“Keep in mind why you are going to school. Your goal can change but having one is important to keep you moving forward. If that fails, remember that momentum can be helpful. If you stop, it might be harder to start up again. You got this! I believe in you!”
KEF Board President Elaine Lederer
Alutiiq scientist, Elaine Lederer, is devoted to posing challenging questions and has a keen mind. Her parents, Skip Enge and Martha Komm, urged her to follow her interest in science and tap into her creative side.
Lederer was born and raised in Vancouver, Washington and has ties to Woody Island, Alaska. She studied at Western Washington University and had the fantastic opportunity to work as an intern for the Integrated Concepts and Research Corporation, a Koniag subsidiary, for two summers. During her internship, she worked with NASA at the Marshal Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
In 2007, Lederer graduated with her bachelor’s degree in geology with a minor in physics. The pursuit of her passion has led her to a position as a Managing Consultant for the engineering firm Ramboll. Her position allows her to collaborate with like-minded scientists and engineers to create and implement complex environmental solutions for industries in numerous global sectors.
Lederer loves hiking all day to swim in cold mountain lakes surrounded by trees and walls of rocks. She looks forward to the winters when she can snowboard in the backcountry with her husband Micah and their dog Daisy.
Lederer advises students to “Keep in mind why you are going to school. Your goal can change but having one is important to keep you moving forward. If that fails, remember that momentum can be helpful. If you stop, it might be harder to start up again. You got this! I believe in you!”