2026 PEC Randal Fellows

Abena Sekum Appiah-Ofori is a recent graduate of  Duke's Sanford School of Public Policy, where she earned her Master of Public Policy concentrating in energy and environmental policy. A proud global citizen with roots in Ghana, she spent most of her formative years in Virginia, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Global Development and Religious Studies from the University of Virginia. Before beginning graduate school, Abena completed a gap year on a State Department fellowship in Germany, an experience that deepened her appreciation for cities and communities that invest in sustainable infrastructure, making environmentally friendly choices more accessible for everyone. This past year, she has focused her research and engagement on climate resilience and financial well-being in the Appalachian region. Through the fellowship, she hopes to weave together her interests in policy, storytelling, and grassroots advocacy to better support vulnerable communities. When she's not working, you can find her on the yoga mat, wandering through a sunny garden, or catching up on the latest binge-worthy show.

Akash is an early career professional who has spent the past two years supporting economic research at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. His favorite projects focused on the determinants of economic opportunity for individuals and neighborhoods, but he has always been fascinated by environmental economics and policy. He is particularly interested in how energy and environmental policy affects the health and well-being of human beings. Outside of his career, Akash enjoys existential conversations, forest bathing (shinrin-yoku), and singing. 

Fun fact:  Making yogurt from “scratch” is actually really easy, especially with an instant pot. All you need is milk and a culture of live bacteria. Delicious!

Hey everyone, my name is Sophia but everyone calls me Sophie! I recently graduated from the University of Virginia in 2025, with a bachelor’s in Global environmental sustainability. I also minored in the Batten school of leadership and public policy. The intersection of environmental and political governance issues has always been an interest of mine. I grew up in Falls Church, VA and went to Justice HS so I’ll be pretty close to home for this job! I am super passionate about food systems; from sustainable agriculture to food waste disposal, especially once I became a waste pro as a Zero Waste Ambassador with UVA’s Office for Sustainability. I’m also a huge tree nerd, I love identifying them on walks, planting them with friends and community members, and participating in invasive species removals.

My name is Alondra Cobian and I am 23 years old. I am a first-generation Mexican-American, born and raised in Southern California. I graduated from Scripps College where I majored in Environment, Economics, and Politics and also minored in Spanish. As the daughter of Mexican immigrants, I grew up visiting Mexico often and now I have been living in Mexico for 7 months! 

Fun fact: Living in Mexico was the first time I ever left California and I have been really enjoying it!

Hi, I’m Tyler Costin, I’m a senior at Binghamton University studying philosophy, politics, and law. I work as the community garden coordinator for my campus’s sustainability office, where I’ve been focused on tackling food insecurity in the Binghamton area. That work recently earned me the SUNY Climate Sustainability Leader Award, which was a really meaningful recognition. Outside of school, I enjoy  fishing, rock climbing, running, and other outdoor activities. I look forward to meeting everyone!.

Fun fact: I am a die-hard Buffalo Bills fan.  

Michael Green is a master’s student in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning at Tufts University. His work focuses on the intersections of conservation, food systems, and regional planning, with a particular interest in how landscapes shape and are shaped by social and environmental systems. He currently works with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation on environmental justice initiatives and has experience in environmental education, urban agriculture, and conservation fieldwork. Michael is especially interested in connecting urban and rural landscapes through more equitable and sustainable planning approaches.

Fun fact: He once biked across New York State over 10 days, an experience that continues to shape how he thinks about landscapes and place.

Elena Hsieh is a recent graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned a dual degree in English and Conservation & Resource Studies, along with a minor in Politics, Philosophy, and Law. Her academic work centers on environmental justice and biodiversity conservation, with a focus on making science accessible and meaningful to the communities it affects.

An avid writer and photographer, Elena approaches her work through the lens of storytelling, using narrative to bridge the gap between research, policy, and public understanding. Her creative and professional experiences span environmental communications, documentary photography, and editorial work, where she has crafted research-backed stories that make complex environmental issues more accessible. She is also an avid reader, drawn especially to creative nonfiction, poetry, and classic literature, often returning to these forms for both inspiration and a deeper understanding of how stories shape our perception of the world.

Elena hopes to build a career at the intersection of environmental policy, media, and advocacy, using storytelling as a tool to advance equitable, community-centered solutions to ecological challenges. When she’s not working, you can find her going on film photowalks, drafting essays on her typewriter, or spending time outdoors with her tortoise and two cats.

My name is Penelope Leal and I am based in Miami, FL. I recently graduated with a Master of Science in Environmental Studies from Florida International University. Currently, I am a Program Director for a South Florida environmental nonprofit and I enjoy teaching students and community members about local climate issues. I am Cuban-American and take great pride in my culture and advocating for Latine and other minority groups within the climate space. I love to go to the beach, read fiction, stare at the sky, and knit (just small squares for now). 

Fun fact: I like to sing and produce music and I have released music onto major platforms.

Celine began her interest in climate due to having little to no access to nature in New York City most of her life. When she went onto study economics her need to connect policy to climate only grew. Now Celine focuses on advancing equitable access to clean water through strategic partnerships and policy advocacy at the Water Insecurity Correction Coalition. They have cultivated relationships with over ten community stakeholders, aligning engagement strategies to drive collaborative fundraising. They also coordinate with media teams to develop compelling event content and outreach campaigns, enhancing donor participation and visibility. Celine’s work involves developing educational resources and increasing awareness about environmental issues, demonstrated through their role as an Environmental Educator at Queens Botanical Garden, where they developed interactive programs focused on environmental conservation and collaborated with local schools to integrate environmental justice education. Her work started as a Yale Conservation Scholar where she had the opportunity to connect her chemistry/environmental background with studying ways to remediate PFAS contamination. With her research in indigenous communities she was not only able to spread awareness, but further our knowledge on PFAS’s effects. 

A fun fact is I have been practicing archery!

Hi! My name is Trevor McMillan! I am a junior at the University of Virginia (or third-year in UVA’s lingo … help) studying government and English. I am a member of UVA’s Mock Trial program and am in Housing and Residence Life, where I am a Senior Resident. I grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, so the outdoors have always played a big part in my life. 

A couple fun facts about me are that I have done an 80-mile backpacking trip, and I was an employee at Great Basin National Park. While I do not get to ski as much in Virginia as I do back home, I still keep up with hiking, paddleboarding, and fishing!

👋 Mary Washington University, Class of 2026
📍   Centreville, VA

🏫   Environmental Science 

📧   She/her/hers

Hello! My name is Amira Said. I am a Senior majoring in Environmental Science at The University of Mary Washington. I spent most of my childhood in Northern Virginia, where I immigrated to from Egypt when I was seven years old. The environment and sustainability have always been a passion of mine, from when I was a little kid creating a compost pile in my backyard to now being a college student and implementing a community compost site on my campus.

I advocate for environmental policies and DEI programs as a selected member on the Student Advisory Committee for the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. In the future, I hope to advocate for and advise on Environmental Policies.

A fun fact about me is I was elected Student Government Association President.

Lane Worthing is a junior majoring in Environmental Studies at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, with a minor in Creative Writing. 

She is originally from Washington, DC, with ties to Virginia – she used to go camping in Shenandoah National Park as a kid, and has more recently worked for Waterpenny Farm (Sperryville, VA). In addition to sustainable agriculture, she’s interested in public and private conservation efforts, which she studied on an abroad program in Peru in Fall 2025. As a Randal Fellow, Lane hopes to continue learning and contributing to conservation and environmental organizing closer to home.

Fun fact: She loves running. Her favorite race distance is the half marathon!