When I look back on my time at Bard High School Early College (BHSECQ), I realize how much it shaped the foundation of who I am today, both personally and professionally. I was part of the very first class at BHSEC Queens, and to be honest, it was tough. We were figuring it all out as we went, and that experience taught me resilience before I even knew what the word meant. The seminar classes, especially, provided me with the strategies to read critically, assess deeply, and communicate clearly, skills I still rely on every single day.

BHSEC taught me to lead with both intellect and empathy, and that combination has carried me to the front lines of New York’s clean energy transition.

After Bard, I built a career in the clean energy and climate justice space. Today, I’m the Founder and Executive Director of Kinetic Communities Consulting (KC3), a New York City-based firm focused on reducing energy burdens for low-income and historically excluded communities. Our work connects residents, community-based organizations, and government agencies to design and deliver programs that make sustainable housing accessible for everyone, not just the privileged few.

Academically, BHSEC gave me a head start. Those early college seminars taught me how to think critically, manage heavy workloads, and articulate complex ideas with confidence. But socially, BHSEC was where I found my voice and learned that leadership doesn’t have to look a certain way. It can be bold, community-driven, and full of heart.

If I could offer any advice to current or future BHSEC alumni/ae, it would be this: Your education is powerful, but your lived experience is truly valuable. Don’t downplay where you come from; that’s your compass. Use it to guide how you lead, build, and show up for others.