Welcoming the 2023 ELC Cohort

Please read below to find out more about our new cohort!

Amirah is originally from Pennsylvania, and moved to DC in 2022. Her love for the outdoors developed in her teens via her experiences backpacking, hiking, and camping. Amirah also enjoys roller skating, kayaking, and volunteering at community gardens and at her neighborhood’s compost collection. As an Environmental Leader, Amirah is excited to connect with others in the outdoors, to work towards building generational knowledge of the outdoors, and to learn from her community. Amirah has a B.S. in Global Health from USC, and a Masters in Public Health from UCLA.

Three words that describe her are down to earth, tries to meet people where they are, and tries not to pass unwarranted judgment.

Ayia has roots in the Caribbean, born on the island of St. Croix with a large Afro-Latino family, and raised along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. Her lifelong connection to these precious ecosystems informs her passion for environmental protection and restoration. She received a bachelor’s degree in Geography with an emphasis in Environment and Society at San Diego State University in 2019, where she began her journey in environmental justice advocacy. She is very excited to be joining SoulTrak to engage with other like-minded individuals in this work. Building community and support networks is paramount for staying in climate and environmental activism as a person of color, as the field is often dominated by people that do not understand the experience of diverse folks in this field. The relationship we have with nature is different and it’s time the environmental and outdoor field start reflecting that.

Brittney Ainsworth is a D.C based Operations Analyst with a passion for nature and encouraging diversity in the outdoors. She is determined to make a positive impact on the environment and to help create a more sustainable future. As Co-founder of We BE Walkin’ – she shares her love of outdoor expression by cultivating space for Black and Brown folks to walk outside as a community.

Cheri Lee holds a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Penn State and is currently working as an Infectious Disease Scientist in Rockville, MD. In her spare time, she is a fitness enthusiast and rock climber. During the summer of 2020, she climbed outside for the first time and has never looked back. Three words that describe her are: funny, outgoing, helpful.

Originally from Miami, FL, Christina Hester has always been very passionate about the outdoors and protecting the environment. After graduating from Florida International University with a double major in Journalism and Philosophy, she went on to intern at “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society on Sanibel Island, FL. During her time there, she was not only enamored with the local flora and fauna – but also discovered a love for kayaking and being out on the water. Currently, Christina works at Casey Trees as their Multimedia Communications Associate, where she produces the weekly e-newsletter The Leaflet, as well as manages all social media content, focusing on topics related to Urban Forestry in Washington D.C. Christina is excited to be expanding her horizons and learning more about her new local environment and community through SoulTrak!

Three words that describe her are creative, silly, self-starter.

Jaelyn is an Ohio native who moved to DC in 2017 to pursue her B.S. in psychology at Howard University. Any given weekend, you can find her hiking local trails, taking a roadtrip to a nearby city, or watching movies cuddled with her dog, Bentley. 

Three words that describe her are caring, intentional, motivated.

Lehna is an experienced product manager with a background in accounting & tax consulting. She is an adventurer at heart and an inclusive leader who enjoys hiking, camping, yoga, and traveling. She is passionate about creating positive changes in her community by volunteering and building connections. Curious and engaged, she is always ready for an adventure – be it in her neighborhood or across the world. 

Price is an emergent leader for the environment. He recently graduated from Rutgers University studying ecology, evolution, and natural resources. He is currently a park ranger in Washington, DC. Price is becoming a leader in his hometown with the hopes that he can scale his impact to the nation and beyond.

Rediate has experience working for local and international non-profits and is dedicated to community service. She enjoys hiking, traveling, and visiting coffee shops. She loves trying new things and exploring new places. Rediate participated in Soul Trak’s Fall 2022 Outdoor Climbing Cohort and is excited to engage in more outdoor activities with peers through the ELC program. As a participant, she hopes to help expand awareness and access to the outdoors for underrepresented populations.

Three words that describe her are relational, light-heartedness, laid back.

Robin Shipman is a docent at The Harriet Tubman Cultural Center located in Columbia, MD. She is excited to be a part of the Environmental Leadership Cohort because and wants to build and grow with people who are like- minded in loving nature! Her ultimate goal is to be able to bring some type of nature awareness to each person who she crosses paths with in this lifetime! She looks forward to building with Soul Trak and creating wonderful experiences for herself and others through nature.

Tiffany Pauls grew up in the Maryland-D.C. area always fond of green spaces, but admittedly a little fearful of them. After reaching adulthood, and going away to college, Tiffany discovered new ways of interacting with nature. Recreational activities like caving, paddle-boarding, and white water rafting all became new experiences that deepened her understanding of herself and how she wants to experience the world. Culminating with her degree in Environmental Studies. She hopes that her time with Soul-Trak and ELC can be used to build community in the place where they were raised and enjoy new experiences with other well-rounded folks.