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A camp experience is part of a child’s education, and a vital part of a girl’s education. As one Wawenock alumna attested, “An investment in Wawenock makes more financial sense than an investment in college. Wawenock taught me invaluable life skills. I just wish the whole world was like Wawenock.”

So, choosing a camp may feel like a big undertaking, where do you begin?

When considering camps, we suggest you look for professionals who seek to partner with you in the growth and development of your child. As camp directors that’s what Andy and I consider you are doing when you send your daughter to camp – you are entrusting us with one of the most important people in your life. You should feel that the camp you choose is an extension of your values and of who you are.

Think about what you are looking to get out of a camp experience for your child. There are camps that are created to be fun, with a focus on entertaining, and there are specialty camps which focus on building skills in one particular area. There are also camps, like Wawenock, that offer a wide range of activities and place an emphasis on human development and community building, while teaching valuable 21st century life skills, such as communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking. At Wawenock, we believe in a camp experience which is focused on developing the whole child, because this affords children opportunities to challenge themselves and to grow as individuals, as well as members of a group. We are dedicated to creating a safe place for a girl to explore and discover her strengths and to take healthy risks that build skills. We strive to create a place that empowers her to be her best self, both at Camp and in the world beyond. Of course, we ALL have FUN in the process!

So, if you’re seeking a camp experience for your child, we encourage you to ask friends and families for recommendations, take a look at some websites and see which ones have messages that resonate with you. Then, call and speak with the Director to hear what their philosophy is and how it plays out in the camp. Ultimately, as camp directors, we want you to find the right fit for your child, so she can have a happy and successful growth experience. If you would like to discuss Wawenock for your daughter please call us at 207-655-4657 and ask to speak with Catriona (pronounced Catrina) or Andy.

-Catriona

There’s no doubt that technology has complicated the process of raising children. It’s more important than ever to think critically about when and how you will open this door for your child, as well as to consider how we are modeling through our own technology use! As parents and camp directors, we have always advocated to wait as long as possible and to provide clear guidance around technology for many reasons, for example: research showing that more time spent on social media can be linked to a decrease in self-esteem and an increase in anxiety and depression; the addictive nature of apps and games, designed to activate our dopamine centers; and the easy access and exposure to a vast array of images and information which can be scary or downright inappropriate.  “Research shows that it takes children about 12 years to fully develop the cognitive structures that enable them to engage in ethical thinking. Before 12 it’s difficult, if not impossible, for a child to fully grasp the impact of their actions upon others, online or otherwise.” – Diana Graber, Cyberwise

We also recognize that there are many benefits to technology and lots of platforms can be used to share positive memories and connect with friends and family. We acknowledge that technology is here to stay, and that teaching children the skills of navigating the digital world are vital skills for life! As such, we feel strongly that informed parental guidance is critical in the process, and we know as parents that it can feel overwhelming, especially as technology changes so quickly!  Here are some topics to consider discussing with your child:  

• Talk about what they might share online, and with whom. Discuss what happens to the data and images they share. They will need guidance about what it means to be in control of their social network feeds and to be shown how to be intentional about who they are interacting with and why. (A good place to start might be about what you do online and how you make choices about what you post and with whom you share and why.)
• Talk about what they see in their social media feed (or what you see in yours) and raise their awareness of the effects their social media feeds have on their own social and emotional wellbeing. (You might let them know how it makes you feel too!)
• Talk about the importance of relating with people online in the same kind way they would in person. Discuss how words and tone can be misunderstood online, and that this may not be the best way to have an honest and tricky conversation.
• Help them learn the skills to deal with digital drama, possible exclusion, and the inevitable instinct to compare ourselves to others. There will be times when they need to be resilient or know how to deal with someone’s anger or how to respond to a group chat gone wrong. Let them know you’re there when they feel uncomfortable with something, even if it’s not directed at them.
• Help them learn the skills to think critically about what they read/see and how to check sources and recognize misinformation or disinformation. Here’s a helpful guide for parents.
• Talk about images they might see which could be confusing or scary, and let them know you are there to be a resource to them. This should include conversations about healthy relationships and pornographic content. Here’s an article about How to Talk to Your Kids About Internet Pornography
• Help your child learn how to block, report, and deal with unwanted attention.
• Talk to your child about the balance of time online and time to pursue other important things in their life. Life is more fulfilling when it’s about living, not about curating their social media content!

Here’s some sage advise from Cyberwise, “Teenagers, believe it or not, look to their parents more than any other source to learn how to conduct themselves online. This is an important time to talk with your teens about their online lives. And don’t have just one talk; have hundreds of small talks.” It’s never too late to start these conversations with your child. Be curious, keep an open mind and be honest with your thoughts and concerns.  In addition, our greatest impact on our children is often what we do as adults – remember the importance of modeling the behaviors you expect of your children when it comes to technology use. Be a team with your child and challenge yourself to have a healthy relationship with technology too; everyone will benefit!

This is tough stuff and we certainly don’t have all the answers, but we’re happy to be a sounding board, if you need one! We’re grateful – as are the campers – that Wawenock is a place where campers and staff can free themselves from the digital umbilical cord, interact face to face with each other, and live in the moment for the moment. Being tech free at Camp is truly a gift! 

 

 

To close out May, we continue our Alumni Spotlight Series highlighting Carole Paterson (Staff ‘91-’95). Carole is a science teacher living outside of Pittsburgh with her family and we are thrilled to share what she’s been up to since she left Camp. 

Read on to learn more about her work and how her time at Camp impacted her.

Tell me what you’re doing – where are you? What’s happening in your life?

I am currently outside Pittsburgh in Ligonier, which is next door to the home of Mr. Rogers and also home to Arnold Palmer, and I’ve been here for 22 years. I’m about to get married in August and have a blended family with my son, Hunter who is 16, and what we call my ‘bonus boys’ Liam and Rhys – they’re in 1st and 3rd grade. We live in this great neighborhood near my parents and future in-laws are down the street. It’s a beautiful, active community with lots of recreation around. 

I work at an independent K-8 day school; wrapping up my 10th year! I teach science, I’m a 6th-grade advisor, and I (no surprise) run the summer program! I’ve been working on different programs, specifically values-based programming; so that’s SEL learning, designing our advisory program, and student support. I wear a lot of hats in an independent school, which I learned when I transitioned from public school.

I also just got admitted to graduate school at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College, where I’ll be earning my Master’s in Education Leadership and the goal is to be in more leadership roles in the future. I love to learn and build relationships so I’m excited to be back in school. I’ll be there in the summer and also doing that virtually – I’m so grateful that things can be on Zoom! 

I’m also involved with the Wow in the World podcast. It’s from a company called Tinkercast, and I’ve been an education consultant with them and found new pathways to engage with them. If you don’t listen – listen to it, especially parents! 

So many amazing things! Have you always been in teaching?

I went to work at a YMCA summer camp and outdoor education center. I was there for 5 years in outdoor education and then became the Associate Director of Camp Programs. I originally wanted to go into camping, because I grew up at camps in NE including Wawenock. I was young and kept coming up against barriers; being a young woman was a barrier. I recognized that it wasn’t going to work at that time and thought ‘What do I need to do to gain the experience and knowledge so I CAN do this?’ I transitioned into non-profit doing conservation and environmentalism work but realized I couldn’t support myself financially and felt the drawback of not teaching kids. So I got my teaching certificate and worked at a school in the area for 7 years before transitioning to the Valley School, where I am now.

What an interesting path! What are some of the challenges you faced along the way? How did you navigate those? 

I was so determined not to be a teacher, but every stone being placed in my path was leading me that way. Eventually, you have to recognize in yourself what you’re meant to do and lean into it and know that. Your compass spins as you’re wobbling through the question of ‘What are my next steps?’. It was nice when my compass straightened out and I knew that teaching was what I wanted to do. You have to go through moments of wobbling around. 

There’s the plaque in Ussher that has the component parts of Wawenock spirit – I have a photo of that and I would look at that when I felt myself wobble. This is cheesy, but I would say, “June, Lillian, Syd – give me a sign!” and constantly looking for that grounding force that Wawenock is. 

That definitely resonates! It’s good to hear the compass straightens out. In all of those things, what are some milestones or things you feel proud of?!

My son – watching him grow up and turn into the person he is. I’m also excited about my fiance, who has been a great ‘compass straightener’! 

With my school, and this is how camp comes into my work, I’m big on legacy and leaving a place better than you found it. When I work for an organization, I think ‘What’s my legacy? What will I leave behind? How will people take my contribution and make it go further?’ Our school has a fabulous, mission but didn’t have strong core values. When we had a leadership transition, I took the reins of the team that ended up writing the core values. Watching that team come together and grasp the pieces of the school’s history and direction of the school and put them into words is beautiful. Watching people be proud of that, and seeing it take off – I’m very proud of that.

I’m also proud of getting into graduate school and figuring out what I want to do for my Master’s Degree. I’m really happy that it’s grounded in my values. The work I’m doing and what I’m trying to accomplish – the values-based idea and going back to that.  

What advice do you wish you knew when you were just starting out this journey? OR what advice would you give others?

• Build your community of people around you and lean into that. Identify who is going to help you move forward. You don’t need anchors, you need sails. Look for people that challenge you as friends and can be truthful and honest with you. 
• It’s ok to wobble. I’m writing a paper on ‘the wobble’. Allow yourself the grace to wobble through something – it’s how you calibrate. You’re supposed to fall as a kid and get up. We forget as adults how valuable it is to fall, to fail, to wobble. Give yourself permission to fail. 
• For myself, I wish I hadn’t stopped and paused. I wish I’d gone back to camp. 
• Reach out! Don’t be afraid to call and connect with me! With Wawenock, we have this thread in all of us and we can understand what it means to have gone to Camp. I love to mentor!

What elements from Camp have helped you? In life? In teaching?

My educational philosophy is based on my work with June from my first summer when I was the head of sailing. I was so nervous to be in charge of staff and a program. It’s scary to be in charge of sailing and kids in boats. I had nightmares about that. I thought, ‘What do I need to do this? What do I want staff to know?’ And it was that I want the kids to feel safe. What I didn’t know at the time was that I was discovering an educational philosophy. That sticks with me. I think about kids in sailboats as kids come into my classroom. I think about what I will do to make them safe and comfortable and then think about what they can learn. This is also related to my interest in social-emotional learning and building human skills first. Those transcend anything that anyone does. 

The other thing that I use Wawenock from is when I feel stressed or anxious or defeated or when I don’t want to continue something, I picture myself there on the Point patio in an Adirondack chair listening to a staff meeting, or on the images, or on the beach, or in Cabin 1. I have all these spots, and it’s become an important reminder that people out there believe in this work. 

You’ve talked a lot about June and her impact. Is there anything more on her impact or someone at Camp who also impacted you? Or a mentor?

I could have the longest list. I was thinking of Gail White and Shellea Ewig (now Dion) – there are so many from my first year. June, Pat, and Lillian were so influential. I met Syd through my mom and the camping industry; June actually shared a room with my mom at a camping event! That’s how my relationship with Wawenock began! When I was young, we went to stay at Sunset, and I remember playing a game and having dinner at the table in Sunset. There are flashes of so much happiness and joy. 

June and Pat were so different! I hear June in my voice when I speak to kids. With Pat – I’m a systems person and Pat instilled in me the propensity to think about that in combination with the emotional piece. Their balance was amazing. Pat was so strong as a person and a woman.

Can you share a favorite memory from camp? 

It was so hot one day and so Mandy Morrison (now Chesley), Buffy Small (now Needham), Katie Ewig, Amy McGilvray, and Susannah Sprong – there was a crew of us – we called the Ewigs and went down the road to their beach and Mrs. Ewig held our towels while we skinny dipped! It was a moment of pure joy and return to childhood, and refreshing; we were giggling and laughing. The whole thing took 20 minutes! 

Also, we had a staff meeting, and June was reading the book, Frederick, and I specifically remember sitting in that chair. I remember all the sounds and smells of camp, it was near the end of camp and I remember thinking ‘I need to remember this moment’ and I filled my senses with that spot: who was there, the sun, the waves, the cheers from Owaissa.

Another one – Julie Butler and Nani Davis – we were on the row after breakfast and we acted out The Sound of Music and were singing all the songs. I don’t know what inspired it but it was hysterical and we had a blast! 

We could go on forever – it’s so fun to talk about! Is there anything else you want to share? Camp or otherwise! 

Connect with one another! Keep our community alive and thriving. I’m so impressed with what Catriona and Andy are doing at Camp – they’re cultivating this evolution that’s important for Camp to go through and doing it in a way that’s so anchored in the values and honoring where Camp needs to go. 

Reach out if you want advice, listening, or help! I’m overly enthusiastic and always have time to hear people’s stories and I get excited about excitement! 

I want everyone to go back to camp! It’s so healthy. It may seem far or not the right time, but after everything we’ve been going through, keep camp alive. Help spread the message about camp – any camp, because children need these experiences that pull them from the crazy pace of life and put them into a pause moment, a moment of play, and moments to be with people in a way that is joyful and authentic. 

Want to connect with Carole?!

Connect with her on social media @cjpvermont8 , Facebook is Carole Paterson Wright, or via email (cjpvermont@gmail.com) or reach out to camp for my number! 

This April, we continue our Alumni Spotlight Series highlighting Gabby LeGendre (Camper ‘05, ‘06, ‘07; Staff ‘15), who has been working as a showrunner’s assistant in Hollywood, most recently working at Netflix. We had a great catch-up with Gabby and got to hear about her journey and the lessons she took away from Wawenock!  

Read on to learn more about her work and how her time at Camp impacted her. 

Gabby! Tell us about what you’re up to these days.

I’ve been on the West Coast since 2017 and currently live in Los Angeles, but spend a lot of time in San Diego with my soon-to-be husband! I moved out to work in Hollywood and be in the entertainment industry having been a film major in college.

My most recent position was as a showrunner’s assistant on two Netflix series – Big Mouth, and its spinoff Human Resources. They’re adult animated comedies, written and performed by adults for an adult audience. I was part of the team for two years, working on seasons 1 and 2 of Human Resources and seasons 6 and 7 of Big Mouth.

A showrunner is the head writer and executive producer – if you think of a television show like a company, the showrunner is the CEO- and has a say in every aspect of production from art to editorial to publicity. I was assisting the showrunner on both shows. 

How did you get into this line of work? Did you know that you wanted to do this? 

Growing up I was always very creative and loved to watch animation. I wanted to work in television, specifically adult animation, so I was able to get this job after four years in LA – it took a long time. I met a writer on the show through a networking program and stayed in touch with her and that’s how I got this job. 

Did you always want to work in animation or ever prefer live-action?

I grew up watching Family Guy, and I always liked animation more than live-action. The comedy felt more expressive than live action. It was this concept of ‘If you can draw it – you can write it.’ I watch live-action comedy and drama, and I like those shows, but animation has always been my passion and suits me and my humor is pretty quirky.

What’s a day in the life of being a showrunner’s assistant?

 A showrunner is always writing or rewriting. For example, on a rewrite day, we would often start the day in the Netflix theater screening an episode of something that’s been written and already animated. Then the writers watch it, write their notes, go into the writer’s room and start rewriting it. For my role, my day never looked the same. Sometimes I would be asked to sit in and cover all the changes in the writer’s room. On other days, I wouldn’t be in the room but might be prepping for other meetings, responding to the editorial team or production team, or submitting paper deliverables to our studio, Netflix. It’s like being the right hand to the showrunner, because the majority of their time is in the writer’s room. I can handle everything else while they’re doing that. 

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced and how have you navigated those?

The hardest part in entertainment is stability – everyone is freelance. No show runs forever – eventually, it goes off the air. I’m always making sure that I’m doing the best job on the job to help me get the next job. I’m often thinking, ‘What am I going to do when this ends?’ even when I love the show. I’ve dealt with that by being on my toes; networking even when I have a job; making sure my resume is up to date; and making as many friends as I can on the show. I know that the staff on that show will get another job and they could help me get my next job too. 

What’s it like being in between shows and managing the freelance nature of your work?

I think a lot of people don’t realize that jobs in writers’ rooms, you can’t apply for online. It’s only word of mouth and that’s for jobs as a writer and support staff. ‘Networking’ is going out and having coffee, but that is also me applying for a job. I won’t find the type of job I want on Indeed or LinkedIn. It’s an exhausting search and throwing stuff out to see what sticks, but it’s also a way of making friends and reconnecting with people I haven’t talked to in a couple of years. 

What’s something you feel great about? An achievement, a milestone, something you’re proud of? 

Yes. Season 7 of Big Mouth – which is coming this fall – has a character named Gabrielle! She’s not me, but she’s made in my image and likeness. One of the writers created that character after getting to know me. When I read that in the script I almost dropped my computer! I was like ‘Oh my gosh, that’s me!’ 

The script goes through so many rewrites – I could get cut, they could change the name of the character, but they didn’t. Even though I’m no longer working with that team, my contribution to the show lives on in this side character! I’ll never forget the moment when I read that script. It was such a great feeling of being recognized and appreciated. 

What advice do you wish you knew when you were just starting out this journey or what you may want others to know?

When I was in college, I focused so much on academics – which is important, of course, you want to graduate with good grades – I poured a lot into the campus network show I was producing and my own scripts and didn’t focus as much on making friends. When it was time for me to move to LA when I was 23, my network was not as strong as it could have been.

 I didn’t have a group of friends that I could lean on for support – I had this great work but no avenue to share it. I wish I had put more emphasis on building relationships as opposed to the work itself when I was starting out. The entertainment industry is entirely relationship based. 

I’ve really got those relationships now. I’ve got my tribe and my people whether that’s to read my work or use as a reference. I didn’t have that when I started. It’s so important to have allies and community.

What elements from Camp have helped you in your role?

I have a great one for this, I was thinking about it earlier. I am 100% confident that I got the ability to network and chat with people from Camp. We had sit-down meals and everyone at the table had to sit down and speak. My first summer as a camper, I always waited until someone asked me questions and I was a bit more shy. As an older camper and counselor, I had to lead the conversation and it became so natural to have a conversation over a meal. Now, I can’t sit down and eat dinner in silence. 

Being able to naturally carry a conversation and showing general interest in other people and what they do has helped me to be good at networking. Especially at networking events, you have to go up and introduce yourself with ‘the firm handshake’ and the elevator pitch. I got all that from camp. I wouldn’t feel comfortable doing that without Camp. Feeling comfortable and confident talking to people I don’t know or haven’t spoken to in a while or people who I don’t have a lot in common with other than TV – I can naturally have a nice, memorable conversation. It’s why I’ve gotten some of my jobs. 

People always compliment me that I have a firm handshake! 

Who was someone at Camp that impacted you? 

June. She was so encouraging to me and always had such great energy. I’ve tried to carry that into my adult life. I remember being a kid and not being the friendliest in the morning, and being grumpy going up the hill to breakfast, and then June comes up and greets everyone with her positive energy and calls me by name. I just remember that energy and enthusiasm, and that’s how I try to be now. Coffee definitely helps, but even when I don’t have my coffee – I think about her, and she had so much life and joy and stamina and I just thought ‘I want to be like that’. She was inspirational to me in that way. 

Any favorite memory or activity from camp? 

I loved performing at Usher Lodge! Pre-Camp I was very shy, so doing the Music and Drama performances or dance, or when we did Program Night with our unit and being on that stage and knowing that was a safe space and no one would judge me and everyone was just there to have fun, and we were goofy and carefree – I loved that. My really good memories come from that stage and making people laugh. 

What are you watching right now? 

An adult animated show called The Great North, it’s on Fox and also Hulu. It’s about a family in Alaska and the shenanigans they get into every day. In some ways, the setting reminds me of Camp! It’s funny and cute, and it’s family oriented but they have some mature themes as well. It’s my happy show when I have nothing else to do and I just want to sit on the couch and laugh. I recommend it if you haven’t seen it! 

What might we find you doing outside of work?

I make the most out of living in Southern California. I’m outside every day and I love going to the beach and hiking. I bought a stand-up paddle board so I’m one of those people now! I’ve also gotten really into rollerblading, like from the 90s. I grew up on the East Coast with snow half the year, so I don’t take the warm weather for granted. 

I’m also planning a wedding and getting married next month which is exciting! 

Any last thoughts? 

Overall, as I get older, I have this posture of gratitude, and I’m just so grateful that my parents sent me to Wawenock. It’s such a unique experience, and I wish every kid could go to sleepaway camp. It helped me develop into the friendly, outgoing, and adventurous person that I am. School helped me figure out what I wanted to do, while Camp showed me who I could be. Wawenock helped me develop into the friendly, outgoing, and adventurous person that I am today. I was able to figure that out at Camp. Especially being there in the years when you’re figuring out who you are and what you like – I was so glad I went to camp. I appreciated it then, but I really appreciate it now!

To connect with Gabby about her work or if you’re in the San Diego/LA Area, reach out to Camp and we can connect you directly! 

The Alumni Spotlight Series is a chance to highlight alumni achievements in ‘the real world’ (as we say at Camp). We also hope that this will open up pathways to connect alumnae with one another. We want to celebrate alumnae that are doing amazing things in the world – this could be anything from running a marathon to operating a small business to being a parent to being a CEO. Achievements and success take different shapes and forms, and we look forward to highlighting alums at all stages of their journeys.

We are excited to share our March Alumni Spotlight, featuring Barbara Seymour (Camper ’94-’99 Staff ’01,’02,’05), who is the Director of Development at Ceres, a nonprofit organization working with influential capital market leaders to solve the world’s greatest sustainability challenges. Through their powerful networks and global collaborations of investors, companies, and nonprofits, Ceres drives action and inspires equitable market-based and policy solutions throughout the economy to build a just and sustainable future. As Director of Development, Barbara manages key supporter relationships, special projects, and events and works to build Ceres’ brand awareness.

Read on to learn more about her work and how her time at Camp impacted her beyond the summers she was on Sebago.

It’s been a while since we’ve caught up – tell me about where life took you after Camp. 

After my last summer at Camp, I went to the Peace Corps, which was an amazing experience and I highly encourage anyone thinking about it to go for it. Back on U.S. soil, I  wasn’t really sure what to do next and fell into a job helping raise money for an education advocacy group. I had a fantastic boss (thank you Alice Gallin-Dwyer!), who helped me identify what I liked about my job and wanted to retain and what I wanted from my next job. Ultimately, I decided to go back to school to a brand new program called a Masters of International Business at the Fletcher School at Tufts. The program draws on the foundations of sustainability—preserving the environment, advancing social equity and inclusive growth, and ensuring responsible governance across private, public, and social organizations—to address the world’s biggest challenges and to make an impact through business innovations.

It’s almost impossible to go through Fletcher without learning about Ceres. I wasn’t necessarily looking for a development job when I graduated but when one opened at Ceres it was a good way to connect my practical experience with everything I’d studied for two years. 

When I joined Ceres as a Senior Associate in 2012, we were about 40 staff with a budget of about $10 million a year, now it’s more than 200 staff with about a $45 million budget. When I joined most of our philanthropic funding came from institutional foundations, and they wanted to expand to raise money from individuals. Everything was an experiment! Each year, there’s been new growth, new opportunities, and new challenges to stay up to speed with the changes in the field of sustainability and Ceres’ programmatic growth. 

And what’s Ceres all about? 

Ceres is a nonprofit organization working with the most influential capital market leaders to solve the world’s greatest sustainability challenges. Through our powerful networks and global collaborations of investors, companies, and nonprofits, we drive action and inspire equitable market-based and policy solutions throughout the economy to build a just and sustainable future.

We were founded in 1989 in response to the Exxon Valdez oil spill when a group of forward-looking socially responsible investors and environmentalists led by pioneer investor Joan Bavaria came together to form Ceres. They had a vision for a better way of doing business and redefined the role and responsibility of companies as stewards of the environment and agents of economic and social change. At the time, these socially responsible investors were at the forefront of a transformative movement in business. They understood that the most successful businesses will need to consider their impacts on the environment, employees, and communities. And, that fundamental premise continues to hold true decades later. They knew then what we say now at Ceres: sustainability is the bottom line. 

And back to Joan Bavaria – not only was Ceres founded by a woman, but today our executive team is all women. I don’t think I have to explain to anyone at Wawenock why that’s a powerful indicator of an organization that’s well-run and one that I see as inspiring to work for.

What’s your day-to-day like in your role?

It varies a lot, which is part of what I like about it. I work on major gifts, annual fund, and communications and marketing. I oversee operations and the budget of our team. I’m part of the crew that puts on our annual fundraiser and other events throughout the year. And I work on various special projects – last year we launched our first-ever fellowship and I’m really thrilled that our planned giving program is launching this spring. So it’s different, interesting, and challenging work every day. I drive much of how I spend my time, and that’s also really important to me.

I truly think that climate change is the biggest challenge of our generation. To borrow a metaphor from our CEO, “if a bus were coming at our children, we’d jump in front of it. Climate change is that bus.” I work at Ceres first and foremost, and the way I do that is through development.

The people make a huge difference. If I don’t enjoy the people I’m working with then why do it? What is it that’s so important that I’d spend the majority of my time at a place where I’m not valued? I’m in a very privileged position to be able to ask those questions. It’s ok to have some rough days, but if more of the time than not you wrap up your work day thinking “so glad that’s over, now what do I really want to do?” … that’s not a good feeling. 

Can you share about your path to get to your position point and what’s kept you at Ceres for more than 10 years? 

For all intents and purposes, we had a team of two when I started – me and our Chief Development Officer, Susan Sayers. For both of us, it was uncharted territory. As the team grew, the opportunities to grow continued as well. It’s been fun and exciting work. And Susan is someone I admire deeply and really appreciate working with. I don’t know many people of my generation who have been at the same company for 10 years. Sometimes I feel like I should look around and consider other things because that’s what you do after a while, right? But then I remind myself that doesn’t have to be true. What I’m doing is meaningful and I’m proud of my work and of Ceres. I have new opportunities and challenges. I care about and admire the people I work with. I have a balanced life, which is incredibly important to me. I’ve helped grow our team and I love helping people, and younger staff, find their way as they progress in their careers.

My husband, Rishad, and I are really lucky to have both found work we are passionate about. He has been at Cambridge Associates for about 10 years, where he leads an investment team managing the assets of large family offices, endowments, and foundations.

What’s something you feel great about? An achievement or a milestone that sticks out to you? 

Helping Ceres make it through COVID and become a hybrid organization! That’s an accomplishment for sure. Maintaining and growing a team during this time frame and figuring out how to stay connected and work effectively wasn’t (and isn’t) always easy.

More specifically to my role — we are talking about revenue after all — when we brought in our first million-dollar donor that was a big deal. That was really exciting! 

When talking about Ceres’ mission and how the money I raise is put to work, we just hit an inflection point. This summer Congress at last passed the Inflation Reduction Act—the most ambitious piece of climate legislation in our nation’s history. This means $370 billion will be invested in everything from clean power sources and electric vehicle supply chains, to innovative home appliances, new industrial processes, and sustainable farming practices. It’s a huge win for the field, for anyone who cares about a just and sustainable future … for the world. Over the last year, Ceres mobilized hundreds of companies and investors in support of the package, which is expected to achieve a 40% or greater reduction in U.S. climate pollution by 2030, grow the nation’s clean energy economy through substantial incentives for companies and consumers, and invest in key environmental justice initiatives to bring the benefits of climate action to rural, disadvantaged, and energy communities across the country. 

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced and how have you navigated those?

Trying to figure out how to take my skill set and channel it and put it to use in the right place. Looking back, where I’ve landed is not a straight trajectory or a simple career path. Navigating that and finding the people who can help me do that hasn’t always been easy. 

What advice would you give to someone who might be interested in this space or role? Or what advice might you give to your past self? 

I would say first and foremost don’t go out there expecting to find your unicorn right away. Your first, second, even third, or fourth job, it’s just about testing the waters, experimenting, and finding out where your Wawenock skills help you thrive! Challenge yourself. It’s ok if it doesn’t work out, in fact, it’s probably good to try something that doesn’t. You learn from that. Look for people that can help you along that path and find your mentors. 

What would someone find you doing outside of work?

Guest reading at my daughter’s Kindergarten class is where I was right before I got on the phone with you today, Dana 🙂 First and foremost, spending time with her and my family. I spend a lot of time with my dog in the Fells, a forest reservation across the street from our house. I enjoy many activities like biking (which I don’t do quite as much now that I’m not biking commuting to work), swimming and dancing. What else day to day? Reading, cooking, and with family and friends across the world, traveling (and planning that travel!).  And it won’t surprise anyone from Wawenock that I love spending time in Maine especially during the summer.

Let’s turn towards Camp, the reason we are here! Can you share a favorite memory from camp?

Just one?! I’ll share a few short ones! 

As a camper – singing in the dining hall, full volume – I cannot sing, and nobody judged me 🙂 Helping kids find that kind of joy is something Wawenock excels at. 

June marching down the row smiling away and shouting good mornings to sleepy-headed seniors. 

Sebago – anything in or on Sebago!

Being a Tribe leader (now team leader) – Most 16-year-olds weren’t spending their Sunday mornings dressed in orange being totally silly and fostering that same spirit along with healthy competitiveness in dozens of younger kids.

And then the quiet moments – time on the Images or Pat taking us (she said sneaking us) out on the end of the pier in Cabin Zero to look at spectacular stars. 

I could go on forever. 

What elements from Camp have helped you in your role or your journey? 

It might sound like a cliche, but honestly every single one of the 10 component parts of Wawenock spirit. Beyond those, more specifically:

I joke about this a lot when I talk with Wawenock folks, but I actually have to write handwritten letters as part of my job. Not only do I know how to do it, but I also actually like doing it! 

Your lifelong friendships. I have different kinds of friendships from different phases of life. But in times when it’s been rough camp friends have been some of my best support. There’s nothing quite like someone who’s known you since cabin 9. 

I have a skill set to solve problems with respect and cooperation, and not everyone has that. 

Just the other day at a big event I was reminded that looking people in the eye, engaging them in conversation, and including others around you – that’s actually a skill, and being a senior hostess at camp really helped me hone it. 

Who was someone at Camp that impacted you?

There are so many people! 

June and Pat – I feel incredibly lucky to have had so much time with both of them. 

Kacy White – Before my first regatta when I was in cabin 12 Kacy White took me out in white caps and said “‘we’re gonna get you ready!” She taught me that it was ok to be nervous and to tackle that head-on and gain confidence. 

Julie Butler – canoe trips with Julie were some of my favorite memories.

Last thoughts?

Keep going to camp!

The lifelong friendships that you build are so important with those people that know you in a different way. Everything we’ve talked about, you build because you’re there for 7 weeks. Of course, as a ten-year-old, I had no idea that the beauty of Sebago, the time without technology, seemingly simple things like uniforms that helped remove social pressures, etc. would provide me a solid foundation for the rest of my life. 

Want to connect with Barbara or learn more about her work? Email her at blseymour@gmail.com or connect with her on LinkedIn. 

The Alumni Spotlight Series is a chance to highlight alumni achievements in ‘the real world’ (as we say at Camp). We also hope that this will open up pathways to connect alumnae with one another. We want to celebrate alumnae that are doing amazing things in the world – this could be anything from running a marathon to operating a small business to being a parent to being a CEO. Achievements and success take different shapes and forms, and we look forward to highlighting alums at all stages of their journeys. 

Additional information on Ceres 

Spring newsletter

Forbes blog by CEO Mindy Lubber on 7 years, 7 actions.

Summary: With just 7 years left to meet our goal of slashing climate emissions in half by 2030, here are 7 actions that will be key to our success in 2023 and beyond:

1. Deliver climate transition plans: Over the past two years, hundreds of asset managers and owners committed to net zero goals and Fortune 500 companies set emissions reduction targets and disclosed progress against those goals. But much more progress will be necessary.
2. Transform high-emitting sectors: Focus must shift from individual company to sector action. Ceres Ambition 2030 catalyzes momentum across the six highest emitting sectors in the U.S.—banking, electric power, food and agriculture, oil and gas, steel, and transportation.
3. Implement the Inflation Reduction Act: The landmark Inflation Reduction Act is built on a strong foundation of tax credits and is designed to attract investment, so its implementation will benefit from the private sector’s expertise to maximize its climate and financial benefits.
4. Support a just and inclusive transition: Communities of color and marginalized populations are disproportionately impacted by the climate and water crises. Investors and companies can support a just and inclusive transition by protecting the well-being of workers and their communities.
5. Value water: The water crisis escalates impacts on investors, companies, and communities. Ceres’ Valuing Water Finance Initiative — a groundbreaking effort to address water as a financial risk and make the large-scale change needed to protect water systems—elevates water to the forefront of corporate risk management.
6. Tackle nature and biodiversity loss: The growing losses of biodiversity mark another outsized economic risk. Half of global GDP depends on nature. In December, investors announced the formation of Nature Action 100—a new effort to drive corporate action on tackling nature loss and biodiversity decline.
7. Treat climate risk as financial risk: Last year, U.S. regulators made tremendous progress to address climate-related financial risk—most notably the SEC’s proposed rule requiring public companies to provide information on their climate risks and impacts. These regulatory advances are the result of the calls for action from investors, companies, and the public

After Camp, I actually moved to Utah for two years where I had a job working in wilderness therapy. So camp was actually a cool transition, but it was very different from Camp and was very challenging. I learned a lot about myself, which made me realize that I wanted to go to school and the science route. I moved back to Guam, where they have a great marine graduate program and got my Master’s, and did other research for 5 years. A year ago I had my interview for this current project. Now, I’m in Wellington, New Zealand as a student at the Victoria University of Wellington and the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. 

Tell us about what you’re doing in your project.

I’m looking at kelp contribution because there’s a hypothesis that when kelp detaches from the reef, they float along and sink to the bottom, and they can hold in carbon and create carbon sinks in the deep sea. I’m researching if that’s true and how much they’re contributing in New Zealand. 

Below are photos of the kelp Mari is studying. 

 

 

What’s ‘a day in the life’ of your research?

It varies each day, which can be the exciting part and also the overwhelming bit! Last week, it was heavy fieldwork, where I was collecting all of the data that I wanted, which involved multiple dives in a day to collect samples or surveying marine ecosystems by taking photos. 

Then I go back to the lab to process and analyze the data. A large component of my current research is building a genetic library of seaweeds which I will use as a reference for identifying the presence of kelp species in the deep ocean through water and sediment samples. This is a growing method in science called, environmental DNA  (eDNA). This will help us identify if kelp species are contributing to carbon sinks in deep ocean habitats. 

What’s something cool that you’ve seen when diving?

That’s a hard question! I was actually able to see more on Guam since I did 250 work dives there. A couple of times I saw Octopus mating, and I’ve also played hide and seek with an octopus, also sharks, turtles, and manta rays. On a more nerdy level, I think seaweed is really cool, so collecting these rare species that we know nothing about is amazing! I enjoy every time I’m out there. It’s never the same dive. 

What got you interested in research and science?

In undergrad at Bowling Green State University, I always liked science and research, but I didn’t see it as a way my life could go. When I moved back to Guam, I met my Master’s supervisor who was passionate about seaweed and suggested volunteering to do lab and fieldwork. After that, I learned how cool seaweed is! 

Also, growing up around the ocean, there are so many questions and stories that can be looked at that we don’t know about. 

What helped you realize that academia was an option?

My job in Utah helped me realize how much I liked being outside, but I was more curious about psychology and research as opposed to the therapy side. Being from Guam helped facilitate my stepping into a more challenging research role, because it was a familiar place, and my family was also very supportive. 

What’s the hope with the work that you’re doing? 

My hope for any of my current and future research is to tell the story of organisms that are often overlooked. Telling these stories using scientific methods can help us recognize environmental changes as climate change continues to impact our world. Many of these organisms can tell us a plethora of cues and what needs to be conserved. Scientific results can be used for creating environmental policies that are very needed throughout the globe. 

What are you doing when you’re not doing your work?

I picked up surfing, so I enjoy that in my free time. I’m also enjoying city life, and Wellington is a cool city that is artsy but has nature right outside of it. Building a community here as well, there are a lot of internationals here. 

What would you say to someone that is interested in academia or any advice you’d give?

Know yourself and be comfortable with yourself in research before you get into it fully. It’s a humbling experience. Have a lot of kindness.

New Zealand has a good work-life balance, which is not as much the case in the US. It’s a competitive field, so make sure you’re enjoying your life outside of your research because it makes your research better. 

What’s something you feel great about? An achievement, a milestone? 

I’ve had a few publications come out in 2022, including my Master’s research. I’m actually presenting at a conference in Australia with all the seaweed people! It’s called the International Seaweed Symposium! (See the end of the article for links to Mari’s research!) This conference took place from February 19-24, 2023. 

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced and how have you navigated those?

During my Master’s, I felt a lot of self-doubt, so that was challenging. It’s hard to be present with what you’re doing when you have that feeling. I used my support network and became my own support. I learned how to be really kind to myself. It took a lot of work to get to that point, and it was an interesting time. 

What elements from Camp have helped you in your role? 

It opened the door that you can have a career in a field that you really like. Camp gave me the opportunity to work in nature. I also learned the idea of teaching and also learning from others. Campers can teach you a lot about being aware of the learning process and being open to learning from others. It was a great place for a young adult to explore. 

Who was someone at Camp that impacted you? 

Pat Smith in my first summer. She definitely came with so much kindness to everyone and an understanding of people. Fernanda Darrow, who instructed tennis, was also so kind. 

Do you have a favorite memory from Camp? 

I lived in the lodge both summers, and there’s nothing specific, but the lodge age is hilarious. That age group can teach you a lot about having fun! 

 

What did you enjoy most about Camp? 

I enjoyed teaching swimming a lot. I was thinking about it the other day, but you can’t beat a sunny day at camp! 

What elements of Wawenock do you use in your daily life? 

I love the community built at Wawenock and also the support and compassion that girls and women can hold for each other. This is something I try to continue in my daily life, especially in science which is historically a male dominant field. We are seeing more people who identify as women go into science and create phenomenal research. 

Last question – if someone were to visit New Zealand, what would you recommend? 

Stay longer than two weeks! Get a car that you can camp in and go out past the big cities. Give yourself more time on South island vs. North island, unless you surf – then go to the North Island. 

 

To connect with Mari, and to see some of her amazing photos, follow her on Instagram @mari.safari22. If you’re not on Instagram and want to reach out to Mari, email camp and we can get you in touch with her. 

The Alumni Spotlight Series is a chance to highlight alumnae achievements in ‘the real world’ (as we say at Camp). We also hope that this will open up pathways to connect alumnae with one another. We want to celebrate alumnae that are doing amazing things in the world – this could be anything from running a marathon to operating a small business to being a parent to being a CEO. Achievements and success take different shapes and forms, and we look forward to highlighting alumnae at all stages of their journeys. 

Links to Mari’s Publications:

Community assessment of crustose calcifying red algae as coral recruitment substrates

Small tropical islands as hotspots of crustose calcifying red algal diversity and endemism

Monitoring threatened species with environmental DNA and open ecological data: Local distribution and habitat preferences of scalloped hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini)

First detection of critically endangered scalloped hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini) in Guam, Micronesia, in five decades using environmental DNA