Team and Steering

The Team that enables MN GreenStep Schools to exist and improve over time includes funders, program leaders and staff, a steering committee, and an advisory network. In addition, the participation of districts, schools, individuals, and resource organizations make the program what it is - offering models of leadership to their peers and input to the leadership and design team to improve the program. The people and organizations involved as of Phase 2 are listed below.

Leadership Team

Current Funding: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

The current pilot phase is funded by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)

Kristin Mroz, Grant Manager, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Program Development Team: University of Minnesota

MN GreenStep Schools Program Leader:
Jonee Kulman Brigham, Senior Research Fellow, Minnesota Design Center, University of Minnesota
MN GreenStep Schools Strategic Cross-Sector Liaison:
Beth Mercer-Taylor, Co-Program Director of Sustainability Education at Institute on the Environment, University of Minnesota
The team wishes to also acknowledge the initial MN GreenStep Schools Advisory Group that helped shape the form and direction of the program and the many MN GreenStep Schools Interns that have contributed to the program development.

Steering Committee

The purpose of the Minnesota GreenStep Schools Steering Committee is to help shape the direction of the program at a high level – its governance, outreach strategy, financial model, and more. There are opportunities to engage in more detailed feedback as well, depending on interest. Members represent Minnesota state agencies (Pollution Control, Health, Education and Commerce), school leadership organizations (MASA, MSBA), environmental education entities (YES!) and the University of Minnesota's College of Education, Design Center and the Institute on the Environment (IonE).

MN GreenStep Schools Steering Committee Members

Ex-Officio

MN GreenStep Schools Program Leader:
Jonee Kulman Brigham, Senior Research Fellow, Minnesota Design Center, University of Minnesota
MN GreenStep Schools Strategic Cross-Sector Liaison:
Beth Mercer-Taylor, Co-Program Director of Sustainability Education at Institute on the Environment, University of Minnesota

STEM Education, University of Minnesota

Bhaskar Upadhyay, Professor, Comparative & International Development Education, STEM Education,
College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), Department of Organizational, Leadership, and Policy Development

MN Pollution Control Agency

Kristin Mroz (MN GreenStep Schools MPCA Grant Manager), Co-Director MN GreenStep Cities and Tribal Nations
Kelly Amoth, State Program Administrator

Environmental Quality Board, State of Minnesota

MN Department of Commerce

Mandi Schienebeck, Solar for Schools Program Manager

MN Department of Education

Angela Kolonich, Science Education Specialist, and MN Green Ribbon Schools Contact

MN Department of Public Health

Dan Tranter, Supervisor, Indoor Air Unit

Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA)

Deb Henton, Executive Director

Minnesota School Boards Association

Kirk Schneidawind, Executive Director
Joel Stencel, Director of Association Finance

Youth Eco Solutions (YES!)

Kalley Pratt, Director

Minnesota Association of Environmental Education

Jess Paulson, MAEE Board Member

Youth / GreenStep Schools Green Clubs

Chiara Carignan, Roseville Area High School Students for Climate Action

Advisory Network

The Advisory Network represent a variety of sectors, roles, and specializations who contribute their experience and expertise to help inform the program.