My grandparents were farmers and small business owners in central Indiana, so I grew up seeing the value of land stewardship first-hand. When I was in elementary school, we moved from rural Indiana to metro Detroit, Michigan, where my dad worked as a mechanical engineer at General Motors.
This agricultural-meets-industrial background, plus growing up around the Great Lakes, left an early impression on me—and had alot to do with my interest in science, ecology and healthy working landscapes.
We each have our own story and way to contribute to sustainability. I contribute as a scientist and academic leader. I believe in the power of ideas, the capacity of forward-looking people and the importance of being good stewards to the planet.
Jessica Hellmann 