Freshwater Future is excited to introduce you to our summer interns Josh Heupel and Ava Fink!
Over the summer, these talented students will have an opportunity to learn about nonprofit organizations, gain work experience, as well as build their skills to support their future careers. Their work this summer supports Freshwater Future’s policy work on two of the most critical issues in the Great Lakes: water privatization and mining. Josh is researching policies in the Great Lakes region related to privatization of water utilities.
Raised on a small family farm in California’s Central Valley, Josh was inspired to pursue climate policy due to his firsthand experience with agricultural policy challenges, underserved rural communities, and water shortages. His research has delved into water rights, pesticide use regulation, sustainable land use, and ensuring equitable access to water for majority-migrant communities. Currently, Josh is a Master in Public Affairs candidate specializing in domestic environmental policy at Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs. He holds a B.S. in Agricultural Business/Economics and a B.A. in Political Science from Fresno State. Josh is a current Environmental Fellow that operates out of the Yale School of the Environment and co-chairs Princeton’s Environmental Policy Associates organization. In his leisure time, Josh enjoys reading, hiking, and playing competitive beach volleyball.
Ava Fink is focusing on mining policy; as well as, helping to create stories that highlight successes of community groups to protect drinking and surface waters around the Great Lakes. Ava is interested in how policy affects sustainability in a state or country; as well as, how policy affects civilians’ view and understanding of sustainability. Ava is going into her Junior year at the College of Wooster. She is an Environmental Studies and Political Science double major. Additionally, she is also the president of the College of Wooster Democrats and is secretary for her college’s Sexual Respect Coalition. Ava is a part of her College Marching and Concert Band, where she plays the Mellophone and the French Horn.
Josh Heupel
