2026-27 National SAFE OFFICERS
The officers below lead the student association for fire ecology, with terms from May 1, 2026 to May 1, 2027.
PRESIDENT: Will Hentschel, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Photo and bio coming soon!
VICE PRESIDENT: Vanessa Stevens, California State University, Chico
Vanessa Stevens is a current graduate student at CSU Chico Interdisciplinary Studies Wildland Management Program, with an interest in field techniques, restoration, conservation biology, and fire effects. Her work as a biogeographer has provided her career with a strong foundation and experience, with emphasis in the fields of Vegetation Ecology and Information Management. Vanessa’s certification as Technical Assistance Provider in Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems, as well as her role as a Geographic Information Systems professional, is supported by coursework in Environmental Analysis and growing qualifications as a good fire practitioner. Vanessa has applied experience in Wetland Restoration, Fire Ecology, and Rangeland Stewardship on project and watershed scales. She is accomplished in stewardship coordination, and she feels fortunate to facilitate many successful collaborations interdepartmentally and with non-profit agencies in order to support community-based land stewardship at home as well as in international endeavors. Vanessa’s research interests include freshwater habitats, fire effects, invertebrate conservation, and international conservation policy.
TRAINING AND EDUCATION Co-OFFICER: leo janczak, University of montana - missoula
Leo Janczak is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Montana, where he is pursuing a degree in Forestry with a minor in Fire Science and Geographic Information Systems. In addition to his academic work, Leo is a Fire and Fuels Technician at the University of Montana FireCenter during the school year, and Forestry Technician with the Bureau of Land Management during the summer. He is also currently involved in a research project focusing on the development of canopy gap structures following prescribed fires in long-term study areas. Passionate about sharing knowledge, Leo enjoys creating learning opportunities with fellow students and facilitating experiences whenever possible.
Training and Education Co-Officer: Camden Thorne, Utah State University
Photo and bio coming soon!
SECRETARY/TREASURER: Molly Franklin, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Molly Franklin was born and raised in the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area, and is currently a student at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, NY. There, she is studying Forest Ecosystem Science, and is currently the president of her school’s SAFE chapter. She’s also a graduate of SUNY ESF’s Ranger School.
She’s excited about fire ecology, science-based management, and plant community responses to fire. In her time as a student, she’s worked in fire ecology research and fire effects monitoring across the country, from Long Island, NY to Berkeley, CA to Grand Canyon National Park, AZ!
Molly is stoked to be part of National SAFE leadership, and work to bring opportunities to get involved with fire to students across the country. In her free time, she enjoys bikepacking, looking at mosses, baking pies, and folding origami animals.
