Young Friends Board
Josh Brown
President
Young Friend of earthday365 since 2022
Josh Brown brings over a decade of project management and data analysis experience to the environmental sector. A systems thinker by nature, Josh applies an “intentional world-building” approach to sustainability, believing that we can reshape our city through hands-on, hyper-local intervention. This philosophy is best visible in his leadership of the “Dead End Project” at McCausland and Chippewa, his “Road Diet” proposals (for Jamieson and McCausland Ave.) and his advocacy for those who are unable to speak for themselves. Beyond his board service, Josh acted as one of 20 Community Advisors for the City of St. Louis Sustainability & Climate Action Plan, where he continues to advocate for native landscapes and safer, greener streets. When not analyzing data or leading board strategy, Josh is likely working on his own “Civic Alchemy” projects— renovating his historic home, volunteering in the community, or exploring St. Louis’s parks with his partner and dog.
Erika Halsey
Past President
Young Friend of earthday365 since 2020
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, walking in Tower Grove Park, and spending time with her spouse and daughter.
Katrina Wiegand
Secretary
Young Friend of earthday365 since 2023
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 degree 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.
Margaret Gerker
Fundraising Chair
Young Friend of earthday365 since 2023
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.
Alyssa Barber
Member at Large
Young Friend of earthday365 since 2023
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
Young Friend of earthday365 since 2023
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.
Austin Brown
Member at Large
Young Friend of earthday365 since 2023
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.
Court Casteel
Member at Large
Young Friend of earthday365 since 2023
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.
Molly Corley
Member at Large
Young Friend of earthday365 since 2025
Molly Corley is a St. Louis native who has loved playing in dirt and splashing in streams since she was little. She sought out earthday365 during high school and worked on the Recycling On the Go team, which she has very fond memories of. She studied Environmental Studies and Wildlife Management at Illinois College, and went on to pursue a Master’s of Environmental Sustainability at Indiana University. Molly is always ready to learn and has since worked with governments, local businesses, and corporations in sustainability capacities. She currently works for the Missouri Historical Society as a Sustainability Coordinator after moving back to St. Louis to be closer to family. She is thrilled to be a part of the Young Friends Board, and reconnect with earthday365 in a new capacity. In her free time, Molly enjoys quality time with her family and pets, reading, or trying out a new hobby.
Katie Hayes
Member at Large
Young Friend of earthday365 since 2025
Katie has been the marketing and event coordinator at Dharma+Dwell, a local sustainability shop in Webster Groves, for three years! With an art background, she brings a creative perspective to work with Dharma and other small businesses she helps manage around STL. Her overall goal is to do as much good at a community level while maintaining a global mindset. When she’s not at a shop, you can usually find her thrifting, hiking, or zooming around STL.
Jane Leavitt
Member at Large
Young Friend of earthday365 since 2025
Jane was born and raised in St. Louis and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in environmental analysis and finance at Washington University in St. Louis. Her interest in sustainability and the environment started at a young age when she began volunteering at an urban farm in the Central West End, providing fresh produce to under served communities in St. Louis. This passion was further cultivated by spending lots of time with her father, taking apart various kinds of items to recycle individual scrap metals. Jane also works part-time as a Community Coordinator at 39 North AgTech Innovation District in St. Louis, where she works with start-ups in the agricultural sphere. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, sewing, and binging Y2K reality TV.
Geena Richards
Member at Large
Young Friend of earthday365 since 2025
Geena Richards is a sustainability professional and a current member of the Washington University Campus Compact EnviroCorps, where she serves as the Circularity and Solid Waste Pollution Prevention Lead. She holds a BA in sustainability and political science from Principia College and is passionate about community-based environmental stewardship. Originally from Worcester, Massachusetts, Geena is relatively new to St. Louis, and she is excited to deepen her connections to the city and its communities through the Young Friends Board. She has cared deeply about the environment since childhood and brings that lifelong passion to her professional and community work. In her free time, Geena enjoys spending time outdoors and doing fiber arts.
Shamel Robinson
Member at Large
Young Friend of earthday365 since 2025
Shamel Robinson is a beauty entrepreneur, Medical Nail Technician, and sustainability advocate with a bachelor’s degree from Stephens College and a passion for clean beauty and environmental responsibility. As the founder of Sonder Lush Nail Studio, she prioritizes non-toxic practices that promote healthier alternatives for both people and the planet. Through her current studies in cosmetic chemistry, she is dedicated to developing sustainable solutions that reduce waste and support ethical sourcing in the beauty industry.
As a member of Young Friends of earthday365, Shamel is committed to promoting environmental responsibility and encouraging eco-conscious choices. In her free time, she enjoys beekeeping, further deepening her connection to nature and sustainability efforts.
Mia Salamone
Member at Large
Young Friend of earthday365 since 2024
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. Professionally, she spent many years working in civic education prior to her current role at the Center for the Environment at Washington University. 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.
Jenna Schaefer
Member at Large
Young Friend of earthday365 since 2025
Jenna grew up in East-Central Illinois and credits her passion for sustainability to her 6th grade science class. She earned a BS in Environmental Economics & Policy and an MS in Agricultural and Applied Economics at the University of Illinois. During her college years, she worked for the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment, and was highly involved in Project for Less, a food recovery organization. Upon graduation, she moved to St. Louis to begin her role as a Sustainability Coordinator at WashU Medicine. In her free time, Jenna enjoys doing puzzles and going on walks.
Abby Schembra
Member at Large
Young Friend of earthday365 since 2025
From a young age, Abby spent summers on road trips with her parents, exploring the western United States. These adventures sparked her deep passion for the natural world, public lands, and the communities that surround them. Abby graduated from Missouri State University with a BS in Exercise and Movement Sciences/Public Health. After working at the YMCA in partner relations and community engagement, she joined the National Forest Foundation’s Reforestation Team. As the Reforestation Partnerships Coordinator, Abby focuses on strategic partnerships and program support. Now living in St. Louis, she’s excited to connect with others in the area who value people + planet. Lately, Abby’s journey to living life wholeheartedly looks like dancing to live music, exploring new hobbies, finding tranquility by a stream, and sharing time with loved ones.
Dmitri Schmidt
Member at Large
Young Friend of earthday365 since 2025
Dmitri is a self described “Plant Archivist” who is lucky enough to combine their passion for environmentalism with their strategic approach to information management. They first got a taste for this in the environmental classes they took while pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology from Saint Louis University and haven’t looked back since. Today, Dmitri’s official title is that of an Herbarium Digitization Assistant at the Missouri Botanical Garden. By digitizing and curating the millions of plant specimens preserved in the herbarium, Dmitri helps scholars around the globe further botanical research. (Their favorite specimens are the bryophytes.) Outside of work, you can find Dmitri cycling around the city, mending their old clothes, and feeding their pet worms.
Caiti Sloman
Member at Large
Young Friend of earthday365 since 2025
Caiti was born in New Zealand and has lived in the St. Louis area for nearly 20 years. Her passion for sustainability grew when she taught kids about conservation and ecology at the St. Louis Zoo’s Camp Kangazoo through college. Caiti graduated from Missouri State University with a degree in Public Relations. She works at FleishmanHillard, a global PR firm headquartered in St. Louis, and collaborates with clients to tell their social and environmental impact stories. In her free time, you can find Caiti enjoying Forest Park, watching Bravo with her cat, Alfie, or traveling to National Parks.
