Staff

- State Director

Margaret is State Director, moving up from her previous role working on the Sierra Communities campaign, where she enjoyed the opportunity to work with Sierra members and activists from Shoreview, Northern Dakota County, and St. Cloud. She grew up in St. Louis and has a B.A. in Political Science and Sociology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Before joining the Sierra Club in the spring of 2004, she worked as a grassroots organizer with Minnesota Public Interest Research Group and the Minnesota Senior Federation.

- Chapter Coordinator

Vicki has served as chapter coordinator, performing bookkeeping and administrative work for the chapter, since 1987.

She grew up on a small dairy farm in Goodhue County. She received a Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Park Administration at Mankato State, and then spent a few years in the Peace Corps in the Eastern Caribbean. She enjoys working at the Sierra Club because it gives her an opportunity to protect the environment and to empower others to do the same.

- Clean Cars Education Organizer

Stacy is an organizer working to educate the public about Clean Cars Standards that can help reduce global warming pollution in Minnesota. In 2008 she worked with the Sierra Club on the Green Jobs for American campaign and as an organizer helping great environmental candidates get elected to office. Previously she worked as the Outreach Coordinator for A Living Library, an organization in San Francisco, which has gardening programs for inner city schools and a green jobs training program for low income residents, and as a Campus Organizing Director at the Minnesota Public Interest Research Group. In the summer of 2004 Stacy worked on the Sierra Club Building Environmental Communities program, and she is delighted to be back with such a dynamic staff and amazing community of volunteers. Stacy has a BA in English and Environmental Studies from the University of WI — La Crosse. When not focused on Green Jobs, Stacy enjoys canoeing, camping, biking, cross-country skiing, gardening, and experiencing the 4 seasons with family & friends.

- Deputy Operations Director - National Coal Campaign

Heather was hired as the Conservation Director for the Sierra Club North Star Chapter in June of 2001. In May of 2007 she became Midwest Senior Regional Representative and now supervises organizing staff in Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Minnesota. Since 1986 she has worked in a variety of roles from grassroots organizer to executive director in progressive non-profits. Her most recent positions include executive director of the Minnesota Senior Federation (1998-2001) and executive director of the Minnesota Public Interest Research Group (1990-1998). In 1996 she received her law degree from William Mitchell College of Law.

- Director for Chapter Coordination, Climate Recovery Campaign

Scott was promoted to his current national position in 2008 after serving as state director since 2000, and as a volunteer since 1995, including a stint as ExCom Chair from 1997-1998. He brings a background of grassroots organizing, having worked as an organizer for the Minnesota Public Interest Research Group, Land Stewardship Project and 1000 Friends of Minnesota. Scott's outside pursuits include, hiking, camping, reading, gardening, enjoying time with his nine-year-old daughter, and long-distance motorcycle riding on his BMW F650GS.

- Conservation Organizer

Joshua works on the land use campaign, and also focuses on transportation issues. He began organizing with the North Star Chapter early in 2005. While living in western Colorado for three years, Joshua was active with the Colorado Environmental Coalition, the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Sierra Club, and the Western Colorado Congress, a grassroots alliance that empowers people to protect their environment. Joshua has a BS in geography from the University of Iowa and holds a MA in outdoor education and recreation from the University of Minnesota. When he is not working with an incredible committee of volunteers and dedicated staff, he can be found bicycling, climbing, hiking and traveling internationally.

Joshua's green wedding, in the summer of 2007, was eco-friendly and zero waste. He is an all-season bicycle commuter.

- Development Coordinator and Online Organizer

Stacey Kawakami recently joined the North Star Chapter staff as the Development and Communications Coordinator. She is very excited to continue the work she started as a volunteer on the Gift Planning Committee and build on the communications skills gained as Co-chair of the Clean Air and Renewable Energy Committee.

Stacey graduated from Rutgers University with a B.S. in Environmental Economics and has always seen great value in the outdoors (yes, even in New Jersey). After graduating, she lived in Hawaii for a few years to spend time with family. Yearning for season change and a similar, local spirit of aloha, she found herself in the warm state of Minnesota. Here she enjoys hiking, fishing, camping, watching independent films, and meeting the great folks that make up this state.

- Blue Green Alliance Associate Regional Representative

Joshua Low is the new Blue Green Alliance Associate Regional Representative. The Blue Green Alliance is the Sierra Club's long term coalition with the United Steelworkers on energy, trade, and toxic pollution. He is very excited to work to build a very strategic relationship between labor and environmentalists. Josh just moved here from Alexandria, Virginia, where he was working for the Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club as an organizer. He worked on some great campaigns including the Keep Me Mercury Free campaign, the Smart Energy Solutions for Virginia campaign, and community organizing efforts in Richmond and Hopewell, Virginia. When Josh isn't working to build power for our movement, he really enjoys getting outdoors, whether it is bicycling, running, hiking, or canoeing. He hopes that you will both be involved with the North Star Chapter's efforts to build the relationship between the United Steelworkers and the Sierra Club and give him some tips about the hot places to go hiking.

- Community Organizer

Karen is the Sierra Club Community Organizer for Environmental Justice Advocates of Minnesota (EJAM). She began her work with EJAM while participating in the Wellstone Fellows program. In May, she will graduate from Metro State University with a B.S. in Social Science. Karen has 12 years experience as an activist, including work on political and issue-oriented campaigns.

- Senior Regional Organizing Manager

Michelle rejoined the Sierra Club in December 2007 after completing her Master's in Public Policy degree at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. She worked with the chapter from 2001 - 2005 as a Clean Air organizer and advocate before pursuing her degree in environmental and energy policy with a focus on industry and regulatory analysis. Most recently, she worked in Boston with energy efficiency administrators on market transformation efforts related to natural gas heating technology. Michelle has a strong affinity to the Iron Range where she grew up.