Beginning with expeditions to the pond in the woods behind her childhood home, Manja’s interest in exploring new waters began at an early age. She later wielded and wrangled both waders and microscopes to investigate the micro, the macro, and everything in between. She enjoys seeking information and solving puzzles—and she is not afraid to jump in.

At PSC, Manja’s love of outdoor exploration fuels her passion for sustainability and the environment and increasing access to nature for all. She is dedicated to developing teams and partnerships, with a focus on fostering healthy and resilient communities and habitats in the Great Lakes region. She works with nonprofits, philanthropic organizations, universities, and state and local entities, using her skills and experience to help craft creative solutions to complex challenges.

Prior to joining PSC, Manja built and led a team at the National Wildlife Federation focused on building healthy communities and habitats at houses of worship, community centers, and other hubs across four cities in the Great Lakes region. Collaboration and authentic partnerships were central elements of this community-led, place-based work.

Email: [email protected]

A Little More…

Education: BA in Biology from Carleton College, MS in Environmental Toxicology from Cornell University, PhD in Ecology from the Yale School of the Environment

With PSC since: February 2025

PSC superpower: Identifying novel connections among disparate ideas

Favorite part of working at PSC: Collaborating to identify innovative, impactful solutions

Why Michigan? All the freshwater! Lake Michigan is home.