Welcome to our newest staff and board member

We're thrilled to introduce you to our newest team members, Meghan Anderson and Yumi Kashihara, and to welcome Ivy Song back to support our stewardship team this season.

Meet Biofuels Policy Manager Meghan Anderson

Following a 10-year career as an engineer in the medical devices industry, Meghan chose to change gears and follow her passion for environmental advocacy. 

She recently earned a Master's of Science, Technology and Environmental Policy from the University of Minnesota, where she focused on sustainable aviation fuel policy. Additional experience includes her work on state and federal sustainable agriculture through the Institute for Agriculture & Trade Policy, Soil Health and Climate Change Policy through the Land Stewardship Project, and Climate and Working Lands Policy through the Minnesota Farmers Union. 

We're fortunate to bring a passionate, energetic and thoughtful colleague to work with our Water program. She will manage FMR's efforts to advocate for biofuel and sustainable aviation fuel solutions that align with our organization's goals of improving water quality, biodiversity and farm prosperity while reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the agricultural and transportation sectors.

Meghan says, "I'm excited to be part of such a dedicated team working toward environmental change that can have a real impact on the health of our waters. It's an honor to contribute to a mission that aligns so deeply with my values."

Meet FMR Board Member Yumi Kashihara

Yumi has been part of FMR since 2021, when she began volunteering with our Environmental Stewardship Institute while an undergraduate at the University of Minnesota. In 2022, she interned with FMR to engage community members in the forthcoming studies about the future of two Mississippi River locks and dams, a topic she remains passionate about.

Yumi then worked at the Metropolitan Council in comprehensive planning engagement and analysis projects. She recently returned to the University of Minnesota to earn her Master's degree in Natural Resources Sciences and Management with an emphasis on urban forestry and geospatial analysis. She's currently researching historical wetland and water area changes at Pig's Eye Lake and its surrounding area.

Through these projects, Yumi has already become a friend and colleague to many of our staff and board members. She is bright, driven and thoughtful. A native of Japan, Yumi has fallen in love with Minnesota and the Mississippi River and is very committed to FMR's mission. Her experience with and expertise in so many different facets of FMR's programming will be invaluable as she serves on our Board of Directors. 

Yumi shares, "I’m excited to serve on the board to both support and learn from FMR’s impactful work in the Twin Cities and beyond, and to give back to the community I’ve become a part of."

Welcome back, Ivy!

We're thrilled to welcome back Ivy Song to support Stewardship & Education events this season. Ivy was one of the original Environmental Stewardship Institute (ESI) council members in 2021 and spent the next two summers supporting the program as an ESI assistant. She joined us on staff to work alongside the Stewardship & Education team in planning and facilitating our storm drain stenciling program and water quality education last year, as well as other community stewardship events and programs. Now that it's summer for University of Minnesota students,she'lll be joining us once more.

Read more about our staff and board.