Pronouns: she/her

Education:

B.S. Environmental and Sustainability Studies and International and Global Studies, WPI

About: As an Enterprise Sales Representative, Michelle supports the GreenBiz sales team and coordinates business development strategies. GreenBiz is a media and events company that accelerates the just transition to a clean economy. Prior to GreenBiz, Michelle was a Sustainability Specialist at an electrical manufacturer where she worked on product transparency and sustainability through intergrating eco-design and circular economy principles into new product development.

Pronouns: she/her

About:  ASSA ABLOY is a manufacturing company that offers products and services related to locks, doors, gates, and entrance automation, including mobile and bio-metric identity verification systems. Erin is the Program Manager for Sustainability at ASSA ABLOY. She was previously an Architectural Consultant in Metro New York. At ASSA ABLOY, she guides their sustainability program to increase the awareness and transparency of sustainable openings solutions. She has a BS in Biology and Biotechnology with a concentration in Ecology and Environmental Biology from WPI.

Pronouns: she/her

About:  Hunter Wells has over thirteen years of investor relations and corporate sustainability experience creating and executing best-in-class IR programs for numerous companies across industry sectors. Hunter joined The Hanover Insurance Group, a leading property and casualty insurer, in 2022 as the AVP, Investor Relations. Previously, Hunter served as the Vice President, Investor Relations at Century Communities, one of the largest national homebuilders. From 2017 to 2019, Hunter was the Manager, Investor Relations at Zayo Group Holdings, a communications infrastructure provider, where her team was awarded the “Best IR Program – Telecom” in 2017 and 2018 by Institutional Investor. Prior to her role at Zayo, Hunter was a Vice President at ICR, an integrated communications firm, where she handled IR operations for clients ranging in market cap of $500 million to $15 billion in the consumer and retail sectors. She presently serves on the board of directors for the NIRI Rocky Mountain Chapter and was named a “40 Under 40” honoree in 2020. Hunter graduated from Northeastern University, Magna Cum Laude, with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism in 2011.

Pronouns: he/him:

Education:

B.S. Chemistry, WPI

About: Martin Wolf is responsible for ensuring the design of sustainable products at Seventh Generation, Inc, a manufacturer and distributor of ecological household and personal care products. He is also responsible for creating a more sustainable business model and for creating more sustainable systems of commerce. Mr. Wolf brings over 40 years of experience in industrial and environmental chemistry to his work, starting with environmental fate and metabolism studies for agricultural chemicals, followed by studies of the occurrence of hazardous chemicals in the environment, conducting life cycle studies of product systems, and designing more sustainable household cleaning products.

Pronouns: she/her

About: JoLeisa earned a B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife and a Masters of Science in Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. JoLeisa has over 10 years experience in ecology, and related natural resources fields. She has a passion for mammalogy and led sampling efforts for multiple species and projects during her time in the field. She is currently a Manager for the NEON Field Science Operations Office in the Northeast. NEON is a network of field research sites designed by ecologists to provide open data for all. Her current work is geared toward managing a team of 20 staff members at 4 remote field sites in the Northeast to contribute to a publicly accessible data set of over 180 + ecology data products from across the continent.

About: Ale is part of DCR’s Trails and Greenways Department, where she manages projects aimed at improving woodland trails. She provides support and guidance on sustainable trail design and maintenance to park staff and stewards, conducts ecological surveys, secures permits and funding for trail projects, and advocates for responsible and sustainable trail-based recreation throughout the state.

Prior to joining DCR, Ale was an Endangered Species Review Biologist with the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, an Ecological Scientist and Outreach Specialist at BSC Group, Inc., and an Education Advocate at the Children’s Law Center of Massachusetts. Ale holds a B.S. in Natural Resources from Cornell University and a J.D. from Northeastern School of Law.

About: Brian graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 2010 where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Conservation Studies. Between and after intervening seasons as a Naturalist and Educator for the Appalachian Mountain Club, Brian joined the nonprofit Mount Washington Observatory as a summit intern and then a Weather Observer/Educational Specialist. Brian worked as the Chief Weather Observer at Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center in Milton, Massachusetts while attending graduate school. In early 2016, Brian graduated from Boston University with a Master’s of Education with a focus in Science Education, and moved back to the Mount Washington Valley to serve as Mount Washington Observatory’s Director of Education. Brian’s responsibilities include overseeing educational programs for learners of all ages, including K-12 students and teachers, in addition to grant writing, curriculum development, museum exhibit development, and public programming for adults and families.

Pronouns: he/him

About: Nate engineers landscapes for efficiency, functionality, and abundance! Owner of Reimagined Roots, an organic landscaping company, Nate's mission is to create backyard ecosystems using a combination of modern technology and indigenous wisdom, restoring our environment for a resilient future. Nate's deep understanding of the power of intentional and applicable design, Earthworks, systems based thinking, and hope in action has built Reimagined Roots from the ground up, literally!

Pronouns: she/her

About: Reimagined Roots is an organic landscaping company specializing in a permacultural based approach to design, installation, and maintenance. Reimagined Roots helps homeowners and public groups transform their green spaces into productive, abundant ecosystems full of food, medicine, and native plants. Lucy specializes in design and education within the company's fight to revolutionize the American grass lawn. Her work facilitates positive change within the community by helping empower a large breadth of people through knowledge, resource sharing, and personalized hands-on support throughout the design, installation, maintenance, and enhancement processes.

Pronouns: she/her

About: Kim is Senior Manager of the Biological Sciences Group at Orsted, where she leads a team of marine mammal, sea turtle, fish, fisheries, and terrestrial species experts. Orsted is a renewable energy company that develops, constructs, and operates offshore and onshore wind farms, solar farms, energy storage facilities, renewable hydrogen/green fuels facilities, and bioenergy plants; it is recognized as a global leader on climate action and is ranked as the world’s most sustainable energy developer. Kim is an avian an bat ecologist with over 25 years of experience leading research and conservation programs on migratory shorebirds, wind energy bird and bat interactions, grassland birds, and bird-aircraft strike-risk. She has conducted extensive research on shorebirds and seabirds and has a particular interest in avian exposure and collision-risk modeling. One of her primary goals is to work with colleagues at Orsted to help reach its commitment to deliver a net-positive biodiversity impact from all new renewable energy projects commissioned from 2030 on. She holds an MSc in Fisheries and Wildlife Science from North Carolina State University and a PhD in Zoology from Clemson University.

About: Nora began her career in trail work in 2017 leading teen trail crews for the Appalachian Mountain Club. Since then, she has gained experience working for several different conservation organizations across the Northeast and Intermountain West, leading and facilitating trails and restoration projects. She currently manages AMC's volunteer trail work programs, including open-enrollment volunteer events, several youth employment programs, an adopt-a-trail program, an AmeriCorps program, training programs, and more. She is passionate about conservation and building sustainable trails to support outdoor recreation. 

About: Sylvia is a WPI alumna, with a BA and MA in Chemical Engineering. She began her career in manufacturing after graduation, completing Takeda’s manufacturing rotational program before transitioning into a sustainability role at BioLife.  

In her current position, Sylvia inputs and analyzes data to track progress toward BioLife’s environmental commitments and proactively identifies risks and opportunities for the business. She also coordinates and oversees sustainability projects using a project management platform, ensuring project milestones are met and all stakeholders are appropriately engaged. Through her work, Sylvia has gained experience in waste management (including measurement and reduction initiatives), as well as net zero programs and projects. 

Pronouns: She/Her

Education: 

Master of Architecture, The Boston Architectural College

B.S. Mechanical Engineering, WPI

About: Carolyn Day, AIA, is a champion for people and the planet, and her practice pushes her community, firm, and projects to achieve new levels of sustainability. The environment has long been the focus of her career, and she has continually explored ways building design and construction can address the climate crisis. With degrees in both engineering and architecture she has been able to help design teams optimize buildings to conserve resources and minimize energy use on projects ranging from elementary schools to research facilities. Early in her career, Day helped to build a sustainability department at Symmes Maini & McKee Associates, an architecture and engineering firm in Cambridge, MA. She later joined Ellenzweig’s office in Boston and was charged with leading the firm’s sustainability efforts where she became a member of the nation-wide Sustainable Design Leaders. She was also a senior associate at Perkins Eastman, and was a critical member of its Higher Education/Science & Technology (HEST) practice. As a HEST Next Gen inaugural member, she was one of just three staff members from across the firm to envision a program for the sector's future. Day was also a winner of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) 2022 Young Architects Award.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Education: 

PhD in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania '24

B.S. in Chemical Engineering and Professional Writing, WPI '20 

About: Katherine Vaz Gomes is an Industrial Decarbonization Engineer at Carbon Direct, where she helps figure out how industries like cement, concrete, and steel can cut their carbon emissions. She earned her PhD in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, after completing dual bachelor’s degrees in Chemical Engineering and Professional Writing at WPI.

Katherine has worked on developing standards for new climate solutions, like turning carbon dioxide into rock (carbon mineralization) and speeding up natural processes that pull carbon emissions from the air (enhanced rock weathering). She also studies the costs, environmental impacts, and resource needs of these technologies, and uses that knowledge to guide companies in their climate strategies.

She’s excited to mentor students who are interested in carbon management, climate solutions, and the many different career paths in this space.

Pronouns: she/her

Education: 

M.S. Materials Science and Engineering, WPI

B.S. Mechanical Engineering, minor in Environmental and Sustainability Studies, WPI

About: Emily is the co-founder and CEO of VALIS, a software solutions provider for scrap processor. Her career has been centered on her passion for the environment and drive to be part of the change to make industries and society more sustainable.

Pronouns: he/him

About: After earning a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Simon joined a New England MEP firm as a designer, developing and managing energy efficiency and reduction for higher education facilities. Simon has more than eight years of experience in identifying and achieving building energy savings. A collaborative leader, he excels in coordinating with project stakeholders, including owners’ project managers, planning and finance teams, building end users, and utilities for incentive approval. 

Pronouns: he/him

About: Connor Stedman is an ecological designer, farm planner, and supply chain project developer with two decades’ experience in agriculture and ecological sciences.  Connor has supported innovative and diversified farms throughout the Northeast US with integrated environmental and business planning since 2011.  He has led project development and strategic advisory on climate, biodiversity, and social impact in CPG supply chains since 2018, including with Keurig Dr. Pepper, Oatly, The Body Shop, Vans/VF Corp, and Numi.  He has also facilitated strategic initiatives on land conservation, biodiversity, and climate mitigation and adaptation with national farm nonprofits including Stone Barns Center, Shelburne Farms, and White Buffalo Land Trust. Connor holds an M.S. in Ecological Planning from the University of Vermont and is a current PhD candidate in Transdisciplinary Leadership at UVM.  He is a Professional Affiliate instructor in UVM's innovative Leadership for Sustainability graduate program, and a member of and contributor to the Agricultural Viability Alliance.

Pronouns: He/him/his

About: Ben joined Beta in 2022 and serves as a staff engineer. He has been working on civil, environmental, and transportation engineering projects across New England. Common projects he is involved with include sampling landfills, collecting potentially hazardous material, creating a variety of maps/plans, estimates, permitting, and roadway design/safety improvements. He is proficient in ArcGIS, Autocad, MicroStation, QGIS, Revit, and Synchro. Before graduating from WPI he completed his capstone on the lead corrosion testing process, his IQP on light pollution in Berlin, Germany, and interned for Laconia, NH Department of Public Works.

About: Mr. Daoust's career at MassDEP is vast. His roles have ranged from Data Manager to Section Chief of Emergency Response for oil and hazardous materials incidents to the Brownfields, Risk Reduction, and Enforcement Section Chief. His current role is the Section Chief of the Site Management and Compliance Assistance Section in the Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup in the Central Region, where he oversees complex Brownfields redevelopment site projects as well as complex long-term site remediation. He developed an All Hazards Planning and Response computer module to be available to MassDEP Emergency Response and regional management 24/7 on and off the MassDEP computer network. He developed the concept for the electronic penalty calculator and was integral to the development of MassDEP’s Penalty Calculator program as part of the Compliance and Enforcement Enterprise Team. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering with an emphasis in Environmental Engineering and a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering, both from WPI.

About: Kerry Reed, P.E., LEED AP has held a variety of challenging leadership and project management roles with focus on municipal engineering, stormwater management, water quality, and sustainability. She has over 20 years of experience, starting as an Army Engineer officer to her current role as Director of Public Works for the Town of Hopkinton, MA.

Kerry graduated from West Point and then served as an Engineer Officer in the U.S. Army. Following the Army, she was a senior water resources engineer with a private consulting firm for several years before transitioning to municipal engineering for the City of Framingham and the City of Worcester. She currently is the Director of Public Works for the Town of Hopkinton with oversight for the Highway, Water, and Sewer departments as well as the waste management, forestry, and parks maintenance programs for the Town.

Ms. Reed holds a Bachelor’s Degree in environmental engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point and a Master’s Degree in environmental engineering from the Missouri University of Science & Technology. She is a registered Professional Engineer in Massachusetts. She enjoys any opportunity to encourage youth to pursue “green” careers and appreciate the value of water. She is a habitual volunteer who currently serves as the Co-Chair of the Central Massachusetts Regional Stormwater Coalition, the Vice Chair of New England Water Environment Association’s Youth Education Committee, and an Assistant Scoutmaster in Troop 4. In her free time, you can probably find her cheering on her two sons at a football field or ice rink.

Pronouns: she/her

About: GeoEngineers Inc. is an employee-owned engineering and earth science consulting firm with experienced professionals in engineering and earth science specialties. They work on projects ranging from energy and industry to marine and coastal to natural resources, transportation, and mining. GeoEngineers’ Boston office specializes in providing geotechnical and environmental engineering services to developers in the greater Boston area.

Pronouns: she/her

About: Talia is a sustainability consultant at WSP, specializing in high-performance buildings and green building frameworks like LEED and WELL. As a member of the Built Ecology Team, she focuses on transforming the built environment into a human-centric, decarbonized, healthy and resilient place. Talia collaborates with stakeholders across disciplines to implement strategies aimed to reduce water consumption, integrate sustainable materials and minimize both operational and embodied carbon emissions. Talia has a BS in Architectural Engineering with a minor in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from WPI.

Pronouns: she/her

About: Cielo is a water resources engineer whose mission is to expand opportunities for students and emerging professionals in the water industry. Her interdisciplinary research integrates applied hydrology, hydrodynamic modeling, and engineering tools to address challenges across three critical areas: microplastics, coastal processes, and drinking water treatment. She investigates the fate and transport of microplastics, develops innovative treatment technologies to improve water quality, and studies watershed and coastal hazards such as erosion and sediment transport. Her work also incorporates spatial analysis and risk-assessment methods to support climate adaptation in New England communities. Through mentorship, teaching, and collaboration, she aims to prepare the next generation of engineers to build resilient communities and champion sustainable environmental stewardship.

Pronouns: she/her

About: We collaborate with the community to protect and improve water quality in Worcester's lakes and ponds for recreation, ecosystem services, and environmental health by monitoring and managing our waterways for threats to their value as local assets. 

About: Eugena is a recent graduate (class of '24) from WPI and majored in Environmental Engineering and Environmental & Sustainability Studies with a minor in International & Global Studies. At school she was involved in the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES), Korean Student Association (KSA), the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE), and was part of different honors societies. She joined Stantec full-time this past summer as an Environmental Designer as part of the Water group and is based in their Boston office. She is currently working on projects on wastewater treatment plant design, PFAS remediation, treatment, and crop uptake, as well as biosolids land application. Eugena is passionate about the environment and incorporating sustainability principles into the work she does. 

Pronouns: he/him

About: Andy serves as a design engineer at Arcadis focused on the management and layout of water and wastewater conveyance systems and treatment unit processes. His conveyance experience involves water, wastewater, and stormwater pipe design, small diameter rehabilitation, and CSO mitigation involving green infrastructure design in urban and suburban communities. His treatment plant experience includes drinking water disinfection, water softening and wastewater treatment process layout. Andy graduated in 2019 from The Ohio State University with a degree in Environmental Engineering.

About: Pamela Lynch was previously Chief Operating Officer at Aclarity, which is a water technology and waste water treatment company. There she was responsible for product from pilot to production, organizational scale up, engineering, supply chain, project management, field operations, managing Key Performance Indicators of the business, and more. Aclarity is on a mission to destroy PFAS “forever chemicals” which are linked to causing cancer. Pamela is now consulting in the water and climate tech industry, as we face large challenges on water and energy. Previously, she designed and scaled up manufacturing of batteries for Electric Vehicles, led Quality operations for a Wind Turbine startup company, launched numerous materials and products that advanced renewable energy and sustainability. Pamela has been responsible for developing and tracking sustainable supply chains globally ($1B+ value). She graduated from WPI in 2005 with a degree in chemical engineering. Pamela holds a Certificate of Management Excellence from Harvard Business School. She is a Past President of Junior League of Boston. She currently serves as WPI’s Alumni Association President. Additionally, Pamela was recognized on LinkedIn as a 2024 “Top Product Engineering” Voice.

About: Evelyn Mortimer graduated from WPI in 2022 with a degree in environmental engineering and sustainability studies. She has interned with the City of Worcester Lakes and Ponds Department, conducting research in collaboration with the Worcester Cyanobacteria Monitoring Collaborative, and she previously worked as a Staff Engineer at Tighe & Bond. She is currently the Watershed Restoration Coordinator at Buzzards Bay Coalition.

About: Marielle Stone has worked for the Department of Environmental Protection since 1985. She has vast experience, including 1) working for the biomonitoring program performing macroinvertebrate taxonomy; 2) conducting baseline water quality assessments and macrophyte mapping of various lakes and ponds; 3) working for the MA Wetlands Program; 4) serving as the Drinking Water Program Section Chief; 5) serving as the Deputy Regional Director of Bureau of Water Resources, and more. Marielle received a B.S. in Plant and Soils Sciences from the UMASS and an M.S. in Resource Management and Administration from Antioch New England.

Pronouns: he/him

About: Wes serves as the Senior Engineer for Disaster Response at Water Mission, a nonprofit organization that provides clean water, sanitation, and hygiene solutions in developing nations and disaster areas with the goal of ending the global water crisis.   Wes has a BEng in Civil Engineering and 15 years of experience in the Construction Management and Humanitarian and Relief sectors, and has managed projects across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East.