planet forward alumni are changemakers, innovators, and storytellers who carry their passion for a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future into every corner of the world. from their first stories on campus to their careers in the private sector, ngos, media, technology, and policy, our alumni embody the idea that storytelling isn’t just about sharing information — it’s about engaging people and inspiring action.

over the past 16 years, the planet forward team has provided instruction and mentorship to hundreds of students. this year marks a milestone as we celebrate our 10th cohort of correspondents.

whether advancing climate solutions, shaping public policy, mobilizing companies or communities, or developing new technologies, our alumni know that at a time of urgent environmental challenges, compelling stories bring complex issues to life — and put faces on the facts. we are proud of the work they’re doing and the contributions we have made to launch the next generation of environmental leaders.

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francesca edralin

because of planet forward, i’ve built a strong foundation in environmental storytelling that i carry throughout my life. it has empowered me to embrace my heritage in my storytelling, celebrate the diversity of stories within other communities, and help bring new voices into the movement.” 

as a freshman at george washington university, francesca edralin noticed a sign for the planet forward summit and knew she had to attend. an international affairs major with a concentration in international environmental studies, she had a growing passion for creative communication. “there was a speaker from national geographic who talked about using stories to help conserve the ocean,” she said. “that was the intersection i wanted: using the power of storytelling to influence change.”

a proud first-generation filipino-american, francesca was motivated by how little awareness existed in the u.s. about climate change’s impact on the philippines. “i’d spend summers with my relatives and their houses would be four feet underwater. and that was just normal,” she said. determined to tell these stories more effectively, she became a planet 世界杯欧洲预选赛免费直播 and added a journalism minor to sharpen her skills in video production, editing, and interviewing. this led to an internship with mongabay covering global conservation, followed by her role as the inaugural sustainable storytelling fellow with comcast where she produced a mini-documentary on food insecurity. a highlight of her time with planet forward came when she was selected as a student reporter at cop 26 in glasgow. 

professionally, francesca has carried forward her “storytelling hat” into roles beyond traditional journalism. at the world wildlife fund (wwf), she worked on the consumer engagement team, developing creative partnerships with companies in gaming, media, and film to inspire behavior change and fundraising. today, she is pursuing a master’s in environment and development at the london school of economics, where she is deepening her understanding of global sustainability challenges through an intersectional, equity-centered lens. looking ahead, she seeks to serve as a bridge in the sustainability field, bringing together her global experiences in environmental storytelling, corporate sustainability, and partnership building to advance equity-centered solutions in the environmental movement.

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deepti bansal gage

because of planet forward, my perspective on how to communicate has changed, and my ability to tap into the creative side of myself in my everyday work has been re-ignited.”

while studying law at george washington university, deepti bansal gage sought a creative outlet beyond the highly analytical demands of her coursework. she found it at the planet forward summit. “i saw that someone from national geographic was going to be there and, as a huge fan with a nat geo magazine collection dating back to the 1950’s, i knew i had to attend,” she said. “but i was blown away not by the nat geo speaker, but by the student storytellers.” inspired, she became a correspondent and storyfest participant, opening doors to engage with environmental issues outside of a purely legal framework.

through planet forward, deepti honed her ability to give and receive feedback, distill complex topics into accessible formats, and tailor messages for different audiences. “in my world, the value of a lawyer isn’t how well they know the law; it’s how well they can analyze and communicate it to advocate for their clients,” she said. “you have to break it down into digestible pieces that anyone can understand, then make your case persuasively.” while with planet forward, she put these skills into practice, writing an op-ed on environmentalism, creating a video on solutions to algal blooms, and developing a visual story on species conservation. a life-changing trip to the galápagos further cemented her aspirations and gave her the confidence to pursue them. 

today, deepti is an international environmental lawyer, applying the storytelling and advocacy skills sharpened at planet forward to her work on climate change, human rights, renewable energy, circularity and more. she also serves on the planet forward advisory council, helping expand opportunities and networks for students. 

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terrius harris

because of planet forward, i’m able to see the impact from stories in a way that is truthful, genuine, authentic. i can see minds change and people value something they wouldn’t have otherwise. i don’t have to work as hard to convince others to invest in the work that i love. the planet has a greater chance of survival by listening to those who hold the greatest risk.” 

over the years, terrius harris has worked with planet forward as a correspondent, fellow, and now a partner. “i was looking for an opportunity to hone my skills as a storyteller and to do it in a way that would not only be impactful for the community but also tell the story of my people, other people, and the planet that we’re serving,” he said. “and hopefully push others to be stewards of our natural resources and of our planet.”

terrius has since carried his passion for storytelling into a career dedicated to cultural advocacy, policy, and community investment. “i’ve always been a big listener,” he said. “and i’ve always been able to tell my story, but the ability to tell someone else’s story is truly a gift that you can’t just learn by reading.” from documenting traditional fishponds in hawai‘i to serving as a fulbright scholar and u.s. senate policy advisor, terrius credits planet forward with teaching him how to tell stories that drive change. 

today, as indigenous partnerships and inclusive economy director with the american sustainable business network, he continues to use storytelling to bridge communities, businesses, and policymakers. he also partners with planet forward through his indigenous youth climate resiliency through public policy program, mentoring the next generation of leaders. “in my opinion, the goal of planet forward is to change the minds of the masses and to show others who are working toward the good fight that they’re not alone.”

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halley hughes

because of planet forward i have confidence in my own voice.”

with the guidance of a professor at the university of arizona, halley hughes found planet forward while studying natural resources and climate change. though she had no formal media training, she always carried the imagination of a storyteller. “i was always a storyteller, even as a kid. i loved playing make-believe,” she said. “when i was playing, my parents would suggest ‘the horse does this.’ and i’d say, ‘no, the horse has a plan. this is his character. he’s going to do this.’” that creative instinct fueled her desire to learn how scientists could communicate more effectively.

planet forward opened the door. “there was no playbook. that’s the fun part of it,” halley said. “i was scared. i was reading other people’s stories and i thought, ‘what in the world? how do you make something like that? am i just gonna make that?’” through one-on-one mentorship and hands-on experience at planet forward, she found her voice as a storyteller.

her very first planet forward story, on green stormwater infrastructure in tucson, inspired her master’s thesis and helped her move from an outside observer to an active community leader. another story, about stewardship of the santa cruz river, earned her local recognition and led to board positions with nonprofits as well as an appointment to the city of tucson’s heat advisory council. 

today, as a program coordinator at the arizona institute for resilience, halley works on the university of arizona’s heat research initiative, translating complex climate and health challenges into solution-oriented narratives for audiences ranging from state legislators to seniors. the dynamic intersection of scientists and storytellers continues to inspire and motivate her. her journey illustrates how planet forward serves as a launchpad, providing the skills, confidence, and validation for students to become effective changemakers.

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alaine johnson

because of planet forward, i see the good of what’s in front of me, in people, in situations. i can find a compelling story that can motivate people to feel emotionally connected. through the emotion of hope, there comes a solutions-based approach that even if we falter, we can rebound.”

alaine johnson discovered planet forward through a google search in a café while studying abroad in singapore, becoming the program’s only internationally based correspondent at the time. drawn to solutions-focused journalism, and its stories about doers rather than doomsayers, she found planet forward to be the perfect platform to experiment with diverse media and connect with a broad community of storytellers.

through her reporting on urbanization and conservation in southeast asia, and with the encouragement to “try out different muscles of storytelling,” alaine produced work ranging from written pieces to stop-motion and short-form videos. planet forward even flew her from singapore to washington, d.c., for the summit, where the diversity of speakers and approaches to environmental communication showed her the power of community-driven storytelling. “with planet forward, you’re immediately part of a community,” she said. “the work galvanizes you to go out, talk to new people, and learn what’s happening outside your bubble.”

her time with planet forward helped shape a career rooted in solutions- and impact-focused communication. in singapore, she joined a coffee-based social enterprise as their first impact storyteller, crafting narrative-driven reports to connect with funders and partners. “they were trying to find solutions to challenges like underemployment, unemployment, and youth mental health,” she said. “i got to come in and help tell those stories for impact.” she later published freelance work in outlets such as mongabay and truthout and volunteered her skills for an indigenous-led wildlife rescue organization in indonesia, supporting them with grant writing and global outreach. today, alaine works in the climate tech sector, using storytelling to make complex topics like carbon accounting more accessible while highlighting the human benefits of climate solutions.

looking back, she credits planet forward with helping her see storytelling as not just a tool, but a mindset — one that continues to guide her work across sectors and continents.

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peter jurich

because of planet forward, i feel more curious. i feel more confident in how to chase that curiosity. i’ve seen a part of the world that i don’t think most people get to see.”

peter jurich first discovered planet forward while pursuing a master’s in science communication at the university of wisconsin-madison from 2017 to 2019. he had always been interested in writing and storytelling, but his early career as a local journalist left him feeling unfulfilled. “the scheduling was overwhelming,” he said. “and honestly, i don’t want to be yelled at in city council meetings on my tuesday night. i had this crisis of ‘i want to write, i want to report, but this isn’t what i want to do.’” 

on a whim, peter entered the planet forward storyfest competition in 2019 and was invited to washington d.c. as a finalist. “i suddenly get this invite to d.c. and discover that it’s a whole thing. it’s not just a small little contest. these are people from all over,” he said. though he didn’t win storyfest that year, the experience validated his instincts as a storyteller and led him to become a correspondent. the program gave him confidence to pursue curiosity-driven science writing and in 2019, he achieved his goal of winning storyfest, earning a ticket to the galápagos. the winning story: dumpster diving.

from stories about sustainable agriculture in california to non-native species in the galápagos, planet forward provided the experiences and mentorship that empowered peter to launch a freelance career. today, he runs his own science communication business, focusing on food waste, sustainability, and public education, topics he first explored through planet forward. 

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sophie kahler

because of planet forward, i see environmental storytelling as a whole world, as opposed to a niche subject or certain type of journalism. you can do this, that, and the other, and they can all connect.”

sophie kahler joined planet forward as a staff member while pursuing her master’s degree in media and strategic communication at george washington university. this marked a shift from her undergraduate studies at the university of south carolina, where she majored in geography and focused on urban history and the dynamics that create residential segregation. at planet forward, she quickly found herself immersed in the world of environmental storytelling. 

in her role managing social media and student outreach, sophie focused on lowering barriers so students from all disciplines could share their stories. reading and promoting every student submission gave her a unique perspective. she entered the role imagining environmental communication as traditional, objective journalism, but came to value creativity, community voices, and personal perspective. “the magic is that it is a place where students can be creative and try new things at a time when they’re learning and growing a lot,” she said. “it’s not just writing or documentaries, it’s podcasts, illustrations, and art.”

the experience sparked sophie’s passion for conservation and directly shaped her career path. today, she is the ceo communications & engagement coordinator at the nature conservancy, where she manages the ceo’s social media and leads executive communications for one of the world’s largest environmental nonprofits. “executive comms is important because you have to strategically know when to use a voice not only to be influential in a room, but also to uplift the work that everyone is doing. it’s amplifying the stories of 6,000 people,” she said. 

communicating science and economics, she added, requires balance. “environmental conservation can be very science-heavy, with a million stats. we have big goals and big challenges. climate change and biodiversity can be huge ideas for people to wrap their minds around. how do we connect them to a story on the ground? i use storytelling as a way to anchor between really big ideas and the real people at the center of the story.”

looking back, sophie credits her two years at planet forward with helping her find her niche working in collaborative, mission-driven environments where communications can bridge divides and inspire action.

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katie perkins

because of planet forward, my perspective has widened and i’m now making a difference with the work that i’m doing in my community, in wildlife conservation, and in the world.”

as a student at texas tech university, katie perkins discovered her passion for blending science and storytelling through planet forward. after switching her major from natural resource management to creative media, she joined the correspondents program, producing stories across video, audio, photo, and written formats. the program helped her build a diverse portfolio and, more importantly, gave her the confidence to see herself as an environmental journalist.

one of her first pieces told the story of a local corn maze that shifted from water-intensive corn to drought-tolerant crops like sorghum and sunflowers in response to recurring droughts. “they took this tradition and reimagined it. and i got to tell that story,” she said. “plus, the maze is thick and 10 feet tall. it’s so much fun.”

through the correspondents program, and later as a storyfest finalist and summit panelist, katie says planet forward was the first place she truly saw a future in environmental journalism and conservation. today, as digital content manager for the wildlife society, she uses her multi-platform storytelling skills to translate complex science into accessible, engaging narratives. “i absolutely love everything that i do,” she said. “and the experience and portfolio i built with planet forward played a huge role in helping me get here.”

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alex rubenstein

because of planet forward, i’ve made lifelong friends. i’ve gained mentors. i became a mentor. i saw more in myself and became confident. i got to see parts of the world i had never seen before. i became a better storyteller.”

as a senior at george washington university, alex rubenstein entered and won planet forward’s storyfest competition in 2018 with a short documentary on a student-run composting program. “the big incentive for me to get involved was the trip to southeast alaska with national geographic-lindblad expeditions, which ended up being a career — and life-changing experience for me,” he said. “it pivoted my documentary filmmaking toward environmental filmmaking and conservation storytelling.” 

through planet forward, alex connected with mentors who pushed him to be more ambitious and professionals who helped shape his career path. the alaska trip planted the seed for his future role as a video chronicler, naturalist, and photo instructor with national geographic-lindblad expeditions. in a powerful full circle moment, alex later welcomed new storyfest winners aboard the very ship where his own journey had begun.

today, he continues to fuse storytelling and science, pursuing a master’s in climate science and policy at scripps institution of oceanography to deepen his work as a climate communicator.

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harrison watson

because of planet forward, i can help other people dream. i can tell the story. i am a scientist.”

harrison watson first came to the planet forward summit as part of a video project for a film class as a freshman at jackson state university in 2016. though he thought his path was already set, it was there that he discovered a new way to engage with the environment through storytelling. “i didn’t think i would ever end up being a scientist. i didn’t think that i would ever end up being a storyteller or somebody that was involved in policy-making and decision-making,” he said. “i thought it had to be a career in environmental science or engineering. but i wanted to have more of a worldly view. i wanted to be a writer. i even considered switching my major to english because the biology classes weren’t giving me the kind of engagement with environmental work that i wanted. i was 17.”

harrison went on to become one of planet forward’s first student correspondents, an experience he describes as formative because it allowed him to experiment and follow his own interests. “the most fundamentally important thing that planet forward has going for it, is being able to open young students’ minds,” he said. “and not just crack the door, but really burst through it.” from covering living shorelines in alabama to exploring environmental justice, each of harrison’s stories created transformative experiences that became embedded in his daily life. a trip to the amazon rainforest with renowned conservationist tom lovejoy shaped a story about coexistence and reframed his sense of what was possible, instilling an “immense responsibility” to act on what was learned. 

today, as an ecology and evolutionary biology ph.d. student, harrison embodies the role of a “scientist-storyteller.” his research bridges local and global impact. in his hometown of trenton, n.j., he empowers youth to tell their own stories and become agents of change, while his work in african savannas challenges existing narratives and seeks new approaches to managing these landscapes. harrison also serves on the planet forward advisory council, bringing his perspectives, experiences, and ideas to continue to grow the program for students to come.

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these profiles were written by contributor emily sesno, compiled from interviews conducted by fellow alum and advisory council member jake meyers.