THE ELP FELLOWSHIP CLASS OF 2005-2006

Kathryn Alcantar, Environmental Program Fellow, San Francisco Foundation
Kathryn Alcantar is a environmental program fellow at the San Francisco Foundation. Previously, Kathryn was the environmental health associate at West Harlem Environmental Action, a community-based environmental justice organization that builds community power to fight environmental racism and improve environmental health, protection and policy in communities of color. She developed environmental health and science materials and trainings designed to empower communities in New York City. She also worked as water program director and environmental policy analyst at the Latino Issues Forum.

Ana Baptista, Doctoral Candidate, Rutgers University, School of Planning and Public Policy
Ana Baptista is a doctoral candidate in the urban planning and policy development program at the E.J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University, where she studies environmental justice policies. Previously, Ana worked with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management to develop an environmental equity policy. Ana is an active member of New Jersey's Environmental Justice Alliance and works in her native Ironbound community in Newark, NJ on neighborhood revitalization and environmental justice issues.

Brendon Barclay, Founding Director, Sustaining Urban Villages
Brendon Barclay is founding director of Sustaining Urban Villages at the Atlanta Outdoor Activity Center, where he oversees and develops environmental conservation and education programs in urban forests and green spaces in Atlanta. He has been a project manager with the Americorps National Community Service Program, where he collaborated with Fulton County (GA) middle schools to design and implement conflict resolution programs, and a conflict resolution instructor for the Department of Juvenile Justice. Previously, Brendon worked for the Department of Labor/JobCorps as an admissions and placement counselor.

Cece Carpio, Coordinator, Youth for Environmental Health Program, Literacy for Environmental Justice
Cece Carpio is the coordinator of Youth for Environmental Health at Literacy for Environmental Justice, a youth empowerment and environmental justice organization in the Bayview Hunters Point community of San Francisco. Previously, Cece coordinated the Youth Envision program where she trained high school youth in community assessment and advocacy skills around food security and environmental justice issues, and implemented a Good Neighbor Program to promote environmental sustainability and improve the quality of food available for local residents. Cece is a member of the Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines and works on arts and activism, cultural resistance, indigenous peoples rights, and social justice for communities of color.

Andrea Chang, Masters of Business Student, Harvard Business School
Andrea Chang is a MBA student at Harvard Business School. Previously, she was the research program manager of ecology at Vulcan Inc., a company founded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen that seeks to engender lasting social, cultural and economic progress. Andrea analyzed and managed projects that contribute to the company's environmental initiatives. Andrea was also at Morgan Stanley in Hong Kong and New York, where she focused on raising capital for emerging companies and governments in the Asia region. She has worked for the United Nations Development Programme-Global Environment Facility in Malaysia as well as for the World Bank, United Nations Refugee Agency, Hong Kong Monetary Authority, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and White House.

Cathie Chavez, Environmental Specialist, City of Los Angeles-Solid Resources Citywide Recycling Division
Cathie Chavez is the project manager for the City's first program providing recycling services to multifamily residential properties. This program will provide citywide recycling service to over half a million rental and owner owned units in the city limits. Cathie's was previously employed with the the Department of Toxic Substances Control and the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy. Cathie is also involved with environmental justice issues within the City El Monte and is Supervisor Gloria Molina's appointee to the Los Angeles County Board of Governors of Arboreta and Botanical Gardens. She will complete her graduate degree in Environmental Science in early 2008.

Luis Fernandez, Visiting Scholar at Stanford University and at Carnegie Institution's Department of Global Ecology
Luis Fernandez is a dually appointed visiting scholar at Stanford University and Carnegie Institution's Department of Global Ecology. He formerly worked as an International Activities Specialist and Ecologist at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of International Affairs in Washington D.C. where he worked on issues related to the US-Mexico Border region. He also served as a faculty advisor for the International Scholar Laureate Program on the Environment in Brazil. Previously, Luis was an environmental scientist at the US EPA regional office in Dallas, a research associate at the University of Michigan, and a Fulbright fellow in Bluefields, Nicaragua. Luis is active in promoting diversity through student recruiting and mentoring as well as involving communities historically not included in the environmental problem solving process.

Chris Garvin, AIA, LEED AP, Associate Cook+Fox Architects
Chris Garvin, AIA, LEED AP, Associate, Cook+Fox Architects specializes in environmental architecture and sustainable materials research. A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, he has been working on Sustainability in the built environment since 1998. Chris is also the co-chair of the AIA New York Chapter Committee on the Environment (COTE) and an Environmental Leadership Senior Fellow. He has lectured on a diverse range of issues related to the built environment and teaches several continuing education courses at Pratt Institute. Chris is currently developing an exhibit focused on Biomimicry and the Built Environment, lessons learned from Nature.

Scherri Greene, Marketing Specialist
Scherri Greene is a marketing specialist and a member of the Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho. She is a tribal fisher and activist for culturally appropriate economic development that empowers sovereignty for indigenous nations. Previously, Scherri worked with the Quinault Nation, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission and Quinault Pride Seafood. She was a fellow with the American Indians for Opportunity-American Indian Ambassadors Program, a member of the Native American Fish & Wildlife Society, and a board member of Earth Conservation Corp-Salmon Corp. Scherri was recently elected to the Nez Perce Tribe Enterprise Board and Nez Perce Arts Council.

Stephanie Gripne, Land Conservation Program Manager, Nature Conservancy of Colorado
Stephanie Gripne, is a Land Conservation Program Manager for The Nature Conservancy of Colorado where she focuses on conservation real estate and conservation finance strategies. Stephanie Gripne has most recently been involved with an effort to evaluate grassbanking as a cost-effective private land conservation tool (www.compatibleventures.com), which has been financially supported by the McIntire-Stennis, BLM, USDA Forest Service, and The Nature Conservancy. She received her PhD from the Boone and Crockett Wildlife Conservation Program in at the University of Montana and focuses on conservation finance, conservation real estate, and economic strategies that provide nonmarket goods and services. Stephanie is an Environmental Leadership Fellow, PERC Enviroentrepenuer, CFRC Ford Foundation Fellow, and Boone and Crockett Professional Member. Stephanie received her B.S. in Biology and Wildlife Management from the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point and her M.S. in Ecology from Utah State University. Stephanie is part owner of Compatible Ventures LLC. Stephanie has worked and volunteered in the natural resources arena for the past 16 years with the USDA Forest Service, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the Journal of Wildlife Management, Utah State University, Bureau of Land Management, The Nature Conservancy and the University of Wisconsin.

Fletcher Harper, Executive Director, GreenFaith
Fletcher Harper, an Episcopal priest, is executive director of GreenFaith, a New Jersey-based interfaith environmental coalition, and speaks weekly at houses of worship from diverse denominations about the religious basis for environmental care. He served as rector of two New Jersey Episcopal churches and oversaw the ordination process for his diocese. Previously, he taught in an East Harlem public school, ran an independent journalism project, and worked at a grantmaking foundation. Fletcher serves on the Executive Committee of the NJ Work Environment Council and on the NJ Board of Public Utilities' Clean Energy Council which advises the Board on the use of $115 million annually for energy conservation and renewable energy.

Holmes Hummel, Congressional Science Fellow, Office of Congressman Jay Inslee
Drawing on a background in energy engineering and climate science, Holmes strives to support both private sector investment strategies and public policy initiatives that chart a path toward climate stabilization. Always interested in human rights and environmental justice, Holmes has assisted rural renewable energy development projects in South Africa and volunteered technical assistance to public interest advocacy organizations in the U.S. and abroad. As a member of the inaugural class of PhD candidates in Stanford University's Interdisciplinary Program on Environment and Resources, Holmes pursued international research opportunities in China and Europe, and is now applying the insights of those experiences to energy and climate policy deliberations on Capitol Hill.

Marstella Jack, Assistant Attorney General, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Department of Justice
Marstella Jack is the assistant attorney general at the FSM Department of Justice in Pohnpei, where she provides legal advice and prosecutes fisheries and maritime surveillance offenses under the Marine Resources Act of FSM. Previously, Marstella worked as an assistant attorney general at the Pohnpei State government, where she developed regulations to manage marine and forest sanctuaries, and served as principal legal advisor to the Pohnpei Environmental Protection Agency. Marstella serves on the Board of Directors of the Micronesia Conservation Trust and on the Pohnpei Women's Advisory Council. She also is the sub-regional representative to the Board of Directors of the Pacific Concerns Resource Center.

Mimi Lam, Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of New Mexico
Mimi Lam is an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Biology at the University of New Mexico, and a chemistry researcher and educational consultant with Northwest Indian College. Mimi explores the epistemological convergence of evolutionary human cognition and traditional ecological knowledge with quantum and statistical mechanics. Previously, she was a technical writer and business consultant for a start-up telecommunications company. She has taught and designed science and mathematics courses that weave traditional ecological knowledge, Native and western epistemologies, and cultural influences in human cognition.

Brian Mayer, Assistant Professor, University of Florida
Brian Mayer is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology and the School for Natural Resources and the Environment at the University of Florida. He received his doctoral degree from Brown University in 2006, where his dissertation on the formation of coalitions between environmental and labor organizations received an award for best dissertation in the social sciences. Brian continues to research the relationship between the labor and environmental movements and has worked with several groups across the country to help develop long-lasting ties between the two. Brian teaches and conducts research primarily in the field of environmental health and is particularly interested in community responses to local toxic contamination. In addition he has written on the precautionary principle and has published his work in academic journals and several books.

Amanda Moore, Staff Attorney, Appalachian Citizens Law Center
Amanda Moore is a staff attorney with the Appalachian Citizens Law Center, a nonprofit law office in Prestonsburg, Kentucky dedicated to addressing problems surrounding coal-mining. Amanda provides free legal services to low-income people and communities on environmental issues relating to coal mining and other resource extraction issues. Previously, she clerked for the Hon. Boyce F. Martin, Jr. on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Amanda also serves on the steering committee of the Licking River Watershed Watch, a group of volunteer water samplers and watershed advocates.

Sonya Newenhouse, President, Madison Environmental Group and Community Car
Sonya Newenhouse is president of Madison Environmental Group, a creative consulting firm that works with individuals and organizations to improve communities and the environment by focusing on transportation, green building and motivational environmental programs. She also is founding president of Community Car, Wisconsin's first Car Share Organization. Previously, Sonya founded WasteCap Wisconsin, a nonprofit organization that provides waste reduction and recycling assistance to businesses. She is a board member of Wildlands CPR (Center for Preventing Roads), chairs the Solid Waste Advisory Committee, and serves on the Dane County Clean Air Coalition and the Transportation Committee for Downtown Madison.

Ben Spinelli, Esq., Executive Director of the New Jersey Office of Smart Growth Prior to his appointment as Executive Director, he worked as Chief Counsel and Director of Policy for the office. He served as Mayor of Chester Township from 1998 to 2007. While Ben was mayor, Chester Township preserved over 2,000 acres of land through a combination of farmland preservation and open space acquisition. The township partnered with private landowners, state and county government and non-profit organizations to use innovative planning and funding methods to preserve land as part of a long-term planning strategy for Chester. He directed a comprehensive update of the Township Master Plan and the supporting ordinances necessary for establishing a sustainable resource based approach for planning his community’s future. Ben was an original member of the Highlands Council. He was a founder and President of the Raritan-Highlands Compact, a regional inter- municipal planning group. He served as chairman of the Morris County Open Space and Farmland Preservation Trust, President of the Morris County League of Municipalities, a member of the Chester Township Planning Board and Chairman of the Chester Township Environmental Commission. Prior to working at the Office of Smart Growth he was a practicing attorney for 20 years working for the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, for a private law firm and for the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies during the course of his career.

Kristen Walker Painemilla, Conservationist, Conservation International
Kristen Walker Painemilla is senior director for program and strategy at the Center for Applied Biodiversity Science at Conservation International, a non-profit organization working with partners in more than forty countries on four continents to protect threatened ecosystems. Kristen is developing an Indigenous and Traditional Peoples Initiative to facilitate and maintain effective working relationships with indigenous and traditional groups living in areas of high biodiversity, and to support indigenous knowledge, institutions and practices. Previously, Kristen worked with the Indigenous Foundation Institute in Chile as a Fulbright Scholar and with the US Department of the Interior's Office of International Affairs.

Dr. Sacoby Wilson is an environmental health researcher who completed his doctoral degree in Environmental Sciences and Engineering from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill-School of Public Health in June 2005. His dissertation research focused on environmental monitoring and spatiotemporal mapping of atmospheric ammonia levels near human receptor locations and concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in Eastern North Carolina. He recently began his postdoctoral training with the Robert Wood Johnson Health & Society Scholars Program at the University of Michigan. He is receiving training and performing research in population health to examine social and environmental determinants of health and health disparities using GIS, epidemiological and action-oriented CBPR approaches. He also is a member of the research team for the West End Revitalization Association, a community-based organization in Mebane, North Carolina. Sacoby is active in several organizations including the American Public Health Association, North Carolina Environmental Justice Network, Society for the Study of Social Problems, and NAACP. Sacoby is a former EPA STAR, EPA MAI/GRO, and Thurgood Marshall fellow.

W. Warner Wood, Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Museum Studies, Central Washington University, and Research Associate, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.
W. Warner "Bill" Wood is Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Museum Studies, Central Washington University, and Research Associate, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. His teaching and research interests include: Latin American culture and society (with particular focus on indigenous material culture and identity), globalization, tourism, the history and culture of environmentalism, and representations of nature in museums and other public institutions. His most recent work is focused on the transnational lives of Zapotec weavers and textiles as well as eco-tourism and the management of biodiversity on the Pacific Coast of Oaxaca.

Ami Zota, Research Fellow, Silent Spring Institute and Harvard School of Public Health
Dr. Zota recently completed her doctorate in Environmental Health at the Harvard School of Public Health. Ami's research examines sources and exposure pathways of outdoor and indoor pollutants within environmental justice communities. Her current work focuses on: cumulative impacts of pollutant mixtures, children's environmental health, interactions between social and environmental stressors, and novel methods for assessing exposures to environmental contaminants. Ami is committed to conducting socially-responsible research and advancing community-based participatory research (CBPR) methods. Her dissertation research used environmental sampling and GIS modeling to determine how pregnant women and children living near the Tar Creek Superfund site were being exposed to mining-related pollutants. She is currently a postdoctoral research fellow at Silent Spring Institute, a research institute that focuses on environmental links and women's health, where she is examining sources and cumulative impacts of endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) in a fence-line, environmental justice community. Ami is also a former Schweitzer and Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) National Fellow.