Ylanda Wilhite

Ylanda Wilhite is an experienced professional in environmental education and community engagement, currently serving as the Youth and Community Partnership Organizer at The Field Museum since June 2017. This role involves building connections between people and nature, and training future environmental leaders through the Center's Youth Conservation Action initiative. Previous positions include Senior Partnership Coordinator and Youth Conservation Action Partnership Coordinator at The Field Museum, Co-Founder of Chicago Environmental Educators Inc., and Northeast Regional Director at the Environmental Education Association of Illinois. Ylanda's background also includes roles at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, and Kendall County Forest Preserve District, showcasing expertise in program development, volunteer coordination, and public engagement. Ylanda holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Illinois State University and a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership with a focus on Non-Profit Management from Lewis University.