TEAM
TEAM
Our team is a diverse blend of talents, expertise and perspectives, coming together to create something extraordinary. Each member brings unique skills, passion and dedication, making our collective strength truly exceptional.
Jolie Brawner
Program Director
Jolie is a passionate leader dedicated to serving her community and brings over a decade of community building and advocacy leadership experience to the Coalition. In 2021, Jolie served as Vice Chair for the Colorado Independent Congressional Redistricting Commission. She travelled all over the state, hearing from Coloradans and tirelessly working to amplify the voices of the marginalized. This commitment to elevating the voices and needs of her community is something Jolie is excited to continue in her role as Coalition Director. Most recently, Jolie served as the Executive Director of the Washington Street Community Center. She worked to unite the neighbors and neighborhoods of South-Central Denver, cultivating an intergenerational gathering place for the community.
When not working, Jolie can be found (or better not found) enjoying the unparalleled beauty of our natural world: hiking, backpacking and camping in those magical places that still exist outside the reach of cellular reception.
Alison Carlman
Executive Director
Born and raised in Colorado, Alison brings 18 years of experience growing systems-change organizations. After earning her bachelor's degree in communications at Pepperdine University, Alison completed her master's in Community Development and postgraduate work in Program Monitoring and Evaluation at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. Alison has significant experience building communications, research, impact and innovation functions at GlobalGiving, a nonprofit operating nationally and internationally. Over 13 years Alison helped GlobalGiving deliver $150m/year to grassroots nonprofits around the world. Alison also worked in communications at the Denver Art Museum and served as a Kiva Fellow in Kenya.
Alison brings a strong innovation and human-centered design orientation to the Alliance; she loves helping groups sense, listen, experiment, and learn. She is trained in nonviolent communication, restorative justice, and facilitation. A communicator at heart, Alison values collective visioning and storytelling as key tools in bringing about the regenerative future. She is motivated by the words of indigenous activist Lilla Watson: “If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.”
Amy DePierre
Program Manager
Finding purpose in nurturing meaningful connections, Amy’s primary motivation stems from a deep-seated commitment to environmental stewardship coupled with community empowerment. Food and agriculture have long been at the center of Amy’s career, with work experiences ranging from grocery store customer service and front-of-house restaurant management to teaching higher-ed food geography courses and leading municipal regenerative agriculture community education and engagement efforts. As a PhD Candidate in the Geography, Planning and Design program at the University of Colorado Denver, Amy engages directly with food system inequities that sit at the intersection of food, agriculture and climate issues. Amy holds a master’s degree in Environmental Science from the University of Colorado Denver where she focused her studies on small-scale agriculture while managing her own community supported agriculture (CSA) endeavor. She received her bachelor’s degree in Bio-Psychology from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Beyond food and agriculture, Amy enjoys spending time in nature with her family while hiking, camping or traveling.
Ellery Ellison
Front Desk Assistant
Born and raised in Colorado, Ellery has dedicated years of their life to social justice and equity work. Their college career took this focus when they earned an Associates of Art in Psychology from ACC and Bachelors of Arts in Psychology with minors in Sociology and Gender and Women’s studies as well as a micro-credential in Mental Health from DU. Some of their previous work has involved making educational materials for their peers, acting as the Executive Chair of Gender and Sexuality Equity in DU’s student government and engaging in a variety of administrative work. When they’re not at the front desk of The Alliance Center, they can be found hanging out with friends, going to or performing in drag shows and spending time outside.
Riley Ruff
Building Manager
Growing up in Colorado and spending countless hours enjoying the outdoors, Riley’s passion for the environment started at a young age. They started working in community organizing over six years ago, getting involved with the Denver Climate Movement and local environmental justice issues. Riley previously worked for 350 Colorado as the Northern Colorado Coordinator, building a grassroots environmental movement and advocating for a just transition. Now a graduate of Colorado State University, Riley holds a BS in Ecosystem Science and Sustainability and brings their knowledge and passion of event planning, community building and sustainability to the Events Manager position. When not curled up with a book, Riley can be found figure skating at the local ice rink or outside, likely tackling another Colorado 14er.
Mariah Shell
Senior Director of Operations
Mariah has called Colorado home for most of her life and loves working to improve this incredible state. She spends each day supporting the work of our talented tenant community and making the Alliance Center the most welcoming, energy-efficient building in Denver. She is a problem-solver who loves thinking about the most efficient ways to get things done and is always looking for ways to improve the systems we use. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Denver and has been working in the nonprofit sector ever since. In her downtime, Mariah enjoys going to the movies, drinking whiskey and going on long walks with her two rescue pups.
OUR BOARD
Jeff Ackermann
Board Chair
Jeff Ackermann advises governmental energy officials and advocates on clean energy policy, currently through his position as a senior policy advisor with The Center for the New Energy Economy. His 30+ years of state government and energy sector experience includes four years as chairman of the Colorado Public Utilities Commission from 2017-2021. Prior to his tenure as PUC chair, he served as executive director of the Colorado Energy Office for four years, starting in 2013. Jeff has a particular focus on improving the utility regulatory process, having engaged in it from numerous perspectives: as an advocate for income-constrained households; as the lead utility staff member developing a “green pricing” program and as the demand-side management advisor and later chief policy researcher for the Colorado public utilities commissioners. He is also a Senior Fellow with Gridworks, where he facilitates difficult discussions and fosters collaborations promoting decarbonization. Jeff earned a Master of Nonprofit Management degree from Regis University and a BA in Environmental Economic Policy from Albion College.
Naomi Amaha
Board Secretary
Naomi Amaha is an award-winning public affairs leader with a reputation for excellence in public policy and government relations. With more than a decade of experience in advocacy, nonprofit leadership and civic engagement, she advances systemic change. She currently serves as the inaugural Director of Policy and Government Affairs for The Denver Foundation, the largest and most experienced community foundation in the Rocky Mountain West. Naomi holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Communication from the University of California Davis, is a Certified Nonprofit Professional and has earned a certification in Corporate Social Responsibility. She currently serves as co-chair of the City and County of Denver’s Sustainable Transportation standing committee of the Sustainability Advisory Council and member of the Policy and Legislative Advisory Network of the Rocky Mountain Partnership.
Douglas Arent
Board Member
Doug Arent has over 30 years of experience in clean energy, sustainable development and related technologies and management. He is an internationally recognized expert in clean energy and sustainability, technology, policy and strategy. Doug is the Deputy Associate Lab Director, Scientific Computing and Energy Analysis (SCEA) at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. For more than 20 years, he has led global teams that deliver leading-edge, objective, high-impact research and analysis to guide global energy investment and policy decisions at the intersections of the environmental, social, financial, technological and political elements of energy systems. Doug also directs the 21st Century Power Partnership, an initiative of the Clean Energy Ministerial that supports power sector policy and regulatory best practices and deep technical assessments. He is the Editor in Chief for Renewable Energy Focus and is Associate Editor for the journal Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. Doug has a PhD from Princeton University, an MBA from Regis University and a bachelor of science degree from Harvey Mudd College.
Melissa Baldridge
Board Member
Melissa Baldridge co-founded GreenSpot Global in 2010 to develop and create value in regenerative real estate by spinning energy, carbon, water and waste meters backwards. Since then, she’s helped hundreds of clients with sustainability and financial analysis, development, land acquisition and finished product sales worth over $340 million. She’s also modeled over 1 million square feet of property, helped clients place 236 MWs of solar power, and save hundreds of carbon tonnes and over 200 MWhs of electricity annually. Melissa is nationally recognized for excellence and innovation by the National Green Building Standard, and GreenSpot was named a “Top Green Dealmaker” by the U.S. Green Building Council. She is also in candidacy for a master’s degree in sustainability with a focus on corporate innovation (Harvard University, 2020). Her areas of interest include regenerative building and activities, economic and financial analysis, energy and greenhouse gas metrics, green finance and circular economics. In Melissa’s spare time she plays drums and percussion (jazz, funk, house, Brazilian and Cuban).
Lynn Israel
Board Member
Lynn’s primary career has been in the field of education as a university and high school administrator, teacher, and most recently, Director of Community Outreach for an education nonprofit. She is also an environmental activist, working closely on the issues of preservation with Rainforest Action Network and fracking with Food and Water Watch and other local organizations. As a former professional dancer, she serves on the board of two Boulder-based dance companies. She is the mom of two grown sons with whom she shares a passion for the ocean and surfing in particular. Lynn has extensive experience articulating and promoting the mission and vision of educational organizations and nonprofits. She is recognized leader in development, marketing and program management.
K.J. McCorry
Board Member
K.J. McCorry is the founder of Eco-officiency, which offers sustainability consulting services to small and medium businesses. She specializes in sustainability planning, assessments and employee training. She is a contributing author to Simple Path to Sustainability; Green Business Strategies for Small and Medium Sized Businesses released in 2011. She currently serves on the Eco-Cycle and Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center boards. She also serves on the University of Colorado Denver Managing for Sustainability Council and an adjunct faculty member for the University of Colorado Boulder Masters of the Environment program. K.J. has served on multiple nonprofit boards committed to social and environmental responsibility including International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP), Connected Organizations for a Responsible Economy (CORE), Businesses for Social Responsibility- Colorado Chapter; Past President and founding member of Colorado P3: People, Planet Profit. K.J. is an MBA graduate of the University of Denver, and she received her undergraduate degree from Metropolitan State University. She has certifications in LEED, GHG Accounting and the Global Reporting Initiative. She is also is a LEAD Fellow, an international sustainability leadership program.
Aaron Miripol
Board Member
With 30 years of experience in community development and affordable housing, Aaron, currently the President and CEO of Urban Land Conservancy (ULC), has played a vital role in overseeing $1.4 billion in economic development. He joined ULC in 2007, leading strategic land and building acquisitions in the Denver metro area to benefit underserved communities. Aaron has been a driving force behind ULC's $180 million investments in community real estate, leveraging over $1.25 billion for affordable housing and nonprofit development. Notably, he orchestrated the $62 million acquisition of Johnson and Wales University, contributing to K-12 education, affordable housing and support for businesses of color. Serving on the National Community Reinvestment Coalition Board, Aaron is a founding member of Neighborhood Development Collaborative and Mile High Connects. Prior to ULC, he directed Thistle Community Housing, overseeing remarkable growth from 100 to 1,000 homes during nine years.
Jill Nelson
Board Member
Jill is an attorney and social justice activist. She received a bachelor’s and a law degree from Stanford University. As a lawyer for the San Francisco Neighborhood Legal Assistance Foundation, she focused on organizing and litigating on behalf of public housing tenants citywide. As Executive Director of the Boston and Washington DC-based National Jobs with Peace Campaign, she was a leader of a multi-racial, multi-class, grassroots organizing group with chapters around the country. Jobs with Peace brought together diverse local and national coalitions which coordinated campaigns to cut military spending by 25% and redirect tax dollars to human needs and the environment. Jill currently oversees a portfolio of real estate holdings and other businesses and supports multiple organizations working for social change, including independent media and political campaigns.
Hilda Nucete
Board Member
Hilda's journey began in a Venezuelan oil camp, shaping her resilience and global perspective. Relocating to Caracas and later Colorado, she navigated complex political landscapes, igniting her commitment to social justice. Studying International Business and French in France, Hilda's academic path converged at Colorado State University, emphasizing Latin America and Europe. As Protégete Program Director at Conservation Colorado, she spearheaded impactful environmental initiatives, paving the way for her current role as Senior Director of Civic Engagement at LCVEF. Championing voter registration in marginalized communities, she registered over 1.5 million voters. Hilda's influence extends to health equity as Co-Chair for the Health Equity Commission, shaping policies and managing substantial budgets. Her leadership on the Colorado Environmental Justice Action Task Force and pivotal role in Denver's "Waste No More" initiative underscore her dedication. As a youth mentor and nonprofit leader, she uplifts communities. Throughout her journey, Hilda epitomizes passionate advocacy, community leadership, and transformative change, uniting environmental justice, health equity and community empowerment.
Jacques-Philippe Piverger
Vice Chair
Jacques-Philippe Piverger is an experienced entrepreneur and investor. Prior to founding GoodLight Capital, he was co-founder and managing partner at OzoneX Ventures. Before OzoneX, he was a director at PineBridge Investments and AIG Investments, where he participated in directing over $10 billion of venture capital, private equity, hedge fund and real estate transactions globally. Jacques-Philippe was also the co-founder and former Chief Executive Officer of MPOWERD, a solar product company with global distribution in more than 70 countries. He holds a Bachelor‘s degree from Georgetown University and an MBA from Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business. He is a board member of the New York City Economic Development Corporation’s Build NYC and Industrial Development Agency. He is co-founder and former board member of The Council of Urban Professionals and a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum. He was a Term Member at The Council on Foreign Relations and an advisory board member of George Clooney’s Hope for Haiti Now Fund.
John Powers
Founder
Founder of Alliance for Sustainable Colorado in 2004 and full-time volunteer, John has been on the board since inception. He is a board member of Conservation Colorado and the Educational Foundation of America. From 2006 to 2012 John was a member of the Greenprint Council, a citizens’ advisory committee to the Mayor of Denver’s Sustainable Development Initiative.
Steve Schueth
Board Member
A nationally recognized authority, consultant and resource to the Sustainable, Responsible, Impact investment industry, Steve is a veteran financial services professional. For nearly 30 years, he has focused on helping direct the flow of investment capital in positively impactful and intentionally transformative ways — toward the creation of a truly sustainable future. Steve worked for Calvert Investments for eight years in the 1990s, including four years as President of Calvert Distributors, and served for eleven years as Chair of the Board of US SIF: The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investing. Steve was Principal, President, and Chief Marketing Officer for First Affirmative Financial Network from 1999 through 2017 and served as Executive Producer of The SRI Conference (on Sustainable, Responsible, Impact Investing), the premier gathering of the sustainable and responsible investment industry in North America for nearly 20 years.
Praful Shah
Board Treasurer
Praful Shah is an angel investor focused on social impact who has invested in 75 start-up companies, mostly in Colorado. He has been a mentor, an advisor or on the Board of several organizations. His passion is to alleviate poverty of all kinds (especially ignorance) and provide richness to lives. He spent over thirty years as a scientist and an executive in the Research and Development departments of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, an MBA (Finance) and Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics. He lives near Boulder, Colorado with his wife Karen.
Renise Walker
Board Member
Renise serves as the Assistant Director of Systems Innovation for the Colorado Workforce Development Council. Serving as an active leader for the CWDC, Renise represents the CWDC at state and national conferences and continues to innovate and be a thought leader in the talent development landscape. She is responsible for critical relationship development with external partners and provides management and alignment of CWDC‘s efforts to lead and support industry-led networks, develop and strengthen career pathway systems and implement stimulus-funded initiatives in support of Colorado’s economic recovery. Prior to joining the CWDC in 2015, Renise led the backbone efforts of a collective impact initiative working to advance affordable housing, workforce development and economic mobility for underserved populations in the nation’s capital. Walker believes strongly that enacting large-scale social challenges requires a willingness to innovate, break down silos and collaborate across traditional boundaries. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Colorado College and a master’s in public administration from the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs. As a proud third-generation Coloradan, Renise cares deeply about the future of Colorado and creating and sustaining opportunities for Colorado residents.
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