen attended St. Louis University where she graduated with a marketing and visual communications degree. In her free time, Aspen enjoys spending time with her family and pets, cooking, thrifting, and educating people about eco-friendly practices they can incorporate into their day-to-day lives.
Madeleine Swanstrom
Fundraising & Events Co-Chair
Madeleine Swanstrom grew up in University City and graduated from Tulane University in New Orleans, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in History and Economics in 2018. Madeleine now works for the nonprofit tech incubator T-REX in Downtown St. Louis, where she manages grants and fundraising for the organization. In her free time, Madeleine enjoys biking, reading, and treating family Scrabble games like professional sports. She loves cities and urban issues. Her favorite cities (so far!) are New Orleans, Edinburgh, Paris, and, of course, St. Louis.
Madeleine is passionate about sustainability and believes in treating the Earth as kindly as it treats us. In particular, she feels strongly about reducing our society’s plastic dependency and fossil fuel dependency in general. She looks forward to bringing her fundraising and event planning experience to Young Friends of St. Louis Earth Day.
Leslie Gittemeier
Member at Large
Leslie is the #byetobags program coordinator at the Saint Louis Zoo. She works with the Zoo’s teen volunteers to encourage visitors and the public to protect the ocean and rivers by switching to reusable shopping bags.
Leslie’s background is in wildlife conservation. She has a Master’s degree in Biology and has worked for the U.S.G.S Northeast Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, and the Missouri Department of Conservation. Her graduate research was on the natural history of salamanders in central Panama. Currently, she is a volunteer at the Wildlife Rescue Center in Ballwin, MO.
Leslie is very dedicated to sustainability in her personal life and her community. She is a minimalist, flexitarian, and strives to be zero waste. She also serves on the St. Peter’s Green Team.
