People

I am a URI 2026 graduate in Marine Biology and Data Science. I have experience working in both classroom and informal education, as well as in marine research. I'm very passionate in engaging various populations in citizen science and providing exposure to the natural world. 

I am a young professional starting my career in environmental education, with a passion for connecting people to nature through meaningful and engaging learning experiences. I am intrested in creating inclusive programs that foster curiosity, environmental stewardship, and lifelong learning. I enjoy working with diverse audiences and collaborating with others to support conservation, sustainability, and community-based environmental education initiatives. 

We Want work wBio about me

Muhammad Nadeem Akhtar is the Head Teacher at Central Model School Khanewal, Pakistan. He is a dedicated Global Schools Advocate and passionate educational leader committed to providing globally competitive education to underprivileged children in a resource-limited setting.

His school proudly received the International School Award from the British Council for promoting global citizenship and collaborative international learning. Through the Connecting Classrooms Project, Mr. Akhtar and his team worked for over six years with UK partner schools, facilitating teacher exchange visits. Teachers from his school visited various cities in the UK including Birmingham, Huddersfield, Derbyshire, Manchester, and Nottingham, while UK educators also visited his school in Pakistan. As part of this initiative, he also received leadership training at the University of Nottingham under the British Council platform.

Furthermore, his school was recognized by the Tony Blair Faith Foundation (UK) through the Face to Faith programme for raising awareness about malaria. Currently, the school is collaborating with the JDO Foundation (USA) to promote digital learning through Google tools, equipping students and teachers with 21st-century skills.

Mr. Akhtar continues to lead climate change, environmental, and innovation projects, ensuring his students are not only well-educated but also responsible global citizens.

I am an artist and retired caregiver who has dedicated my time to serving others.I decied that through writing educational children's books and companion guides for educators I could continue to serve. My passion for health and the impact of the food supply on individuals—both short-term and long-term—drives my work. I believe that educating children about the food supply is essential for helping them make healthy choices that will benefit them throughout their lives.

My books present information in a meaningful way that inspires curiosity, personal responsibility, and civic-mindedness. They aim to convey crucial information and activities that encourage children to make healthier, informed choices, which is fundamental for a happy and productive life. Additionally, these books demonstrate how constructive community engagement can be a powerful and effective means of creating positive change.

Megan Fink serves as the Partnerships & Policy Manager for the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE). Working in the field of Environmental Education for over a decade, Megan brings a robust, place-based, outdoor education background to the NAAEE team. She has built enduring working relationships across the Chesapeake Bay watershed and the Mid-Atlantic region. As a graduate of Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Science and Biology, Megan began her career as an Environmental Educator at the North Carolina Aquariums before joining the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) in 2011. Through several program management positions with CBF she led students, teachers, school administrators, and environmental professionals on ecological, cultural, and historical investigations of the Bay. She also managed a statewide leadership program for high school students, teaching them how to become environmental advocates at the local, regional, and national levels.

Megan earned an Executive Master of Natural Resources from Virginia Tech’s Center for Leadership in Global Sustainability in 2020. In 2022-23, she served as Education Director for the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park, supervising 15 Environmental Education Programs and expanding their reach to 14,000 participants annually. She also initiated and managed a project to launch a brand-new, nature-based preschool and served on the Maryland State Department of Education’s Workgroup to develop statewide Outdoor Preschool licensing standards. 

Throughout her career, Megan has designed programs that inspire participants to act on behalf of their local natural resources and enhance people’s understanding of and connection to the natural world through compelling environmental education experiences. In her spare time, she can often be found hiking, gardening, paddling, and spending time with her loved ones, including her dog, Ruby, splashing around the Bay watershed!

Lori Mann has more than 40 years of experience in environmental education at the local, state, and national levels. Lori joined the NAAEE staff in 2012 as Program and Conference Manager and now serves as Director of Conferences and Programs. In this capacity, she manages all aspects of the NAAEE annual conference and coordinates several national projects related to building capacity to deliver high-quality environmental education. 

Hi! I am a grandma to 5 young learners that I would like to teach environmental education and appreciation for the environment.

I am a Librarian, California Naturalist, and Nature Journaling Educator, always looking for ways to combine my interests and bring environmental awareness to a wider audience. 

Stacie joined the NAAEE team in April 2020. She has worked in or alongside the education field for over two decades and in communications for more than 15 years. She started her career teaching at a public charter high school in Washington, D.C. Prior to joining NAAEE, she managed communications for Annenberg Learner, a leading national nonprofit that connects K–12 and college educators with classroom content and professional development to support and strengthen their practice. She holds an M.A. in Spanish and Latin American Studies from American University, and a B.A. in Modern Languages and Linguistics and Certificate in Secondary Education from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She also completed a Certificate in Social Impact Storytelling at Georgetown University. Throughout her career, she has been committed to bringing exceptional educational opportunities to underserved areas and educating to promote civic engagement.