Staff

ELPC’s multidisciplinary staff of talented and experienced public interest attorneys, finance experts, public policy advocates and communications specialists brings a strong and effective combination of skills to solve environmental problems. Our staff works throughout the Midwest and Great Plains to meet two major needs. First, we provide public interest legal, economic and technical resources devoted to the most important environmental and natural resources issues. Second, we inject a strategic regional perspective as environmental issues are increasingly regional in scope, complex and require coordinated strategies to shape public policy. Specifically:

ELPC attorneys represent grassroots organizations in taking on the strategically important and precedential cases that have broad national and regional impacts for protecting threatened natural resources.
ELPC’s policy advocates and finance experts implement breakthrough strategies with diverse business coalition partners to develop new markets for environmentally preferable products and services.
ELPC’s communications experts and organizers make sure that our persuasive messages reach the public and build coalitions to support our environmental campaigns.

Our staff works out of our headquarters in downtown Chicago, as well as our Washington, D.C., location and regional offices located in Columbus, OH; Des Moines, IA; Minneapolis, MN; Grand Rapids, MI; Indianapolis, IN; and Madison, WI. See our Contact Us page for more information.

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Howard A. Learner

President & Executive Director

Howard A. Learner

Mr. Learner is an experienced attorney serving as the President and Executive Director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center. He is responsible for ELPC’s overall strategic leadership, policy direction and financial platform. Before founding ELPC, Mr. Learner was the General Counsel of Business and Professional People for the Public Interest, a public interest law center, specializing in complex civil litigation and policy development. He is an Adjunct Professor at the Northwestern University School of Law and the University of Michigan Law School, teaching advanced seminars in environmental and energy law and climate change solutions policy. J.D., Harvard Law School, 1980; B.A., University of Michigan, 1976.

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Howard A. Learner President & Executive Director

Howard A. Learner is an experienced public interest litigation attorney serving as the President and Executive Director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center – the Midwest’s premier environmental legal advocacy and eco-business innovation organization, and among the nation’s leaders. Mr. Learner is responsible for the overall strategic leadership, policy direction and financial platform of ELPC’s successful work promoting clean energy development solutions to climate change problems, advancing transportation innovations and improvements, including development of regional high-speed rail solutions, and preserving the Midwest’s valued natural resources and heritage.

Mr. Learner founded the ELPC in 1993 as an entrepreneurial start-up following his work as the General Counsel for Business and Professional People for the Public Interest, which specializes in policy advocacy and complex environmental, energy, economic development and civil rights litigation in federal and state courts. Mr. Learner began his legal career as a civil rights attorney focusing on housing issues, neighborhood revitalization, and advancing economic inclusion for diverse communities. He served as a Senior Advisor for Energy and Environmental Issues for President Barack Obama in his successful Presidential campaign in 2007 – 2008.

Much of Mr. Learner’s work has concentrated on developing and advocating new directions on environmental and energy policy issues, including: developing clean renewable energy and energy efficiency resources to avoid greenhouse gases, mercury, and other pollution from conventional power plants while creating jobs and advancing economic growth; accelerating sustainable” transportation and land use strategies and leading national and regional efforts to develop a high-speed rail network that can produce complementary environmental quality, economic development and employment benefits; and protecting the Great Lakes and the Midwest’s wild and natural places – forests, waters and biodiversity.

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Education

J.D., Harvard Law School, 1980

B.A., University of Michigan, 1976

ELPC Office

Chicago

Contact Info

hlearner@elpc.org

(312) 673-6500

Diana Argueta

Administrative Assistant

Diana Argueta Administrative Assistant

Diana Argueta is ELPC’s Receptionist/Administrative Assistant. Ms. Argueta has worked as an administrative assistant at CONTRA-TIEMPO Urban Latin Dance Theatre and at Sonoritas, LLC in Los Angeles.

Education

B.A., Denison University, 2013

ELPC Office

Chicago

Contact Info

dargueta@elpc.org

312-795-3700

Shaheen Ashraf-Ahmed

Development Officer

Shaheen Ashraf-Ahmed Development Officer

Shaheen Ashraf-Ahmed is a Development Officer focusing on foundation relations. Ms. Ashraf-Ahmed worked at Family Shelter Service, serving as Grants Coordinator.

Education

B.A., University of Southampton, 1993
Diploma in Publishing from West Herts College, 1994

ELPC Office

Chicago, IL

Contact Info

SAshraf-Ahmed@elpc.org

312-795-3732

Tyler Barron

Policy Fellow

Tyler Barron Policy Fellow

Tyler Barron is a Policy Fellow working on Midwest climate change and clean energy solutions, and Great Lakes and natural resources protection advocacy issues. Mr. Barron served as a Udall Foundation Native Congressional Intern in the office of Congressman Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) and as a Policy Fellow at the Cook County Department of Human Rights and Ethics. He was the Vice President of the Native American Student Association at the University of Notre Dame.

Education

M.P.P. University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, 2018
B.A., University of Notre Dame, 2015

ELPC Office

Chicago

Contact Info

tbarron@elpc.org

312-795-3721

Vanessa Bonilla

Development Assistant & Database Manager

Vanessa Bonilla Development Assistant & Database Manager

Vanessa Bonilla is ELPC’s Development Assistant & Database Manager. Ms. Bonilla most recently worked as the Market Manager of Mission Community Market in San Francisco. Prior to that, she was Route Manager at Fresh Approach, where she designed and launched one of the first mobile farmers’ markets in the Bay Area. She has worked on several land restoration projects along the Santa Cruz coast, and has been urban farming since 2014.

Education

B.A., University of California, Santa Cruz, 2014.

ELPC Office

Chicago

Contact Info

vbonilla@elpc.org

312-795-3741

Kevin Brubaker

Deputy Director

Kevin Brubaker Deputy Director

Kevin Brubaker is ELPC’s Deputy Director with chief financial management and organizational administrative responsibilities. He also manages ELPC’s Midwest High-Speed Rail Network Project. Mr. Brubaker previously served as the Principal Policy Associate and Deputy Chief of Staff to Rhode Island Governor Sundlun, and as the Associate Director of Save the Bay, an environmental advocacy group. He was also the Outreach Director for the Committee for the National Institute for the Environment.

Education

B.A., Brown University, 1985

ELPC Office

Chicago

Contact Info

kbrubaker@elpc.org

(312) 795-3714

Kiana Courtney

Associate Attorney

Kiana Courtney Associate Attorney

Kiana Courtney is an Associate Attorney work in on ELPC’s clean energy and natural resources protection litigation and policy issues. Ms. Courtney is working at her law school’s Environmental Justice Clinic on affordable housing and community pollution issues. She was as a law intern at Earthjustice (Tallahassee) and the U.S. Department of Justice, Environment and Natural Resources Division, Environmental Crimes Section.

Education

J.D., University of Miami Law School, May 2018
B.A., Communications, Wake Forest College, 2013

ELPC Office

Chicago

Contact Info

kcourtney@elpc.org

312-795-3712

Adrienne Dunham

Legal Assistant

Adrienne Dunham Legal Assistant

Adrienne Dunham is a Legal Assistant supporting ELPC’s attorneys. Ms. Dunham was a Research and Community Engagement Intern at Environment Illinois and worked as an Assistant Paralegal at the Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy law firm.

Education

B.S., International Studies, DePaul University 2016

ELPC Office

Chicago, IL

Contact Info

ADunham@elpc.org

312-795-3718

Sarah Eddy

Digital Advocacy Specialist

Sarah Eddy Digital Advocacy Specialist

Sarah Eddy is ELPC’s Digital Advocacy Specialist working on web and social media strategies. Ms. Eddy previously worked in digital advocacy on behalf of international women business and human rights leaders at Vital Voices Global Partnership in Washington, D.C. She previously helped develop some of the National Park Service’s first social media presence. B.A. Broadcast Journalism and History, University of Maryland College Park, 2011.

Education

B.A. Broadcast Journalism and History, University of Maryland College Park, 2011.

ELPC Office

Chicago

Contact Info

seddy@elpc.org

312-795-3710

Steve Falck

Senior Policy Advocate

Steve Falck Senior Policy Advocate

Steve Falck is a Senior Policy Advocate in ELPC’s Des Moines, IA, office working on clean energy and clean water policy initiatives. Mr. Falck previously worked as Director of State Government Relations for the Renewable Energy Group and as a Policy Advisor and Legislative Liaison for Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack. He served as an Iowa State Representative for three terms representing House District 28 and managed his 900-acre family farm in Stanley, IA.

Education

B.A., Political Science and Marketing, Upper Iowa University, 1980

ELPC Office

Des Moines, IA

Contact Info

sfalck@elpc.org

(515) 244-3113

Stuart Flack

Senior Fellow

Stuart Flack Senior Fellow

Stuart Flack is a Senior Fellow starting in September 2106 to work on new innovation projects. He is both an award-winning playwright and a former Partner with McKinsey & Co, New York/Chicago. Mr. Flack served as the Executive Director of the Chicago Humanities Festival from 2007 to 2013. He has deep experience in Strategy, Education, Venture Philanthropy, Startups, Branding, Publishing, Arts/Culture and Technology.

Education

M.F.A., Columbia University, 1984

B.A., Cornell University, 1982

ELPC Office

Chicago

Contact Info

sflack@elpc.org

(312) 795-3743

Madeline Fleisher

Senior Attorney

Madeline Fleisher Senior Attorney

Madeline Fleisher is a Senior Attorney in ELPC’s Columbus, OH, office working on clean energy, climate change solutions and Great Lakes protection litigation and policy issues. Ms. Fleisher previously worked at the U.S. Department of Justice, Environment and Natural Resources Division, and the Hogan Lovells law firm. She was a judicial law clerk for Judge Julio M. Fuentes, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and for Judge Michael A. Ponsor, U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. She was Editor-in-Chief of the Harvard Environmental Law Review.

Education

J.D., Harvard Law School, 2007

B.A., History, Yale University, 2004

ELPC Office

Columbus, OH

Contact Info

mfleisher@elpc.org

(614) 569-3827

Jill Geiger

Special Projects Coordinator

Jill Geiger Special Projects Coordinator

Jill M. Geiger is ELPC’s Special Projects Coordinator and its former Director of Marketing and Communications. She focused on overall organizational communications, marketing and development activities. Ms. Geiger previously worked as Communications Director for the Massachusetts Housing Partnership Fund and in communications and project management roles for Center for National Policy, National Neighbors and American Institute of Architects in Washington, D.C.

Education

M.S., Integrated Marketing Communications, Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University, 2004;
B.S., Carnegie Mellon University, 1992.

ELPC Office

Chicago

Contact Info

jgeiger@elpc.org

312-795-3703

Rachel Granneman

Staff Attorney

Rachel Granneman Staff Attorney

Rachel Granneman is a Staff Attorney working on ELPC’s clean energy and transportation reform litigation and policy issues. Ms. Granneman served as Executive Editor of the Michigan Journal of Environmental and Administrative Law and as a student attorney in the Environmental Law Clinic. She was a legal intern at the Environmental Law & Policy Center and Michigan Department of Environmental Quality’s Office of the Great Lakes.

Education

J.D., University of Michigan Law School, 2013

B.A., University of Michigan, 2010

ELPC Office

Chicago

Contact Info

rgranneman@elpc.org

(312) 795-3737

Allen Grosboll

Legislative Director & Senior Policy Advocate

Allen Grosboll Legislative Director & Senior Policy Advocate

Allen Grosboll is ELPC’s Legislative Director and Senior Policy Advocate working on clean energy, transportation and natural resources policy issues before Congress, state legislatures and public agencies. Mr. Grosboll also advances ELPC’s policy advocacy and rural coalition-building on the Farm Energy Project. He served as the Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor on environment, education and natural resources issues to Illinois Governor Jim Edgar and as the Chief of Staff for the Illinois Secretary of State.

Education

B.S., Eastern Illinois University, 1973

ELPC Office

Springfield, IL

Contact Info

agrosboll@elpc.org

(217) 632-5512

Jeffrey Hammons

Associate Attorney

Jeffrey Hammons Associate Attorney

Jeffrey Hammons is an ELPC Associate Attorney working on ELPC’s clean energy and natural resources protection litigation and policy issues. Mr. Hammons was a law clerk with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of General Counsel and Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance working on Clean Air Act and Clean Power Plan issues.

Education

J.D., Columbia Law School, 2016.

B.A., University of Kansas, 2013.

ELPC Office

Chicago

Contact Info

jhammons@elpc.org

(312) 795-3717

MeLena Hessel

Policy Advocate

MeLena Hessel Policy Advocate

MeLena Hessel is a Clean Energy and Sustainable Business Policy Advocate working on clean energy development analysis and Great Lakes protection initiatives. Ms. Hessel previously worked for LaSalle Investment Management performing market research and regional economic analysis, and for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Construction Engineering Research Laboratory on water sustainability assessments and water conservation recommendations.

Education

M.A., Urban Planning, University of Illinois, 2010

B.A., Brandeis University, 2007

ELPC Office

Chicago

Contact Info

mhessel@elpc.org

(312) 795-3738

Julie Jacobson

Senior Fellow

Julie Jacobson Senior Fellow

Julie Jacobson is an ELPC Senior Fellow. Following law school, Ms. Jacobson worked at the Mayer Brown & Platt law firm in the corporate banking practice. She is an active participant in Chicago’s civic life, serving on the Boards of the Chicago Architecture Foundation, Know Your Chicago and Chicago Sister Cities International. While at NYU Law School, she participated in the Environmental Law Clinic, working at the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Education

J.D., New York University School of Law, 1986;
B.A., Washington University (St. Louis), 1983.

ELPC Office

Chicago

Contact Info

jjacobson@elpc.org

312-795-3729

Ann Jaworski

Associate Attorney

Ann Jaworski Associate Attorney

Ann Jaworski is an Associate Attorney working on ELPC’s clean energy and natural resources protection litigation and policy issues. Ms. Jaworski was a law clerk in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division and an intern at NRDC where she conducted policy-related research at the intersection of food and environmental law. She also clerked for Judges Richard Posner and Frank Easterbrook on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

Education

J.D., New York University, 2017
B.A., Northwestern University, 2011

ELPC Office

Chicago

Contact Info

ajaworski@elpc.org

312-795-3711

Jocelyn Castro

Legal Assistant

Jocelyn Castro Legal Assistant

Jocelyn Castro is a Legal Assistant supporting ELPC’s attorneys. Ms. Castro was a Research Assistant at the Mansfield Institute for Social Justice and Transformation at Roosevelt University and worked as a Paralegal at the Consumer Law Group.

Education

BA in Social Justice and a Paralegal Certificate, Roosevelt University, 2016

ELPC Office

Chicago

Contact Info

jcastro@elpc.org

312-795-3700

Margrethe Kearney

Senior Attorney

Margrethe Kearney Senior Attorney

Margrethe Kearney is a Senior Staff Attorney working in ELPC’s Grand Rapids, Michigan office. Ms. Kearney was previously a Counsel at the Latham & Watkins firm in the Environment, Land & Resources Department, focusing on environmental enforcement, environmental litigation and advising on environmental aspects of corporate and finance transactions. She represented clients on cases involving the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, CERCLA and valuation of environmental claims in bankruptcy proceedings. Before law school, she worked as an associate research economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

Education

J.D., Harvard Law School, 2005

B.A., Economics, University of Chicago, 2000

ELPC Office

Grand Rapids, MI

Contact Info

mkearney@elpc.org

(312) 795-3708

Robert Kelter

Senior Attorney

Robert Kelter Senior Attorney

Robert Kelter is a Senior Attorney leading ELPC’s Energy Efficiency Program. Mr. Kelter advocates for stronger energy efficiency programs and implementation strategies in the Midwest and on national policies. He is an experienced energy and public utilities regulatory attorney, who served as the General Counsel of the Illinois Citizens Utility Board handling a wide array of electricity and natural gas rate and rulemaking cases and issues. Before that, he worked at Environmental Action and the Office of the People’s Counsel (Washington, D.C.).

Education

J.D., University of San Diego, 1987

B.A., Indiana University, 1981

ELPC Office

Chicago

Contact Info

rkelter@elpc.org

(312) 795-3734

Brad Klein

Senior Attorney

Brad Klein Senior Attorney

Brad Klein is a Senior Attorney working on accelerating solar energy policies and development, and clean water litigation and policy issues. Mr. Klein previously served as a judicial law clerk for Judge Emmet Sullivan of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and as a law fellow at the Environmental Law Institute. Before law school, he worked as an environmental engineer at the CH2M Hill consulting firm.

Education

J.D., New York University School of Law, 2003

B.S., Chemical Engineering, Washington University, 1998

ELPC Office

Chicago

Contact Info

bklein@elpc.org

(312) 795-3746

Jean-Luc Kreitner

Associate Attorney

Jean-Luc Kreitner Associate Attorney

Jean-Luc Kreitner is an ELPC Associate Attorney working on ELPC’s clean energy and natural resources protection litigation and policy issues. Mr. Kreitner was a legal intern at Natural Resources Defense Council and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 5 Office of Regional Counsel. At NYU Law School, he was a staff editor of the Environmental Law Journal and Communications Director of the Black Allied Law Students Association.

Education

J.D., New York University School of Law, 2016

B.S., Northwestern University, 2013

ELPC Office

Chicago

Contact Info

jkreitner@elpc.org

(312) 795-3725

Josh Mandelbaum

Staff Attorney

Josh Mandelbaum Staff Attorney

Josh Mandelbaum is a Staff Attorney in ELPC’s Des Moines, IA, office working on clean energy and clean water litigation and policy issues. Mr. Mandelbaum previously worked as a litigation associate with the Lane & Waterman law firm in Davenport, Iowa. Before law school, he worked for four years as a Senior Policy Advisor for Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack.

Education

J.D., University of Iowa Law School, 2009

B.A., Brown University, 2001

ELPC Office

Des Moines, IA

Contact Info

jmandelbaum@elpc.org

(515) 244-0253

Janet McCabe

Senior Law Fellow

Janet McCabe Senior Law Fellow

Janet McCabe is an ELPC Senior Law Fellow working to advance policies to better protect healthy clean air and our environment, and protect safe, clean drinking water for all. Ms. McCabe most recently served as the U.S. EPA’s Acting Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation, playing a lead role framing, shaping and implementing Clean Air Act standards, including the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, the Clean Power Plan and Ozone standards. Ms. McCabe previously served as Executive Director of Improving Kids’ Environment in Indianapolis, and as Assistant Commissioner for the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

Education

J.D., Harvard Law School (1983);

B.A., Harvard University (1980).

ELPC Office

Indianapolis, IN

Contact Info

jmccabe@elpc.org

Mary McClelland

Director of Communications

Mary McClelland Director of Communications

Mary McClelland serves as ELPC’s Director of Communications. Prior to ELPC, Mary was the National Marketing and Communications Director with Stand for Children, a multi-state education advocacy organization, where she led communications planning across 11 states, and beforehand in Illinois, as their state Communications Director. Prior to Stand, she was the Director of Interactive Media and Deputy Political Director – Field Operations for Rock the Vote.

Education

B.A., English Literature, Denison University (2000)

ELPC Office

Chicago

Contact Info

MMcClelland@elpc.org

312-795-3740

David McEllis

Government Affairs Representative

David McEllis Government Affairs Representative

David McEllis is a Government Affairs Representative working on current Illinois energy legislative issues. He recently served as Senior Legislative Counsel in the Office of the Illinois Senate President John J. Cullerton. He was the lead Senate Democratic staffer for the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee, and the Senate Labor Committee.

Education

J.D., The John Marshall Law School, 2012

B.A., University of Illinois at Chicago, History, 2004

ELPC Office

Chicago

Contact Info

dmcellis@elpc.org

(312) 795-3715

Ann Mesnikoff

Federal Legislative Director

Ann Mesnikoff Federal Legislative Director

Ann Mesnikoff is ELPC’s Federal Legislative Director working in Washington, D.C. with the Midwest Congressional Delegation and national coalitions to advance supportive clean energy, clean water and clean air, and transportation reform policies. Ms. Mesnikoff most recently served as Democratic Counsel for the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Before then, she worked as Associate Director, Federal Governmental Relations for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, and as the Director of Sierra Club’s Green Transportation Campaign.

Education

J.D., University of Minnesota Law School, 1993;

B.A., Wesleyan University, 1988.

ELPC Office

Washington, D.C.

Contact Info

amesnikoff@elpc.org

(312) 795-3961

Susan Mudd

Senior Policy Advocate

Susan Mudd Senior Policy Advocate

Susan Mudd is an Attorney and Senior Policy Advocate working on ELPC’s Diesel Pollution Reduction Initiative to protect children’s and community health, and with ELPC’s Science Advisory Council. Ms. Mudd previously served as Citizens for a Better Environment’s Wisconsin Director for 15 years. She has consulted for the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation and the Brico Fund. She was on the committee that developed LEED for Neighborhood Development standards.

Education

J.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison

M.A., Public Administration and Public Policy, University of Wisconsin-Madison

B.A., Botany, University of Wisconsin

ELPC Office

Chicago

Contact Info

smudd@elpc.org

(312) 795-3722

Judith Nemes

Media Relations Specialist

Judith Nemes Media Relations Specialist

Judith Nemes is an ELPC Media Relations Specialist focused on building public awareness for ELPC’s clean water, natural resources protection and smart transportation initiatives. Ms. Nemes was a freelance journalist writing news stories and features for the Chicago Tribune, Crain’s Chicago Business, Edible Chicago, GreenBiz.com and other media. She specialized in green issues, urban sustainability and healthcare features.

Education

M.A., Journalism and Public Affairs, American University, 1985

B.A., Vassar College, 1984

ELPC Office

Chicago

Contact Info

jnemes@elpc.org

(312) 795-3706

Twitter: @JudithELPC

Susan O’Connell

Accountant

Susan O’Connell Accountant

Susan O’Connell is a Certified Public Accountant who previously worked as the Director of Finance Administration at the American Board of Medical Specialties for 18 years.

Education

M.A., Management in Accounting, Northwestern University’s Kellogg School, 1981

ELPC Office

Chicago

Contact Info

soconnell@elpc.org

(312) 795-3727

Mary Frances O’Connor

Chief Development Officer

Mary Frances O’Connor Chief Development Officer

Mary Frances O’Connor is ELPC’s Chief Development Officer. She was previously Vice President of Development at the Better Government Association. She’s an experienced development and communications executive with nonprofit groups. Ms. O’Connor is also an award-winning news and documentary producer. Her production background includes six years with Bill Kurtis Productions where she produced the Primetime Emmy-nominated documentary series Cold Case Files.

Education

CFRE, Certified Fund Raising Executiv
Certificate of Executive Fund Development Program, Mendoza College of Business, Notre Dame
Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management, Certificate of Nonprofit Management, 2013
B.A., DePaul University, 1993

ELPC Office

Chicago

Contact Info

mfoconnor@elpc.org

312-795-3723

Andy Olsen

Senior Policy Advocate

Andy Olsen Senior Policy Advocate

Andy Olsen is a Senior Policy Advocate in ELPC’s Madison, WI, office working on policy advocacy and constituency building for ELPC’s Farm Energy Project. Mr. Olsen previously managed the Governor’s Alternative Fuels Task Force and led several collaborative renewable energy efforts in Wisconsin. He served as a Dane County Supervisor and Dane County Lakes & Watershed Commissioner, and as RENEW Wisconsin’s Board President.

Education

M.S., Energy Analysis & Policy, University of Wisconsin, 1996

B.A., Economics, Northwestern University, 1983

ELPC Office

Madison, WI

Contact Info

aolsen@elpc.org

(608) 334-1456

David Perry

Development Officer, Individual Giving

David Perry Development Officer, Individual Giving

David Perry is a Development Officer focusing on individual major gifts and family foundation fundraising. Mr. Perry previously worked as a Partner Manager for IBM and SPSS Inc. as an Account Manager and Channel Manager. He has experience working for several federal- and state-level political campaigns, most recently serving as Deputy Finance Director for Andrea Zopp’s campaign for the United States Senate.

Education

B.S., University of Illinois-Urbana, 1987.

ELPC Office

Chicago

Contact Info

dperry@elpc.org

(312) 795-3701

Libby Prakel

Special Assistant to the Executive Director

Libby Prakel Special Assistant to the Executive Director

Libby Prakel is Special Assistant to ELPC’s Executive Director. Ms. Prakel previously served as Chief of Staff to City of Chicago Alderman Michele Smith, Deputy Campaign Director for Citizens for (Illinois Attorney General) Lisa Madigan, and as a public affairs consultant for several campaigns including the Illinois Coalition Against Tobacco.

Education

M.S., Public Service Management, DePaul University

B.A., Political Science, Wittenberg University

ELPC Office

Chicago

Contact Info

lprakel@elpc.org

(312) 795-3709

Lena Guerrero Reynolds

Communications Writer

Lena Guerrero Reynolds Communications Writer

Lena Guerrero Reynolds is the Communications Writer at ELPC. Lena most recently worked as a Civic Engagement Educator at the UIC Rafael Cintrón Ortiz Latino Cultural Center. Her prior experience includes work at the Latino Policy Forum, Field Museum, Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, and National Museum of Mexican Art.

Education

M.A. in Museum and Exhibition Studies, University of Illinois at Chicago, 2016
B.A., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2010

ELPC Office

Chicago

Contact Info

Lreynolds@elpc.org

312-795-3735

Lucas Stephens

Senior Research Analyst

Lucas Stephens Senior Research Analyst

Lucas Stephens is a Senior Research Analyst working on accelerating innovative transportation technologies and smart cities planning, and protecting the Great Lakes from harmful pollution. Dr. Stephens has worked as a Research Specialist at LandCover6k over the past year, where he brought together 6,000 years of land use information in a GIS database for use in climate change modelling

Education

Ph.D., Art and Archeology, University of Pennsylvania, May 2018
B.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2009

ELPC Office

Chicago

Contact Info

lstephens@elpc.org

312-795-3726

Scott Strand

Senior Attorney

Scott Strand Senior Attorney

Scott Strand is a Senior Attorney leading natural resources protection legal advocacy in the Upper Midwest from ELPC’s Minneapolis-St. Paul office. Mr. Strand recently served as Executive Director of the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, which has played key roles protecting Minnesota’s waterways, retiring old highly-polluting coal plants and keeping harmful sulfide mining proposals at bay. He previously served for 17 years with the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office, including as Deputy Counsel and Manager of the Natural Resources Division, and as a litigator at a private law firm.

Education

J.D., University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, 1982

B.A., Harvard University, 1979

ELPC Office

Minneapolis, MN

Contact Info

sstrand@elpc.org

Justin Vickers

Staff Attorney

Justin Vickers Staff Attorney

Justin Vickers is a Staff Attorney working on energy efficiency and transmission litigation and policy issues. Mr. Vickers served as Associate Editor for the Northwestern University Law Review. He was a legal intern for the Drinker, Biddle & Reath law firm and the Environmental Law Clinic at Northwestern University Law School. He previously taught English in Zhejiang, China.

Education

J.D., Northwestern University School of Law, 2010

B.A., New College of Florida, 2005

ELPC Office

Chicago

Contact Info

jvickers@elpc.org

(312) 795-3736

Tiffany Werner

Field Organizer

Tiffany Werner Field Organizer

Tiffany Werner is a Field Organizer working on diesel pollution reduction and clean energy issues. Ms. Werner was previously an Administrative Assistant at ELPC, was a project coordinator for the Colorado Public Interest Research Group and an intern at the Andersonville Development Corporation, administering the Sustainable Business Merit Badge program.

Education

B.A., University of Colorado-Denver, 2013

ELPC Office

Chicago

Contact Info

tdavis@elpc.org

(312) 673-6500

Alda Yuan

Associate Attorney

Alda Yuan Associate Attorney

Alda Yuan is an Associate Attorney working on ELPC’s clean energy and natural resources protection litigation and policy issues. Ms. Yuan is currently working on the BRIGHT project, helping to draft a guide to blight revitalization corridor projects. She also worked as a law intern Environmental Law Institute, NRDC and Yale Environmental Protection Clinic.

Education

J.D., Yale Law School, May 2018
B.A., Biochemistry and History, Hunter College - Macaulay Honors College, 2015

ELPC Office

Chicago

Contact Info

ayuan@elpc.org

312-795-3724

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