Staff

- Interim Chapter Director

Margaret is serving as Interim Chapter Director, stepping out of her usual role working on the Sierra Communities campaign, where she enjoys 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.

- Regional Conservation Organizer

Stacy is a Regional Conservation Organizer working on the Green Jobs for America Campaign. She loves Minnesota and all the wonderful people here so much that she moved back from San Francisco in January this year to catch (what she thought was) the last bit of winter. Most recently 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. Before moving to California, in 2005, she was 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, so the Club isn't entirely new to her, 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.

- Midwest Senior Regional Representative

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.

- Development & Communications Coordinator

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.

- Conservation Organizer

Cesia works on the Clean Air Campaign. She lived in many places with her wonderful Air Force family, but now calls beautiful Minnesota home after graduating from Minnesota State University, Mankato with a BFA in Sculpture and a B.S. in a multidisciplinary degree combining Ethnic Studies, Anthropology, and Theatre. Prior to joining the North Star Chapter in late August 2004, Cesia served as a student assistant with the Kessel Peace Institute, educating Southern Minnesota communities on issues related to peace and social justice. She considers it a privilege to be working with such extraordinary staff and volunteers to protect the environment and bring positive change to people's lives.

- 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.

- Regional Conservation Organizer

Roger is excited to join the Sierra Club team as a Regional Conservation Organizer. Roger will spend his time working with groups in Shoreview, North Dakota County, and St. Cloud as well as working on key political campaigns in 2008. Roger is happy to be back in the land of 10,000 lakes after a four year hiatus in Las Vegas where he worked for the Nevada State Democratic Party on their 2004 and 2006 coordinated campaigns. He also organized in Las Vegas for SEIU Local 1107. Roger got started with this type of work by working as a canvasser for Paul Wellstone in 2002. Roger graduated from Macalester College in 2002 with a double major in Political Science and History. When he is not working Roger enjoys spending time with friends and family and fishing up north.

- Legislative Coordinator

Michelle rejoins the North Star Chapter as Government Relations Coordinator 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.