SUNY ESF Alumni Association
Graduates of Distinction Awards

Robin Wall Kimmerer ’75
Environmental & Forest Biology
Photo credit: John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

Robin Wall Kimmerer ’75 is a world-renowned author, botanist, and distinguished scholar whose groundbreaking work combines Indigenous knowledge with ecological science. As a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Dr. Kimmerer has dedicated her career to integrating traditional Indigenous wisdom with modern environmental science, offering a unique perspective on our relationship with the natural world.

Dr. Kimmerer is best known for her bestselling book Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants, which explores the deep connection between humans and nature, blending personal memoir, philosophy, and ecological science. In her writing, she emphasizes the importance of reciprocity with the Earth, urging us to treat the environment not as a resource to be used, but as a partner to be respected and nurtured.

At ESF, Dr. Kimmerer has had a profound impact as a SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor of Environmental Biology. She is also the Founding Director of the College's Center for Native Peoples and the Environment (CNPE), where she works to merge Indigenous knowledge with environmental science, fostering collaboration and understanding between these disciplines. Her leadership at the CNPE has inspired a new generation of students to approach environmental challenges through a lens that honors
both scientific rigor and traditional wisdom. Dr. Kimmerer has worked extensively at the Cranberry Lake Biological Station (serving as Director from 1993-96), where she has provided invaluable guidance on ecological restoration projects, furthering her commitment to both science and community-based environmental practices.

Her influence extends far beyond the classroom and research labs. In 2020, Dr. Kimmerer delivered a compelling speech at the United Nations, emphasizing the vital role of Indigenous wisdom in addressing climate change and promoting sustainable environmental practices on a global scale. Her voice continues to resonate in global conversations about ecology, sustainability, and social justice.

Dr. Kimmerer’s contributions have been widely recognized with numerous prestigious awards and honors. In 2022, she was named a recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship, often referred to as the "Genius Grant," in recognition of her outstanding contributions to ecology, education, and Indigenous scholarship. Additionally, in 2023, Dr. Kimmerer received the National Humanities Medal from President Joe Biden, an honor that recognizes individuals whose work has deepened our understanding of the humanities and contributed to the cultural fabric of society. Most recently, in 2025, she was named to Time Magazine’s list of 100 Most Influential People, a recognition of her far-reaching impact as a thought leader shaping the future of environmental stewardship and cultural understanding.

As a graduate of ESF, Robin Wall Kimmerer has embodied the core values of the College: environmental stewardship, knowledge-sharing, and the promotion of inclusivity. Her extraordinary contributions to the fields of ecological science and Indigenous education make her a true leader in advancing sustainability and fostering a deeper understanding of our interconnectedness with the environment.

We are honored to recognize Robin Wall Kimmerer as a SUNY ESF Graduate of Distinction, celebrating her dedication to bridging cultural and scientific worlds for a more sustainable and just future.

Peter A. Williams, M.Sc., R.P.F. ’77
Forest Resources Management

Peter A. Williams ’77 is a highly experienced Registered Professional Forester and Certified Arborist based in Rockwood, Ontario, and has dedicated over 30 years to advancing sustainable forest management practices in Southern Ontario. 

With a B.Sc. in Forest Resources Management from SUNY ESF, an M.Sc. in Forestry and Soils from the University of Tennessee (1983), and doctoral work in Environmental Biology at the University of Guelph, Peter's career is built on deep academic foundations and a passion for practical forestry solutions. 

As the principal of Williams & Associates since 1985, Peter has provided consulting, research, and education in areas such as urban forestry, forest management, silviculture, and agroforestry. His work has included overseeing over 300 forest management plans, addressing issues such as invasive species control, tree improvement, and rehabilitation, particularly in urban environments. Notably, his contributions to managing the impacts of the Emerald Ash Borer and advocating for irregular shelterwood silvicultural systems have been instrumental in improving forest health across Southern Ontario. 

Peter has worked extensively with municipalities including Oakville, Halton Region, and Toronto, focusing on urban tree inventories, hazard tree assessments, and forest regeneration strategies. His dedication to forest health is also evident in his collaborations with Indigenous communities, where he has provided expertise on timber sales, forest management, and loss of use assessments. 

Beyond consulting, Peter has authored numerous articles and books on forestry, agroforestry, and forest restoration. His leadership extends to mentoring young professionals and volunteering with organizations such as the Ontario Woodlot Association, where he has held leadership roles, and the Wellington County Stewardship Council, promoting sustainable forestry practices. 

Peter is widely respected for his professionalism, knowledge, and generosity in mentoring others. He continues to bridge the gap between research and real-world forestry applications, earning the admiration of colleagues and peers throughout the industry. His ongoing contributions to the forestry profession have made a lasting impact, ensuring his legacy as a trusted advisor, educator, and advocate for sustainable forest management. 

We are proud to bestow the Graduate of Distinction Award for Notable Achievement upon Peter A. Williams in recognition of his exemplary career, unwavering commitment to advancing forestry practices, and his dedication to mentoring future generations while fostering environmental stewardship throughout Southern Ontario.

Kristine Ellsworth ’15
Environmental Resources Engineering

Kristine Ellsworth ’15 is a dedicated environmental engineer and passionate advocate for sustainable materials management and student career development. Graduating from SUNY ESF in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Resources Engineering, Kristine has since built an impressive career marked by leadership, technical expertise, and community service.

Currently serving as an Assistant Engineer at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), Kristine works in the Organics Reduction and Recycling Section. She provides regulatory oversight and technical assistance to organics recycling facilities, and plays a key role in advancing critical initiatives, including the NYS Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Law. She has significantly contributed to the development of the NYS Solid Waste Management Plan and has overseen various contracts promoting sustainable organics management. 

Kristine’s dedication to sustainability is further demonstrated through her involvement with professional organizations. She served as Chair of the U.S. Composting Council Young Professionals Committee for two years and was honored with the 2021 USCC Young Professional of the Year Award. She is also a key organizer of the NYS Association for Reduction, Reuse, and Recycling (𝑁𝑌𝑆𝐴𝑅3 ) NYS Organics Summit, an annual event that connects over two hundred professionals to discuss advancements in organic waste management. She additionally serves as a member of Governor Hochul’s Council for Hunger and Food Policy. 

In addition to her technical achievements, Kristine is deeply committed to mentoring students, particularly those from ESF. She has been instrumental in organizing recruitment events like DEC at ESF Day, hosting students at DEC to engage with a panel of ESF alumni engineers, and has guided numerous interns, several of whom have gone on to permanent positions within DEC. 

Kristine’s work extends well beyond organics management. She assisted with the Hoosick Falls drinking water crisis (2016) and the COVID-19 response at a vaccination site (2021 – 2022). 

Kristine Ellsworth exemplifies the values of environmental stewardship, leadership, and community involvement. Her ongoing contributions to both her field and alma mater make her a deserving nominee for the Graduate of Distinction Incipiens Quercu Award.

Dr. Mercy Borbor-Córdova '99 & '05
Environmental Science

Dr. Mercy Borbor-Córdova’s lifelong interest in the environment began as a child in the diverse landscape of Ecuador. Growing up across the highlands of the Andes Mountains to the coastal zone on the Pacific Ocean left her impressed by nature. That formative experience led Borbor-Córdova to obtain a bachelor’s degree in oceanography at Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL) in Guayaquil. Wanting to expand her education, she pursued a Fulbright Scholarship that brought her to Syracuse, N.Y., for graduate degrees at ESF working with Professor Charles Hall. 

After graduating, Borbor-Córdova returned to Ecuador to serve as Chief of Environmental Control for the City of Guayaquil for two years. A postdoctoral opportunity took her to work in climate and society at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Col. Since then, the issues of climate and society have been a centerpiece of her professional work.

Her career has focused on weaving scientific evidence into environmental-climate policy and decision-making. In 2010, Borbor-Córdova served as Deputy Minister of the Environment for Ecuador for 3 years. Her relevant work included the first National Strategy for Climate Change and environmental policy implementation in the country’s 24 provinces.  Her work included conflict resolution of mining and pollution control, policy implementation for forest conservation, and protected areas management. 

Borbor-Córdova now serves as an associate professor at the university of ESPOL in Ecuador, where she conducts research in partnership with different stakeholders. Her work has contributed to the National Adaptation Plan and climate resilience measures for cities, and has increased awareness around the interactions of ocean, climate, and human health.

Borbor-Córdova’s contributions to the international scientific community include: lead author of the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (2019-2022) and member of the scientific advisory committee for the InterAmerican Institute for Global Change. In 2022, she joined the board of directors of the Galápagos Conservancy, which focuses on protecting and restoring the ecologically rich Galápagos Islands.

Borbor-Córdova’s contributions at the nexus of climate, environment, and human health have made a significant impact not only within Ecuador, but also on a global scale. She has participated in two Ecuadorian Antarctic expeditions, was an essential contributor to and attendee of the fourth International Polar Year (2007) and has been Ecuadorian delegate to the Committee for Environmental Protection of the Antarctic Treaty. 

For her continuous and impactful service within the area of environmental science, we proudly confer the Lifetime Achievement Graduate of Distinction Award upon Dr. Mercy Borbor-Córdova.

Richard Centolella '85
Landscape Architecture

With more than 38 years of his professional life dedicated to the planning and design of landscapes around the globe, Richard Centolella, Partner at EDSA, has acquired a vast portfolio of over 300 projects, including works that have redefined the social, economic, and environmental landscapes of numerous communities worldwide. His projects have not only garnered international acclaim but also have positively influenced the tourism industry and economic vitality of entire regions.

Centolella’s portfolio encompasses diverse terrains, from the hills of Tuscany to the tropical shores of the Bahamas to the coastlines of Dubai. In each project, he demonstrates an unparalleled ability to adapt his design to the unique essence of each location, creating spaces that leave lasting impressions on visitors. Notable projects include Castiglion del Bosco (Tuscany, Italy), the Atlantis Resort (Paradise Island, Bahamas), and Madinat Jumeirah (Dubai, UAE).

A benchmark of Centolella’s leadership is his ability to focus the team to include environmental conservation and sustainability ideals into the landscape while respecting cultural sensitivities. At the historic Castiglion del Bosco, EDSA integrated tree preservation, wildlife habitat conservation, restorative native plantings, composting, and revegetation. At the Atlantis Resort, Centolella’s team focused on preserving and celebrating the region’s natural beauty and incorporating marine habitats which created a home to 50,000 sea creatures living in 11 million gallons of water. At Madinat Jumeirah, EDSA raised the bar in cultural contextual design by recreating life as it used to be for residents along Dubai Creek, preserving cultural heritage and artifacts, respecting local populations, and protecting biodiversity.

These remarkable projects are only a small portion of the impressive body of work Centolella led at EDSA. Other notable designs include the Turning Stone Resort Casino (Verona, N.Y.), the Opera House District (downtown Dubai), and various resorts worldwide.

With Centolella’s leadership, these designs have not only enhanced the aesthetic appeal of these locales but have also significantly contributed to economic growth. The Atlantis project contributes 11.7% of the gross domestic product and employs 11.5% of the Bahamas workforce; it is also credited with reversing the tourism decline of the late 1980s. At the Turning Stone, his integration of a core resort complex provided economic sustainability for The Oneida Nation, positively impacting employment in this region of Central New York. 

It is in recognition of these innovative design approaches and commitment to sustainability – along with a keen awareness of the interconnectedness between natural aesthetics, cultural heritage, and economic development – that we proudly award Richard Centolella with the 2023 Graduate of Distinction Award for Notable Achievement.

Gabrielle Sant’Angelo '13
Environmental Studies: Environmental Policy, Planning and Law

A highly motivated and energetic individual with a passion for land use, open spaces, and environmental stewardship, Gabrielle “Gabby” Sant’Angelo has used her ESF education to advocate for making greenspace accessible to all communities, bridging the gap between diverse populations and the natural world, all while exhibiting a deep-rooted commitment to conservation efforts.

Sant’Angelo’s career path since graduating in 2013 includes management positions with the Texas Discovery Gardens and Nine Pin Ciderworks in addition to working with the New York Farm Bureau. She also serves on the board of directors for New York Urban Orchards and has been appointed to the Historic Heath Farm Advisory Committee for the Town of Bethlehem. In her current role as Executive Director of the Pine Hollow Arboretum, she has made incredible contributions to community-driven programs and advocacy for inclusive access to natural spaces.

Through important collaborative efforts with other organizations, schools, and businesses, Sant’Angelo has successfully found ways to connect with underserved communities to provide free transportation and access to the Arboretum. These efforts include art installations with the Albany Barn, music in nature classes with the Albany Symphony, forest bathing experiences, free sensory hikes for kids, and the transportation of dozens of families and groups from inner-city Albany to events at the Arboretum.

In addition to her impact on the local community through her engagement efforts, Sant’Angelo is also assisting in conservation projects that will influence the greater regional and national environment for future generations. She established a partnership with the National American Chestnut Foundation and ESF graduate students to conduct research at the Arboretum examining the Chestnut Tree stand and the Asian Chestnut Gall Wasp. This investigation has the potential to add significant data to the urgent mission of saving the iconic American Chestnut species. She created and nurtured a volunteer work force to tackle the invasive species that threaten the Arboretum and the 3,300 unique trees and woody plants that inhabit its woodlands, fields, and ponds.

With her unwavering passion and expertise, Sant’Angelo has become a leading voice in the New York Capital Region community, promoting environmental stewardship, inclusivity, and accessibility. In recognition of her relentless dedication to ensuring that everyone, irrespective of their background, has the opportunity to connect with and protect the natural world, we proudly confer the 2023 Graduate of Distinction Incipiens Quercu Award upon Gabby Sant’Angelo.