MEET THE CLIMATE NEXUS TEAM

Bob Tanner brings to his role as deputy executive director a career that spans investigative reporting and congressional policy-making, from hearing rooms on the Hill to the Katrina-flooded streets of New Orleans. Now he fuses strategy and tactical execution, with oversight of all operations including editorial content, digital and social strategy, messaging, partnerships and finances.

Previously, Bob served as senior investigator for the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee during the climate change debates of 2009-2010 and the 2011 Fukushima disaster. Earlier, as a national editor and reporter for the Associated Press, he helped launch the National Investigative, National Reporting, and Disaster Response teams. In his 20-year journalism career, he reported for news wires, local newspapers and public television in Maryland, New York, New Hampshire and Washington, D.C.

Bob is a recovering surfer with a persistent rock-climbing habit, and enjoys being back in NYC with his wife, and two children and Fang, a very small dog who is sure she’s a big dog.

Rachel Potter is a seasoned sustainability practitioner with extensive experience in financial services, consulting and the nonprofit sectors. As managing director of operations, Rachel is responsible for project delivery, operations management, oversight of team engagement and professional development.

Prior to joining Climate Nexus, Rachel held a range of positions in the sustainability space, including for Accenture and Standard Chartered Bank. She holds a master’s degree in Environmental Policy, Planning and Regulation from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a master’s degree in History from the University of St. Andrews.

Rachel’s favorite thing to do when not at work is travel the world, so most of her spare time is spent traveling or travel planning.

Caterina Bartha is non-profit finance practitioner with a long history of working in theater and dance. In her role, Caterina oversees the finance process and directs the ongoing financial policies and priorities of Climate Nexus.

Prior to joining Climate Nexus, Caterina worked at the Dramatists Guild, with the who’s who of American Theater. She started life as a choreographer and was a founder of Collective: Unconscious, a downtown NYC venue that supported emerging artists, from 1995-2008. She is one of the producers of the film Charlie Victor Romeo and has produced numerous film festivals, dance, and theater programs since 1995. She holds an MBA in Media Management from Metropolitan College and an MS in Accounting from St. John’s University. She serves as the Treasurer for The Lilly Awards Foundation. Caterina is thrilled to support the most pressing issue of our generation at Climate Nexus.

Hilary Stabb is the Office Manager for Climate Nexus.

Hilary has worked in office administration, management and employee engagement roles for over a decade, and brings her passion for creating positive corporate culture to Climate Nexus.

Outside the office, Hilary is the enthusiastic mother of a teen boy. She is also a private yoga instructor, painter, writer, poet and Creative Producer for Film and TV projects.

Josh Goldman is a car geek, policy expert, and experienced communications professional. As associate director of the Energy Transition team at Climate Nexus, Josh covers all issues related to clean transportation. From electric vehicles and improved fuel efficiency to self-driving cars, ships, planes, trains, and everything in between, Josh works with partners and the media to tell the story of how transportation is changing how we get to point B.

Before joining Climate Nexus, Josh directed the electric vehicle portfolio at the Union of Concerned Scientists where he led campaigns to enact or protect progressive transportation policy at the state and federal level. Josh also worked as a federal liaison for the New York Governor and is a recovering attorney, having graduated from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in 2009 where he founded the Cardozo Environmental Law Society.

As associate director of science defense, Phil Newell is involved at various stages with much of our work, from brainstorming ideas to drafting and editing final products. Phil also leads on our rapid response and denier monitoring work.

Before working at Climate Nexus, Phil was an intern at the World Watch Institute, where he blogged on sustainable agriculture. Prior to that, he worked with EARTHWORKS, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting communities and the environment from the impacts of irresponsible mineral and energy development while seeking sustainable solutions.

Phil has an MA in Global Environmental Policy from American University, and a BA in Sustainable Development from Appalachian State University.

As senior manager on the Energy Transition team, Chelsea Eakin works with partners and the media to tell the story of the transition to a clean energy economy.

Prior to joining Climate Nexus, Chelsea was engaged in climate and clean energy issues in China from 2010-2017, most recently as the Public Affairs Manager for the Paulson Institute, former Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson’s nonprofit dedicated to US-China relations as they pertain to the economy and the environment. In that role, Chelsea managed communications for the Institute’s research and events highlighting best practices and market-based solutions to advance China’s transition to a sustainable economy. She also oversaw the Institute’s Paulson Prize for Sustainable Cities, awarded annually to an innovative China-based project that represents a best practice for sustainable urbanization.

Before joining the Paulson Institute, Chelsea managed client services, communications, and events for China Greentech, a strategic advisory group that promoted green technology solutions in China through market research and partnering opportunities.

Chelsea holds a B.A. in Global Studies and Anthropology from Colby College in Maine. She has lived in Shenzhen and Beijing, as well as Quito, Ecuador and speaks Chinese and Spanish.

As senior associate on the Energy Transition Desk at Climate Nexus, Marcela Miceli works across the team’s issue areas to advance the narrative on clean energy solutions and climate change. Marcela uses her expertise in clean energy issues to engage with key partners and the media on crafting compelling stories on the clean energy transition.

Prior to joining Climate Nexus, Marcela was a communications associate at the Risky Business Project, where she worked with high-level spokespeople on creating the business case for the transition to a low-carbon economy. She holds an M.S. in Global Affairs with a focus on Energy and Environmental Policy.

On her time off Marcela can be found exploring the city’s many culinary delights and planning her next travel escape from the Big Apple.

As director of media relations, Ben Rubin develops campaign strategies to strengthen and accelerate emerging opportunities that combat climate change. Ben’s R&D portfolio is rooted in his experience working on climate solutions for governments, businesses, and nonprofits and ranges from public engagement to media relations.

Prior to joining Climate Nexus, Ben spearheaded public affairs campaigns to advance renewable energy development as a principal at a public affairs firm. Ben also served in California Governor Jerry Brown’s Office of Planning and Research, focusing on long-range planning policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He studied urban planning and anthropology at Pitzer College.

Ben has lived, studied, or traveled to 45 U.S. states and five continents. Currently based in Brooklyn, he can often be found exploring New York City’s urban jungle or kayaking along its shores.

Emma Stieglitz is a skilled communicator with years of experience securing high-value media placements for progressive campaigns and causes. As one of two media directors, she works with journalists to showcase the diverse range of voices and stories that drive home how climate change impacts our lives.

Before joining Climate Nexus, Emma was a communications consultant at BerlinRosen, where she led and executed national and local media strategy for a range of labor and nonprofit clients. Her writing has appeared in outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, and The Guardian.

Marlene Peralta is a senior manager of broadcast media relations, leading Climate Nexus’ broadcast outreach program to increase coverage of climate change and its impacts on national TV (network and cable) news.

She has a MA in Broadcast Journalism from The Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Before coming to Nexus, she worked as a senior consultant for strategic communications and has accrued over 15 years of experience in English and Spanish language media having worked for El Diario, the largest Spanish language daily newspaper in New York City, also for Newsday, AM New York, HITN TV, 1010 WINS Radio, CUNY TV, among others.

Marlene is an Emmy® award nominee and is the recipient of three Communicator Awards from the Academy of International Visual Arts (AIVA).

Marlene is a baseball fan and loves traveling, especially to her native Dominican Republic.

Elisabeth Soto is a highly motivated, full-stack digital marketer with over eight years of experience and a startup marketing mind. She holds certifications in marketing automation, digital marketing, data analytics, and front-end web development and loves to stay on top of the latest digital trends.

Elisabeth’s passion is exploring the intersection of climate and faith which led to her launching C4 | Christians Concerned About Climate Change, a non-partisan group engaging in environmental stewardship through prayer, discussion, and climate activism. Her experience in digital marketing and communications spans a variety of sectors including financial services and philanthropy, and institutions such as Cohen & Steers, the Latin American Private Capital Association, Sony DADC, Children International, and USAID.

Mina Lee is the design lead on the Digital team at Climate Nexus.

Prior to joining Nexus, Mina worked at the NYC Mayor’s Office of Sustainability, where she focused on building energy efficiency and helped publish the NYC Carbon Challenge Handbook. Mina was also a graduate student consultant for the World Resources Institute, where she analyzed key issues and made policy recommendations relating to forest conservation and restoration practices.

Mina holds an MPA in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University and a BFA in Studio Art from NYU. She is determined to bring her two passions of art and the environment together.

Outside of the office, Mina can be found indulging her Instagram at the next big NYC restaurant.

Markeya Thomas is a manager of media relations at Climate Nexus. She works on the Climate Signals project, a science tool that identifies and illustrates what climate change looks like on the ground, in your region, state, or neighborhood. She identifies, pursues and provides resources for the media, partners, and stakeholders.

Before coming to Climate Nexus, she was a public information officer at the Missouri Botanical Garden overseeing botany and energy communications. She began her communications career as a TV news reporter for the ABC affiliates in Killeen, TX and Gainesville, FL, where she quickly worked her way up to the anchor desk. As an anchor and reporter, she used social media to break stories and connect with viewers.

She graduated from Georgia State University, and returns to Atlanta often. Markeya can be found trying new restaurants, cooking, and exploring the city in her spare time.

Celia Gurney Celia Gurney is a senior associate on the Digital team.

Celia converted to environmentalism at age eight, when her third grade class did a unit on tropical rainforests. She has since helped develop a green laboratory certification program; volunteered on the waste reduction committee at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival; and conducted independent research in the Amazon, a real live tropical rainforest you may have heard of.

Between completing her BA in Environmental Studies at the University of Washington and joining Climate Nexus, Celia worked in Paris as an au pair. In her spare time she enjoys speaking French with French people she finds around town. She also takes improv and sketch classes at the Upright Citizens Brigade.

Allison Fajans-Turner leads Nexus’ work with state and city government stakeholders. Instrumental in helping to launch, design, and manage the We Are Still In initiative, Allison is Nexus’ primary liaison to the coalition and advises on its communications strategy. She also engages with developments in international climate policy, working at the intersection of climate change and sustainable development for Nexus.

Before joining Climate Nexus, Allison worked with the Disaster and Climate Adaptation Team of the Norwegian Refugee Council in Geneva, Switzerland, assessing climate drivers of displacement and conflict. This work convinced her that meaningfully reducing displacement risk for populations worldwide requires urgent action to combat climate change. Prior to this, Allison worked on the Obama presidential campaigns as a field organizer in multiple locations, helping to turn Indiana blue in 2008. She has remained an enthusiastic policy wonk ever since.

Allison has an MA in International Relations and Economics from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and a BA in International Development from Brown University. A native of Ithaca, New York, her earliest motivation to stave off climate change is rooted in a childhood spent playing winter sports, namely ice hockey and skiing.

Paige Knappenberger is the senior manager of partnerships. She leads our work with climate change partner organizations working on climate change from the perspective of public health, faith, national security, environmental justice, youth and parents. Working out of the Climate Nexus office in Washington, D.C. Paige provides these partners strategic media guidance and support to amplify the work they are doing to reach and engage distinct groups on climate change and clean energy.

Prior to joining the Climate Nexus team, Paige worked for the D.C. Sustainable Energy Utility and interned at Oceana and NRDC. Paige completed a dual-masters in sustainable development and global environmental policy through American University in Washington, DC and the University for Peace in Costa Rica.

Paige grew up in Arizona and California and frequently endures the cross-country flight to visit her family out west. In her free time Paige enjoys scuba diving, crafting, and live music.

Lauren Wolahan is Senior Manager with the Special Projects team and works across on a range of issues including international climate policy, agriculture, and short-lived climate pollutants. Lauren previously led Climate Nexus’ Food and Climate program, focusing on ways to incorporate diet, food systems, and agriculture into the climate change conversation.

Prior to joining Climate Nexus, Lauren worked with the Agriculture and Food Security Center on soil nutrient data and with the Reducetarian Foundation on communications strategy. She has also volunteered with various non-profits including No Kid Hungry and Randall’s Island Park Alliance to increase access to healthy food, nutrition, and environmental education. Lauren holds an MPA in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and a BA in History from Boston College.

Emma Hutchinson is an associate on the Special Projects team at Climate Nexus, where she helps advance the conversation on subnational climate action by elevating the voices of mayors, governors, businesses, and other non-federal leaders. She also works on a variety of other international and topic-specific climate issues.

Before joining Climate Nexus, Emma spent a year at the MacArthur Foundation in Chicago, where she contributed to the strategy and grantmaking of the Climate Solutions program. At the Foundation, she focused on U.S. climate policy and communication, conducting large projects on carbon pricing and building will for climate action. She has also worked for the National Audubon Society, WILD Foundation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and served as a student journalist at COP 21 in Paris.

Emma received a Bachelors degree from Stanford University, where she studied environmental policy, economics, and science communication. At Stanford, she built the communications capacity of the largest student-run sustainability group on campus and conducted research on climate change, marine ecology, political discourse, and tourism. In her spare time, Emma enjoys playing the clarinet and exploring the Big Apple.

Jamie Schoshinski is an associate on the Partnerships team at Climate Nexus.

Prior to joining Climate Nexus, Jamie worked for the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a nonprofit think tank that promotes policies that reduce poverty and inequality. There, she supported the communications team with a variety of both media relations and digital work.

Jamie graduated in 2017 from Temple University with a BA in English and Political Science. While in school she worked for NextGen Climate, and it was this experience that led her to realize she wanted a career in environmental communications.

In her free time, Jamie enjoys cooking, listening to true crime podcasts, watching everything on Netflix from documentaries to romantic comedies, and gardening (although due to a lack of outdoor space this is currently limited to just a few houseplants).

Reece Rushing is director of research. In 2015 and 2016, he served as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s acting deputy assistant secretary for congressional relations and director of oversight. Previously, Reece served as director of oversight and investigations for the House Natural Resources Committee Democrats, and as director of government reform, among other roles, during a seven-year tenure at the Center for American Progress. Reece began his career working on regulatory and information policy issues at OMB Watch (later called the Center for Effective Government). He received his degree in journalism from the University of Missouri.

James Wyatt oversees survey research and polling for Climate Nexus. This includes integrating the latest survey science methodologies and advanced machine learning techniques to accurately measure public opinion on a wide range of issues.

Prior to joining Climate Nexus, James served as the Senior Polling Director at Morning Consult where he managed polling for a variety of Fortune 500 companies and industry trade groups.  His polling research has been cited by top media organizations such as POLITICO, The New York Times, Vox, Bloomberg, and FiveThirtyEight (among others).  Prior to that, James served as the Data Scientist for Working America, AFL-CIO, where he managed data analytics and voter target for the largest paid canvassing operation of the 2014 political cycle.  James also has experience working as a political consultant, and served as a lobbyist for municipalities in South Florida focusing on energy issues and appropriations.

James has co-authored book chapters on minority voting in the United States and holds two master’s degrees with specialization in research methods.

Lindsay Hamilton is director of national media strategy for the Campaigns and Strategies team at Climate Nexus.

Previously, she was the executive director for media relations at the George Washington University. In this role, she oversaw media relations for her alma mater and served as the university’s chief spokesperson. Prior to GW, she spent nearly six years at the Center for American Progress where she was chief of staff and vice president and, prior to that, director of media strategy.

Lindsay has also spent time on Capitol Hill and in the media. She was the communications director for Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) and worked as his campaign manager during the 2010 election cycle. She also worked at ABC News both in Washington, D.C. and New York, NY.

Lindsay earned a B.A. in international affairs and political science from the Elliott School of International Affairs at the George Washington University. She earned her master’s degree in international affairs with a concentration in media and communications from the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs. She is originally from Omaha, Nebraska.

Nathan Kauffman learns for a living. As senior manager of research at Climate Nexus. He monitors the fossil fuel industry, its front groups, and utilities that try to hamper the fight against climate change.

Prior to joining Climate Nexus, Nathan worked for the Chesapeake Climate Action Network as a lobbyist/project manager/carpenter. He holds BA in History & Social Science from Eastern Mennonite University and a JD from the George Washington University law school.

When he’s not preventing the global climate cataclysm, Nathan enjoys cycling, baking, and listening to podcasts while walking his 3-year-old Carolina Dog Lucy.

Gabrielle Levy is a senior manager of communications on the Campaigns and Strategies team. She comes to Climate Nexus after eight years as a reporter covering politics and policy in Washington, D.C., including Congress, the White House and two presidential elections, most recently for U.S. News and World Report. As a reporter at United Press International, she was instrumental in developing digital and social media strategies to bring a legacy organization into the digital age. During a half-year residency with Cambodia Daily in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Gabrielle reported on government corruption, human rights abuses and the impact of natural disasters on the substance farming community.

She holds a master’s degree in journalism from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University and a bachelor’s in English and music from Tufts University. She is an avid singer and is a member of several choirs.

Molly Fisch-Friedman is a Survey Research Associate at Climate Nexus, where she conducts and analyzes survey research on attitudes toward climate change and other environmental issues and policies.

Prior to Climate Nexus, she was a Research Assistant and Project Coordinator at PRRI, where she produced public opinion research and analysis at the intersection of religion, culture, and public policy. She authored dozens of reports and blog posts that informed public conversations about issues including education, reproductive health, and immigration. She previously was a Princeton AlumniCorps Project 55 Fellow, through which she served as a Grant Writer at Elevate. Molly graduated magna cum laude from Princeton University, receiving her A.B. in Politics.

Outside of work, she teaches at a Hebrew School and sings in a D.C.-area nonprofit community choir. She is always on the lookout for a new good book to read and a vegetarian recipe to make in her slow cooker.

Ashita Gona is a Communications Associate for the Campaigns and Strategies team at Climate Nexus, where she finds opportunities to promote clean energy, climate and business solutions among allies and in the media.

Prior to joining Climate Nexus, Ashita was the assistant editor of the Coastal Review Online, a North Carolina-based digital news outlet. There, she reported on pressing coastal environmental issues, including the potential effects of sea-level rise and climate change on the state’s coast.

She also worked as a freelance writer, and was a contributor for Al Gore’s latest book on climate change, An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power.

Ashita graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2016 with a degree in Media and Journalism. During her time there, interned at the White House Council on Enviromental Quality and a nonprofit communications agency. She also indulged her love of science by writing feature stories for UNC’s official research magazine, Endeavors.

A native of North Carolina, Ashita enjoys hiking in mountains, visiting the beach, and cheering for UNC’s basketball team.

Kimiko Martinez

Meena Hussain