Blugold economics alumni focus on sustainability in their jobs

Three Blugold alumni share a passion for sustainability along with degrees in economics and a love for their alma mater, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. While they are following very different career paths, all three graduates are thrilled that their jobs allow them to focus on sustainability.

Lily Strehlow ’20

As a student, Lily Strehlow was a leader in several sustainability-related research projects and related initiatives. Three years after she graduated, the Blugold — now UW-Eau Claire’s sustainability specialist — is helping to bring some of those projects to life. Read Lily Strehlow’s story.

Helue Vazquez Valverde ’16

Helue Vazquez Valverde remembers worrying about climate change as a young girl growing up in Mexico, but she never imagined it would someday shape her career. She’s now a manager in a corporation’s climate change and sustainability practice, where she supports corporations as they establish and execute their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategies. Read Helue Vazquez Valverde’s story.

Wyatt Pajtash ’20

While Wyatt Pajtash became interested in sustainability while studying at UW-Eau Claire, he wasn’t actively looking for it to be part of his future career. Now Pajtash is happy to be contributing to sustainability-related projects as the geographic information systems (GIS) coordinator for the Ho-Chunk Nation. Read Wyatt Pajtash’s story.