Heath Albert is working at MyRWA this summer (2025) as an Environmental Science and Stewardship Fellow through the Forest Foundation Fellowship Program. He is originally from Sudbury, Massachusetts, but is now pursuing a B.A. in Environmental Studies and a B.S. in Psychological and Brain Sciences at UC Santa Barbara. His time spent in California has shaped his concern for environmental degradation into a strong passion for sustainability, as he is now working with MyRWA to help local businesses promote clean practices and prepare for more frequent extreme weather events. Heath hopes to develop a career in the nonprofit or private sector, establishing community partnerships imperative to climate resilience and resource sustainability. In his free time, he enjoys trying new food, playing creative games, and exploring nature!
Ry Emmert (she/they) is a rising senior at Williams College majoring in Geosciences and Coastal and Ocean Studies. Ry joins MyRWA as an Environmental Science and Stewardship Fellow for Summer 2025 through the Yale Conservation Scholars - Early Leadership Initiative program. Ry is passionate about exploring the intersection between coastal marine and inland aquatic science, community conservation, and environmental justice. From the fjords of Chilean Patagonia to the watershed, Ry is committed to advancing equitable, science-informed solutions that strengthen climate resilience and center the voices of frontline communities. As such, she hopes to pursue a PhD in marine science, focusing on how the chemical composition of marine environments influences sediment dynamics, sea level change, and broader coastal processes. In her free time, Ry enjoys hiking coastal trails, birdwatching, experimenting with new recipes, and reading.
Kenna McConnachie (she/her) is a rising junior at Tufts University double majoring in Cognitive and Brain Science & Civic Studies. She joins MyRWA as an Environmental Science and Stewardship Fellow through the Tisch Summer Fellows Program. Kenna is interested in providing safe and equitable access to greenspaces and is excited to learn about water quality science and environmental policy. Originally from Los Angeles, Kenna spent her childhood swimming at Venice Beach and playing basketball. In her free time, she enjoys Blue Biking, running along the Somerville Community Path, and trying out new coffee shops.
Reece Pauling (she/her) is a 2025 Greenways Fellow with the Mystic River Watershed Association, focusing on community engagement analysis for the Mystic Greenways Program. In this capacity, she will plan, facilitate, and document an equitable community engagement process to understand community perspectives on the work of the Mystic Greenways Program.
Currently, Reece is an incoming second-year Master of Environmental Management (MEM) candidate at Yale School of the Environment in New Haven, Connecticut. Her academic interests center on addressing environmental injustices and promoting environmental stewardship within urban areas through interdisciplinary approaches. By applying an equity lens involving both people and the environment, Reece aspires to develop and manage programs, projects, events, and scholarly work that not only address urban sustainability concerns but also ensure these initiatives are culturally, economically, and socially relevant to the communities they serve. Additionally, she aims to promote active engagement and participation in green spaces for communities that are often underrepresented in these areas, fostering a sense of welcome and inclusion. This approach ensures that environmental and sustainability programming resonates with and empowers the communities it serves.
In her previous experiences, Reece has collaborated with Black and brown communities, incarcerated individuals, and city youth on environmental education, gardening, stormwater management, and river restoration projects in Washington D.C., Pennsylvania, and Connecticut.
Outside of her professional and academic pursuits, Reece enjoys creating TikTok content, experimenting with new recipes, engaging in various outdoor outings and activities(particularly volleyball) and spending quality time with family and friends.
Alessandra Rodriguez is joining the team as a Mystic Greenway Fellow. She is a second-year master’s student in Urban Planning at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Originally from Peru, Alessandra has a background in architecture and is passionate about creating healthier, more equitable, and climate-resilient cities. She is excited to learn more about the cities of Greater Boston and looks forward to supporting community engagement activities that promote access to areas connected to the Mystic River watershed. Alessandra enjoys discovering places by walking and biking, as these modes help her better understand the dynamics and identity of each community.
Juan is a recent high school graduate originally from Puerto Rico, now based in the Greater Boston area. His lived experiences with climate change and inequality have sparked a deep commitment to climate resilience, racial justice, and food justice. Juan plans to pursue a dual major in Business Administration and Biology, with a minor in Psychology, as he works toward creating lasting, meaningful change in the communities that need it most.
Our 2025 fellows have already been hard at work in the watershed! Look out for them out on the Mystic and at MyRWA events.
