Knight Center graduate Alice Rossignol (MA ’11) recently accepted a Development Writer and Editor position with The Nature Conservancy in Minneapolis, where she will produce fundraising materials to advance the organization’s efforts across North America.
The move follows more than three years serving as a writer and editor for the Conservancy’s work in Michigan and the Great Lakes. During that time she helped raise millions of dollars to advance conservation initiatives that protect the region’s lands and waters.
Alice credits her tenure at the Knight Center, specifically reporting for Great Lakes Echo, as a major factor that influenced her career trajectory. Like Echo, The Nature Conservancy approaches its work through a bioregional lens, tackling issues at the scale of large, complex ecosystems like the Great Lakes rather than a single river, forest or state.
Entering the job market with this experience and perspective gave her a leg up on other candidates, she says.

She also recognizes the Knight Center for fostering a community of musically-inclined alumni. Before moving to the Twin Cities, Alice, Brian Bienkowski (MA ’12), Jeff Gillies (MA ’11) and Andy McGlashen (MA ‘09) founded the minor league bluegrass/old-time groups, The Apostles and Uncle Alice and the Gals.
Despite failing to top the charts and establish their own Wikipedia pages, they left at least a slight mark on the porch-picking scene of Lansing’s eastside.