Resource Sep 9, 2024

Southeast Young Leaders Council

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The Southeast Young Leaders Council (YLC) is open to early career professionals in the southeast region with a passion for advocacy and National Park preservation.

The YLC is an opportunity for professional development and relationship building across the southeast under the mentorship and advisement of NPCA staff, NextGen Advisory Council, and Regional Council. Members of the council are encouraged to explore and deepen their interests in the many facets of civic engagement related to the national park units to build skills relevant to their current or future career goals.

Southeast Young Leaders Council 2026-2027

Phoebe Carnes Bryson City, NC/ Athens, GA I am a biologist, wildlife photographer, public lands advocate, and lover of all things wild. Growing up in rural Western NC, the wilderness and the mountains have always been my home. Though I am a scientist, I have a true passion for using photography and storytelling to connect people with the outdoors and, in particular, national parks!
Micheala Collins Athens, GA Michaela grew up in the Appalachian Mountains in rural Southeastern Ohio where my love of the outdoors and conservation was sparked early in life by both the beauty and the degradation of the natural world around me. She earned an Associate’s degree from Hocking College and a Bachelor’s from West Virginia University, both in Wildlife and Fisheries Science. She’s currently a graduate student at the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources, pursuing a Master’s of Natural Resources with an emphasis in Aquatic and Fisheries Science. Her graduate work includes imperiled freshwater mussel and host fish trials that aim to add important life history knowledge to mussel conservation efforts, as well as concentrations on nonprofit management and environmental policy.
Natalie Crawford Birmingham, AL I am a recent graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where I was heavily involved in campus sustainability issues and local environmental causes. I hosted a sustainability fair on campus every semester, and I spent my time outside of classes working in environmental policy and marine turtle conservation, which increased my passion for public land and environmental protection. I enjoy backpacking and being outdoors.
Derrick Dean Bowling Green, KY Dean is a forward thinking and creatively driven parks and recreation professional with a keen focus for preserving and enriching our parks environment, natural habitats, and resources. Aside from their work in parks and recreation, Dean is an avid writer of poetry. They also serve in the Kentucky Army National Guard as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Specialist as a Non-Commissioned Officer.
Claire Denison Durham, NC For the past five years, I lived and worked in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, where I developed a deep connection to our national parks and the wildlife that depends on them. Now based in Durham, North Carolina, I remain passionate about protecting public lands and ensuring they thrive for future generations.
RJ Fitzpatrick Clarksdale, Mississippi RJ Fitzpatrick is a filmmaker, videographer, and digital media artist from Ruleville, Mississippi, dedicated to preserving the Delta’s civil rights history through photography, documentary film, and oral history.
Hyasen Gray Savannah, GA/ Raleigh, NC Hyasen is a designer and entomological researcher who is passionate about finding creative solutions to build stronger connections between art and science.
Melinda Gullett Crestwood, KY Melinda is a nature enthusiast and Geospatial Analyst from Crestwood, Kentucky. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Geography with track in Environmental Analysis from the University of Louisville. Melinda is passionate about environmental conservation and creating a sustainable future. She strives to make a positive impact and inspire future generations to appreciate and protect the natural world.
Erin Hackenmueller Birmingham, AL Erin Hackenmueller is a storyteller, an outdoor recreation enthusiast, a history fanatic, and a community leader. She supports the development of communities across Alabama. Erin is the Communications Specialist for Cawaco Resource Conservation and Development Council, a nonprofit that fosters vibrant communities by balancing economic, human, and natural needs.
Priyanka Joseph Atlanta, GA Priyanka Joseph is an Industrial and Systems Engineering student at the Georgia Institute of Technology who is passionate about using innovation to drive environmental and social impact. Her interest in sustainability began at a young age through a love of nature and has since evolved into a desire to solve environmental challenges at scale. Studying Industrial Engineering showed her that many sustainability challenges are ultimately systems challenges, shaped by the way resources, materials, and people interact. Through her experiences in sustainable operations, climate technology, and environmental advocacy, Priyanka is exploring how engineering can help create a more sustainable future.
Oliver LaRose Northport, AL Oliver LaRose is a science communicator and feature journalist passionate about wildlife conservation, health equity, and healthcare education. He received his M.A. in Journalism and Media Studies from the University of Alabama in May 2026, where he also was the Liaison of Acquisitions for Red Rook Press, a student-run publishing house. Oliver’s research focused on the lack of science education in journalism, news deserts, and scientific disinformation in American politics. He hopes to use his research and journalism background in ocean conservation advocacy. In his free-time, Oliver likes to collect seal plushies, play retro videogames, and play the violin.
Syd Logan Winston Salem, NC Syd Logan was raised in Tallahassee, Florida where their love for nature first bloomed. They are currently a junior at UNC-Asheville majoring in Ecology. Since being in school, they have discovered that they have a particular interest in studying and promoting the well-being of invertebrates, reptiles, and amphibians. They love being outside and sharing their passion for public lands with others. When not hiking on nature trails in the mountains of Western North Carolina, Syd enjoys spending time with their friends and reading.
Kwandarius Petty Greenwood, MS Kwandarius is working towards being a voice and movement for any and every community and creating and finishing a project that withstands and works against the troubles of the world such as poverty, people going unheard, violence and discrimination, and systematic manipulation. Being a part of NPCA’s YLC will help him enlighten people about the park’s history, good, bad, where it stands as today, and what it can be, giving activities colliding with the earth, letting it be a place of expression, relief, and acquaintances.
Mickey Rogers Roswell, GA Born in Ohio and raised along the Lake Erie coast, Mickey turned her love for nature into an actionable science career. Mickey Rogers, Ph.D. is an atmospheric chemist and was most recently a Linus Pauling Research Fellow at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
Sawyer Summers Birmingham, AL Fueled by a passion for human and natural thriving, Sawyer Summers works professionally and personally to inform, inspire, and enable people to be meaningful participants in their community and in the world. A career-break journey through America’s national parks revealed to him the irreplaceable value of the natural wonders they preserve and deepened his conviction that human and natural thriving are inseparable. Through his work in community and economic development, he is committed to bridging the two for the betterment of both.
Sonali Sethi Cary, NC  Sonali Sethi is a physical therapist and health writer based in Cary, NC. She earned her psychology degree from North Carolina State University and her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Campbell University. With her background in movement science, she is passionate about improving accessibility to public lands for individuals with physical disabilities. As a South Asian woman who discovered national parks later in life, Sonali is eager to help underrepresented communities build meaningful connections with these spaces.
Kelly Stout Buller, TN Kelly is a graduate of University of Tennessee Knoxville and Liberty University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education focusing in Therapeutic Recreation and a Master of Arts in Teaching (SpEd). For over a decade, they have dedicated my career to working with youth ages 5–18, including six years teaching in public schools. She currently serves as the Director of Therapeutic Recreation at a trauma facility for youth, where they’re passionate about creating meaningful opportunities for growth, healing, and connection. Kelly enjoys spending time outdoors, gardening, traveling, and making memories with her family, including their dog, Mosley.
Tralai Taylor Durham, NC Tralai grew up in Durham, North Carolina where she spent her summers reading National Geographic magazines and quickly became a nature lover. She is currently working towards her Bachelor’s degree in Environment and Sustainability at UNC Greensboro.
Nole Wade Bentonville, AR Originally from Northwest Arkansas, Nole has experience in community organizing and youth engagement in the New England area. After earning a degree in Sociology from Tufts University, Nole became interested in entering the cultural field, bringing him to work with different heritage sites in the Mississippi Delta. He plans to continue bridging his experiences and interest into new projects and efforts in the region.
Sally Watanabe Durham, NC Sally Watanabe (they/she) is a multimedia storyteller and educator completing their Master’s in Environmental Management at Duke University. After getting their bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Richmond, Sally worked in environmental education on urban farms, wilderness expeditions, and with student video contests. This past summer, they interned with Defenders of Wildlife supporting bird and bat diversity research and Eastern hellbender surveys in Western North Carolina. They are passionate about bringing creativity and art to support climate and justice solutions. In addition to being a published author in neuroscience journals, they also produce films and music.
Anna Whitmire Waynesville, NC A Midwestern girl at heart, Anna found her home in Western North Carolina almost a decade ago; trading the vast cornfields for the rolling peaks of the Blue Ridge mountains. As an experienced nonprofit professional, Anna is passionate about connecting with her community and educating on the importance of allyship, conservation, and historical preservation.
Nathaniel Williams II Clarksdale, MS Nathaniel was born and raised in the vibrant city of Tacoma, Washington, where the air is filled with the fresh scent of trees and the waters of Puget Sound create a stunning backdrop. Driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact, he made the bold decision to relocate to the heart of the Mississippi Delta. In his free time, he’s an enthusiastic adventurer who finds joy in the great outdoors.

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