NMC - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- How Involved Is Climate Action With Microplastics and Plastics Ghg Emissions
Bentley is the Federal Government Affairs Director for the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. In this role, he tracks all relevant activity in Washington D.C. surrounding Michigan LCV's issues, and engages with Michigan's federal delegation to communicate MLCV's position and ensure the protection of our land, air, and water throughout the decision making process.
A northern Michigan native, Colleen Otte learned to appreciate early on the rare beauty of the natural resources surrounding residents of Michigan. Eager to protect the lakes she swam in, forests she hiked, and wildlife she spotted growing up, Colleen looked for ways to combine her knack for wordsmithing with environmental causes, which led her to join the Residential Initiative on the Study for the Environment at Michigan State University, majoring in journalism. After earning her undergraduate degree with a minor in sustainability studies and specializations in design and visual communication, Colleen continued on to her master's, to take advantage of MSU's program focused on Environmental, Science, & Health journalism specifically. Stints as a social media intern with the Forest Service's Northern Research Station, launching the online presence for the National Park Service's Great Lakes Research & Education Center, and engaging volunteers in the Alliance for the Great Lakes' Adopt-a-Beach program landed her at her previous position with the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, where she oversaw the full digital marketing strategy to determine how best to communicate her colleagues' critical work in advancing decarbonization to quell climate change.
During her downtime, Colleen turns to creative outlets, like photo walks along the lakefront. She hopes her captures can serve as a reminder of the splendor in our surroundings, with the quiet caveat of what's at stake. Colleen prefers to take a perspective of climate optimism, and brings that spirit to MiCAN, where she looks forward to elevating the voices of those most impacted by climate change in Michigan.
Conan is an experienced nonprofit leader, policy innovator and respected public official. He has been a long-time advocate for the environment, public health and equity in Michigan. Starting as a volunteer and working his way up to leadership positions such as a program director, executive director and board member, he knows the internal organization and external efforts of nonprofits from the ground up. The Ann Arbor native was appointed the Michigan Environmental Council's first BIPOC president and CEO in May 2019.
Job Titles:
- Chairman, Washtenaw Climate Reality
Having been a farmer, a forester, a grassroots organizer, a political scientist, and a professor, Denise Keele comes to her role as Executive Director of Michigan Climate Action Network with a holistic understanding behind the need to rapidly reverse global warming. Denise holds an undergraduate degree in forestry and a master's focused on endangered species conservation from the University of Tennessee (Knoxville), as well as a doctorate in Environmental Politics from Syracuse University (a joint degree with the State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry). For Denise, a leading priority is inspiring and connecting people-and particularly, taking stock of how policy is matching up with lived experience, to ensure equitable solutions are centered in the movement toward a net zero Michigan. "I just want all of us to have a livable future," she says with straightforward conviction.
Job Titles:
- Chief Innovation Officer at Walker - Miller Energy Services
Dr. Brown is the Chief Innovation Officer at Walker-Miller Energy Services, where she blends research and emerging technology to deliver innovative energy solutions to historically marginalized communities. Additionally, she serves on the faculty of the School for Sustainability and Environmental Studies at the University of Michigan.
Prior to joining Walker Miller, Dr. Brown served as Climate & Energy Advisor and led the Office of Climate and Energy which was created by Governor Whitmer in 2019 to coordinate the state's climate action efforts.
Job Titles:
- West Michigan Engagement Coordinator
As the Line 5 West Michigan Engagement Coordinator for MiCAN and the Oil & Water Don't Mix Coalition, Erica organizes Michiganders to build momentum in support of shutting down Enbridge's Line 5 oil pipeline, specifically within the geographic area of Michigan Congressional District 3. Erica is passionate about centering the conventionally unheard voices within the movement toward a more just and healthy environment for all, and excited about furthering her outreach from Grand Rapids throughout West Michigan. She brings a holistic perspective and hopes to help others find their path through their passions as well.
Erica is presently a Climate Justice Organizer with the Urban Core Collective and a C4 Leadership Board Member, and participated in Freedom Schools at M.L.K. Jr. Park in Grand Rapids as an elder/leader in 2022.
"I would first like to learn about folks in West Michigan and what moves them," she says. "With an open heart and mind, I invite those from all walks of life to join us in understanding how our personal histories can craft a more cohesive future for this beautiful state. I am committed and excited to uplift the wants and needs of the people by empowering them to use their voices."
When she's not working, you can catch Erica rolling around on skates, or out thrifting with friends. Erica enjoys playing the ukulele, going on hikes, dancing and yoga with her cats.
Job Titles:
- Regional Program Manager for the BlueGreen Alliance
Frank is the Regional Program Manager for the BlueGreen Alliance. Since joining the BlueGreen Alliance in 2018, Frank has been a leader in BlueGreen Alliance's work to address climate change, protect strong fuel economy standards, promote electric vehicle and good manufacturing jobs as well as encourage investing in good jobs and fair economic policies as part of a just transition for workers and communities as we move to a cleaner economy. Frank was also recently appointed to Governor Whitmer's Environmental Justice Advisory Council.
Hello, I would like to know more about your group to decide if I would like to support you. I will first share a bit about me; I am Janice K. Means, PE, LEED AP, FASHRAE, FESD, LTU Professor Emerita. I am on the Board of Directors of the GLREA, and very active with ASHRAE (voting member of the technical committees related to climate change, solar and other renewables, and sustainable buildings. I am also the Chair of the ASHRAE TC 2.5 Climate Change committee responsible for updating the 2021 ASHRAE Fundamentals Handbook Climate Change Chapter (co-author of the original). The 6th edition of the ASHRAE GreenGuide -Design, Construction, and Operation of Sustainable Buildings book will be out in February; I am a co-author and co-editor. Janice K. Means
Job Titles:
- Associate Professor Emeritus / Santa Clara University
My name is Julia Curtis and I am currently a junior at Grand Valley State University, majoring in both Environmental Sustainability Studies and Statistics.
Hello! My name is Karina Prieto and I am a Journalism student at MSU. I am currently working on a story for my JRN 200 class and I am wondering if there is anyone in your organization who would be available for a very quick phone interview.
My name is Kirsten and I recently started a local chapter for Fridays For Future in Royal Oak. Fridays For Future is an international, intersectional movement of students striking for climate. I was reaching out to see if there were any high school or college students that would be interested in joining.
Martina is an award-winning journalist and documentary filmmaker with more than 15 years of experience who thoughtfully covers race, justice, and systemic inequality. Born and raised in Detroit, she is a proud daughter of Mexican immigrants. Martina believes that there is no place like Detroit and uses her homegrown perspective to inform her nuanced, investigative work around the globe. She is currently the Race and Justice Journalism Fellow at the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights at Wayne State University Law School.
Job Titles:
- Development Director / Michigan High School
My name is Sara Snyder, I am the Project Director of a new research study at the University of Michigan called MI-CARES. I want to share some information with you in hopes that we may be able to work together to spread the word about this project to the listeners and followers of Michigan Climate Action Network.
Job Titles:
- Digital Community Manager
As Digital Community Manager, Serena Amdur's mission is to encourage a more engaged and supported climate movement through MiCAN's digital platforms. Serena's natural interest in community resiliency and local climate solutions led her to earn a bachelor's degree from Macalester College in Environmental Studies with an emphasis in Cultural Sustainability as well as a minor in Food, Agriculture and Society. Serena went to high school in the Netherlands which provided one of many opportunities to experience how societies differ in their perception and interaction with their environments. She also has cross-cultural experience through spending time with her family in Taiwan, growing up in a multicultural family in the north suburbs of Chicago, and studying food security, nutrition and sustainable development in Geneva, Switzerland during college. Now, in northern Michigan where she grew up spending the summer, she recalls how the area sparked her passion for preserving the environment. In her free time, Serena is an avid reader, language-learner, and cook.
Tom is President of the Porter Family Foundation, an integral founder of MiCAN. He is a retired venture capitalist and executive-in-residence at the Ross School at the University of Michigan and supports big ideas that can make a meaningful difference for the environment. He was a co-founder of the Council of Michigan Foundation's Green & Blue Network, and Voices for Carbon Neutrality at the University of Michigan. Tom resides in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the winter and Empire, Michigan in the summers.
My name is Tristan Brink, I live in Brighton and I'm curious about potential job openings. I graduated from Washtenaw Community College last month with an Associate degree in Environmental Science. I've already looked into the Climate Action Network Communications Specialist position on your website, but I lack some of the qualifications. With that being said, I'd still like an opportunity to work for the organization, so I'm wondering if there are other positions in or around Washtenaw/Livingston County?