Balanced Internship Spotlight: Inside the Institutional Support Experience
- Olivia Rother
- Aug 7
- 3 min read
Introduction
This summer, Balanced has had the pleasure of working with Anisha, who joined us through a fellowship with the Reducetarian Foundation. We sat down with her to chat about her experience, what she’s learned, and what’s next on her journey.

Q&A with Anisha
Let’s start with the basics - can you tell us a little about yourself and how you ended up interning with us this summer?
Sure! I’m Anisha, and I recently graduated with a B.S. in Environmental Science from Queens College. My interest in this work started with a general desire to care for the environment. But as I learned more, I realized just how much our food system impacts the planet, from emissions to land use, water pollution, and more. That connection really opened my eyes and made me want to focus more deeply on food as a key area for environmental change.
I came across Balanced Internship through the Reducetarian Fellowship, a program that teaches fellows about factory farming and places them in a 10-week summer internship with a mission-aligned organization. After learning about the different partners and going through the interview process, I was matched with Balanced.
I was especially excited about this opportunity because of the team’s focus on institutional food reform and their commitment to making sustainable food more accessible - especially to people who don’t always have a say in the food they’re served.
You’re doing this Balanced Internship through a Fellowship with Reducetarian - what drew you to that program, and how does their mission resonate with you?
What first drew me to the Reducetarian Fellowship was honestly their flyer. It really stood out to me. The messaging aligned so well with my values: wanting a more sustainable, healthy, and compassionate world, while also improving public health and saving animals. As I learned more through the program, I started to see just how deeply connected factory farming is to so many major issues. Not only is it about animals, but it’s a climate issue, a public health issue, a labor issue, and an equity issue. Realizing that made me even more motivated to be part of a movement working toward systemic change.
What were you most excited (or nervous!) about coming into this internship?
I was definitely excited to work on real-world projects that could make a meaningful impact in the food sustainability space. I was especially looking forward to applying what I’d learned in school in a more hands-on way. At the same time, I was a little nervous about jumping into new tools and tasks I hadn’t worked with before. But the Balanced team has been so welcoming and supportive, and that really helped me build confidence and learn as I went.
Can you share a project you’ve really enjoyed working on so far? What made it memorable or meaningful for you?

One project I’ve really enjoyed working on is creating a lesson plan for 3rd–6th grade students about food sustainability. I got to use my Canva skills to design a fun and engaging presentation about how food impacts the planet, and simple ways they can make a difference. It felt really meaningful to work on something that could possibly reach younger audiences and spark curiosity and awareness early on.
Has this experience shaped your career goals or future plans in any way?
This experience has definitely made me more excited for the future. I’ve really loved working with a mission-driven team like Balanced. It showed me what it’s like to be part of a supportive, thoughtful group that’s doing meaningful work. I know I want to keep working in sustainability, and this internship helped me realize how important it is for me to be in a role where I feel like I’m making a real impact. Honestly, it’s raised the bar for the kind of work environment and purpose I want moving forward.
Outside of work, what’s something you’re passionate about or a fun fact people might not know about you?

Outside of work, I love love love cats. I have a tuxedo cat named Nori, who I actually found in a dumpster a couple years ago. He’s the best. I’m also really into nature walks, watching anime, and I’m obsessed with matcha. Oh, and I love Asian cuisine, Nori’s name might’ve given that away!
Finally, could you share any advice you’d give to future fellows or interns thinking about doing a program like this?
I would say be open to learning, even if something feels unfamiliar or out of your comfort zone. Some of the most rewarding parts of this experience came from saying “yes” to tasks I didn’t initially feel qualified for.