Dr. Rachel Golden Kroner (NMHS 2006) is a conservation scientist, passionate about using science and evidence to improve policy and protect the planet. She draws from a variety of disciplines, including ecology, environmental policy, geography, and economics to understand some of the world's most complex challenges - biodiversity loss and climate change - and recommend solutions. She is a leader, communicator, mentor, and advocate. Currently, Rachel works as a Fellow at Conservation International in the Moore Center for Science, focused on environmental governance. She also co-leads a task force for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature focused on COVID-19, researching and raising awareness of conservation as key to preventing future pandemics. She has worked with the World Wildlife Fund, Oceana, and the Smithsonian, and collaborates extensively with academics, practitioners, businesses, donors, and governments to translate science into action. Rachel is an award-winning speaker and has published in leading peer-reviewed journals, including Science, Proceedings of the National Academy of Science and Conservation Biology. She is an active member of the Society for Conservation Biology, Graduate Women in Science, and the Association for American Geographers. Rachel holds Ph.D. in environmental science and policy from George Mason University, an M.S. in sustainable development and conservation biology from the University of Maryland, and a B.A. in biology with a specialization in ecology and conservation biology from Boston University. As a recipient of the Knierim Award, and active member of the NMHS music department, she is grateful for the foundation that New Milford provided for her education and career.