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I've been at Friends since I was four. Back then, my parents thought small classes and Quaker philosophy might suit me long term— and they were right!

I decided to go into nursing because I have always wanted to help people, that’s the simple answer. More specifically, I want to be a nurse because there is a lack of representation of biracial women in the medical field. I want to be a nurse that never places judgements on their patients. I want my patients to feel safe and secure with me, no matter how they identify.

Unlike past schools I’d attended prior to joining Friends, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the teachers at Friends wanted to connect with me and see me as a holistic, self-autonomous individual. They weren’t here to coddle me when I made mistakes, nor to treat me in an unbalanced power dynamic of super teacher vs. inferior student. The culture at Friends influences teachers and students to see one another as humans – constantly evolving, learning, and always treating one another with respect and understanding. Because of that, I have countless memories of joy, peace, and excitement when I think back on my time at Friends.

Elaine Kwon is one of the Founding and Managing Partners at Kwontified, an ecommerce management and software company.

Friends placed an emphasis on community service and reaching out to those from other backgrounds. This instilled in me a sense of responsibility to explore ways I could combine what I was good at with something that would make a positive impact. After immersing myself living in and working with an indigenous community in Central America, I paired that experience with my background in finance to pursue an impact investing career. I now invest in organizations and projects that are dedicated to solving inequalities and protecting our planet. The Friends mantra of using your knowledge and circumstances to make a difference played a large role in where I am today.

Nick is a director at HASI, a leading climate-positive investment firm that actively partners with clients to deploy real assets that facilitate the energy transition.