If you look closely, you can find Nelson Institute alumni working in nearly every field and sector you can think of. They work for governments, businesses, nonprofits, research institutions, and everywhere in between, bringing environmental knowledge directly into the decisions that affect landscapes and communities around the world. Their impact shows up in policy rooms and boardrooms, in field stations and classrooms, and just as often in local organizations and volunteer efforts close to home. Many continue to give their time and expertise beyond their professional roles, carrying forward the institute’s long-standing commitment to learning in service of the public good.
Each year, the Nelson Institute recognizes a select group of alumni whose work reflects this spirit of impact and connection to the Wisconsin Idea. Since the awards program began in 2014, more than 50 alumni have been honored through two distinctions: the Rising Star Alumni Award, celebrating early-career achievements, and the Distinguished Alumni Award, recognizing sustained leadership and impact over time.
Honorees are celebrated each fall at Rendezvous on the Terrace, held this year on September 25. We look forward to gathering the community to recognize the 2026 cohort and the many ways they are putting environmental knowledge into action.
2026 Nelson Institute Rising Star Alumni Award Winners
Becky Goldberg ’15
Environmental Studies
Becky Goldberg, a 2015 environmental studies graduate, is a leader in equity-centered STEM and renewable energy education focused on expanding access to high-quality learning, mentorship, and workforce pathways for underrepresented communities. In her current role at We Care Solar and previously at the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition, she has built strong partnerships, led innovative programs, and strengthened connections between education, industry, and sustainability.
Yun Hang ’16, PhD’20
Environment and Resources, Energy Analysis and Policy
A 2020 PhD graduate in environment and resources, Dr. Yan Hang has quickly established herself as a leader at the intersection of atmospheric science and public health. At UTHealth Houston, she founded the Health–Atmosphere Nexus Group, bringing together experts in remote sensing, epidemiology and data science to tackle pressing health challenges. Her research advances scientific understanding while producing practical evidence that agencies and communities can use to improve public health.
Lauren Jorgensen ’19
Environmental Studies Certificate
After graduating with an environmental studies certificate in 2019, Lauren Jorgensen has built a career at the intersection of food systems and public policy. As a student, she demonstrated a strong commitment to food security through community service, research, and policy work — earning a Hilldale Fellowship, acceptance into an accelerated master’s program at the La Follette School, and recognition as a Rhodes Scholarship finalist. Since then, she has held leadership roles in state government in Arizona and Colorado and now serves as strategy officer for the Governor of Colorado.
Vaishnavi Tripuraneni PhD’22
Environment and Resources
Just four years after earning her PhD in environment and resources, Vaishnavi Tripuraneni has quickly emerged as a leader in interdisciplinary education. As director of environmental studies at the University of Delaware, she has guided a growing academic program while launching community-based climate and health initiatives. She has played a key role in building partnerships, including a major collaboration addressing climate-related health risks in Delaware, while also advancing inclusive, student-centered program improvements. Known for her integrity, initiative, and commitment to public good, she is widely recognized as a rising leader making meaningful contributions to both academia and community engagement.
2026 Nelson Institute Distinguished Alumni Award Winners
Nora Álvarez-Berríos ’01
Land Resources Management
A 2001 graduate of the land resources management MS program, Nora Álvarez-Berríos is an accomplished environmental scientist and leader whose work focuses on assessing mining impacts in tropical forests and forecasting climate change effects in the Caribbean to inform mitigation strategies. She has developed innovative, publicly accessible geospatial databases in Puerto Rico and now serves in a leadership role at the USDA Caribbean Climate Hub. With more than 60 publications despite working primarily outside academia, her career reflects a strong commitment to applied science with real-world impact.
Robert Beattie ‘81
Environmental Studies Certificate
Not only an alum of the environmental studies certificate, Robert Beattie has also served as a long-time teacher at the Nelson Institute, where he has had a lasting impact through decades of teaching, program leadership, and student mentorship. After gaining extensive professional and academic experience on the East Coast, he returned to UW–Madison in 2006, bringing a wide range of expertise that has strengthened programs including the environmental conservation MS program, CHANGE, and CESP.
Ken Conca ‘85
Land Resources Management, Energy Analysis and Policy
Ken Conca, a 1985 graduate in land resources management (today’s environment and resources program) and energy analysis and policy, is a leading scholar in global environmental politics with more than three decades of influence in the field. He is widely recognized for helping found and advance environmental peacebuilding — work that has earned international recognition including a United Nations-affiliated award. Alongside his research and policy engagement, Conca is a dedicated educator at the University of Maryland and American University.
Steven Lawry PhD ‘88
Land Resources Management
Steven Lawry, an 1988 PhD graduate in land resources management, has built a distinguished career spanning international development, philanthropy, and higher education leadership. He held multiple senior leadership roles at various organizations including the Ford Foundation, Antioch College, the Harvard Kennedy School, and a USAID land rights program in South Sudan. Across these roles, his work has focused on land tenure, forest governance, agricultural development, higher education civic engagement, and philanthropy, with a sustained emphasis on connecting research to real-world policy impact.