By: Hannah Fisher
The Renewable Energy Wildlife Institute (REWI) is thrilled to welcome our newest staff member: Sydney Rehder, Administrative Manager. As the Administrative Manager, Sydney supports REWI’s operations and manages key development tasks. Sydney joins REWI after earning her Masters in Political Science and Global Environmental Governance from UNC-Chapel Hill and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Sydney previously interned with the Transatlantic Hub, the U.S. Department of State Office of Development Finance, Tangle News, and Triangle Ultimate.
What drew you to this position at REWI?
REWI is a unique organization working in a very niche intersection between renewable energy and wildlife stakeholders. This position at REWI gives me the opportunity to work with a broad range of stakeholders all driven by the same goal – protecting the planet. In this role, I can support REWI’s mission of accelerating responsible deployment of renewable energy by supporting my team members working on the science, assisting outreach and communications, and solving logistical problems. I am very excited to bring my skills and experience to REWI!
What excites you about working at the intersection of renewable energy and wildlife?
In 2024, I completed a Dual Master’s degree in Global Environmental Governance and Political Science, focusing on community engagement and renewable energy deployment in Europe. In my thesis research, I discovered that some of the conflicts in community acceptance of wind energy stemmed from the community desire to protect wildlife. I am excited to see how this research aligns with the research that REWI is conducting, and to continue to learn more about how communication can result in a more just and sustainable energy transition.
What kind of growth do you hope to see for REWI over the next few years? What are you most excited to work on?
I hope to see an expansion of REWI’s reach in the broader community through outreach and communications. I would love to see REWI build new connections, prioritizing community engagement and energy justice in our research. I look forward to learning more about our development initiatives and keeping track of lots of spreadsheets!
What do you like to do outside of work?
I am a big lover of sports and the great outdoors, and especially the combination of those two things. I like to explore nature via hiking and kayaking. I play ultimate frisbee, but I also love to dabble in anything that keeps me active; tennis, soccer, and pickleball have been my recent favorites. I also just moved back to D.C., so I am looking forward to exploring my new home!
