Environmental Scientist • Certified Sustainability Manager • Project Manager • Master Level Change is Simple Certified Educator

Lauren brings a lifetime of environmental passion to Change is Simple, Inc. "I remember being inspired back in elementary school about both humanitarian and environmental issues, and my passion for the two has never waned." She is a graduate of Merrimack College with a BS in Environmental Science and has over eighteen years in the environmental and sustainability field. Lauren takes the lead on strategy, fundraising, and organizational management and guides the organization to identify opportunities within the community to partner and grow. Also a certified group fitness instructor, Lauren is as passionate about caring for the bodies we were given as the amazing earth we live on.

 lauren@changeissimple.org

Master Level Change is Simple Certified Educator

"I grew up constantly exploring. I'd leave the house at 7am on my bike and be dragged back in after dark. I built shelters, tree forts, bike trails, and probably one too many bike ramps based on the number of times I was in a cast. I surfed, fished, and helped my dad in his garden. I never realized how lucky I was to connect with my planet on such a deep level at a young age, and that connection has guided me to this point."  Patrick earned his degree in Marketing & Communications from Western New England University, where he played four years of football. Patrick has been the visionary behind the design of the Change is Simple curriculum, learning tools, and strategy. He is an avid surfer and builds his own boards from recycled materials, enjoys mountain and road biking, trail runs, 'fixing stuff', and cooking with his wife Lauren for friends and family — especially his daughter, Maisey.

patrick@changeissimple.org

Carlos was raised in the woods of Jefferson Township, NJ and graduated from Northeastern University in 2020 with a degree in Physics. He loves living life to the fullest, whether that means hiking mountains or jumping out of planes. Carlos's passion for the environment and sustainability grew with his internship with Change is Simple in 2018 where he learned how much the earth needs our help to keep it healthy. Now he is back as a Mentorship Coordinator and Lead Educator doing what he loves most — working with kids to make a difference in the world.

carlos@changeissimple.org

Laura is from Boulder, Colorado, but has called the East Coast home since college. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Vermont in 2018 where she also ran cross country and track. She then earned her Master’s degree in Marine Biology from Northeastern University. Since 2020, she has worked as a Teaching Assistant at Harvard in the Planetary and Earth Sciences department during the school year, and as a Research Technician in a marine ecology lab during the summer. She loves running, painting, scuba diving, and spending time with her corgi, Hero. She is excited to join Change is Simple, where she looks forward to bringing her love of nature into the classroom.

Arden was born and raised outside of Boston, Massachusetts and recently moved back after graduating college in December 2023. She spent the past 4 years in Pennsylvania, where she received a B.S. in Biology and Environmental Studies from Gettysburg College. Through her time at college, she studied abroad in the tropics and subtropics where she developed a passion for wildlife ecology and conservation education. She spent 6 years working as a camp counselor and most recently interned at the New England Aquarium where her passion for marine sciences and public outreach grew. In her free time, she loves to hike, bake, and spend time with her dog, Indy. She is thrilled to join Change is Simple where she can combine her love of nature with her passion for teaching others.

Yadira was born and raised in Mexico and graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso with a Marketing & Administration Bachelor's Degree. She moved to Maine in 2011, the same year her twins were born. After having kids she became more conscious about the world we are leaving behind for children; she embarked on a mission in making changes for her family's lifestyle. She developed a passion for reducing waste and living a more minimalist life. This passion led her to get involved as a volunteer for the Green Team at her kids' elementary school. She is grateful to be working at an organization that aligns with her values and believes in empowering children and teaching them that our decisions can create lasting impact. Currently she lives in Ipswich, MA with her husband and twins.

yadira@changeissimple.org

Kylie grew up in Ohio but fell in love with Massachusetts when she moved to Boston to attend Wellesley College. After graduating with a BA in Biological Sciences and a minor in anthropology, she taught in early childhood education before moving to England to pursue a masters and a lifelong dream of studying primates around the world. While conducting research on environmental education for children, which included a trip to work with kids in Madagascar, Kylie discovered her passion for education as a tool for youth empowerment and environmental stewardship. She is excited to join Change is Simple and work with this team of passionate and dedicated educators to inspire youth and people of all ages to care for our planet.

kylie@changeissimple.org

Lauren grew up in Monroe, CT and has been deeply passionate about protecting the environment from a young age. She pursued her interests by studying Environmental Conservation and Sustainability, along with Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems, at the University of New Hampshire. Lauren worked in a soil lab, conducting research on Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and its impact on invasive species. Her love for the natural world took her to New Zealand, where she studied Indigenous cultures and conducted research on the iconic kiwi bird, further deepening her connection to conservation efforts. Committed to hands-on environmental work, Lauren spent time living out of a tent in Rocky Mountain National Park, contributing to fire restoration projects and building hiking trails. Most recently Lauren was an organic farmer and environmental educator which reinforced her dedication to sustainable practices and protecting the Earth’s ecosystems.

lauren@changeissimple.org

Tim was born and raised in Haverhill, MA and graduated from the University of Massachusetts - Amherst with a BS in Natural Resource and Environmental Economics. He loves to spend his free time kayaking, hiking, and connecting with nature. Throughout his time at Essex Aggie High School and the University of Massachusetts - Amherst, Tim grew a deep passion for the natural world and the resources it provides in our everyday lives. With climate change becoming an ever-prevalent issue, Tim took to activism and sought to make an impact. He joined the Change is Simple team in August of 2022 with the hopes to inspire the next generation to be mindful about the wellbeing of our planet and to advocate for a better, more sustainable future.

timothy@changeissimple.org

Maddi eagerly joined Change is Simple in June of 2021 about one year after earning her B.S. in Environmental Conservation and Sustainability from the University of New Hampshire. She has worked with kids for 10+ years in a wide variety of settings including as a babysitter, camp counselor, and field teacher at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Her passion for sustainability initially came as a kid doing crafts on "junk box day", as her mom called it. Reusing unwanted materials like fabric scraps, cardboard, and yogurt cups as craft materials made her look differently at "trash." She loves being active by hiking, paddleboarding, and walking on the beach. Maddi grew up in Danvers, MA and loves teaching important environmental and sustainability lessons to students from her area.

maddi@changeissimple.org

Jackie has called New England home for 4 years! She is originally from Arizona where she received her B.S. in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University. She went on to teach 3rd grade in Phoenix, Arizona and then moved to New Hampshire to become a middle school science teacher where she fell in love with New England. While teaching as a middle school science teacher she completed her MAEd in Natural Science and Environmental Education from Hamline University. She now finds herself living on the North Shore where she enjoys time at the ocean, mountain biking, and hiking with her beagle Jack! She is excited to bring her love of the environment to Change is Simple and all the students and schools we work with!

Sarah grew up in Western Massachusetts and recently moved to Boston. She graduated in 2023 from Connecticut College, where she earned her B.A. in Biology with a focus on Ecology. When she was younger, her mom would always take her family to the beach which sparked her love for the ocean. This passion grew during a summer internship at the University of Southern California, where she studied the effects of climate change on the coral reefs. Sarah has experience working with kids as a camp counselor and as a coach for soccer and track & field. Now, she's thrilled to join Change is Simple, where she can combine her love of working with kids and passion for environmental education.

sarah@changeissimple.org

Elley grew up on the shores of New England and studied Environmental Studies at UVM before migrating out to Seattle with her partner.  She always knew she wanted to "save the world" and found her first job working for Pacific Science Center as an environmental educator getting to connect people to the wonderful PNW Ecosystems.  Elley moved between the Environmental Education and the Youth and Family programs teams, with her final year directing the 2020 camp program amidst the pandemic.  Stopping for a couple of years in Austin, TX, Elley spent some time as an education manager with the local children's museum before moving back to the North Shore and settling in with her new daughter!  Elley worked a couple of years at Mass Audubon regionalizing their educational programs around the North Shore.  But nothing is more exciting to her now than living a 5-minute bike ride from her new role with Change is Simple and bringing sustainability and climate change programming to her local community.

elley@changeissimple.org

Lark started at Change is Simple in June 2021. She graduated from Northeastern University with a Bachelor's and Master's of Science in Marine Biology and a minor in Graphic and Information Design. Her love for nature was sparked during her childhood where she spent her summers at her family's lake cabin in Maine. However, in college she started to delve into the threats facing the environment that she had grown to love and saw firsthand both the beauty the oceans held and the detrimental impact that humans can have on them. At Change is Simple, she loves using her design eye and creativity towards making a difference for the planet and its inhabitants through education and ensuring a strong, beautiful brand that inspires action.

lark@changeissimple.org

Janelle was born in Hawaii but grew up in MetroWest, MA, and has now called the North Shore home for 20+ years. She received a B.S. is Geography with a concentration in Natural Resource Management from Salem State University. During this education she studied abroad in Australia and interned at the New England Aquarium with the penguin colony. After receiving her degree, she worked at Education First in Cambridge for 12 years in roles ranging from sales to operations. During this time at EF she was able to travel often and work with people from around the world. After spending 3 years at home with her two children, Sawyer and Natalie, Janelle returned to the workforce in 2022 as the Waste Reduction Coordinator for the City of Salem. During this time, she coordinated many reuse and recycle events, managed the day to day trash and recycling program, and implemented composting across all Salem Public Schools. Janelle enjoys spending time with her husband and kids, being at the beach, and playing in dirt. Becoming a part of the Change is Simple team is a dream come true!

janelle@changeissimple.org

Amelia joined Change is Simple after graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a B.S. in Wildlife and Conservation Biology. Growing up, Amelia loved learning about animals and the ecosystems in which they reside, ultimately attending college to learn more deeply about how to protect these animals and the environment around them. While in school she discovered that climate change was one of the main causes behind many issues faced by species around the globe and that people can make changes in their own lives to help the planet. In her free time, she likes to draw, journal, and cross stitch, creating art based around the nature in which she loves. Amelia joins Change is Simple in the hope of sharing her passion for the natural world and how we can help it with others.

amelia@changeissimple.org