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Team Members List

Jennifer has more than 25 years of experience in strategic environmental planning and risk mitigation for electric transmission, clean energy, and storage industries. She currently supports multiple renewable energy projects and initiatives, and her clients have included HP, Inc., The Nature Conservancy, Adapture Renewables, Atlantica, Rye Development, Radia, JERA, Southern California Edison, National Grid, Roeslein, Sempra Renewables, the Hoopa Valley Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Yakama Power, and Warm Springs Power & Water Enterprises. Jennifer is adept at building and supervising large teams, working on executive strategic initiatives, and overseeing innovative energy projects, plans, and programs. Her skills include energy project risk assessment, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) planning, electric transmission route selection, renewables siting and permitting, and due diligence. She was formerly the head of technical and financial assistance for the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy, a developer for Navajo Power, PBC, the vice president of environmental development for Abengoa T&I, a global project account manager for CH2M Hill Engineering, and a principal planner at Ecology and Environment, Inc. She currently serves on the boards of Solar Oregon and Sustainable Northwest and is pursuing a PhD in engineering sciences part-time at the University of Oxford. Refer to LinkedIn for further details about Jennifer's background and experience, and below for project feedback received.

Founder & Principal

Jennifer Rouda

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David has more than 30 years of experience in Indigenous governance, cultural preservation, and policy development. As an executive officer and Tribal liaison for 7Skyline, he has led Tribal outreach efforts for utility-scale solar and energy storage projects with more than 50 Tribes throughout the Western United States, always with the same purpose: to ensure decision-making remains rooted in Tribal sovereignty, traditions, and collective strength with a focus on serving the people today and in future generations. David also directed Tribal engagement efforts for the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and served as the development Tribal liaison for Navajo Power, PBC. A member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes, David was the first director of their Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO), establishing the office, developing its codes and ordinances, and securing $9 million in funding in its first year and $6 million in its second, ensuring long-term cultural preservation and governance autonomy. As both a consultant and THPO director, David has worked on many Western energy projects, including the Genesis Solar Energy Project with NextEra Energy, the Blythe Solar I and II Projects with First Solar, the Desert Quartzite Solar Project with Renewable Energy, the Palen Solar Project with EDF Renewable Energy, and Swan Lake North Pumped Storage. He has established cultural monitoring program budgets, scopes of work, and schedules and handled contracting arrangements for extensive Tribal cultural monitoring programs. He co-authored Voices From the West: Findings from Interviews Regarding Energy on Tribal Lands with The Nature Conservancy, focusing on Indigenous stewardship and conservation efforts. David is currently active in the campaign to protect the Chuckwalla National Monument, collaborating with stakeholders led by Former Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland. He authored the Proclamation for Chuckwalla, advocating for Indigenous land rights and protection of the sacred space. In 2024, he was one of 87 Indigenous leaders from 35 countries behind the Conference on Indigenous Peoples and the Just Transition, held alongside the 23rd Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. In 2015, David partnered with the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) to develop reburial rights and cultural consultation protocols later adopted by NCAI. In 1987, he was appointed as a traditional spokesman for the Mohave people, a position he holds to this day. David was also a founding board member and chairman of Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice and served on the board of the Betty Ford Center and as the chairman of the Colorado River branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Refer to LinkedIn for further details about David’s background and experience.

Executive Officer & Tribal Liaison

David Harper

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Rob is part of 7Skyline’s leadership team, overseeing 7Skyline financial, contracting, and administrative management, as well as serving as a project manager for complex energy permitting projects. Rob has 16 years of experience managing environmental reviews for energy infrastructure projects and a PhD in education. Before joining 7Skyline, he was a supervisor in the California Public Utility Commission’s California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance section. He has a diverse background in utility regulation and policy development, energy consulting, public outreach, environmental planning (CEQA and National Environmental Policy Act [NEPA]), accounting, research, publishing, and technical training. At 7Skyline, he supports renewable energy siting efforts for Tribal nations and developers, reports and energy project documentation, strategic planning, IT needs and AI integration, website and marketing content, and grant applications. His current projects include an innovative $155-million Tribe-owned, -constructed, and -operated solar facility being developed by the Yakama Nation’s Tribal utility, Yakama Power. Refer to LinkedIn for further details about Rob’s background and experience. Rob’s finance and administrative functions are supported by Bill Peterson, who joined 7Skyline at its inception in 2016. Bill brings 40 years of financial leadership experience to his advisory role at 7Skyline. Previously the branch manager for Portland Teachers Credit Union in Hillsboro, Oregon, Bill has also served in management roles at First Interstate Bank of Oregon, First National Bank of Oregon, H&R Block, and Century 21 Real Estate in Oregon.

Chief Administrative Officer, Senior Environmental & Energy Planner

Rob Peterson

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Thomas facilitates the establishment of critical energy infrastructure in Tribal communities. Twice elected Tribal Council Chair of the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians (2017 to 2024), Thomas worked for the future of his Tribe by advancing and expanding opportunities for economic development; providing quality educational experiences with improved retention rates for Native youth in high school, college, and vocational education; promoting healthy lifestyles for the community; and investing in public safety through increased resources for Tribal law enforcement. His focus on the most urgent needs of his own Tribal community and the communities of the Salton Sea area increasingly required work on environmental justice and energy equity issues. He served as president of the Salton Sea Authority Board of Directors and worked with the California Natural Resources Agency and California state legislators to help secure $80.5 million in appropriations for restoration of the Salton Sea. Working alongside U.S. Representative Raul Ruiz, M.D., (CA-25), he advocated for community water system safety at the Oasis Mobile Home Park on the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indian Reservation, supporting Representative Ruiz's introduction of the Emergency Order Assurance, Safety, and Inspection of water Systems (OASIS) Act (H.R. 3286) to address severe arsenic contamination and a lack of safe alternative drinking water. He also collaborated with Former U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and leaders of the Cahuilla Band of Indians, Chemehuevi Indian Tribe, Colorado River Indian Tribes, and Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe to help create a framework for the Tribal Nations' co-management of the Chuckwalla National Monument, which stretches from the Coachella Valley to the Colorado River and Mexican border. Thomas also supported legislation to address the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People crisis, resulting in the passage of the Feather Alert (AB 1314), establishing a dedicated alert system, and collaborated with Former Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia, 36th District, and Assemblymember James Ramos, 45th District, to establish curriculum requirements for Native American history and culture in California schools. His service to his Tribe included co-chairing the Legislative Committee, chairing the Tribal Employment Rights Commission, and serving as Tribal Council Treasurer from 2013 to 2017. He was a member of the Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association board and secretary of the California Tribal Business Alliance board. After earning his bachelor of science in computer science from Coleman University, Thomas served in the U.S. Navy as an avionics technician for the F-14 Tomcat Fighter Aircraft Navy Squadron VF-302 and on the U.S.S. Enterprise Aircraft Carrier. Following his military service, he joined the civil service on North Island Naval Air Base, San Diego, and was charged with training personnel for the S3A Anti-Submarine Warfare Aircraft via Flight Simulator maneuvers. Utilizing skills developed in the military, Thomas then served as a wildland firefighter for the Bureau of Indian Affairs for several years before working for the Torres Martinez Regulatory Gaming Commission and as the Tribal administrator for the Santa Rosa Band of Mission Indians, where he worked with Former U.S. Representative Mary Bono (CA-45) to secure critical easements that allowed the Santa Rosa Band of Mission Indians to establish phone service for the very first time.

Senior Tribal Liaison

Thomas Tortez, Jr.

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Bob is an internationally recognized expert with 50+ years of experience in transmission system operation and system protection design and application for generation, transmission, and distribution. He advises clients on the interconnection process, files interconnection requests, and runs power flow studies to determine potential transmission capacity. Bob has supported multiple Tribes, including the Hopi Tribe, in submitting Department of Energy grant proposals for transmission and utility-scale solar projects and has provided on-call transmission planning support for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs since 2022 and for Yakama Power since 2023. Bob provided transmission planning services to the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy, a national 501(c)(3) supporting Tribes in their green energy transitions, and has consulted for Navajo Power PBC, rPlus Energies, Onyx Renewables, and ZGlobal. Bob has worked with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to further the development of interconnection transmission systems in East Africa and developed a master plan for the Beale Air Force Base being implemented today with a significant reduction in the number of outages on the base. He was the principal investigator for a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project supporting NASA's Manned Mission to MARS project. He served as the transmission team lead for the North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC) in investigating the August 14, 2003, Northeast Blackout and won the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) Outstanding Contributor Award for his work as the chair of the Operating Capability Study Group investigating the August 10, 1996, Western Grid Blackout, an investigation that led to the development of the methodology and procedures to restore the reliable operation of the Western United States electrical grid. During a 35-year career as the manager of operations engineering for Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), Bob successfully championed the application of microprocessor technology for system protection and fault-tolerant remedial action schemes. He led the effort to design and implement special protection and remedial action schemes to prevent blackouts and was responsible for the development of unique operating procedures utilizing the dispatch of generation for San Francisco Bay Area reliability and helped in the development of PG&E's three-stage electric emergency plan.

Senior Transmission Engineering Advisor

Bob Stuart

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Throughout his 25-plus-year career in clean energy, Joe has built deep expertise in strategic energy planning, business development, team building and management, marketing and communications, and workforce development and training to accelerate our transition to a sustainable and just energy future. At 7Skyline, he supports the planning, funding, development, and implementation of energy projects for both Tribal and corporate project partners, frequently serving as an owner’s representative. Within the past two years, he has secured more than $8 million in energy project funding for Tribes in North America. A graduate of the University of Oregon, Joe began his energy industry training at Solar Energy International in 1995 and worked as a renewable energy system designer and installer in Oregon and California. In 2008, he assembled and led the team that created and launched SolarPro, the U.S. solar industry's bar-setting trade publication for more than a decade. During its run, SolarPro facilitated the exchange of expertly informed technical content among industry stakeholders and played a pivotal role in scaling the U.S. solar-plus-storage industry. Leveraging his background in business and technical publishing, Joe has demonstrated his ability to initiate and streamline energy project development and deployment. He has supported equipment manufacturers and solar-plus-storage engineering firms, including Mayfield Renewables, with market research, product and service positioning strategies, and the development of industry-leading training materials and technical content. Joe lives in Ashland, Oregon, where he and his wife Emily operate a grid-connected solar system that offsets 100% of the energy consumption of their all-electric home and electric vehicles. Refer to LinkedIn for further details about Joe’s background and experience.

Senior Advisor & Energy Planner

Joe Schwartz

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Kristin has almost 30 years of experience in editing and project management and nine years of experience specific to energy and environmental planning. Since joining 7Skyline in 2016, she has helped Tribes, Tribal enterprises, and developers collaborating with Tribes produce grant applications, energy plans, and planning documents. Following the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, Kristin was an integral part of developing applications for federal, state, and philanthropic funding opportunities awarded more than $15 million, including through the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Indian Economic Development's Tribal Electrification Program. She also supports innovative Tribe-owned utility-scale energy projects throughout the National Environmental Policy Act process and has served as the 7Skyline team lead organizing a 7Skyline Power Up Tribal Energy Series community energy education event. At the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy, Kristin assisted senior leadership in collaborating with Tribes and Tribal organizations on grant applications to promote their renewable energy and energy sovereignty goals and was part of the team that wrote a winning Solar for All application. Previously, she provided project support to Terabase Engineering and Navajo Power and worked for Addison-Wesley Professional and Cisco Press, as well as other professional publishers, technology companies, and consultancies. She earned a bachelor's degree with high honors in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and a master's degree in English language and literature from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Refer to LinkedIn for further details about Kristin’s background and experience.

Program Manager & Senior Editor

Kristin Weinberger

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Shannon supports corporate and Tribal partners with energy programs and is experienced in strategy, stakeholder engagement, and cross-functional execution. She thrives on the rigor of managing data systems, aligning impact reporting with evolving local, regional, and global regulatory standards. At HP Inc., Shannon worked as a forest program manager on HP's Climate Action Team, combining her environmental, social and governance (ESG) compliance and program management experience to support a $80 million global sustainability portfolio. She represented HP Inc. in industry forums, created and maintained supplier code-of-conduct and sustainability policy documentation, and led stakeholder engagement and relationship management with new and existing partners. Before joining the Climate Action Team, Shannon served as a technical program manager for sustainability under the chief engineer of HP Labs, where she supported energy efficiency, compliance, and sustainability efforts for several global R&D labs. She won a national internal award for her research and recommendations in sustainable digital manufacturing and was recognized by the chief technology officer for her work in developing and facilitating sustainability workshops, which engaged more than 180 subject matter experts to create and present implementable project plans. Shannon also has experience in building programs from the ground up: as a sustainability program manager at the Environmental Alliance, she coordinated with executive leadership to create a marketing engagement plan, business plan, and five-year operations strategy. In support of these deliverables, she developed and led executive workshops on program development, conducted risk and SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analyses, and presented strategy recommendations for incorporating Science-Based Targets and Nature-Based Solutions into operational goals. Passionate about equitable, data-driven solutions, Shannon brings a systems-thinking mindset and a love of learning to complex sustainability challenges. She holds a BA in environmental science and an MBA from Willamette University. She is now serving as a voting board member for Solar Oregon, where she aims to support Oregon’s solar community in navigating upcoming regulatory changes, such as the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol updates scheduled to take effect in 2027. Refer to LinkedIn for further details about Shannon’s background and experience.

Energy & Sustainability Manager

Shannon Lee

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A member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes, Sydney received her bachelor’s degree in American Indian studies from Haskell Indian Nations University. At 7Skyline, Sydney has been involved in coordinating stakeholder events, including 7Skyline’s Power Up Symposiums, which are Tribal community engagement and education events planned in partnership with host Tribes to advance renewable energy initiatives. She works on the ground with Tribal leaders and community members who are the energy champions for their communities, helping support their efforts and secure the funding awards they need to implement clean energy programs. She recently led engagement with eight Arizona Tribes on a project for The Nature Conservancy regarding clean energy initiatives. Sydney is also a participant in Yale University’s Financing and Deploying Clean Energy Certificate Program. Previously, Sydney served as a program associate with the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy and as a house manager and case coordinator for the O’Connell Children’s Shelter in Lawrence, Kansas. Sydney worked her way through college at the Lawrence Boys and Girls Club, completing two terms with AmeriCorps. She also served as a youth care worker for children aged 10-18 and a food service coordinator for the O'Connell Children’s Shelter. Refer to LinkedIn for further details about Sydney's background and experience.

Tribal Liaison & Human Resources Manager

Sydney Harper

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Shawni is a member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) who brings to the 7Skyline team ten years of experience working for CRIT, where her responsibilities included researching and writing grant applications and developing partnerships with local organizations and agencies and federal programs. Her work for 7Skyline has focused on building relationships and collaborating with clients on project planning and funding, researching funding opportunities, and grant application preparation, compliance reviews, and management. In her first month at 7Skyline, Shawni secured $250,000 in funding for a microgrid feasibility study. She is currently supporting Tribal energy programs in Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, South Dakota, and Washington. In 2025, Shawni was a member of the First Cohort of the Arizona Sustainable Economic Development Learning Lab, convened by the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, in partnership with the International Economic Development Council and Prosperity Strategies. Her participation was sponsored by The Nature Conservancy and her capstone project, From Roots to Renewables, linked food and energy resilience through renewable energy career pathways and community garden programs for Tribal youth. She has also completed her training with the Project Management Institute on the Fundamentals of Predictive Project Management. Shawni earned a bachelor of applied science degree from Arizona State University and an associate of applied science degree from Mesa Community College. Refer to LinkedIn for further details about Shawni's background and experience.

Energy Project Manager & Grants Manager

Shawni Laffoon

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A descendant of the Meskwaki Nation of Iowa, Angelina supports Tribes in securing funding for their energy priorities and has served as the team lead for the development of a 500+-megawatt solar project and a Tribal energy audit and energy plan. She recently completed a report with The Nature Conservancy on Arizona Tribes’ development of clean energy initiatives based on interviews with eight diverse Tribes across the state. Angelina also pursues business development opportunities on behalf of 7Skyline, plans community outreach and education events in support of Tribal energy priorities, and supports 7Skyline in QuickBooks accounting, graphic design, and website and social media content creation. As a program coordinator for the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Angelina launched a preferred provider program, developing and vetting a comprehensive network of renewable energy service providers and leveraging customer relationship management software to build strong partnerships with Tribal entities. She earned a bachelor's degree in American studies, with a concentration in urban and Indigenous studies, from Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and has been using her skills in research, content creation, and education to support racial and environmental justice within her community since 2018. She is a board member of the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition and volunteers at the American Indian Center, both based in Minneapolis. Refer to LinkedIn for further details about Angelina's background and experience.

Energy Project Manager

Angelina Papakee

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Montena plays a central coordination role, collaborating with Tribes and partner technical organizations in managing project logistics, timelines, and deliverables while supporting long-term Tribal capacity building beyond individual grant awards. She builds tools for Tribes and grant writers to use in ensuring that grant applications align with opportunities and supports Tribes and Tribal enterprises in planning and completing projects that qualify for available incentive programs. Montena was a key member of the 7Skyline teams that helped Tribal clients win more than $4.1 million in grant funding for infrastructure development and capacity building, including funds from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Montena has served as a project manager for a solar generation and battery storage project in the Pacific Northwest and has led community outreach planning efforts and organized site visits supporting Tribes' energy activities and engagements. She has supported or helped organize seven 7Skyline Power Up Tribal Energy Series events in Arizona, Nevada, Maine, Oklahoma, and Oregon, including a community energy fair with 40 exhibitors. Committed to expanding her technical skill set, Montena has recently completed Basic Distributed Energy Resources & Microgrid Design Modeling Knowledge with Xendee at the Arizona State University Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, the Oregon Communications Fundamentals Academy, and the Project Management Institute's Fundamentals of Predictive Project Management. She is also a part-time student at Portland Community College, earning her associate of science in business. Refer to LinkedIn for further details about Montena's background and experience.

Energy Project Coordinator and Grant Writer

Montena Small

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As 7Skyline's 2026 - 2028 Energy Equity Fellow, Leslie is supporting the Inaja-Cosmit Band of Diegueño Mission Indians in developing and constructing the first distribution line on their Reservation. Leslie is a project manager at Terabase Energy, a renewable energy engineering and technology firm, where she manages the delivery of supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems for utility-scale solar projects. She oversees a multimillion-dollar renewable energy portfolio and works closely with solar developers and engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors to coordinate teams with a focus on reliable execution and financial performance. She consistently delivers projects at or above target gross margin, strengthening financial performance across her portfolio. Leslie's background spans engineering, construction, and operations, including experience delivering public infrastructure projects and consulting on clean energy development for Navajo Power in collaboration with Tribes across the U.S. This work informs her continued focus on energy equity, community-centered development, and expanding access to clean energy infrastructure. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sustainable environmental design from the University of California, Berkeley. Refer to LinkedIn for further details about Leslie’s background and experience.

Energy Equity Fellowship

Leslie Mejia Pagola

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Valeria is a rising high school senior at Godinez Fundamental High School in Santa Ana, CA with an interest for biotechnology and biomedicine. Previously, she conducted a research project on the inactivation of human papillomavirus in cervical cells by using CRISPR/Cas RNA-Guided Endonuclease through the Health Science Internship Program with two fellow researchers. Valeria is interested in continuing to develop her communication and collaborative skills through her work with 7Skyline.

Summer Intern

Valeria Arroyo Chavez

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Hamusé is an enrolled member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes. As she heads into her final year of high school, she is looking forward to continuing her education with the ultimate goal of majoring in Animal Science, driven by her long-term interest in becoming a veterinarian. Having dedicated herself to continuous learning through her academics and practical experiences, she is committed to furthering her knowledge and skills at 7Skyline. She believes this experience is essential for making a positive impact on her community, as well as advancing the well-being of animals in need. She is excited to apply what she learns throughout her internship and to continue growing in pursuit of a career she is truly passionate about.

Summer Intern

Hamusé Harper

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Jonah is a current AmeriCorps VISTA Member serving at Native American Development Corporation in Billings, MT. In his role, he has written a feasibility study for an Indigenous Credit Union serving Native artist entrepreneurs, raised $35,000 in grant funding for NADC, and developed numerous partnerships with public officials, non-profits, and Native communities in Billings and across much of Montana. He is very interested in environmental science/conservation, as well as Native culture, which drew him to a Tribal energy internship with 7Skyline. In previous roles, he has worked as a research technician at a cancer research non-profit in Seattle, a game design project manager for a marketing company in Colorado, and has traveled abroad to the UK to earn a theology certificate, meeting people from around the world. Jonah hopes to continue developing his professional skills and connections through his work with 7Skyline, building on his AmeriCorps experience. He possesses a variety of professional interests, including arts and entertainment, science and healthcare, and international development and politics.

Summer Intern

Jonah Casale

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Haley is Akimel O’odam and a proud Tribal member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes. An avid athlete, she plays volleyball, basketball, and softball. In her free time, she enjoys baking, dancing, and singing. Haley is deeply involved in her heritage and is actively working to learn more about her Hopi and Mohave culture. Looking ahead to her future, she will be attending Western Oregon University, where she plans to major in Accounting. Haley is incredibly honored to be a part of the 7Skyline team and expresses her sincere gratitude for their generosity.

Summer Intern

Haley Scott

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Marshall is a rising junior at Glen Rock High School who enjoys problem solving and design. Whether he is conquering a rock-climbing wall or decoding complex linguistics puzzles, Marshall is always thinking about the most efficient solution to an issue. Through his contributions at 7Skyline, he hopes to learn more about business operations and strategic marketing. He’s also excited to support their endeavors that involve graphic design and cultural preservation.

StandOut Program Intern

Marshall Maloney

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Kyler is a soon to be junior at Union High School with interests in technology, design, and development. He enjoys working on innovative projects, collaborating with others, and crafting solutions to real world problems. Driven by a passion to make a meaningful impact, he is committed to helping build a better future through service. This passion led him to develop a strong interest in 7Skyline, where he contributes to initiatives focused on creating positive, lasting change.

Summer Intern

Kyler Lo

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