Lani Willmar is an education and climate equity leader who knows what it’s like to be the first in your family to figure things out. A former first-gen student and college access advocate, she’s spent the last decade helping young people from underserved communities unlock opportunities in education, career, and public service. From serving on the Board of Admissions as an admission officer at Brown University, to teaching rural students in Slovakia at an agriculture trade school as a Fulbright Scholar, Lani has helped hundreds of students over the years. 

She founded Ethos Pathways to bridge the gap between climate justice and youth opportunity, especially in places like the Berkshires, where talent is abundant but access isn’t always equal. Her mission is simple: build pathways where students can see themselves, grow their power, and lead the future.