Our Ethos
We believe young people deserve a voice in shaping what comes next: for themselves, their communities, and the future they will inherit. Our mission is to empower youth towards finding purpose, building pathways, and leading change close to home.
OUR WORK INCLUDES:
Supporting regional economic development through the Economic Recovery Corps Fellowship in partnership with 1Berkshire
Presenting alongside Rural Youth Leaders at Partners for Rural Impact’s 2026 Rural Summit
Speaking with Pittsfield High School students about scholarships, financial aid, and college opportunities
Publishing “New Leaf,” a guest column in iBerkshires, spotlighting underrepresented entrepreneurs and small business owners in Berkshire County
Serving on the advisory board for the Climate Resilience Fellowship to help shape youth-centered climate leadership development programs
Expanding college access and postsecondary pathway support for students involved with Rites of Passage and Empowerment (ROPE) in Pittsfield
Meet Our Team
Lani Willmar
FOUNDER
Lani Willmar is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ethos Pathways, a youth climate justice organization focused on connecting young people to careers in local climate economies. A former admissions officer at Brown University, Fulbright Scholar in rural Slovakia, and technical recruiter for the private tech sector, Lani’s work sits at the intersection of education access, early talent career advancement, and economic mobility.
As a low-income, first-generation college student from a Vietnamese refugee family, Lani became a QuestBridge Scholar through the help of her peers and mentors in the Upward Bound program and attended Williams College on a full-ride scholarship. Her experiences have shaped a commitment to building equitable pathways for rural and historically underserved communities. Through Ethos Pathways, she works with schools, employers, nonprofits, and regional partners to help young people find their purpose and contribute to their communities.
Our Partners
The Climate Career Lab (CCL) is made possible through a strong network of regional partners, including schools, employers, public agencies, higher education institutions, and community organizations, working together to support the next generation of climate leaders.
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Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, The Berkshire Innovation Center, 1Berkshire, MassHire Berkshire WorkforceBoard
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North Adams Public Schools, Pittsfield Public Schools, and Berkshire Hills Regional School District
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Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, Williams College
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National Grid, SolaBlock, Elimentra Tech, Terra-Build Design, Laureyns United, Noble Carbon, Valley Solar, Revvit, Surya Tech, Transform Power Systems, Dream Green Recycling, Second Chance Composting, Ioka Valley Farm, and Full Well Farm
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Climate Cardinals, Roots Teen Center, Greenagers, Roots Rising, Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC), First Gen Leadership (FGL), and the Alliance for Climate Transition (ACT)
