Alaina Shields

Alaina Shields is an emerging sustainability professional with diverse experience in urban planning and environmental initiatives. Alaina contributed as a Summer Intern at the Asheville City Urban Planning Department, where community stakeholder interviews and surveys were conducted to identify key local issues. Currently serving as a Sustainability Analyst at Compass Group, Alaina focuses on measuring and reducing Scope 3 emissions related to food purchasing, and developing strategies for responsible sourcing. Previous roles include FIELD Fellow at The Farmlink Project and Semester Farm Intern at Durham Public Schools The Hub Farm, where Alaina supported agricultural education and farm operations. Educational background includes a Certificate in Food, Sustainability, and Environmental Studies from The Umbra Institute and pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies and Public Policy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Alaina graduated from Poolesville High School with a focus on Environmental Science.