The James Buzzard Leadership Development Program was initiated through a generous donation from James “Jim” Buzzard, an alumnus of the College of Natural Resources and the former president of MeadWestvaco. Through observation, Jim believed that many leaders, despite their mystique and ability to inspire great things, wonder how they developed the skills to become such figureheads in their organizations.
Jim concluded that outstanding leadership, like any other skill, can be learned. Good leaders have taken the time to develop their craft, clarifying their core beliefs and cultivating their ability to inspire others. They have discovered how to uncover the energy and talents of diverse people and channel them into the pursuit of a common vision. They have practiced the art of team building, enforcing essential principles, when necessary, but always ensuring that all team members are active and productive members of the group. Outstanding leaders change the world through vision, hard work, creativity and the careful service of others.
The James Buzzard Leadership Development Program is built on Jim’s vision to help undergraduate students further their interests in leadership and hone their skills so that they leave NC State as budding leaders capable of guiding teams to success in whatever careers they pursue.
Using an inspirational case-based learning approach, combined with personal interactions with leaders across various fields and a focus on leadership development through readings, reflections and hands-on activities, this year-long program gives students who complete it a greater understanding of their potential and new confidence in what they can accomplish.
Program Components
Three-day field trip to meet with leaders in Washington, D.C.
Individualized sessions with a professional coach focused on emotional intelligence
Networking dinners with community leaders
Team-building opportunities
Workshops focused on critical leadership skills such as conflict, negotiation, difficult conversations and other topics
Student Opportunities
Build your resume to make you more competitive
Apply your leadership skills through various opportunities
Meet and engage with industry leaders
Partner with a community mentor
Participate in field trips to visit the leadership of different companies and organizations
Collaborate with other students to host interactive seminars
Enjoy free professional development resources
Application Information
Applications for the fourth cohort of James Buzzard Leadership Fellows will open up in January 2027.
Admission Criteria
The program is limited to no more than 20 students per cohort.
Students must be willing to commit to the full academic year (August-May) and must be a third- or fourth-year. Second-year students with leadership experience may be considered.
The James Buzzard Leadership Development Program is preparing students to be innovative, socially responsive, ethical and mindful leaders ready to positively impact their communities.
Through hands-on experiences and field trips, students gain the skills and knowledge to graduate prepared to lead. Explore the places our students have been.
321 Coffee
British Embassy
Carter Finley
Chancellor Howell and Dean Floyd
National Academies of Sciences
NC State Ropes Course
Women’s Basketball Game
Randy Nelson Training Center
DC
Capital One Arena at DC
National Association of Forest Owners
NC State Ropes Course
Chief Randy Moore USFS
US Forest Service
1
of 15
2026-27 Buzzard Fellows
Maddie Clark
Maddie Clark is a fourth-year student majoring in Environmental Sciences with a focal area in Environmental Communication and minors in Political Science and Wildlife Science. She is from Creedmoor, North Carolina and grew up loving the outdoors! Last summer, she studied the international use of natural resources abroad in Sweden. She has also been a peer leader for the Environmental First Year Program at NC State and an undergraduate teaching assistant for the ENV 101 course. Currently, she is a College of Natural Resources Student Ambassador and a Co-President of the Iota Chapter of environmental honors fraternity, Epsilon Eta. Maddie is passionate about outreach and connecting wider audiences to environmental fields. She looks forward to learning from fellow student leaders and immersing herself in all the professional development opportunities that the James Buzzard Leadership Development Program has to offer!
Maggie Hales
Maggie Hales is a rising fourth-year student pursuing a dual major in Paper Science and Engineering and Chemical Engineering. She is originally from Hillsborough, North Carolina. Maggie has completed a summer and fall co-op at the Sappi Technology Center in Westbrook, Maine and a summer internship with Domtar in Bennettsville, South Carolina and another internship as a process engineering at their Kingsport, TN mill. Maggie is also a College of Natural Resources Ambassador, Sustainability Steward, and the Rotaract Club president. She is also a lab assistant in a chemical engineering lab. In her free time, Maggie loves to hike and spend time outside. As a James Buzzard Leadership Fellow, she is excited to get to know more people within the College of Natural Resources, grow as a leader and gain valuable insights from industry professionals.
Natalie (Nat) Hanna
Natalie Hanna is a third-year student majoring in Environmental Sciences with minors in Environmental Technology and Management and Toxicology. They are from Garner, North Carolina. They love fiction books, concerts, and hiking. At NC State, Hanna serves as co-president of the Citizen Science club, a frequent Feed the Pack Food Pantry volunteer, and a Sustainability Career Professional Development Program participant. This past year, they served as a Peer Leader for the Environmental First Year program and a park attendant at Lake Wheeler Park. Both experiences highlighted for them the importance of communication and initiative in driving change within a community. Through the opportunities provided by the James Buzzard Leadership Development Program, Hanna is excited to learn from a broad range of professionals and expand their knowledge base to best equip themselves for a future in conservation.
Cate Hawting
Cate Hawting is a third-year studying Environmental Sciences and Chemistry with a minor in Materials Science and Engineering. She is from Raleigh, North Carolina. Hawting is passionate about using chemistry to advance renewable energy and is currently conducting research on aqueous batteries for grid-scale energy storage. In the future she hopes to attend graduate school to pursue a career in chemistry research. Outside of class, she serves as a Team Coordinator for the Sustainability Stewards and President of Circle K International. Hawting is excited to form closer connections with CNR students and learn from community mentors through the James Buzzard Leadership Program.
Matthew Kearns
Matthew Kearns is a 3rd-year student pursuing a degree in Environmental Science with minors in Marine Science and Business Administration. He is from Wake Forest, North Carolina where he worked as a Park Attendant and Park Technician at Falls Lake State Recreation Area and developed his love for nature. Kearns is deeply passionate about sustainability and the environment which he shares on campus as a Co-President of Epsilon Eta, President of Forestry & Environmental Resources (FER) Leadership Board, member of the Community & Culture team for the Sustainability Stewards, and Peer Leader for the Environmental First Year Program. Kearns is exploring his passion in water quality as a Student Researcher in Dr. JoAnn Burkholder’s Lab at the Center for Applied Aquatic Ecology, especially as it relates to environmental education through their BWF Program. He is ecstatic about expanding his skills as a leader and in turn use them to create positive change on campus and beyond.
Cooper Lanzisero
Cooper Lanzisero is a fourth-year undergraduate student studying Parks, Recreation, and Tourism management with a concentration on Recreation and Park Management. He is from Cary, North Carolina. Cooper has been an employee of the YMCA for 5 years, working in youth program spaces including summer camps, track-out camps, and before/after school programs. He is also the co-president of the Carolina Spartans baseball club, a non-profit organization for youth travel baseball, where he helps facilitate practice schedules, tournaments, along with bringing in sponsorship and fundraising. Cooper loves to see his work have a direct impact on his community and see others grow. Lanzisero is excited to join the James Buzzard Leadership Development Program to grow his leadership capacity, build relationships and grow his network, and learn from industry leading industry professionals.
Ava Ludwig
Ava Ludwig is a fourth-year student majoring in Sport Management and Psychology with minors in Global Leadership & Team Decision-Making and Business Administration. She is from Cary, North Carolina. Ludwig is passionate about the intersection of sports and psychology and wants to work internationally. She is a lead intern for Wolfpack Sports Properties, a College of Natural Resources Ambassador, an intern for Wolfpack Marketing Academy, and an author in a textbook “Developing Inclusive Physical Education Programs in the 21st Century.” She aspires to become a leader in the sport partnership and NIL field before going to graduate school to work in a sport counseling role. She is most looking forward to growing more as a leader and creating new genuine connections through the James Buzzard Leadership Development program.
Fred Lybrand
Fred Lybrandis a third-year student majoring in Paper Science and Chemical Engineering. He is from Meredith, New Hampshire, and has completed a co-op and an internship at Global Cellulose Fibers’ Franklin Mill, where he developed a deep passion for manufacturing and process optimization. At NC State, Fred serves as a TAPPI officer, sits on the Pulp and Paper Advisory Board Student Council, and contributes to the Paper Super Scholars recruitment program. An Eagle Scout and Congressional Award winner, Fred brings a strong foundation in service and leadership to everything he pursues. Through the James Buzzard Leadership Development Program, he hopes to channel that foundation into becoming a more effective leader in the manufacturing industry and to make a meaningful impact for his cohort and community.
Niveda Mahesh
Niveda Mahesh is a fourth-year student majoring in Environmental Sciences with a focal area in Environmental Economics. She is from Woodbridge, Virginia, and is passionate about advancing environmental sustainability through interdisciplinary research and community‑focused leadership. As a Park Scholar at NC State, she has pursued opportunities that strengthen her academic interests and commitment to service. Mahesh has been involved with the Sustainability Stewards, where she has worked on initiatives that promote environmental awareness and operational sustainability across campus. She also serves as an undergraduate research assistant in the Department of Forest Biomaterials, supporting research on renewable materials and sustainable industrial practices. Professionally, Mahesh will return to Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati, Ohio, for her second internship in Research & Development. Her work with P&G has deepened her interest in pursuing a career with an environmentally responsible and socially conscious organization, particularly one that integrates scientific innovation with sustainable product development. Mahesh is motivated by the belief that environmental challenges require collaborative, equity‑driven solutions. Through the James Buzzard Leadership Development Program, she hopes to develop her leadership skills further and broaden her capacity to contribute to meaningful, sustainability‑focused change.
Da’Shanalynn Miller
Da’Shanalynn Miller is from Hertford, North Carolina and is pursuing a dual degree in Chemical Engineering and Paper Science and Pulp Engineering. She is passionate about advancing sustainability through paper and packaging with a focus on renewable fiber. Da’Shanalynn is actively involved in Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI), where she engages with industry professionals and peers to broaden her understanding of pulp and paper operations. Da’Shanalynn has also gained hands-on industry experience through a summer internship with Domtar, where she developed practical skills in large-scale production. Through the James Buzzard Leadership Development Program, Da’Shanalynn is excited to grow as a leader, enhance her professional network, and learn from experienced mentors. She is committed to using engineering and paper science to further sustainable innovation.
Kylie Payne
Kylie Payne is a third-year student majoring in Sport Management with minors in Business Administration and Sociology. Originally from Waynesboro, Virginia, she developed an early passion for sports and community engagement. She currently works as a recruiting assistant for the NC State football team and as a donor relations intern for the College of Natural Resources Advancement Team. On campus, Kylie is an active member of Kappa Alpha Theta and the Sport Management Club. She aspires to pursue a career in athletic fundraising, where she can build meaningful relationships with donors and enhance the fan experience. Kylie is excited to be a part of the James Buzzard Leadership Development Program, where she looks forward to further developing her leadership skills and connecting with professionals and peers beyond the College of Natural Resources.
Paul Rubino
Paul Rubino is a third-year Sport Management major, with minors in Business Administration and Religious Studies. He is from Holly Springs, North Carolina. Rubino is passionate about sports and serves as a Personnel/Scouting student assistant for the NC State football team. He is also a College of Natural Resources ambassador. Additionally, Rubino is the founder of a clothing brand,Planted Apparel, which plants a tree for every piece of clothing purchased. Paul hopes that the new relationships with leading industry professionals built through the program will help him to grow the impact of the brand. As a Buzzard Leadership Fellow, he is very excited to meet new people and grow as a person and leader.
Mary Devine Schroeder
Mary Devine Schroeder is a fourth-year student pursuing dual degrees in Sustainable Materials and Technology and Natural Resources (Policy & Administration). Originally from the Richmond, VA area she developed a passion for energy and policy attending Episocpal High School. During her time at NC State, Schroeder has pursued research opportunities with the ARMI Forest Biomaterials lab and interned with Berkshire Hathaway Energy during high school at their DC office. She looks forward to her next opportunity with Duke Energy as an Environmental Health and Safety intern pursuing energy permitting, policy work and hands-on generation site visits. Mary Devine looks forward to building relationships with the incoming Buzzard cohort and further exploring the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration within the policy and environmental sector.
Anika Shah
Anika Shah is a fourth-year student majoring in Sport Management with minors in Business Administration, Journalism and Spanish. Originally from Chester, New Jersey, she has immersed herself in the sporting landscape at NC State as a student manager for the women’s basketball team and as an intern with the NC State Athletics Creative Video Department. Shah is also passionate about global learning and has participated in two study abroad programs in London, United Kingdom (Sport Programs and Facilities) and Adelaide, Australia (Business Entrepreneurship and Opportunity) over the past three years. Through these experiences, she has developed a broader perspective on sport and business across different cultures. She strives to demonstrate strong leadership in all that she pursues and is eager to continue growing through the James Buzzard Leadership Development Program.
Charlotte (Charli) Sutherland
Charlotte Sutherland is a fourth-year student pursuing a dual major in Chemical Engineering and Paper Science and Engineering. Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she enjoys spending time outdoors in the North Carolina weather. She was previously a College of Natural Resources Engaging Leader and held multiple leadership roles on her sorority’s executive council. Her sorority’s philanthropy is centered on inspiring confidence in young girls, a mission that aligns with her personal passion for mentoring and encouraging young women to pursue careers in STEM. Charli has interned as a Process Engineer with Clearwater Paper (2024) and Georgia Pacific (2025). She is excited to join the James Buzzard Leadership Development Program to further engage with the College of Natural Resources and looks forward to the opportunity to learn more about herself as a leader.
Joshua Turner
Joshua Turner is a fourth-year student majoring in Sport Management with a minor in Business Administration. He is from Durham, North Carolina, and is passionate about college athletics, with a strong interest in revenue generation within collegiate sports. Turner is currently an intern with Wolfpack Sports Properties and the Wolfpack Marketing Academy. He most recently interned with the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in the Development/ Membership department, where he gained experience in fundraising, relationship building and marketing. As an aspiring athletic director, Turner looks forward to connecting with peers and learning from industry professionals on how to further develop and grow as a leader.
Ruby Waibel
Ruby Waibel is a third-year student majoring in Environmental Science with a concentration in Toxicology. A non-traditional student, she transferred from Wake Technical Community College and remains involved with the transfer programs that helped her reach NC State, serving as a Community College Collaboration (C3) ambassador. Passionate about giving back to her communities, Waibel is involved with the Goodnight Scholars Transfer Program as a STEM coach and peer mentor, connecting with local middle school students and helping newly transferred NC State students from community colleges adjust. Last summer, Waibel was an education intern at the J.C. Raulston Arboretum at NC State, where she led nature-based programs that encouraged curiosity and care for the environment among children and families. She enjoys fostering environmental awareness while pursuing opportunities that challenge her scientifically and deepen her understanding of chemistry, toxicology, and how pollution affects both public and ecosystem health. Through the Buzzard Leadership Program, she is excited to connect with her peers and industry professionals and continue growing personally and professionally during this program.
Ethan Wolff
Ethan Wolff is a third-year student pursuing a dual degree in Paper Science and Engineering and Chemical Engineering. He is from Charlotte, North Carolina. He has completed two summer internships, one with Cascades Tissue in Rockingham, NC, and the other with Sylvamo in Eastover, SC. At NC State, Ethan has served as Vice President of the Pulp and Paper Advisory Board’s Student Advisory Committee and as an ambassador for the College of Natural Resources. He looks forward to making connections through this program while continuing to develop his leadership skills and collaborating with the members of the James Buzzard Leadership cohort.
