Daniel Morgan
Daniel Morgan is a second-year Master of Environmental Management student at the Yale School of the Environment, focusing on sustainability in media and communications. Before graduate school, he worked in analytics, data science, and strategy. He understands the incredible impact that communication and entertainment can have on individuals and society. As the finance lead, Daniel is excited to continue helping EFFY highlight critical stories and inspiring action.
Isabela Valencia
Isabela is a second-year Master of Environmental Management student at the Yale School of the Environment, specializing in public and philanthropic climate finance to support environmental and social impact projects in vulnerable communities. She is deeply passionate about fostering connections among people from diverse cultures and backgrounds through thoughtfully curated events and conferences. Her experience includes organizing stakeholder dialogues with TheForests Dialogue and researching on climate-smart farming as a Knafel Travel Fellow. Isabel holds a BA in environmental studies from Wellesley College and is proficient in six languages. A firm believer in the power of storytelling to effect meaningful change, Isabela is delighted to serve as the marketing lead for the 2025 EFFY festival. She is excited to contribute to EFFY'smission of promoting environmental awareness and driving impactful change worldwide
Jack Hatajik
Jack is a 2nd-year Master of Environmental Science Candidate at the Yale School of the Environment (YSE). He holds a B.S. in Ecology and Evolution, as well as Film and Media Studies from the University of Pittsburgh ('23). At YSE, he is conducting a research project evaluating the drivers of forest groundstory changes following emerald ash borer infestation in temperate deciduous forests. As he completes his graduate degree, he plans to prepare for a career at a governmental agency or an NGO. He aspires to conduct equitable research, ideally in collaboration with local stakeholders and Indigenous groups, and within the framework of climate change as it impacts future plant dynamics and restoration ecology. He also aims to translate scientific research into accessible and engaging content for environmental media and communication, fostering a bridge between the complexities of ecology and wider public understanding.
Laurenz Dodge
Laurenz is a first-year Master of Environmental Management candidate at Yale School of the Environment specializing in Ecosystem Management and Conservation as well as Business and the Environment. Her work at YSE is shaped by her background in environmental science, policy, and land stewardship, complemented by field experience across diverse agricultural landscapes. Laurenz earned her B.S. in Environmental Science and Policy with a minor in Documentary Filmmaking from Chapman University. During her time at Chapman, she explored filmmaking as a medium for environmental change, informing her role at EFFY where she endeavors to bridge gaps across science, storytelling, and advocacy, fostering connections between diverse perspectives to address complex environmental challenges.
Kajol Gupta
Kajol Gupta calls California home: born in Los Angeles & living all throughout the state, with a particular affinity for Northern California. Currently, she lives in Connecticut, pursuing a Master of Environmental Management at Yale School of the Environment. Before graduate school, Kajol worked with historically underserved communities in California to facilitate access to safe drinking water through SB 685 (CA Human Right To Water). She eventually became an environmental scientist, installing flow meters along the border of Oregon and California, measuring hydrologic flow to determine drought curtailment policy for the state. Kajol is passionate about weaving connections between natural science, social science, and art. She's excited to support EFFY's mission in environmental storytelling.
Miki Nakano
Miki is a first-year Master of Environmental Management candidate at Yale School of the Environment, where she is focusing on regenerative agriculture and environmental justice. Miki holds a B.A. in Sociology and Education from Middlebury College. Originally from New York City, Miki developed a passion for sustainable agriculture through her hands-on experiences as a farm assistant at a K-12 school in Hawai'i and apprenticing with cheese mongers and cheesemakers in Vermont. For three years Miki lived in Washington D.C., where she worked with a food systems organization teaching gardening and nutrition at a local public school. Enthusiastic about using the arts to engage with pressing social issues, she is excited to be involved with EFFY this year, marking her first time supporting a film festival. In her spare time, Miki enjoys cooking, practicing yoga, and exploring the trails of East Rock.
Federico Perez
Federico is a Colombian entrepreneur, Founder and CEO of Selvitas, Keynote Speaker, Board Member, IUCN Young Changemaker, One Young World Ambassador, and U.S. Department of State Young Leader. From venture capital to spearheading transformative environmental initiatives, his career embodies a blend of technological innovation, policy advocacy, and systemic change. At Selvitas, he is scaling forest conservation and restoration across Colombia. He has also been instrumental in advancing Colombia’s entrepreneurship ecosystem and shaping public policies with widespread sectoral adoption. Federico is a producer on the Jaguar Expedition documentary, showcasing the intersection of conservation, biodiversity, and storytelling to drive awareness and action. Academically rooted in development economics (MSU), supply chain management (MIT), and environmental management (Yale), he is deeply committed to climate action. Advocating for youth empowerment and cooperative policy development in Latin America, his goal is to foster sustainable, empathetic leadership and amplify his impact, driving resilient change on a global scale
Kei Kohmoto
Kei is a joint-degree student at the Yale Schools of Environment and Public Health, specializing in climate health & water. She is interested in the various ways that people navigate their relationship with the environments around them, and how that is expressed through various media and emotions. She aspires to lead a life and career that supports and uplifts the health of the ecological and human communities around her. Outside of work + EFFY, you can find. herplaying the trumpet in community orchestra, playing ultimate frisbee, or gardening.
Kei is a part of the marketing team at EFFY, focusing on website management. Find a typo? Let me know!
Effy monster
EFFY Monster has been with the festival since the very beginning. Serving as the official Environmental Film Festival at Yale mascot, EFFY Monster has been an ever-present figure at all EFFY events, screenings, and panel discussions. An enthusiastic supporter, film lover, and audience favorite, EFFY Monster is proud to (once again) be a part of the team!
