Wyss Fellows: Where They Are Now

Juan Rosas, pictured above, was a Wyss Fellow at the Hispanic Access Foundation and now serves as its Lands and Nature Manager. Image courtesy of Juan Rosas.

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.

We are excited to highlight a few Wyss Fellows Program alumni who shared how their Wyss Fellowship impacted their lives and careers.

Mitch Cutter, Idaho Conservation League

Mitch served as the Salmon and Steelhead Advocacy Fellow at the Idaho Conservation League. "My fellowship at the Idaho Conservation League jump-started my entire career in conservation," he says. In that role, he learned to approach complex natural resource problems through communications, policy and data research, and grassroots organizing.

During his fellowship, Mitch collaborated with conservation groups across the Northwest and the country. He worked closely with Tribal partners to restore abundant wild salmon and steelhead to the Columbia River Basin. His work alongside attorneys on litigation efforts sparked a new direction. Mitch is now a student at Harvard Law School, hoping to become, in his words, "a lifelong public interest advocate for fish, wildlife, and the beautiful landscapes and rivers in which they live."

Sterling Homard, Center for Western Priorities

Sterling's fellowship gave him something he describes as far more than a job. "My fellowship was not just a job in conservation advocacy; it was a lifelong connection to a network of conservation leaders across the country," he says.

His time in the program took him to Oregon, California, and across Colorado, where he experienced biodiverse public lands firsthand. Those experiences, he says, "drastically expanded my knowledge of federal public land protections, Indigenous stewardship, and responsible energy development." His fellowship also gave him space to explore his interests more creatively, including digital content creation, which ultimately led to a permanent position as the Digital Media Coordinator at the Center for Western Priorities.

"Through the Wyss Fellows program, I've gained invaluable professional experience, but most importantly, I've made nationwide connections and lifelong friends all centered around our shared love for the outdoors," he says.

Andrea Iniguez, California Wilderness Coalition

As a Wyss Fellow, Andrea worked alongside communities in Riverside County on a campaign to protect more than 600,000 acres of California desert. In 2025, the campaign reached its goal when the area was designated as Chuckwalla National Monument. "The time I spent working on this project was equally rewarding, and essential to my professional and personal growth," she says.

The fellowship gave Andrea the chance to learn public lands advocacy firsthand and to take on new challenges. For her, one of the most meaningful parts of the campaign was contributing to programs like the Chuckwalla Youth Ambassador Program, which connected community members with the outdoors.

Andrea now supports similar initiatives in her current role with the Sierra Club's Angeles Chapter. "My lifelong goal is to continue the work of creating pathways for more people to enter this movement and find a comfortable place within it," she says.

Nathan Rees, Trout Unlimited

Nathan grew up spending all his time recreating on public lands, with a strong appreciation for their value. But like most eighteen-year-olds, he didn't know of a career path that led to protecting them. "I took the typical route: I earned a business degree, worked in supply chain logistics out of college, and didn't feel very passionate about my work," he says. In 2016, Trout Unlimited hired Nathan as a Wyss Fellow. "The Wyss Fellowship program gave passionate individuals like myself the opportunity to bridge the gap into the conservation workplace," he says. Over two years, the fellowship taught Nathan how to run effective campaigns and the strategies and logistics of passing state and federal policy. It also connected him with a cohort of other Fellows he could rely on for support.

Ten years later, Nathan is still at Trout Unlimited, now serving as State Director. His work has helped pass national monument designations, fight back public land transfer bills, and complete dozens of watershed restoration projects. "Programs like the Wyss Fellowship allow passionate people like me to find their role in conserving our natural resources," he says.

Juan Rosas, Hispanic Access Foundation

For Juan, the Wyss Fellowship was a highly formative experience that changed the course of his career. "My time as a Wyss Fellow was deeply foundational to my professional journey," he says. He points to Wyss Fellows training, which equipped him with critical skills in multi-stakeholder negotiation, strategic campaign planning, and community-driven advocacy. "The hands-on training provided the exact blueprint and confidence I needed to navigate complex public lands policy, directly propelling me into the leadership roles I hold today," he says.

Since his fellowship, Juan has been promoted to Lands and Nature Manager at the Hispanic Access Foundation, where he leads strategic initiatives to protect, restore, and steward vital ecosystems while empowering diverse communities in public lands management. In 2025, he received the JPMorgan Chase Icon Award, recognizing his service-oriented conservation leadership and dedicated commitment to environmental advocacy. He also serves on the Partnership Coordinating Committee for the California Natural Resources Agency, appointed by California Secretary for Natural Resources, where he collaborates with state leadership to advance California's climate and nature goals.

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 About the Wyss Foundation — The Wyss Foundation is a private, charitable foundation dedicated to supporting innovative, lasting solutions that improve lives, empower communities, and strengthen connections to the land.