2024 Wyss Fellows Selected
The Wyss Foundation is excited to announce the 2024 cohort of Wyss Fellows. The Wyss Fellows Program supports the training and development of future conservation leaders through a two-year fellowship at sponsoring organizations. Fellows gain experience in all aspects of conservation advocacy and attend annual week-long training programs.
Wyss Fellow at the Western Rivers Conservancy
Elijah Dwoskin, an avid fly-fisherman and former fly-fishing guide, serves as the associate project manager for Western Rivers Conservancy, a conservation nonprofit focused on saving the great rivers of the West. Elijah will work with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure the long-term protection of the region’s rivers.
Wyss Fellow at the Trust for Public Land
Grace Abernethy is a project associate for the Trust for Public Land in Pasadena, California. She will apply her experience working with landowners in New Mexico to acquire and protect land in Southern California for public benefit. As a student of the social and ecological dimensions of the American West, she will apply her knowledge into her new role assisting the Trust for Public Land in using land conservation to advance climate resilience, park equity, and community health and vitality in California.
Wyss Fellow at the Dolores River Boating Advocates
Suzanne Strazza is an author, boatwoman, and lover of wild places. She has spent her career advocating for those without a voice. Her love, passion, and commitment to protecting this immense canyon system has led her to Dolores River Boating Advocates as the conservation field organizer.
Wyss Fellow at the California Environmental Voters Education Fund
Felix Wang is the public lands fellow for California Environmental Voters Education Fund. Felix will collaborate with coalition partners to build local power, educating and mobilizing Californians to advocate for public lands protections. Felix graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Policy, Institutions & Behavior. As a student, he served as the campaign coordinator for NJPIRG Students. After graduating, he worked with Food & Water Watch to petition for one hundred percent clean electricity in New Jersey cities.
Wyss Fellow at Friends of the Owyhee
Andrea Bonadiman earned a degree in natural resources and certifications in ecology and conservation at Treasure Valley Community College. She spent many hours volunteering on various projects with Idaho Fish and Game and US Fish and Wildlife Service. Graduating from Oregon State University with a degree in Digital Communication Arts and Graphic Design and as a longtime resident of Malheur County, she has grown to love the wilderness of the Owyhee Canyonlands. Andrea will serve as the Campaign Coordinator for Friends of the Owyhee.
Wyss Fellow at the California Native Plant Society
Isobel Nairn earned her bachelor's degree in public policy from Stanford University and a master's degree in Earth Systems, where she studied the science behind effective conservation and land management policy. As a member of the conservation program at the California Native Plant Society, she will spotlight California's unique biodiversity while advocating for the permanent protection of California's lands through national monument campaigns. Isobel also worked as a research fellow in a partnership between the Karuk Tribe and the Stanford Climate and Energy Policy Program, advocating for prescribed fire and cultural burning in California and nationwide.
Wyss Fellow at the West Virginia Land Trust
Braden Meyer serves as the Conservation Fellow at the West Virginia Land Trust, a non-profit conservation organization dedicated to protecting West Virginia’s natural lands, water quality, and public recreation access. He will work to permanently protect and steward the rich biodiversity found within the Appalachian Mountains. His background in wildlife and fisheries science and environmental consulting complement his love of outdoor recreation, including backcountry hiking, fishing, and hunting.