Nicola Schmidt (she/her) is passionate about environmental advocacy, community well-being, and social equity. With a degree in Environmental Ethics and minors in Religion and Diaspora Transnational Studies from the University of Toronto, she brings a diverse academic background to her environmental work. Her experience with the Chesapeake Climate Action Network in Washington, D.C., advocating for stronger tree protection policies, shaped her understanding of grassroots organizing. She further honed her research and outreach skills at the Toronto Environmental Alliance, where she focused on reducing single-use waste and promoting a circular economy. Nicola is committed to building a greener, more just world and is excited to explore how environmental policy can create meaningful change through the PIE program.