Alumni Spotlights

Kate Riegel is a San Diego State University Alumni who graduated from the University in the Spring of 2024. While on campus, Kate received a B.A. in Sustainability and a minor in Business Administration along with advancing her passion for Sustainable Outreach through The Office of Energy & Sustainability and Associated Students, Green Love. Post-graduation Kate has accepted a position as a Public Outreach Coordinator at San Diego Community Power.

Anna Cilley graduated from SDSU in 2022 with a B.A. in Sustainability. She now works as the Assistant Operations Manager for non-profit Plastic Beach.

Alum Richard Ybarra attended SDSU in the 1970s, later on becoming involved in the Farm Workers’ Movement and the Environmentalist Movement. He is currently the president of the Ybarra Company on Public Affairs. Sharing over 30 years of leadership experience, Ybarra was able to offer valuable advice to help all of the SDSU community in promoting environmentalism and diversity! Read here.

Project Coordinator at The Energy Coalition Using her sustainability knowledge and project management skills to help public agencies be more energy efficient.

Brian Macdonald is an SDSU alum who started the first zero waste takeout company in San Diego! Using his business skills and passion for sustainability, Brian founded M’Porte. M’Porte uses endlessly reusable stainless steel containers and partners with restaurants so that customers can get takeout completely zero-waste by using and returning the M’Porte container. Read this spotlight to learn about his journey at SDSU, the development of M’Porte, and his advice for current students here.

McKenna Avery graduated in 2020 with a degree in Sustainability and a minor in Political Science. During her time at SDSU, she worked for the Office of Sustainability, held executive positions in Green Love, and launched a company through ZIP Launchpad. McKenna is now working as a founder of a sustainable feminine hygiene company, Hempress Hygienics. Her passion and care for the environment and its people shine through in this spotlight! Read more here.

Griffin is an SDSU Alum who graduated in 2010 with a marketing degree. Since graduation, he and his business partner developed a famous jewelry brand, made the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, and donated to over 175 charities. Then, he talked to us here.

Alum Leah worked with her roommate to develop Litter2Life: turning San Diego beach trash into art. They want to pass on the tradition to SDSU and keep spreading the message of environmental stewardship. She also shares about her current job in food medicine and how it impacts public health and sustainability!

Tracing the origins of her sustainable mind back to her father working as a trash man for years, Alumni Stephanie is establishing her role as the Equity Specialist for Center for Sustainable Energy. She walked us through the things that helped her on campus and gave us advice on how we can make the most out of our experience at SDSU.