About

[She/Her/Hers]

Leia, The Climate Initiative’s Executive Director and Co-founder, has over 25 years of experience in education, curriculum development, and community engagement. She is committed to fostering dynamic educational experiences and specializes in cultivating critical thinkers, lifelong learners, and activated citizens. Leia’s innovative programs are the cornerstone of The Climate Initiative, shaping its programmatic approach and influencing youth impact.

Advocating for stronger communities, Leia believes in connecting people through their local landscape and shared history as a catalyst for inspiring action and building hope in the face of the climate crisis. A speaker and trainer at national conferences, her passion has spurred innovations in local programs, earning her the Gulf of Maine Council Visionary Award in 2019. Recognized by the National Land Trust Alliance magazine, Leia’s educational initiatives have gained national attention.

Leia holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science from Virginia Tech. With her husband Jamie and their three children, Leia cherishes a profound love for nature, from gardening and bird watching to summiting mountains, relishing all the outdoors has to offer.

Leia is a speaker and trainer at national conferences and her passion has led to innovations in local programs. Her work as an educator and community building resulted in her winning the Gulf of Maine Council Visionary Award in 2019, as well as her programs being featured in the National Land Trust Alliance magazine.

Leia earned her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences from Virginia Tech with concentrations in International Development, Women’s Studies and Communications, and a Master’s of Science from Virginia Tech. Leia and her husband Jamie, along with their three children (Marshall, Caroline, and Henry), share a deep love of nature. From working in her garden to hiking to the top of a mountain, Leia enjoys all that the outdoors has to offer.

[She/Her/Hers]

Meagan joins the TCI team with over 15 years of marketing communications experience working for global consumer brands, travel and tourism organizations and outdoor recreation companies. Her primary responsibilities for TCI include managing the organization’s brand identity and content strategy, all marketing initiaitives, online communities, website, email communications, and PR/media relations.

Meagan received her Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in Marketing Communications and Public Relations from Emerson College. She’s a Maine native and when she is out of the office, you can find her mountain biking or hiking the conservation land in Kennebunkport and beyond with her family.

Kate is originally from Wisconsin, but has lived in New Zealand, and more recently in Portland, Maine.  Kate’s background is in public school teaching, specifically English & Language Arts, with an emphasis on inquiry-based learning.  Kate has nearly twenty years of experience in teaching, business, leadership, and entrepreneurship, and is excited to bring these unique skills to the team at TCI.

Kate’s first introduction to environmental and climate action was as a youth in a traveling children’s theater troupe called “To Save the Planet”, where she was lucky enough to perform at the White House for Vice President Al Gore during the United Nations Global Youth Forum.  Ever since then, Kate has been passionate about the power of youth voices in tackling the world’s biggest challenges.

In her free time, Kate enjoys spending time with her husband Ollie and their two daughters Zoey and Natalie.  She enjoys reading, sewing, fishing, cooking, and enjoying the beautiful Maine outdoors.

[She/Her/Hers]

Amanda grew up in Saco, Maine where she spent as much of her childhood by the ocean as possible. She knew she wanted to be in the climate space when her high school, Thornton Academy, did an assembly presentation on the impacts of climate change and was inspired by efforts to mitigate sea level rise.

She joins the team with several years of nonprofit management and fundraising experience, with a focus on organizations that work in the climate and education access space. She holds an MPA from Cornell University, as well as Bachelors in Political Science and Business Administration from Hartwick College.

In her spare time she can often be found exploring bookstores, going on nature walks, hanging out with her fluffy orange cat, rewatching Grey’s Anatomy for the upteenth time or designing candles for her sustainable candle studio, Isle & Wild.

[She/Her/Hers]

Julia joins TCI with over a decade of experience serving nonprofit organizations. She began her career educating and empowering transitional age youth and most recently worked in development for higher education. She received a Bachelor of Arts with distinction from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa.

Born in the San Francisco Bay Area before moving to Hawaii, Julia was fortunate to grow up in locales where conversations regarding climate challenges and sustainability were at the forefront of everyday life. Benefitting firsthand from this education, she is humbled and delighted to further TCI’s mission of empowering youth voices for climate action.

She currently resides in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, where she serves on a local community engagement committee and is an active participant in local arts. In her spare time Julia can be found exploring nature, and she is well on her way to reaching her goal of visiting every U.S. National Park.

Majid joins The Climate Initiative (TCI) as an Outreach Fellow through the Atlas Corps Fellowship, bringing extensive experience in development, grassroots mobilization, and climate advocacy.

Majid earned his masters in Development Studies from the University of Sussex. He has worked with Barefoot College International, where he focused on rural education and community-centered projects, and has been part of several prestigious fellowships, including the Naropa Fellowship in Entrepreneurial Leadership and the SBI Youth for India Rural Development Fellowship.

Hailing from the mountains of Pahalgam, Kashmir, Majid is a passionate environmental advocate and co-founder of local conservation initiatives. Outside of work, you can find him hiking Kashmiri trails, capturing stunning landscapes, or leading eco-drives to inspire youth to reconnect with nature.

Melissa Luetje is a science teacher at Kennebunk High School in RSU 21, which serves the towns of Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, and Arundel in southern Maine. She is certified in both physical and life science and is committed to getting her students out and into the field as much as possible. She is passionate about place-based education and experiential learning. Melissa is a tireless advocate for amplifying youth voices and providing opportunities that give youth agency so that they can make positive impacts in their communities in the fight against climate change.

Ariel is TCI’s Youth Engagement Manager. Since 2018 she has dedicated herself to teaching and youth about climate change. She is an advocate for learning about both climate sciences and the social implications of climate change and its solutions.

Ariel has a background in Fine Arts and utilizes her creativity to the fullest when approaching how to creatively educate, excite and activate youth to engage with the climate crisis.

Based in Los Angeles CA, Ariel has seen firsthand the disproportionate impact climate change has on communities and works to educate others on the not-so-obvious impacts of climate change. In her free-time, she is found in Downtown Los Angeles at her studio. Ariel is formally trained as a ceramicist (both pottery and sculpture) but currently is focused on working as a sculptural artist utilizing upcycled materials. She is currently working on figuring out how to weave sustainability into her art practice and how sustainability translates to the materials used in her work.

Shilton joins The Climate Initiative as a Monitoring and Evaluation Fellow. In this role, he will support building data and learning systems to help TCI assess and improve the impact of their climate justice programs. 

Shilton brings over 7 years of experience managing and supporting impactful programs focused on community empowerment and social impact in Africa and the United States. He holds a BA in Library Science and Economics from the University of Zambia and is currently pursuing his MA in International Affairs at King’s College London. His academic studies and professional experience have sparked his interest in leveraging data and information to drive social impact and address the intersection of climate, development, and inequality through his work.

In his previous role as Data Manager, Shilton developed monitoring frameworks and data tools that strengthened oversight across 3 countries. He is skilled in project management, data analysis, workshop facilitation, and building relationships with diverse stakeholders. 

Shilton is inspired by TCI’s mission to engage and empower communities on the frontlines of climate change. Outside of work, he enjoys mentoring youth, volunteering, and developing his leadership in international development. In his free time, Shilton enjoys traveling, staying up-to-date on technology trends, cooking, and spending quality time with friends.

I am a dedicated public health leader with over 16 years of experience in research, policy development, and program management within government, healthcare, and private organizations. I am pursuing my Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, focusing on emergency preparedness. One of my interests is advancing climate change resilience and advocacy. My passion lies in fostering sustainable public health solutions, integrating climate action into health policies, and enhancing community preparedness through innovative approaches. I am committed to creating impactful strategies that address emerging health challenges and promote equity in global health systems. I am currently based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Originally from New Jersey, Alexa received her BA in Peace & Justice Studies and Political Science from Pace University. Her studies exemplified the intersectionality of social, economic, and political issues, and how each of these are intertwined with our environment. After gaining research and policy experience working with NGOs within the UN, Alexa was excited to expand upon her work as she combined her passion for social activism with environmental justice. She now joins the TCI team from Tampa, Florida where she is studying for her MA in Global Sustainability. Her primary focus is transitioning the tourism industry into one that sustainably supports communities, without damaging their environments, cultures, or economies. Alexa has been inspired by the work of TCI, particularly with their efforts to engage youth in climate action. She is proud to work with a team of passionate activists who live out TCI’s mission every day. Working with the Program’s team, Alexa is excited to continue expanding TCI’s educational and advocacy outreach!

In her free time, Alexa enjoys traveling, spending time with friends, taking a trip to the beach, and baking.

Annie Hornsby, Franklin, NC: 

My path to becoming an educator is not the most traditional, but everything works together and it all fits. I am a first generation American, born of German parents who immigrated to the US after WWII. Although neither of my parents attended college, all of their children did, as education was seen as the key to success. One of my great desires is to help other kids get a leg-up and reach their dreams also.  This led to my first degree being a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Georgia and working in the area of child welfare (child abuse and foster care). Ultimately I made the switch to education, getting my masters in Middle School Science Education. I have four wonderful kids (who are actually adults now) pursuing their own goals. Fortunately, being a teacher gives me some time in summer to travel and catch up with them all. My sons just live on the other side of the state, but my daughters are more far-flung.  My youngest is finishing up her PhD at Stanford (Environmental Engineering) and my oldest daughter has been in Honduras for 12 years, having started a non-profit focused on education. I love what I see and learn through them. I also love my job.  I am in my 12th year of teaching 7th and 8th grade science in Macon County, NC and every year is a gift.  We are a small school, in a very rural, mountainous county.  Many of the kids I teach have never been out of NC, but I love being able to open their eyes to the bigger world out there, and encourage and empower them to dream big. I love their enthusiasm and optimism and willingness to think and dream big about their own futures. I have had lots of different jobs over time, but at this point in my life, absolutely nothing else seems worth the investment of my time. 

Climate Change Impacts: 

When Hurricane Helene roared through western North Carolina on Sept. 27th, it thrust climate and climate change into the forefront of everyone’s minds. Even now, months later, the slow process of recovery continues. I feel extremely fortunate to be a part of TCI at this particular moment in time, as education is quite often about capitalizing on that “teachable moment”.

Jennifer Burgan, Cynthiana, KY:

Jennifer Burgan has been teaching high school science for 23 years at Harrison County High School in Cynthiana, Kentucky. She currently teaches AP Environmental Science, on-level Environmental Science, Botany and Zoology.  She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy and Natural Resources from Eastern Kentucky University. Upon graduation she spent two and a half years as a 4-H/Youth Development agent for the University of Kentucky but decided her passion was in the classroom. She went back to school to earn her Master’s in Science and Social Studies Education from Eastern Kentucky University. In addition to teaching, Jennifer has been a member of the Harrison County Board of Soil and Water Conservation for 18 years, serving as board chair, vice-chair, secretary and treasurer.  She currently represents Area 5 on the Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts (KACD) Board of Directors, Kentucky Ag and Environment in the Classroom representative for KACD and has recently been appointed chair of the Education Committee.  Jennifer also volunteers her time as a Licking River Water Watch Volunteer and Envirothon co-sponsor for Harrison County High School.  She lives on the family farm with her husband Kurt and daughter Anna; her adult children Sara Ann is a world traveler and Laura Beth is a 4th grade teacher in Jessamine County.  On their farm they have implemented several conservation practices such as fencing out all ponds and creeks, rotational grazing and pollinator plot. Jennifer loves spending time gardening and hanging out with her chickens. 

Diana Allen, Orrington, ME: 

I have been an educator since the early 2000’s, for most of my career in middle school science. My passion is to teach my students the beauty and majesty of our natural world. To inspire curiosity and empower them to be stewards of the environment, starting in their own communities. I also spend time working alongside other teacher leaders toward improving education and to help other teachers develop leadership and strive toward excellence. I truly believe education saved my life and is the key to making our world a better place.

Olivia Kuper, Greeneville, TN

Olivia Kuper is a chemistry, physics, and scientific research teacher at North Greene High School in Greeneville, Tennessee. She is also a Ph.D. student at Texas Tech University in STEM education. Ms. Kuper was selected by Greene County for the Partnership Service to Students Award in 2024. She received an honorary Doctor of Science from Grinnell College in 2022. Ms. Kuper and her husband, Tom Rutherford, live in East Tennessee, where Tom is the Burke Observatory director at King University. She has two adult daughters, Abby, who lives in Ft. Worth, Texas, and Emma, who lives in San Antonio, Texas. She has one grandson, Major.

Ashleigh Glickley, Crestwood, KY

Ashleigh Glickley is a National Board Certified Teacher, magnet school advisor, academic coach, and innovator.  Her passion for language learning began during her service as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala where she taught in bilingual indigenous Mayan schools.  With over 15 years of experience in Dual Language programs in the U.S. and abroad, Ashleigh has led teachers in the development of curriculum and assessments for both English and Spanish language classrooms.  Her work as a champion for multilingual learners was highlighted in the 2018 Louisville Magazine’s Person of the Year.  

Most recently, Ashleigh’s educational focus has centered around collaborative, real-world learning experiences in Science.  In 2022, she served on a team of National Geographic Explorers documenting sunken World War II maritime heritage sites off the coat of Maui.  In 2024, she returned to her work at sea as a Science Communication Fellow for Ocean Exploration Trust exploring deep sea biology and geology in the Central Pacific.  These collaborations resulted in opportunities for her students to interact virtually with experts while conducting research in the field.  She believes that personalized, authentic learning experiences can result in long lasting learning while also empowering students to make an impact in their communities.  

HoneyRose Smith was born and raised in the south, but now resides in Oakland California. She attends Hampton University, and is a second year journalism major on the pre-law track. While at Hampton she researches and reports on environmental issues in the Chesapeake Bay area, such as sea level rise and oyster reef restoration. She was inspired to join the climate community after observing a lack of urgency to aid marginalized communities impacted by the climate crisis. At school HoneyRose is involved in the Student Government Association Media team, Honors College, Resident Assistant Association, and Campus Ministry. These organizations serve as an outlet for her to explore ways to effectively communicate information amongst diverse groups. She is furthering her work in the climate space as the Inaugural recipient of the World Wildlife Fund’s Environmental Journalist Scholarship. With this fellowship she has gotten the opportunity to work on climate communication with the nonprofit representing the youth voice regarding environmental issues. In the future HoneyRose Hopes to get her JD and work as an attorney focused on Environmental Justice and ocean policy. She hopes to bring resources and information to underserved groups allowing them to be better equipped to face climate change.

Hannah Hargrave is originally from Austin, Texas, but she grew up overseas. She spent most of her life in Indonesia, where she saw the vast impact climate change and pollution has on people’s lives and livelihoods. Hannah is a third year student at the University of Texas at Arlington working on her bachelors degree in Environmental Science. She is part of the Shen research lab on campus and works on the field sampling and microbiome molecular biology wet lab parts of the research. The project she is currently working on through the Shen lab is studying the effects that different ventilation and air filtration systems have on human health in low-income homes in the DFW area, as residential exposure to pollution and mold is a significant contributor to human health. Hannah is passionate about science education and wants to work to spread information on how we can each make a difference in our lives and the lives of the people around us. She believes that if we can educate people on ways they can help, being careful to keep hope for the future as the driving force for change, then change can and will happen.

Bruce, dubbed the “Father of Cause Marketing,” is renowned for crafting the most successful cross-sector promotional and fundraising campaign in March of Dimes’ history.

He elevated public affairs for Marriott Corporation and revolutionized public relations for the family entertainment business during his tenure with the United States Olympic Committee. Additionally, Bruce made significant contributions to the American Red Cross Bay Area, leading groundbreaking campaigns like Prepare Bay Area.

He remains passionate about empowering youth through initiatives like the Youth Poster Contest, providing a platform for students to voice their concerns. Recognized for his exemplary work, Bruce has received accolades from the United States Congress, the California State Legislature, and other esteemed institutions.

Full Bio

Anne Giblin is the Senior Scientist and Interim Director of Ecosystems Center at the Marine Biological Laboratory, at Woods Hole. Her research focuses on the effects of climate change and sea-level rise on salt marshes. She is committed to bringing science to youth and youth to science.

Full Bio

Katharine Hayhoe is an accomplished atmospheric scientist who studies climate change and why it matters to us here and now. She is also a remarkable communicator who has received the American Geophysical Union’s climate communication prize, the Stephen Schneider Climate Communication award, the United Nations Champion of the Earth award, and been named to a number of lists including Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People, Foreign Policy’s 100 Leading Thinkers, and FORTUNE magazine’s World’s Greatest Leaders.

Katharine is currently the Political Science Endowed Professor in Public Policy and Public Law and co-directs the Climate Center at Texas Tech University. She has a B.Sc. in Physics from the University of Toronto and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science from the University of Illinois, and has been awarded honorary doctorates from Colgate University and Victoria University at the University of Toronto.

Dr. Somya Joshi is an Associate Professor in Governance and Sustainability at Stockholm University, whilst currently holding the position of Head of Division at Stockholm Environment Institute. At the latter she leads a dynamic team of experts on intersecting thematic areas such as SDGs, Climate Adaptation & Mitigation, Data complexity in global supply chains as well as Energy & Industry Transitions. Somya’s academic career has traversed the fields of technology innovation and disruption, with regard to societal and ecosystem transitions. She is particularly interested in how local grassroots engagement can be designed into decision making processes within the context of earth system governance.

Houston Kraft is a professional speaker, leadership consultant, and kindness advocate who speaks at schools, conferences, and events internationally. Houston is also the co-founder of CharacterStrong.

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Joan Lombardi is a senior scholar and Adjunct Professor at the Center for Child and Human Development and a co-founder and senior fellow with the Collaborative on Global Children’s Issues at Georgetown University. Over the past five decades, Joan has made significant contributions in the areas of child and family policy as an innovative leader and policy advisor to national and international organizations and foundations and as a public servant. Joan is a longtime champion of children, families and communities, and a friend of TCI.

Veerabhadran Ramanathan is the Edward A. Frieman Endowed Presidential Chair in Climate Sustainability and editor of “Bending the Curve: Climate Change Solutions” at the University of California at San Diego.

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Ambassador Francis Rooney represents Florida’s 19th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. He is the Republican co-chair of the Climate Solutions Caucus and a member of the bi-partisan Everglades and Estuary caucuses, which focus on restoring Florida’s ecosystems.

Full Bio

John D. Sterman is the Jay W. Forrester Professor of Management at the MIT Sloan School of Management and a Professor in the MIT Institute for Data, Systems, and Society. He is also the Director of the MIT System Dynamics Group and the MIT Sloan Sustainability Initiative.

Full Bio

Kathryn has over twenty years of experience leading sustainable development, corporate social responsibility, and entrepreneurship projects around the world. She recently moved to Boulder, CO where she serves on the TCI Advisory Council.

Prior to living in Boulder, Kathryn was the Director of Program Delivery at Stanford University’s Institute for Innovation in Developing Economies (Stanford Seed), where she was responsible for managing core operations that support the organization’s innovation centers in Africa and India. Kathryn was previously a Global Social Performance Advisor at Chevron Corporation, where she managed corporate social responsibility and community engagement initiatives around the world.

Earlier in her career, Kathryn was a Sustainable Development Specialist at the World Bank, Program Manager at the Emerging Markets Private Equity Association (EMPEA), Peace Corps Volunteer in Ecuador, and Microloan Officer at Accion. Kathryn holds an MBA from UC Berkeley, an MA in Cultural Anthropology from Yale, and a BA with honors from Dartmouth College.

Atrijo Bhattacharyya is from Singapore and will be pursuing a degree in Economics & Management at the University of Oxford. He was part of his high school’s Student Council and supported sustainability initiatives and publicity. Atrijo also took part in various opportunities relating to environmental chemistry and business. These undertakings include, conducting research on optimising Dye Sensitised Solar Cells that utilise organic dyes from fruits, winning the Chemistry Communication Challenge for presenting on carbon capture solutions as a team, and a top 4 team finish for pitching an idea for reducing food waste in Singapore in the Spark Asia Challenge . He is currently involved with Vertex Holdings, a venture capital firm, as an investment intern with a focus on sustainability. Atrijo’s interests lie in the intersection between finance and sustainability as a potent force for driving change as well as leveraging education as a catalyst for uplifting communities around the globe. He hopes to lead his own sustainable investment fund someday!

Rachel Brzezicki (she/her) is originally from Delaware and currently studies Sustainable Development at Columbia University. She is the President of the Student Union for Sustainable Development on campus where she is working to rebuild and re-envision the organization following its derecognition during the pandemic. Rachel strives to use SUSD as a means of prioritizing inclusivity, community, and exploration both within and outside of the department. Last summer, she became interested in urban sustainability, public health, and the built environment, as she served Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center as a Green Teams intern through the Montclair State University PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies. Through the program, she explored the scientific basis for green and healthy design strategies, focusing particularly on biomimicry, active lighting and design, and materials procurement. She has also been involved with the World Water Hub as Project & Outreach Coordinator, where she has collaborated with team members from the US, India, and France to share resources and synergize water restoration projects around the world.

Rory Hogan has a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from Stockton University where he is now a graduate student studying coastal zone management. His research focuses on creating a standard method of assessing habitat suitability for endangered species along the Delaware Bay. Rory also works to include coastal communities in coastal management and studies ways to better include coastal communities in scientific research. Other research projects include studying biodiversity and efficiency of nursery habitat in the Sedge Island Marine Conservation Zone in New Jersey and identifying aging infrastructure that was leading to bacteria pollution in his community. Rory got his start in the climate movement when he began volunteering at Jenkinson’s Aquarium at 14 years old. He has worked with Jenkinson’s Aquarium for the past nine and a half years as an assistant aquarist and interpreter helping with conservation and educational inititiatives. In addition to being on the Youth Advisory Council, Rory serves on the Save Barnegat Bay student grant committee where he helps guide student research along the Barnegat Bay.

Suzanna Schofield (she/any) was born in Burien, Washington and lives in Sykesville, MD. In 2024, Suzanna graduated from Wellesley College with a double major in Environmental Studies & Peace and Justice Studies, concentrating in sustainable community development, water, agriculture, and mitigating human-wildlife conflicts. Having gotten Lyme Disease when she was in sixth grade, Suzanna is pursuing a career in One Health and how conservation can be used as a tool to mitigate climate change and increase environmental health. A National Environmental Leadership Fellow for the Rachel Carson Council, the Outreach and Communications Director for World Water Hub, President of Wellesley College EnAct, and as founder of SHIRA Foundation, Suzanna has volunteered, interned, and worked for many environmental organizations focused on sustainability, climate activism, and climate justice. In 2023, Suzanna was a Fellow for the Madeleine Korbel Albright Institute for Global Affairs at Wellesley College and in 2024, served as a Fellow Mentor for the next cohort. During the 2023-2024 school year, Suzanna served as a Ministrare Peer Leader at Wellesley College and supported the Civic Action Lab, the pilot program for the Hillary Rodham Clinton Center for Democracy. Suzanna is also very passionate about mental health and caregiver advocacy, and serves as an Advisory Council Member for Professionals Who Care.

Sarah Robison is from Tampa, Florida. She is a third-year biology student studying environmental studies and sustainability pursuing a career in conservation veterinary medicine and delving into her passion for environmental advocacy. She is the founder and president of the CARE Club, a global, environmental organization for high school and college students dedicated to creating positive change through youth education and group initiatives. In 2023, she was an active member of the Bow Seat’s Future Blue Youth Council where she was on the mentoring teams for three youth-led environmental projects, served on the social media team, engaged in environmental writing, and had the opportunity to speak at the United Nations Science Summit. Sarah continues to collaborate with fellow youth leaders in environmental advocacy and within the climate action space. In 2020, Sarah received the A Voice for Animals award which is a notable, international prize from the Humane Education Network for her short video documentary. Her special interests include biodiversity, climate science, conservation biology, green engineering, plastic pollution reduction, youth empowerment, and conservation psychology. Sarah is currently a Guest Engagement Ambassador at ZooTampa and assists at a veterinary clinic. She enjoys volunteering and spending time with her seven pets in her free time. Her favorite hobbies include exploring nature, traveling, painting, and music. Sarah is excited for an active two-year term on the The Climate Initiative’s Youth Advisory Council.

Gavin McKay (he/him) is currently a junior at the University of Florida and a Future Leader Climate Fellow at the Aspen Institute, where he most recently interned in the Future Leaders Climate Initiative and Energy & Environment Program. Gavin is passionate about sustainable cities, biodiversity conservation, environmental justice, and environmental media. He has previously volunteered for climate justice, healthcare, science advocacy, and voter registration nonprofits. In January 2023, Gavin was selected to join the Clinton Global Initiative University in partnership with Vanderbilt University for his work at the intersection of gender equity, sustainable cities, and plastic pollution.

Kaylin Lemajeur, is a climate professional and poet with a passion for bridging storytelling, art, and science. She serves as a Climate Mitigation Program Associate for an environmental nonprofit organization and holds a Bachelors of Science in Environment & Sustainability from Cornell University. Kaylin has experience in climate change adaptation planning and natural resource management from her time working at a federally recognized tribe in Southeast Alaska. She is currently pursuing a Masters of Fine Arts in Poetry at Northwestern University.

Tom Bradbury has served as the President, and now Executive Director, for the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust, since 1978. In Tom’s time at the trust, the organization has protected nearly 2,400 acres of land on which over 20 miles of trails have been built. Tom’s conservation efforts were recognized when he became the first recipient of the American Land Conservation Award, becoming the leading citizen conservationist in the United States. Tom was also recognized in 2004 with the U.S. EPA New England Region “Lifetime Achievement” award.

[He/Him/His]

Jono joins TCI’s Board after serving as the organization’s Executive Director for three years. Previously, Jono served as the Head of Disaster and Crisis, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies for the Americas and Caribbean region, based in Panama, Panama. In this role, Jono led the team overseeing Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change, Shelter, Migration, Livelihoods, Disaster Response and Recovery, and International Disaster Law.

Previously, Jono was the Vice President of International Services at the American Red Cross based out of Washington, DC. In this role, Jono oversaw disaster preparedness, response, and recovery programming in more than 34 countries, including the Measles and Rubella Initiative which since 2001 has helped vaccinate more than 2 billion children and reduce global measles by 84%…greater than 20.4 million lives. Jono also served as the Global Disaster Response and Relief Partnerships lead for Airbnb for a 16-month engagement to support scaling their social impact programming.

Jono has also served as a Regional Voluntary Agency Liaison at FEMA Region VII with responsibilities for coordinating with voluntary organizations active in disaster and FEMA Mass Care and Emergency programs in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri. Jono has been affiliated with the American Red Cross since 1994. Jono graduated from Creighton University with a BA in Political Science, the University of Nebraska with an MS in Economics, a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Higher Education at the University of Nebraska, and the Harvard School of Public Health and Kennedy School of Government National Preparedness Leadership Initiative, and has earned the International Association of Emergency Management Certified Emergency Manager (CEM®) credential. Jono served as the chair of the Advocacy Committee for the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (National VOAD) from 2012-2015.

Jono’s background and expertise in global disaster and crisis response strengthens and drives his passion towards proactive mitigation and problem solving of the climate crisis. He is committed to serving TCI’s organizational growth trajectory of empowering 10 million youth to climate action by 2025.

Jono and his husband Andy, Gender Equality & Social Inclusion Associate Director at Save the Children, live in Portland, ME and enjoy all things outdoors and their love of family and friends.

Harold Brooks served over 40 years as an executive of the American Red Cross – including as Senior Vice President, International Operations and Chief Executive Officer American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter, Headquartered in San Francisco Chapter, and many other positions – domestic and global – beginning in 1975.

He currently serves as Chief Resilience Officer at the Global Community Resilience Institute where he strives to help community leaders save, restore, and grow the lives of their residents in the face of disruptions, changing conditions, and pressing global and local community issues. Harold also works as a Consultant to the International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent.

He is a Senior Distinguished Fellow at Northeastern University – Global Resilience Institute and volunteers with Resilient Fruitvale Program in the Latin-X community of Oakland, California. Harold is an alumni of Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles.

Dabreon holds STEM certifications from the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment at Cornell University and a dual bachelor’s degree in environmental studies & sciences and geology from Bucknell University, where he earned the George R. Faint Prize for excellent academic performance and leadership. He is currently an Associate in the Chase Associate Program (CAP) at JP Morgan Chase in Chicago.

Originally from Buffalo, NY, Dabreon hopes to continue combining his passion for the environment and equity with business, and for a Buffalo Bills Super Bowl win.

Originally from the east coast, Monica has recently relocated to California after nearly a decade in Europe and Asia. After earning her J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, Monica practiced law in Philadelphia for several years prior to moving abroad. Currently a stay-at-home mom in the Bay Area, Monica has graciously volunteered her time and energy into management of TCI initiatives such as The Tidal Shift Art Award, in partnership with The Portland Museum of Art and now resides on our Board of Directors.

General Russel Honoré is a decorated 37-year army veteran and a global authority on leadership, disaster management, and climate preparedness. At the request of the Speaker of the House, the General led Task Force 1-6 Capitol Security Review to improve Capitol security following the attacks on January 6, 2021. As the commander of Joint Task Force Katrina, he became known as the “Category 5 General” for his leadership in coordinating military relief efforts in post-hurricane New Orleans.

General Honoré knows that the future of our national security depends on protecting our environment, and he’s fighting for a brighter future for us all. A Louisiana native, he founded the GreenARMY, a coalition of environmental experts and advocates, to protect against pollution while fighting climate change and the natural disasters it causes.

During his military career, General Honoré held numerous commands, including Vice Director for Operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Commander of the Standing Joint Force Headquarters-Homeland Security.

Louisa McCovey is an Indigenous artist and member of the Yurok tribe in Klamath, CA. She is the Yurok Tribe’s Environmental Program Director, has a BS in Environmental Science from Humbold State University along with minors in Art Studio and Native American Studies.

Louisa’s art is inspired by her Yurok, Hupa, and Karuk culture, as well as guided by her mother’s background as a skilled basket weaver and mixed-media artist. Louisa lives with her husband and four strong children. Her work as an artist and an environmentalist honors the past, present, and future, while also respecting the necessity of using both the logical and the creative sides of her brain.

Fiona McRaith is the director of The Climate Pledge at Global Optimism. The Climate Pledge is a commitment taken by corporations to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, which was co-founded by Amazon and Global Optimism in 2019. It brings together the world’s top companies to accelerate joint action, cross-sector collaboration, and responsible change.

McRaith has worked in the climate sector for nearly 15 years, since she was in high school and co-founded a nonprofit selling reusable water bottles. 

She previously served as the advisor and special assistant to the President and CEO at the Bezos Earth Fund, where she helped develop and implement strategy from the early days. She has also held roles at the World Resources Institute, the White House, the Alliance for the Great Lakes, and Action for the Climate Emergency. In addition to Counterpart, McRaith is also a member of the board of directors at The Climate Initiative.

Dr. Pamela Morgan is a Professor in the Department of Environmental Studies at the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine. She teaches courses in conservation, ecological monitoring, wetlands, women and the environment, introductory environmental issues and more. She is dedicated to engaging students in field-based learning whenever possible. Her research focuses on coastal and freshwater wetlands, where she investigates how wetlands are affected by climate change and how they can help mitigate climate change. She also develops and assesses programs designed to connect young people with the natural world.

Billy Shore is the founder and executive chair of Share Our Strength, the parent organization for the No Kid Hungry campaign. Since co-founding Share Our Strength in 1984, Billy has led the organization in raising more than $700 million to fight hunger and poverty and has won the support of national leaders in business, government, health, and education, sports and entertainment. Shore is the author of four books focused on social change and was named one of America’s Best Leaders by U.S. News & World Report.

Amy Tchao is Drummond Woodsum’s Practice Group Leader for Municipal Law. For the past two decades, Amy has focused her practice on general municipal law, land use law, and education law.

Based on her experience as a town attorney for several towns along Maine’s coast, and in its lakes regions, Amy has specialized in resolving complex problems arising from shorefront development, access, and permitting issues.

Amy is listed in Best Lawyers in America, a guide to leading lawyers in the country, in the categories of Municipal Law, Litigation-Municipal Law and Education Law and was selected by Best Lawyers as Maine’s 2014 “Lawyer of the Year” in the category of Municipal Litigation. Best Lawyers also named her Maine’s 2012 Education “Lawyer of the Year.”

Angela Zhong is a first-generation Asian-American Harvard sophomore. She is studying economics with a secondary in environmental science public policy and a citation in Mandarin. Hailing from Houston, Angela has felt the impacts of natural disasters and climate change first-hand. Though she is currently on a gap year, she previously served as her school’s first-ever Minister for Climate and Sustainability on the Undergraduate Council Executive Cabinet. Learn more about her at: angelazhong.com.