Our Team
Arlae Castellanos
Executive Director
Based in New York, New York
Before the Alliance, I worked at a New York-based nonprofit where I helped develop the "Green Track”. A program geared to teach STEAM to disadvantaged and immigrant youth through project-based learning, with a focus on solar for the developing world and sustainable architectural design.
I bring over a decade of experience in education, school engagement programs, development, and growth. Having studied environmental economics and spent extensive time in Africa developing and implementing entrepreneurship and permaculture programs has given me a unique perspective and out-of-the-box approach to problem-solving and addressing sustainability obstacles. .
I love what I do because I believe in equipping the next generation of leaders with the critical thinking skills necessary to handle the complexities of the world beyond the classroom. By demonstrating the value of personal observations intermingled with the ability to interpret scientific data, individuals will be better suited to comprehend the relationship between actions and outcomes in environmental systems.
Kelly Harding
Program Director
Based in Sydney, Australia
Before the Alliance, I worked for a decade as an educator in South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, and Australia. I’ve always believed that schools have a unique opportunity (and profound responsibility) to model and cultivate the behaviors and attitudes needed for a healthy communities and a thriving planet. Schools can be hubs for positive transformation, and that is why I joined Green Schools Alliance – to help accelerate the move toward a more sustainable, equitable future.
I love what I do because working towards a sustainable future matters – not just for the planet, but for people. The science is in: human behavior is impacting the planet in profound ways, and urgent systemic transformation is necessary to secure a bright future for ourselves and future generations. I love the Alliance's approach to working collaboratively with schools, basing its strategies on evidence and research, and creating concrete mechanisms to facilitate and expedite the transformation. At the Alliance, I have the opportunity to pour my energy into my passions for education and sustainability.
Maureen Sullivan
Program Coordinator
Based in Brooklyn, New York
Before the Alliance, I grew up in Virginia with natural green spaces all around me. It wasn’t until college that I became aware of just how important those spaces were and what needed to be done to protect them. I joined an environmental campaign called DivestUMW to encourage our school to remove its investments in fossil fuel companies and we succeeded! Learning more about environmental injustice across the world and the importance of environmental education is what led me to GSA. GSA makes environmental resources available to schools across the world which is wonderful and especially relevant as I continue in the Environmental Conservation Education program at NYU Steinhardt.
I love what I do because: Having recently graduated with an M.A. in Environmental Conservation Education from NYU Steinhardt. I want to use my new knowledge base to create educational resources, especially those related to climate change and environmental protection. People across the world are disproportionally feeling the effects of climate change in real-time and it’s important that everyone is able to access information regarding it. GSA is a perfect example of an organization making these resources centrally located and easily accessible. I am grateful and excited to be a part of it!
Volunteers & Consultants
Veronique Choa Pittman
Digital / Communications
Based in New York, New York
Before the Alliance, I worked as a web designer, wrote a “go-green” bi-weekly newsletter for my children’s school in New York City, and served on 3 non-profit and 1 for-profit boards. My concern for biodiversity loss and a warming planet prompted me to find an organization that could benefit from determination to inform the greatest number and grow the green school's movement.
I love what I do because I get to work with bright, self-motivated staff and students worldwide while also working on grassroots sustainability projects in my own community. I feel I am using my diverse skill-sets to nudge our schools to not only educate for the purpose of economic development but also environmental sustainability and resiliency. Often the critical role of schools in sustainable development is under-appreciated, and I am determined to highlight the importance of schools in demonstrating a new normal that works for people and the planet.
Zach Gibson
Strategy
Based in New York, New York
Before the Alliance, I worked as a Senior Account Executive for AT&T’s largest and most tenured Banking and Fintech clients. Though the nature of the work was stimulating and I enjoyed the strategy behind the large complex deals, I wanted my skill set to be better applied towards organizations whose purpose aligns with my own personal beliefs. GSA, an environmental and sustainability organization focusing on future generations, with its actionable, unique, and quantifiable START approach, is exactly that organization.
I love what I do because I get to take the strategy orientation I developed from working on deals between some of the largest organizations in the world, and apply those skills towards an organization and cause that can tangibly impact the world we all share for the better. GSA fits one my core tenets and beliefs, leaving the world better off than I found it.
Gretchen Gigley
Programs
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
Based in Atlanta, GA
Katy Perry
Education
Director Of Sustainability at Avon Old Farms
Based in Hartford, Connecticut
Before the Alliance, I enjoyed working with middle and high school students as a classroom science and math teacher, soccer and crew coach, and environmental club and Science Olympiad advisor. I was introduced to the world of sustainability as the school Recycling Coordinator which evolved into a newly created position of Sustainability Coordinator. Before working as an educator in schools, I was the Program Director for a children’s science center. My academic training was in Psychology with a research focus in Psychophysics and Psychobiology.
I love what I do because I create innovative solutions to seemingly overwhelming problems. By providing inclusive programs that inspire and empower students all over the world to work for change in their schools and communities, I see evidence every day of individuals working together for a more just, equitable and healthy world.
Before the Alliance, I worked in the private and nonprofit sectors in a variety of capacities as an educator, landscape architect/urban planner, and environmentalist. Most recently, I served as Director of Education at The Clean Air Campaign where I led the OnAir Schools program expansion, building more than 35 long-term strategic partnerships with nonprofits, foundations, businesses and government agencies.
I love what I do because I believe that strong, authentic strategic partnerships are crucial to effectively advance the environmental and education movements and support communities. This position allows me to find common goals between organizations to build sustainable partnerships, expand our audience, avoid duplication of efforts, and connect communities.
Celine Bernhardt-Lanier
Based in Barcelona, Spain
Before the Alliance, I was a founder of two global grassroot organizations, a youth advisor, and a certified digital wellness educator. In 2019, I left the French education system to join Learnlife Barcelona, an innovative learning hub dedicated to purpose-based learning. Currently, I am following my passion for educational innovation as a student at Claremont McKenna College in California, where I am majoring in Organizational Studies. I am passionate about nature-based learning, sustainable education models, and biophilic design.
I love what I do because it allows me to be at the forefront of transforming the way we learn. I believe sustainable change starts at the roots – in schools. I want to inspire and empower the next generation to become agile problem-solvers and form skills like creativity, collaboration, and adaptability for the future of this planet.
Anaya Willabus
Based in Brooklyn, New York
Before the Alliance, I founded a nonprofit organization, Stalwarts Youth, and Brooklyn First Responders Leo Club to promote student involvement in community engagement initiatives. I have since become increasingly involved in sustainability efforts related to empowering food security and environmental education, which drew me toward the GSA START community. My primary interest lies in the intersection between sustainable development and public policy.
I love what I do because I believe that young people ought to be active participants in building the sustainable world that we aim to inhabit. The more informed and involved our communities are, the greater our potential will be for making tangible environmental progress.
Kate McNerny
Based in Arizona
A little about me: Before joining Green Schools Alliance, I worked as a National Park Trust Student Representative to spread awareness about conserving US parks and natural areas. I am currently enrolled in the Trinity College Dublin - Columbia University Dual BA Program to earn undergraduate degrees in Earth Science from Columbia and Geoscience and Geography from Trinity. I am passionate about sustainability, environmental justice and policy, and conservation.
I love what I do because it is exciting that schools are not only educating students on sustainability, but also becoming actively involved in becoming greener themselves. It is rewarding to help schools in this process, knowing that I can contribute to a more sustainable future for youth around the world.
Esperanza Yennie
Based in Brooklyn, New York
Before the Alliance and after receiving my permaculture certification, I spent several years living on various self-sufficient farms throughout Costa Rica. I helped build earth ships, foraged for and harvested food, built composting toilets, and studied food compost. I've always had a deep connection to the Earth and a fascination with the plants and animals that inhabit it.
I love what I do because it feels good to be a part of the solution and not the problem. If everyone does a little bit, a lot can shift in a positive direction. I love my home and would love future generations to enjoy this world as I have. We are at a pivotal point in time right now. By empowering the youth to take action we have the best opportunity to make a positive impact.
Student Interns
Current Student Interns
Isabella Corrieri ‘23
Anaya Willabus ‘23
Jay Sandler ‘23
Hannah Choi ‘23
Ren Cattafe ‘23
Audrey Griggs ‘23
Sophia Lynch ‘23
Sareena Kumar ‘23
Ashlee Yin ‘23
Alyssa Hafken ‘23
Mischa Yen ‘23
Sophia Zhang ‘23
Michelle Lee ‘23
Former Student Interns
Haeun Jennie Cho '21 (Team Leader)
Sophia Lee ‘21
Vivian Cho ‘22
Lisa Lee ‘22
Doyoun Han ‘22
Lia Kim '21
Harini Sakthivel ‘23
Courtney Horner '20 (Team Leader)
Jiyoon Lee ‘21
Lena Wu '20
Michelle Mack '21
Stephenie Merchan '21
Imran Gangat '21
Jaewon Oh '21
Chris Taesung Kim '21
Ava Hedeker '20
Robyn Landes '20
Florence Kane '17-'20
Joseph O'Brien '20
Enola Hihi ‘20 (Team Leader)
Francesca Wadsworth ‘20*
Chloe Weir ‘20*
Amelia Pollard '18
Diki Dolma '18
Liam DelMain '18
Taylor Grove '15-'18
Hannah Haynes '15-'17
Jackie Nutter '17
Max Wix '17
Tyler Stotland '17
Jamie Grayson '16-'17
Jax Ingrassia ‘16
Katie Bremer ‘16
Lea Jonberg ‘15
Jessie Thornton ‘15
Zach Woogen ‘15
Polly Terzian ‘14
Jaried Buxton ‘14
Alexandra Barlowe ‘13
Aida Orozco ‘13
Aimee Chase ‘12
Sarah Allen ‘12
Eric Estroff ‘10
James Underberg ‘09
Tsering Choden '18
Angeli Mittal '16-'19
Emily Kuhn '17
Harjap Singh '17
Isabel Devito '17