Regional Switzer Fellow gatherings offer fun, celebration and support in community
Carina Bracer (2003), Francisco Dóñez (2007), and Catalina Garzón-Galvis (2005) at the May 2025 Bay Area Switzer Fellows gathering.
Switzer Fellows gathered for three in-person gatherings across the country this May and June. Regional in-person get togethers are a wonderful way to connect with local and visiting Switzer Fellows in your area. Fellows shared that the recent gatherings have been a “safe place to land” and find a community of support in difficult times for the environmental field. Below are some photos and reflections from these recent meet ups.
If you’re interested in organizing a gathering in your neck of the woods, reach out to Cora! The foundation can support you with a stipend for your time organizing, pay for event expenses and will make a land acknowledgement contribution to a local Indigenous-led organization.
May 4: San Francisco Bay Area
Carina Bracer and Cathy Fogel were inspired to organize a Bay Area gathering when they were together in Puerto Rico at the Fellowship to Friendship Switzer Network Celebration. Seventeen Switzer Fellows gathered for brunch and conversation at Sol Taqueria in Berkeley, CA on May 4, 2025. When asked to describe the gathering in one word, fellows said: “fun,” “rejuvenating,” “friends,” and “happy,” among others. They appreciated getting inspiration and support from each other, learning about other fellows’ work, and reconnecting or finally meeting in person with fellows they had known virtually for a long time.
Photos below, clockwise from top left:
- Carina Bracer (2003), Francisco Dóñez (2007), and Catalina Garzón-Galvis (2005) smile for a selfie.
- Sue Chiang (1997), Sharon Smith (2011), and Dóñez mingle at the mixer.
- Switzer Fellows eat brunch on an outdoor patio.
Jamilah Jordan (2008) and Jessica Trowbridge (2019) enjoy beverages and conversation.
May 13: Boston
Ten Boston-area fellows came together at Bow Market in Somerville on May 13, 2025 to build community and celebrate upcoming graduations for 2024 Switzer Fellows. Meghna Marjadi and Kathryn Rodgers organized this ‘choose your own adventure' dinner with the goal to bring together the Boston-area Switzer Fellow community and provide a space to build new connections, support each other, and find space for celebration.
Photos below, left to right:
- Kathryn Rodgers (2024) and Meghna Marjadi (2021) co-organized this gathering.
- Attending fellows smile over a shared meal in an outdoor courtyard.
June 1: Washington, DC
When the Switzer Foundation Board of Trustees and staff met in-person in Washington, DC, we were excited for the opportunity to make the most of the trip and spend time with local fellows. Thirteen fellows, staff and board members gathered over Mediterranean food at Agora. It was a pleasure to reconnect, learn about each other and find support during a challenging time in the nation’s capital. One fellow had just landed in DC and was on her way to meetings on the hill to advocate for restoration of funding for her organization’s work. She shared that she was grateful for “a safe place to land” in DC to help her prepare for difficult work the next day. Several folks had recently or were about to lose federal employment, and some had good news to share of recently-landed jobs. Whatever fellows’ situations, spending time in community was energizing and uplifting.
