Welcome to my personal website. Here, you’ll find a collection of my projects, ideas, and collaborations. I am passionate about ecclesiastical cartography and using geographic data and emerging spatial technologies to improve lives and the planet.
When I’m not consulting, teaching, or engaging in public advocacy, you can find me outside adventuring by foot or bicycle, working in the dirt in my garden or on one of my friends’ farms, creating art, immersing myself in the flow of the psalms, or tearing up the floor at contra dances. And to be honest: even in my downtime, I’m often mapping. Whether it’s grand ideas like systematic theology or the tiny wonders of local ant habitats, mapping is my favorite way to explore, express, and connect with people, places, and ideas.
I believe maps can transform how we understand and care for our neighbors and world. Take a look around—I hope something here sparks your curiosity.
Kindly,
Molly A. H. Burhans
Welcome to my personal website. Here, you’ll find a collection of my projects, ideas, and collaborations. I am passionate about Catholicism, cartography, geography. and using spatial data and emerging technologies to improve lives and the planet.
When I’m not consulting, teaching, or engaging in public advocacy, you can find me outside adventuring by foot or bicycle, working in the dirt in my garden or on one of my friends’ farms, creating art, immersing myself in the flow of the psalms, or tearing up the floor at contra dances. And to be honest: even in my downtime, I’m often mapping. Whether it’s grand ideas like systematic theology or the tiny wonders of local ant habitats, mapping is my favorite way to explore, express, and connect with people, places, and ideas.
I believe maps can transform how we understand and care for our neighbors and world. Take a look around—I hope something here sparks your curiosity.
Kindly,
Molly A. H. Burhans
Molly Burhans is a leader in faith-based environmentalism, cartography, and social entrepreneurship, with a reputation that extends globally. As the founder of GoodLands, an organization dedicated to using the Catholic Church’s land holdings for environmental and humanitarian purposes, Burhans made significant strides in progressing sustainable and responsible land use solutions.
One of Burhans’ most notable achievements was her role as lead cartographer for the first unified global map of the Catholic Church’s governing jurisdictions, which was showcased at the Vatican in 2016. This work earned her recognition from Pope Francis, who approached her in 2018 to establish a Cartography Institute in the Holy See.
Burhans is known for her innovative models for ecological restoration on a global scale, her expertise in meta-state governance, and her groundbreaking models for conservation financing that involve non-taxable landholders. Her contributions in the area of data infrastructure deployment and policy for global non-state actors have drawn the interest and recognition of academic, governmental, and private sectors alike.
This section offers several versions of my biography in varying lengths, providing options for use in materials or media as needed. Click to expand. A gallery of headshots can be found using the button below. Please ensure to request permission before using them.
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Molly Burhans is an internationally recognized cartographer and a visionary leader dedicated to increasing human flourishing through initiatives that integrate technology, science, design, and faith-based values.
Molly is a pioneer in modern cartography, geographic information systems, religious environmentalism, and scalable land-based climate solutions. As the founder of GoodLands, she has spent nearly a decade mobilizing the Catholic Church to use her lands for conservation and humanitarian efforts.
In 2016, Molly spearheaded the creation of the first unified, digital global map of the Catholic Church, illuminating its worldwide presence and people. Premiered at the Vatican, this landmark project paved the way for her ongoing collaborations with various dicasteries and collaborators supporting the Church’s missions and initiatives.
Molly’s contributions have earned her prestigious accolades, including being named a United Nations Young Champion of the Earth—the UN’s highest environmental honor for young adults— a National Geographic Emerging Explorer, an Ashoka Fellow, a World Economic Forum Pioneer of Change, a Sierra Club EarthCare Laureate, and more.
Molly is a sought-after speaker who has delivered talks and keynote adresses at the United Nations, TEDxBoston, the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and a variety of educational institutions, symposia, and conferences.
In addition to her work on projects, advocacy, and creative initiatives, Molly is an adjunct professor of Urban Design in the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation at Columbia University (New York, NY, USA).
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Molly Burhans is a cartographer, data scientist, and environmental advocate, best known for founding GoodLands and pioneering the use of geographic data to mobilize the Catholic Church’s landholdings for environmental and social justice. She led the creation of the first unified global map of the Church, which premiered at the Vatican, and is recognized for her innovative work in ecological restoration and conservation financing. A sought-after speaker and educator, Molly has been honored as a UN Young Champion of the Earth, an Ashoka Fellow, and a recipient of the Sierra Club’s EarthCare Award.
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Molly Burhans is a cartographer, data scientist, and environmental advocate known for her pioneering work at the intersection of faith, technology, and sustainability. As the founder of GoodLands, she has leveraged geographic data to mobilize the Catholic Church’s global landholdings for environmental stewardship and social justice. Notably, she led the creation of the first unified global map of the Church, which premiered at the Vatican. Molly is a sought-after speaker who has addressed global forums like TEDx and the UN Climate Change Conference (COP). Additionally, she serves as an adjunct associate professor of Urban Design at Columbia University (New York, NY, USA). Her innovative approaches to ecological restoration across scales, non-state actors’ roles in environmental interventions, and conservation financing have earned her recognition such as being named a UN Young Champion of the Earth, an Ashoka Fellow, and a recipient of the Sierra Club’s EarthCare Award.
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Molly Burhans is a cartographer, data scientist, and environmental advocate whose work bridges faith, technology, and sustainability. As the founder of GoodLands, she has pioneered the use of geographic data to mobilize the Catholic Church’s global landholdings for environmental stewardship and social justice. In 2016, she led the creation of the first unified digital global map of the Church, premiered at the Vatican, laying the foundation for data-driven conservation and climate action. Molly is also known for her innovative models for ecological restoration and conservation financing, particularly with non-taxable landholders.
Molly co-founded GroOperative, a worker-owned cooperative focused on sustainable urban agriculture. She also serves as an adjunct professor at Columbia University and a visiting scholar at Canisius University. A sought-after speaker at global forums such as TEDx, the Vatican, and the UN Climate Change Conference (COP), her work has been featured in leading publications including The New Yorker Magazine and MIT Technology Review. She has been recognized as a UN Young Champion of the Earth, an Ashoka Fellow, and a recipient of the Sierra Club’s EarthCare Award.
Molly holds a Master of Science in Ecological Design from the Conway School and a BA in Philosophy from Canisius University.
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Molly Burhans is a cartographer, data scientist, and environmental advocate whose work bridges faith, technology, and sustainability. Throughout her career, she has embraced diverse roles reflecting her passion for design, science, entrepreneurship, and education.
As the founder of GoodLands, Molly has pioneered the use of geographic data and emerging spatial technologies to mobilize the Catholic Church’s global landholdings for environmental stewardship and social justice. In 2016, she led the creation of the first unified digital global map of the Catholic Church, which premiered at the Vatican. This project provided an unprecedented visualization of the Church’s worldwide presence and laid the foundation for data-driven approaches to conservation and climate action. Molly is also recognized for her innovative models for ecological restoration across geographic scales, meta-state governance, and conservation financing, particularly in contexts involving non-taxable landholders. Her expertise in deploying data infrastructure and shaping policy for global non-state actors has earned her recognition across academic, governmental, and private sectors.
Molly’s entrepreneurial spirit began early. In 2013, she co-founded GroOperative, a worker-owned cooperative in Buffalo, NY, focused on sustainable urban agriculture. This initiative utilizes cutting-edge indoor farming techniques to address food insecurity while fostering local economic growth and environmental sustainability.
Molly serves as an adjunct associate professor of Urban Design at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, and as a visiting scholar at Canisius University. She is a sought-after speaker at global forums, including the Vatican, TEDx, and the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP). Her work has been featured in leading publications such as The New Yorker, MIT Technology Review, and Landscape Architecture Magazine. She is also frequently invited to share her expertise on podcasts, webinars, and panels.
Earlier in her career, Molly worked as a laboratory technician at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, focusing on DNA replication, genomic stability, and the cellular effects of oxidative stress, particularly in relation to cancer development. She also brings over two decades of experience as a professional scientific media developer, with specialized training from Cornell’s Biological Illustration course at Shoals Marine Laboratory. Her scientific illustrations have been featured in Oxford Journals: Nucleic Acids Research and proceedings of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence’s annual conference. This background in scientific communication has shaped her approach to design and data visualization.
Molly holds a Master of Science in Ecological Design from the Conway School (2015), where she was a Sustainable Communities Initiative Fellow, and a BA in Philosophy with a minor in dance from Canisius University (2014).
Her contributions have garnered international acclaim, including being named a UN Young Champion of the Earth, an Ashoka Fellow, and a recipient of the Sierra Club’s EarthCare Award. She was also featured in Encyclopædia Britannica‘s “20 Under 40: Young Shapers of the Future” for her transformative work at the intersection of cartography, environmentalism, and faith.
Whether in the classroom, on the global stage, or designing advanced GIS solutions, Molly continues to reimagine how we care for people, places, and the planet using spatial analytics and storytelling.
Molly Burhans is a leader in faith-based environmentalism, cartography, and social entrepreneurship, with a reputation that extends globally. As the founder of GoodLands, an organization dedicated to using the Catholic Church’s land holdings for environmental and humanitarian purposes, Burhans made significant strides in progressing sustainable and responsible land use solutions.
One of Burhans’ most notable achievements was her role as lead cartographer for the first unified global map of the Catholic Church’s governing jurisdictions, which was showcased at the Vatican in 2016. This work earned her recognition from Pope Francis, who approached her in 2018 to establish a Cartography Institute in the Holy See.
Burhans is known for her innovative models for ecological restoration on a global scale, her expertise in meta-state governance, and her groundbreaking models for conservation financing that involve non-taxable landholders. Her contributions in the area of data infrastructure deployment and policy for global non-state actors have drawn the interest and recognition of academic, governmental, and private sectors alike.
This section offers several versions of my biography in varying lengths, providing options for use in materials or media as needed. Click to expand. A gallery of headshots can be found using the button below. Please ensure to request permission before using them.
Words: 228
Characters: 1617
Characters excluding spaces: 1395
Molly Burhans is an internationally recognized cartographer and a visionary leader dedicated to increasing human flourishing through initiatives that integrate technology, science, design, and faith-based values.
Molly is a pioneer in modern cartography, geographic information systems, religious environmentalism, and scalable land-based climate solutions. As the founder of GoodLands, she has spent nearly a decade mobilizing the Catholic Church to use her lands for conservation and humanitarian efforts.
In 2016, Molly spearheaded the creation of the first unified, digital global map of the Catholic Church, illuminating its worldwide presence and people. Premiered at the Vatican, this landmark project paved the way for her ongoing collaborations with various dicasteries and collaborators supporting the Church’s missions and initiatives.
Molly’s contributions have earned her prestigious accolades, including being named a United Nations Young Champion of the Earth—the UN’s highest environmental honor for young adults— a National Geographic Emerging Explorer, an Ashoka Fellow, a World Economic Forum Pioneer of Change, a Sierra Club EarthCare Laureate, and more.
Molly is a sought-after speaker who has delivered talks and keynote adresses at the United Nations, TEDxBoston, the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and a variety of educational institutions, symposia, and conferences.
In addition to her work on projects, advocacy, and creative initiatives, Molly is an adjunct professor of Urban Design in the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation at Columbia University (New York, NY, USA).
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Molly Burhans is a cartographer, data scientist, and environmental advocate, best known for founding GoodLands and pioneering the use of geographic data to mobilize the Catholic Church’s landholdings for environmental and social justice. She led the creation of the first unified global map of the Church, which premiered at the Vatican, and is recognized for her innovative work in ecological restoration and conservation financing. A sought-after speaker and educator, Molly has been honored as a UN Young Champion of the Earth, an Ashoka Fellow, and a recipient of the Sierra Club’s EarthCare Award.
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Molly Burhans is a cartographer, data scientist, and environmental advocate known for her pioneering work at the intersection of faith, technology, and sustainability. As the founder of GoodLands, she has leveraged geographic data to mobilize the Catholic Church’s global landholdings for environmental stewardship and social justice. Notably, she led the creation of the first unified global map of the Church, which premiered at the Vatican. Molly is a sought-after speaker who has addressed global forums like TEDx and the UN Climate Change Conference (COP). Additionally, she serves as an adjunct associate professor of Urban Design at Columbia University (New York, NY, USA). Her innovative approaches to ecological restoration across scales, non-state actors’ roles in environmental interventions, and conservation financing have earned her recognition such as being named a UN Young Champion of the Earth, an Ashoka Fellow, and a recipient of the Sierra Club’s EarthCare Award.
Words: 198
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Characters excluding spaces: 1131
Molly Burhans is a cartographer, data scientist, and environmental advocate whose work bridges faith, technology, and sustainability. As the founder of GoodLands, she has pioneered the use of geographic data to mobilize the Catholic Church’s global landholdings for environmental stewardship and social justice. In 2016, she led the creation of the first unified digital global map of the Church, premiered at the Vatican, laying the foundation for data-driven conservation and climate action. Molly is also known for her innovative models for ecological restoration and conservation financing, particularly with non-taxable landholders.
Molly co-founded GroOperative, a worker-owned cooperative focused on sustainable urban agriculture. She also serves as an adjunct professor at Columbia University and a visiting scholar at Canisius University. A sought-after speaker at global forums such as TEDx, the Vatican, and the UN Climate Change Conference (COP), her work has been featured in leading publications including The New Yorker Magazine and MIT Technology Review. She has been recognized as a UN Young Champion of the Earth, an Ashoka Fellow, and a recipient of the Sierra Club’s EarthCare Award.
Molly holds a Master of Science in Ecological Design from the Conway School and a BA in Philosophy from Canisius University.
Words: 500
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Characters excluding spaces: 3070
Molly Burhans is a cartographer, data scientist, and environmental advocate whose work bridges faith, technology, and sustainability. Throughout her career, she has embraced diverse roles reflecting her passion for design, science, entrepreneurship, and education.
As the founder of GoodLands, Molly has pioneered the use of geographic data and emerging spatial technologies to mobilize the Catholic Church’s global landholdings for environmental stewardship and social justice. In 2016, she led the creation of the first unified digital global map of the Catholic Church, which premiered at the Vatican. This project provided an unprecedented visualization of the Church’s worldwide presence and laid the foundation for data-driven approaches to conservation and climate action. Molly is also recognized for her innovative models for ecological restoration across geographic scales, meta-state governance, and conservation financing, particularly in contexts involving non-taxable landholders. Her expertise in deploying data infrastructure and shaping policy for global non-state actors has earned her recognition across academic, governmental, and private sectors.
Molly’s entrepreneurial spirit began early. In 2013, she co-founded GroOperative, a worker-owned cooperative in Buffalo, NY, focused on sustainable urban agriculture. This initiative utilizes cutting-edge indoor farming techniques to address food insecurity while fostering local economic growth and environmental sustainability.
Molly serves as an adjunct associate professor of Urban Design at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, and as a visiting scholar at Canisius University. She is a sought-after speaker at global forums, including the Vatican, TEDx, and the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP). Her work has been featured in leading publications such as The New Yorker, MIT Technology Review, and Landscape Architecture Magazine. She is also frequently invited to share her expertise on podcasts, webinars, and panels.
Earlier in her career, Molly worked as a laboratory technician at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, focusing on DNA replication, genomic stability, and the cellular effects of oxidative stress, particularly in relation to cancer development. She also brings over two decades of experience as a professional scientific media developer, with specialized training from Cornell’s Biological Illustration course at Shoals Marine Laboratory. Her scientific illustrations have been featured in Oxford Journals: Nucleic Acids Research and proceedings of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence’s annual conference. This background in scientific communication has shaped her approach to design and data visualization.
Molly holds a Master of Science in Ecological Design from the Conway School (2015), where she was a Sustainable Communities Initiative Fellow, and a BA in Philosophy with a minor in dance from Canisius University (2014).
Her contributions have garnered international acclaim, including being named a UN Young Champion of the Earth, an Ashoka Fellow, and a recipient of the Sierra Club’s EarthCare Award. She was also featured in Encyclopædia Britannica‘s “20 Under 40: Young Shapers of the Future” for her transformative work at the intersection of cartography, environmentalism, and faith.
Whether in the classroom, on the global stage, or designing advanced GIS solutions, Molly continues to reimagine how we care for people, places, and the planet using spatial analytics and storytelling.
Current Version: June 2025
Current Version: June 2025
This section highlights a selection of honors and awards. It is notable that this is the first time that most of these awards have recognized explicitly faith-based work, setting a new precedent for the role of religious leadership in social entrepreneurship, innovation, and environmentalism.
Doctor Honoris Causa
St. Mary’s College, Southbend, IN | 2023
Awarded an honorary doctorate in recognition of exceptional contributions to Catholic communities, environmental sustainability, social justice, and the integration of GIS technology for faith-based and community-driven initiatives.
Young Champion of the Earth
United Nations Environment Programme | 2019
Young Champions of the Earth is the United Nations’ highest environmental award for young adults. Seven Young Champions, one from each continental region, are recognized each year as talented innovators who demonstrate outstanding potential to create positive environmental impact. Awarded for 2019 Young Champion of the Earth laureate for N. America.
EarthCare Award
Sierra Club | 2021
This award honors individuals or organizations making unique contributions to international environmental protection and conservation. Past recipients include Dr. Wangari Muta Maathai, Sir David Attenborough, Wolfgang Burhenne, Former President Andrés Pérez, and the Black Mambas all-women anti-poaching unit.
National Geographic Explorer
National Geographic | 2021 cohort, lifelong
A National Geographic Explorer is an exceptional individual who receives support and funding from the National Geographic Society to illuminate and protect our world through science, exploration, education, and storytelling. Driven by curiosity and a commitment to making the planet a better place, Explorers are leaders and problem solvers who engage with communities, share inspiring stories, and work towards a sustainable future.
Emerging Explorer
National Geographic | 2021
National Geographic annually selects 5 – 15 Trailblazing young scientists, educators, storytellers, and conservationists who are transforming their fields, improving the lives and the planet, and furthering our understanding of our world and all that’s in it.
Encyclopedia Britannica’s 20 Under 40: Young Shapers of the Future – Academia and Ideas
Encyclopedia Britannica | 2022
Recognized as a Young Shaper of the Future in the category of Academia and Ideas. Encyclopedia Britannica’s 20 Under 40: Young Shapers of the Future work in many fields and endeavors, embracing every corner and intersection of health and medicine, science and technology, and business and entrepreneurship. They are people of ideas, framing the intellectual questions and concerns that will guide future thought.
Ashoka Fellow
Ashoka Foundation | 2018 cohort, lifelong
Ashoka Fellows are the world’s leading social entrepreneurs. They champion innovative new ideas that transform society’s systems, providing benefits for everyone and improving the lives of millions of people. After a rigorous selection process, they are introduced to a life-long fellowship, where every member is committed to championing new patterns of social good.
Henry Arnhold Conservation Fellow
Mulago Foundation | 2020
The Mulago Foundation awards 8-10 leaders per year a Henry Arnhold Fellowship. There are no open applications for the award, the foundation identifies these leaders independently. Fellows have developed promising conservation and climate solutions that are scientifically, economically, and socially feasible and can be scaled to make critical global impacts towards improving environmental wellbeing.
Mary Magdalene Award
The Church of St. Ignatius Loyola, NYC | 2023
The Mary Magdalen Award is presented by the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola in New York City. This prestigious award honors exceptional Catholic women who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, service, and dedication to their faith and community. Notable recipients include Sister Norma Pimentel, Diane Nash, and Dolores Huerta.
St. Oscar Romero Award
Mercyhurst University | 2023
Mercyhurst University’s 31st recipient of the Oscar Romero Award. The award is named for St. Oscar Romero, the late archbishop of San Salvador, El Salvador remembered for his uncompromising commitment to the poor and the oppressed of El Salvador; the award is given to “a person living the call of faith in an extraordinary manner.”
Pioneers of Change
World Economic Forum | 2020
Recognized as one of 100 Pioneers of Change for pioneering new technologies and innovations that play a critical role in transforming society. The World Economic Forum’s inaugural Pioneers of Change Summit, held virtually from November 16–20, 2020, convened these change makers and over 2,000 leaders from more than 90 countries to address the urgent need for systemic transformation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Grist Fixer
Grist Media | 2019
Each year Grist selects 50 emerging leaders from across the U.S. who are working on fresh, real-world solutions to our world’s biggest challenges. Now in its sixth year, the list includes scientists, artists, policymakers, farmers, social-justice advocates, storytellers, entrepreneurs, technologists, chefs, clean-energy wonks — all kinds of people pointing the way toward a just, sustainable future.
Sustainable Communities Initiative Fellowship
The Conway School | 2014 – 2015
The Sustainable Communities Initiative (SCI) Fellowship at The Conway School was a merit-based scholarship designed to support students committed to careers in urban landscape planning and design with a focus on sustainability and human ecology. The fellowship aimed to advance ecological restoration, conservation planning, and regenerative design by empowering emerging professionals to address pressing environmental and social challenges. The SCI Fellowship was last offered for the 2014–2015 academic year and is no longer available.
Dorothy Day Social Justice Award
Canisius University | 2014
The Dorothy Day Social Justice Award at Canisius University honors a student who embodies the legacy of Dorothy Day through a steadfast commitment to social justice, peace, and radical hospitality. Presented by Campus Ministry, this award recognizes individuals who actively engage in service and advocacy, reflecting Day’s dedication to uplifting marginalized communities and fostering a more compassionate society.
Phi Sigma Tau Honors Society Inductee
Phi Sigma Tau | 2014, Lifelong
Phi Sigma Tau is the International Honor Society for Philosophers, founded in 1930 and incorporated as a nonprofit in 1955. With over 200 chapters across the United States and Canada, the society honors academic excellence in philosophy and fosters a community among students and scholars. It publishes the journal Dialogue, featuring student contributions in contemporary philosophical research.
This section highlights a selection of honors and awards. It is notable that this is the first time that most of these awards have recognized explicitly faith-based work, setting a new precedent for the role of religious leadership in social entrepreneurship, innovation, and environmentalism.
Doctor Honoris Causa
St. Mary’s College, Southbend, IN
| 2023
Awarded an honorary doctorate in recognition of exceptional contributions to Catholic communities, environmental sustainability, social justice, and the integration of GIS technology for faith-based and community-driven initiatives.
Young Champion of the Earth
United Nations Environment Programme | 2019
Young Champions of the Earth is the United Nations’ highest environmental award for young adults. Seven Young Champions, one from each continental region, are recognized each year as talented innovators who demonstrate outstanding potential to create positive environmental impact. Awarded for 2019 Young Champion of the Earth laureate for N. America.
EarthCare Award
Sierra Club | 2021
This award honors individuals or organizations making unique contributions to international environmental protection and conservation. Past recipients include Dr. Wangari Muta Maathai, Sir David Attenborough, Wolfgang Burhenne, Former President Andrés Pérez, and the Black Mambas all-women anti-poaching unit.
National Geographic Explorer
National Geographic | 2021 cohort, lifelong
A National Geographic Explorer is an exceptional individual who receives support and funding from the National Geographic Society to illuminate and protect our world through science, exploration, education, and storytelling. Driven by curiosity and a commitment to making the planet a better place, Explorers are leaders and problem solvers who engage with communities, share inspiring stories, and work towards a sustainable future.
Emerging Explorer
National Geographic | 2021
National Geographic annually selects 5 – 15 Trailblazing young scientists, educators, storytellers, and conservationists who are transforming their fields, improving the lives and the planet, and furthering our understanding of our world and all that’s in it.
Encyclopedia Britannica’s 20 Under 40: Young Shapers of the Future – Academia and Ideas
Encyclopedia Britannica | 2022
Recognized as a Young Shaper of the Future in the category of Academia and Ideas. Encyclopedia Britannica’s 20 Under 40: Young Shapers of the Future work in many fields and endeavors, embracing every corner and intersection of health and medicine, science and technology, and business and entrepreneurship. They are people of ideas, framing the intellectual questions and concerns that will guide future thought.
Ashoka Fellow
Ashoka Foundation | 2018 cohort, lifelong
Ashoka Fellows are the world’s leading social entrepreneurs. They champion innovative new ideas that transform society’s systems, providing benefits for everyone and improving the lives of millions of people. After a rigorous selection process, they are introduced to a life-long fellowship, where every member is committed to championing new patterns of social good.
Henry Arnhold Conservation Fellow
Mulago Foundation | 2020
The Mulago Foundation awards 8-10 leaders per year a Henry Arnhold Fellowship. There are no open applications for the award, the foundation identifies these leaders independently. Fellows have developed promising conservation and climate solutions that are scientifically, economically, and socially feasible and can be scaled to make critical global impacts towards improving environmental wellbeing.
Mary Magdalene Award
The Church of St. Ignatius Loyola, NYC | 2023
The Mary Magdalen Award is presented by the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola in New York City. This prestigious award honors exceptional Catholic women who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, service, and dedication to their faith and community. Notable recipients include Sister Norma Pimentel, Diane Nash, and Dolores Huerta.
St. Oscar Romero Award
Mercyhurst University | 2023
Mercyhurst University’s 31st recipient of the Oscar Romero Award. The award is named for St. Oscar Romero, the late archbishop of San Salvador, El Salvador remembered for his uncompromising commitment to the poor and the oppressed of El Salvador; the award is given to “a person living the call of faith in an extraordinary manner.”
Pioneers of Change
World Economic Forum | 2020
Recognized as one of 100 Pioneers of Change for pioneering new technologies and innovations that play a critical role in transforming society. The World Economic Forum’s inaugural Pioneers of Change Summit, held virtually from November 16–20, 2020, convened these change makers and over 2,000 leaders from more than 90 countries to address the urgent need for systemic transformation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Grist Fixer
Grist Media | 2019
Each year Grist selects 50 emerging leaders from across the U.S. who are working on fresh, real-world solutions to our world’s biggest challenges. Now in its sixth year, the list includes scientists, artists, policymakers, farmers, social-justice advocates, storytellers, entrepreneurs, technologists, chefs, clean-energy wonks — all kinds of people pointing the way toward a just, sustainable future.
Sustainable Communities Initiative Fellowship
The Conway School | 2014 – 2015
The Sustainable Communities Initiative (SCI) Fellowship at The Conway School was a merit-based scholarship designed to support students committed to careers in urban landscape planning and design with a focus on sustainability and human ecology. The fellowship aimed to advance ecological restoration, conservation planning, and regenerative design by empowering emerging professionals to address pressing environmental and social challenges. The SCI Fellowship was last offered for the 2014–2015 academic year and is no longer available.
Dorothy Day Social Justice Award
Canisius University | 2014
The Dorothy Day Social Justice Award at Canisius University honors a student who embodies the legacy of Dorothy Day through a steadfast commitment to social justice, peace, and radical hospitality. Presented by Campus Ministry, this award recognizes individuals who actively engage in service and advocacy, reflecting Day’s dedication to uplifting marginalized communities and fostering a more compassionate society.
Phi Sigma Tau Honors Society Inductee
Phi Sigma Tau | 2014, Lifelong
Phi Sigma Tau is the International Honor Society for Philosophers, founded in 1930 and incorporated as a nonprofit in 1955. With over 200 chapters across the United States and Canada, the society honors academic excellence in philosophy and fosters a community among students and scholars. It publishes the journal Dialogue, featuring student contributions in contemporary philosophical research.
Image Credit: [Personal Introduction image – Gabriella Clare Marino (https://unsplash.com/@gabiontheroad) for Casino Pio IV and the Pontifical Academy of Sciences] [Header hero base: Pexel free image]
Image Credit: [Personal Introduction image – Gabriella Clare Marino (https://unsplash.com/@gabiontheroad) for Casino Pio IV and the Pontifical Academy of Sciences] [Header hero base: Pexel free image]