2026 SCA Virtual Conservation Career Fair

Jaime González serves as the Founding Executive Director of the University of Houston’s Institute for Ecological Resilience (IER), where he leads the development of strategic initiatives, partnerships, research initiatives, and fundraising efforts that advance the Institute’s research, outreach, and education efforts. Under his leadership, the Institute is positioning itself as both a center of academic excellence and a catalyst for implementing nature-based solutions that enhance the resilience, health, and ecological integrity of communities across the region and beyond.Mr. González brings nearly three decades of experience spanning community-based conservation, One Health action, environmental education, urban greening, communications, and network weaving. Recognized nationally for his ability to catalyze and implement innovative conservation strategies, he has consistently built multi-sector coalitions that bridge science, policy, planning, storytelling, and community engagement to deliver practical, scalable ecological outcomes.In addition to his role at the University of Houston, Mr. González serves as Board Chair of the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE), as a climate adaptation advisor to the City of Houston and Harris County, and as a Community Fellow with the Rice University Center for Environmental Studies. His previous professional experience includes leadership and programmatic roles with The Student Conservation Association (SCA), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the Coastal Prairie Conservancy, the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, and the Nature Heritage Society. For 25 years, he has also served as an instructor and keynote speaker for the Texas Master Naturalist Program.Mr. González earned a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction—Science Education and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Houston. He has also earned professional certificates in Civic Ecology and Environmental Education (Cornell University), Environmental Communications (Duke University), Climate Change and Health (Yale University), and One Health (University of Alaska–Fairbanks).A recipient of numerous local, state, and national honors, Mr. González has been recognized with the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Houston’s College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, the Houston Visionary Award from the Center for Houston’s Future, the Prairie Champion Award from the Coastal Prairie Conservancy, the Elizabeth Hull Abernathy Award from the Garden Club of America, and the Alban Heiser Award from the Houston Zoo, for outstanding contributions to conservation, environmental education, and community health and resilience.

Deidra Goodwin, SCA Alum Council Chair and Board Member, is currently pursuing a PhD in Recreation, Park and Tourism Management at the Pennsylvania State University after serving as Campaign Strategist with Sierra Club Military Outdoors. Deidra’s work focuses on developing reflective and emotionally fluent leaders and advocates in, for, and through the outdoors. Deidra’s research will focus on the role of informal outdoor experiences in navigating climate grief. Goodwin currently serves on the SCA board in their capacity as SCA Alum Council Chair.

Cindy Lewin has served on the SCA Board of Directors since 2023. She currently chairs the Climate Change, Energy and Environment Commission of Arlington and is the former senior vice president of the National Wildlife Federation. She is a seasoned nonprofit executive and attorney who most recently served as interim CEO of Whitman-Walker Health System. Her expertise includes legal, governance, risk management, and organizational strategy. Lewin’s daughter is a proud SCA alum.

Kyle Yarusso is an SCA Alum Council member and works as the Volunteer and Youth Programs Coordinator at Rock Creek Park, a unit of the national park service in Washington, DC. In his role he oversees a volunteer program that engages with many partner organizations and over 5,000 volunteers annually. Additionally, he works with youth organizations to provide internships and trail crew opportunities within the park. Before his time at Rock Creek Park he worked at C&O Canal National Historical Park and at The White House and President’s Park. Kyle began his tenure with the NPS as an SCA Americorps member, planning and putting on events to celebrate the NPS Centennial.  

He holds a bachelor’s degree in Ecology and Environmental Science and is a certified Wilderness First Responder. In his free time Kyle likes to hike, cook, and explore new places. 

Rosemary Wicz interned for the SCA through Americorp with National Park Service in 2016 and the U.S. Forest Service in 2017. She continues her service with the Student Conservation Association serving as a Community Ambassador since 2019. She currently works at Shedd Aquarium as a Water Quality Technician. Fostering an environment for healthy aquatic ecosystems is a driving force in her career.

Anna Wadhams brings deep experience in environmental education, land protection and community engagement to her role as a board member. She began her journey as an SCA intern with the National Park Service in Washington, D.C., where she led interpretive and volunteer programs that sparked her lifelong commitment to stewardship. Her career spans work as an outdoor educator in national parks, national volunteer coordination with the National Environmental Education Foundation, and leadership in nonprofit management, grantmaking and consulting. Wadhams is a proud SCA alum and currently serves on the SCA Board of Directors.

Emily Nguyen is a Senior Recruiter with the Peace Corps based in Detroit, MI, where she supports individuals exploring service-oriented and globally focused career pathways. With experience in community-based development, youth training, and sustainable agriculture initiatives, she works at the intersection of storytelling, career readiness, and environmental service. Before her international service, Emily gained hands-on conservation experience through the Student Conservation Association, completing roles with MassParks, the Desert Restoration Corps, LANDFIRE, and Valley Forge National Historical Park. These placements deepened her interest in public land stewardship and helped inform the storytelling frameworks she now teaches to emerging environmental professionals. Emily previously served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guinea, where she collaborated with community partners on agriculture and education projects. Emily is passionate about building pathways for talent in the green economy and supporting individuals as they shape careers that reflect their values and ambitions.

Stan Austin has been serving on the SCA Board of Directors since 2025. He is a retired National Park Service Regional Director who oversaw the Pacific West Region and the Southeast Region during his tenure of over 35 years, where he played a key role in managing national parks, natural and historic sites and overall operations. His leadership has ensured the preservation and accessibility of public lands.

Toby is a Master of Forestry candidate at the Yale School of the Environment (YSE), focused on conservation finance and climate smart forestry. Raised in Vermont, he developed a strong land conservation ethic and began his career in outdoor education and invasive species removal. He spent over a decade at the Student Conservation Association (SCA), including two years as Vice President of Partnerships, where he led nationally recognized workforce initiatives with federal and state agencies.

Anna Tripp, born in Quito, Ecuador and raised in Florida, is a visual artist with a background in marine science (JU'20). Her work primarily consists of capturing wildlife and landscapes while traveling or working on field-based conservation projects, including her first SCA position as a USFS fisheries technician in bear-country Alaska (Summer 2021). Tripp uses her social media platforms to raise awareness and encourage her audience to get outside and become OneWithEarth™, her up-and-coming travel lifestyle brand. 

Throughout my life I have had a passion for the environment and outdoor recreation that has allowed me to serve communities and help enhance and preserve outdoor spaces. My career started with the completion of three AmeriCorps service terms. Through this service work I was drawn to helping others discover their passions. I have worked with disadvantaged students, been an outdoor place based environmental educator, and currently am a partnership and program management professional with the SCA. In my current role, I have the opportunity to assist dedicated colleagues in delivering the best experiences for our program members and community partners throughout New England. Outside of my day job, I continue this work as a member of my town's conservation commission.

Barbara Knuth, originally from Ohio, spent two high school summers with the Youth Conservation Corps in Wayne National Forest, focusing on environmental education and trail maintenance.  After her freshman year at Miami University, she joined the SCA crew at Assateague Island National Seashore in Virginia for one summer, providing nature-based programs for visitors, including a hands-on program about wild edible plants on the island.  After completing a bachelor’s dual degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and Zoology she earned a master’s degree in environmental science from Miami, and then a PhD in fisheries and wildlife sciences from Virginia Tech. She was a professor of natural resources policy and conservation social sciences at Cornell University for 38 years, also serving as department chair, senior vice provost, and dean of the graduate school. Now retired, Barbara enjoys paddling, hiking, gardening, traveling, reading, hearing from former students, and visiting with friends and family.

As Philadelphia Program Manager for the Student Conservation Association, Darien (they/them) is equally passionate about youth workforce and socioemotional development, ecological conservation and restoration, and access and inclusion within the environment and environmental jobs. A 2025 CEE-Change Fellow with the North American Association for Environmental Education and first-generation-to-college (Williams College '20) young professional, Darien seeks to expand professional development and access to jobs for young people in the environmental field, especially those first-generation-to-college and low-income. Their own professional journey has ranged from a Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Bachelor's Degree from a liberal arts college to working as a assisting with administration for a legal aid non-profit to coordinating and managing environmental programs for young people and adults.Outside of work, Darien enjoys learning and reading about wetlands, beavers, and ecology, dancing, playing basketball, being around community, hanging with their cat Donna, board and video games, and playing in the outdoors.

D. Lena Hickman-Miott is the CIO/COO of Miottech, LLC, a retired Cisco executive, and serves as Chair of the SCA Board of Directors. She has extensive experience in technology, business strategy, and governance. Her leadership helps drive innovation and operational excellence.

Karen Wawrzaszek is the Regional Director for Foundation & Institutional Advisory at Northern Trust Wealth Management and serves as the SCA’s Board of Directors Secretary. She has extensive experience in financial and investment strategy and nonprofit governance. Her work ensures long-term financial sustainability for mission-driven organizations.

Elyria has been connected to the SCA since 2004, when they served on a roving backcountry trail crew along the Pacific Crest Trail. Since 2023, Elyria has led SCA's Ohio program, and they are passionate about creating spaces and situations where participants feel supported enough to challenge themselves and expand their comfort zones. Elyria's MS is in Environmental Management and Sustainability, and they enjoy good conversations, especially about conservation.

Marsha Towns, Partnership Director-Gulf Region for the Student Conservation Association (SCA) represents SCA as senior staff member in the Gulf Region and key partner liaison for SCA partnerships for the region. She has served with SCA for thirty-five years in several positions including National Director for the Conservation Internship Program and Director of SCA’s Member Services. She earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts and her Master of Education degree in Secondary Education from Plymouth State University.

Olivia Hall is a Community Engagement Specialist, Advocate, and Creative focusing on empowering marginalized populations, including BIPOC, AANHPI, disabled, and neurodivergent communities, through outdoor initiatives and creative storytelling. She has worked across the outdoor and environmental fields (in trail construction, prescribed fire work, farming, affinity group facilitation, and outdoor education and logistics) and coordinates with non-profits and grassroots volunteer-run groups in graphic design, video editing, communications, and overall creative strategy.

Ashley Cleveland is an ecologist turned city planner. From identifying and monitoring plant and bird populations to engaging residents in caring for their environment neighborhood by neighborhood, she continues to build programs across the nation that center underrepresented communities in civic processes.

Kelly Burnett is a nonprofit consultant and grant writer in Houston, TX. Kelly's ten year career has focused on urban parks and national conservation efforts, primarily in volunteer program management, community engagement, and grant management. Kelly served with SCA as a Centennial Volunteer Ambassador in the inaugural 2015-2016 class with the great team at the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area in St. Paul, MN.