Joseph earned his Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering from the University of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf College of Engineering. He believes that meaningful change to global challenges begins when young leaders step forward and drive innovation. Joseph currently works full-time as a Resource Officer in the Office of District 9, Nimba County, at the House of Representatives. In this role, he supports legislative research and policy analysis, particularly those affecting mining operations in his district. He also collaborates with legislative staff and government offices to ensure public engagement, data accuracy, and informed decision-making. Joseph is passionate about shaping policies that improve access to mining and sustainability, while also advocating for expanded education and economic opportunities in his home district. In 2025, Joseph was selected as a Mandela Washington Fellow, a U.S. Department of State program that empowers young African leaders. Joseph is also a sports enthusiast and a passionate music lover.

Ari Gardner is a rising fourth year at Western Colorado University with a double major in Computer Science and Biology with an emphasis in software engineering and general biology. Ari is also a member of the cross country and track teams at Western Colorado University. At SDSG Ari is working on reorganizing and polishing the website. This work entails styling and making the website more navigable.

Maria Guillamont is a J.D. Candidate at Lewis & Clark Law School with a focus on international and environmental law. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and master’s degree in Bioethics. Passionate about equitable and environmentally sustainable practices, she founded the Coalition of Law Students Against Deep Sea Mining, where she leads a team of volunteers through legal research, campaigning and policy advice. She is a fellow of the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, through which she has had the opportunity to attend United Nation Ocean Conferences representing the youth. At SDSG, Maria hopes to learn how to encourage the equitable acquisition of critical minerals for the coming energy transition.

Olivia Nau is a rising third-year student at Western Colorado University, pursuing degrees in Business Administration and Environmental Sustainability with an emphasis in Public Land Management and a minor in Energy Management. She is passionate about navigating complex stakeholder dynamics in the natural resource sector to promote responsible and equitable development. Olivia plans to attend law school after graduation to support efforts driving meaningful change in the energy industry. She is an active member of Western Solar Society, Western Energy Leaders, and the Student Sustainability Staff. She also serves as the Student Coordinator and Editor for the Resilience Studies Consortium Newsletter.

Catherine Fink is a 3L student at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, working toward a certificate in Environmental and Natural Resources Law. She is an Editor for the University of Denver Environment@5280 blog and participated in the Advancing Social Justice Clinic in Spring 2023. Catherine has a B.A. in English and an MFA in creative writing and is transitioning to a legal career after 20 years of teaching English and Human Development in grades 7-college. Catherine heard her students', and her own children's, demands for climate action and decided that it was now or never for the planet, so she is in law school to learn how to make change on a policy level. She is also committed to climate justice and researches the role of indigenous peoples in the renewable energy transition with the goal of ensuring equitable participation in the green energy transition. Finally, Catherine has served for five years on the Longmont Library Board and is currently Vice President, and she loves spending time outdoors with her husband and three children.

Mary graduated from Colorado School of Mines in 2019. She majored in Civil Engineering and earned a minor in Humanitarian Engineering. While attending School of Mines, she focused her education on understanding sustainable engineering solutions for communities who are often underserved. After graduation, Mary earned her certification as an Engineer in Training and worked for an engineering firm in the Subsurface Utility Engineering and Coordination department. Mary worked as a Civil Engineer for a little over three years before attending University of Denver, Sturm College of Law. Mary hopes to build upon her background in sustainable engineering while working for SDSG and as she pursues her legal education.

Julie is currently obtaining her Masters in Ecology and Conservation from Western Colorado University. Her interest in Environmental Law and Policy led her to seek experience at SDSG where she is supporting research into the social and environmental impacts of mineral extraction associated with the green energy transition. Julie aspires to build a career at the intersection of science, environmental policy, and public outreach to achieve conservation solutions. She currently works for the Department of Energy’s Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Mobile Facility and as the Field Coordinator for Crested Butte’s Coal Creek Watershed Coalition. In her free time she enjoys adventuring with her husband and three dogs!

Brian is a recent graduate of Western’s Master's of Environmental Management, where he had an emphasis in global sustainability. He came to Western after completing a bachelor’s degree in environmental policy and subsequently spending three years in various environmentally focused AmeriCorps programs across the country, completing environmental restoration and land stewardship projects. He has prior experience with regional nonprofits in Wisconsin and Colorado advocating for the expansion of public lands and renewable energy — and against concentrated animal feeding operations and oil and gas drilling. At Western, Brian became heavily involved on campus, serving as a campus recycling assistant, a sustainability mentor, and as the editor of Western’s student newspaper, Top o’ the World. At SDSG, Brian contributes to research on critical minerals needed for a green economy.