Team

Brooke Crouch丨Summer Intern Coordinator

Senior, University of Virginia

Brooke is a rising fourth year at the University of Virginia studying Global Environments + Sustainability and Environmental Science. Her passion for the environment began at a young age, spending every summer camping, hiking, and backpacking in National Parks across the country with her family. After she graduates, she wants to work in the environmental nonprofit sector, with a special focus on sustainable, equitable food systems. She is passionate about living a low waste, plant based lifestyle, and loves talking to her friends and family about ways to lower their footprint and live a lower impact lifestyle. In her free time, Brooke enjoys camping and backpacking, vegan baking, reading, and yoga.

Addie Foote | Summer Intern

Addie Foote is a rising high school senior with a passion for the environment. To dive deeper into this interest, she competed and won second place in PGC 2020 with her team. She also enjoys working on engineering challenges and hopes to continue her education in this area in college. Constantly learning, Addie spends her free time reading as well as connecting with nature and friends.

Belle Fisher | Summer Intern

Senior, University of California, Berkeley

Belle is a rising senior at the University of California, Berkeley studying Conservation and Resource Studies in the College of Natural Resources. She grew up in the East Bay Area spending her childhood hiking and camping, which inspired her love of all things outdoors. After graduating, Belle hopes to continue into the field of environmental education, teaching kids about the interconnectedness between humans and our environment, encouraging kindness to our planet. Belle spends her weekdays tutoring elementary school kids, and her weekends at the farmers market, picnicking, reading or watering her plants.

Cameron McKenzie | Summer Intern

Senior, Bowdoin College

Cameron is a rising senior at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine studying Environmental Studies and Earth & Oceanographic Science. Growing up in western New York, she spent the majority of her childhood hiking in the Adirondacks, landscaping with her dad, and visiting her Uncle’s farm. Living in Maine for the past 3 years has only deepened her passion for sustainable agriculture. She worked on a local, organic farm last summer that worked to decrease food insecurity across MidCoast Maine and hopes to use her knowledge about sustainable agriculture practices while at Turning Green. After graduating, Cameron would like to pursue work within the environmental, non-profit agricultural sector. In her free time, she enjoys going on runs, hiking, reading, baking, and exploring local farmers markets.

Connor Webb | Summer Intern

Junior, San Jose State University

Connor is currently a junior at San Jose State University. He is majoring in Environmental Studies with a concentration in environmental restoration. Initially, he didn’t plan to major in environmental studies and put it as my backup major without any real reason. He ended up not getting into my first major of choice and so he went into Environmental Studies. He didn't really know what to expect but it's now become a passion of mine and I've come to enjoy writing because of it. Being in this major definitely changed his perspective on the world and how we inhabit it and now he wants to do his part in protecting it. Some of his hobbies include backpacking and hiking.

Devon Chapman | Summer Intern

Junior, University of Washington

Devon is a third-year student at the University of Washington in Seattle studying political science and environmental studies. She was born and raised in the PNW with an adventurous family of surfers and explorers in Southern California as well. Her passion and love for the outdoors started at a very young age, from riding her first wave to hiking her first mountain. As she grew up, she became aware that the environment that she loved to explore was degrading, with fish she used to snorkel with not being there anymore and parks beginning to look different. This sparked her desire to fight for the planet which brings her here, to an internship with Turning Green. After graduation, she hopes to go on to further fight the environmental and social discrimination in this country and encourage sustainability in all sectors.

Francesca Mustain | Summer Intern

Junior, Brown University

Francesca is a junior studying environmental science at Brown University. She was born and raised in Colombia, where she fell in love with the surrounding nature and became very interested in the environment. After learning more about climate change and its impact, she became passionate about environmental justice and equality. Francesca is now taking classes on climate policy and sustainable development in order to better advocate for the future of our planet and its people. Francesca has been involved with environmental groups on campus whose mission is to inform and encourage sustainable policies and habits on campus. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, traveling, and listening to true crime podcasts.

Giulia Oltranti | Summer Intern

Senior, University of California, Berkeley

Giulia Oltranti is an incoming Senior at the University of California, Berkeley. She is majoring in Society in Environment and minoring in Food Systems. Growing up in an Italian household she was always surrounded by delicious fresh food made from scratch. This inspired her to take on baking as a hobby and she now shares her passion for baking through teaching the Life Skills: Intro to Baking DeCal at Berkeley. Throughout her time as an undergraduate taking courses on the environment, public health, nutrition and agriculture, she has become especially interested in transforming our food system to one that is more sustainable and resilient in the long-run. She hopes to spread awareness about the benefits of plant-based diets for the environment and one’s health and encourage healthy eating habits through fun and easy recipes. In her free time, Giulia can be seen baking up a storm in her kitchen.

Hannah Lempert | Summer Intern

Sophomore, University of Pittsburgh
Pronouns: They/Them

Han is a sophomore at the University of Pittsburgh studying Sustainability, Urban Studies, Architecture, and American Sign Language. When not in school Han enjoys traveling, volunteering, and working at Thriftsburgh, an on campus thrift store. Han has always had a passion for environmental justice and the environment in general which is heavily related to their upbringing with Judaism. Han is a vegetarian and enjoys hammocking. Han has played violin for 12 years and has an artistic view on life due to their interest in art their entire life. Han is interested in sustainable urban design and is incredibly excited to be a summer intern!

Kaija Schlangen | Summer Intern

Senior, University of Minnesota, Duluth

Kaija is a senior at the University of Minnesota Duluth and studies Psychology and Latin American Studies. She grew up in Two Harbors, MN with Lake Superior in her backyard. This proximity to nature ingrained deep respect for environmental conservation in her. She is passionate about committing to equity and justice in all work, but particularly sustainability. In her free time, Kaija enjoys hiking, camping, and spending time with her friends and family.

Kat Nguyen | Summer Intern

Freshman, University of California, Berkeley

Kat Nguyen is an incoming Freshman at the University of California, Berkeley, where she plans to major in Data Science and Environmental Economics & Policy. She became involved with Turning Green as a Project Green Challenge 2020 Finalist, where she completed her own climate action plan focused around cafeteria sustainability, hydroponics, composting, gardening, and a circular economy. During college, she hopes to explore the relationship between data science and sustainability to identify data-driven approaches to solving global ecological challenges. In her free time, she enjoys going on long hikes, picnics, and doodling in her bullet journal.

Lena Karam | Summer Intern

Senior, University of Oregon

As a rising senior at the University of Oregon Lena has always known that her passions around the environment would be the biggest influence in her life. From Portland, OR Lena spent all her time nurturing her passion, whether it be hiking in the Columbia River Gorge, exploring in her backyard, or taking trips exploring the pacific northwest Lena always had to be outside in some capacity and this led to her constantly growing love and wonder of nature and the environment. As an Environmental Studies major Lena uses her passion in hopes to begin her lifelong career of fighting against the injustices of environmental racism. Lena dreams of a world filled with unified communities who work together to not only protect the environment but who love and feel compassion for it as well."

Max Hancock | Summer Intern

Sophomore, Frostburg State University

Max Hancock is a sophomore at Frostburg State University in rural Western Maryland. He is a senator on Student Government and holds the position of Vice President of Finance of the Frostburg chapter of Pi Lambda Phi. Max is a Quantitative Economics major with minors in both Geography and Sustainability Studies. His career path will take him into Appalachian resource economics, a field plagued by the exploitation of both workers and the environment. The flow of money has a massive impact on the way humans interact with natural resources: an unavoidable truth of life on the edge of Fracking territory. When not participating in activism, Max likes to raise aquatic plants and fish and play Dungeons and Dragons.

Rachel Kessler | Summer Intern

Senior, University of Virginia

Rachel is a rising fourth year at the University of Virginia studying Environmental Thought and Practice and Music. She first grew up surrounded by nature in Florida and later in Virginia where she discovered her passion for exploring and conserving the natural world. She volunteers with lake and trail clean-ups in her hometown and hopes to work for an environmental non-profit that focuses on sustainability, conservation, and social justice through environmental action and education. In her free time, Rachel enjoys playing the piano, painting, playing tennis, hiking, and exploring different National Parks.

Josie Sparks | Spring Intern

Senior, Bloomington High School South

Josie is a senior at Bloomington High School South who plans to study Environmental Science and Nonprofit Management in college. She grew up in southern Indiana going to sailing camp and Environmental Explorers camp which fostered her love for the environment. She became involved with Turning Green through Project Green Challenge in 2019, where she became a finalist and was awarded co-third place. As a result of Project Green Challenge, Josie founded a nonprofit, Yellowwood Youth, which works to provide guidance, opportunities, and inspiration to youth in Indiana regarding their role in solving environmental issues and the climate crisis. She is involved with Students Advocating for a Greener Environment (SAGE) at school and is part of the Youth Climate Accord in Indiana. She has played viola for 8 years, enjoys writing of all kinds, and enjoys teaching those younger than herself.

Liz Tervet | Spring Intern

Liz Tervet is a high school senior attending the Marin School of Environmental Leadership (MarinSEL). MarinSEL is a specialized academy within Terra Linda High School that emphasizes leadership with project-based learning. Within MarinSEL, she has been able to work with the iMatter program, a national youth organization motivated to address the global climate crisis. She is a varsity swimmer and president of Interact club at her school. Interact is a Rotary-sponsored service club that gives young people an opportunity to participate in fun and meaningful service projects while developing leadership skills. In her free time, she enjoys spending time in Marin’s nature painting or hiking.

Al Baylacq | Board Member

Partner, Good Earth Natural Foods

Al has co-led the growth of Good Earth Natural Foods since 1999. Since the early 1970’s, Good Earth’s mission has been to bring organic food into grocery stores in a consistent way, while supporting innovative and ethical organic growers and ranchers. Al’s dream was to be part of a marketplace that reflected the community it served. At the time he joined Good Earth, it was his intention that Good Earth would play a role as a “community hub,” while influencing and educating people and businesses far beyond its local community. Al is proud to have initiated an organic school lunch program through Good Earth in 2003. Good Earth’s school lunch program began with 4 schools, and currently is in 17 Marin County schools. Al and Good Earth’s support has been instrumental in the founding and growth of The Conscious Kitchen program.

Justina Lai | Treasurer, Finance Chair

Director of Impact Investing, Wetherby Asset Management

Justina is a private equity investor that believes in harnessing the power of capital – and applying the discipline and rigor of conventional investing – to create meaningful social and environmental impact. Justina joined Wetherby Asset management in 2015 where she leads the firm’s impact investment strategy. Prior to Wetherby, she was a Director and Senior Investment Analyst focused on private markets strategies at Sonen Capital, an impact investment management firm. Previously, Justina helped manage the Rockefeller Foundation’s Program Related Investments portfolio comprised of domestic and international impact investments in private equity and private debt. She was also a core member of the Impact Investing team where she advanced and shaped the initiative strategy focused on building the field of impact investing. In addition, she has held positions with Legacy Venture in Palo Alto, CA and Rwanda Ventures, a business incubator launching and operating sustainable agricultural companies in Kigali, Rwanda.
Prior to her career in impact investing, she was an Associate in the New York and Paris offices of Vestar Capital Partners, where she diligenced and executed growth equity and leveraged buyout transactions across the US and Europe. Justina began her career in the sponsor coverage group within Citigroup’s Investment Banking Division in New York. Justina received a BS in Finance and International Business, summa cum laude, from New York University and an MBA with certificates in Public and Global Management from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. Justina is proficient in Cantonese Chinese and Spanish and has lived and worked in Hong Kong, France, the UK and Rwanda.

Neka Pasquale | Board Member

Founder, Urban Remedy

Neka is a licensed Acupuncturist, Author and the Founder of Urban Remedy. She created Urban Remedy as a natural evolution of her passion for health and healing and living a lifestyle with “food is healing” as her mantra. Growing up in the farm-to-table culture of Northern California, Neka was inspired by people who care about what they eat and who strive to eat for health as well as pleasure. In her private practice of over a decade, Neka combined acupuncture and Chinese medicine with cutting-edge nutrition and lifestyle modifications to heal, balance and create optimal health. Neka started leading wellness retreats with her patients and over and over again they described experiencing life-changing results after just a few days. Inspired by these transformations, Neka knew she had found her calling and in 2009, Urban Remedy was born.

Debbie Raphael

Director, San Francisco Department of the Environment

In May of 2014, Mayor Ed Lee appointed Debbie as the Director of the San Francisco Department of the Environment, a city agency that creates visionary policies and programs to ensure a sustainable future for San Francisco. Debbie returned to San Francisco after three years leading the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, where she worked to balance stakeholder interests in protecting the public and environment from toxic harm.

In 20 years of public service at city, county, and state levels, Debbie has crafted and implemented groundbreaking policies around toxics reduction, green building, business engagement, integrated pest management, and environmentally preferable purchasing. She graduated with honors in biology from the University of California, Berkeley, was a Smithsonian and National Science Foundation fellow, and has a Master’s degree in Physiological Plant Ecology from UCLA.

Kevin Grossman

Sales Strategy Manager, Clif Bar & Company

Kevin is currently the Sales Strategy Manager on Innovation at Clif Bar & Company, a multi-bottom line organic food company based in Emeryville, California. With over seven years of Food industry experience, Kevin has held various roles ranging from managing Natural and Grocery retail accounts to developing Clif's go-to-market strategies for new products in Grocery, Foodservice, Convenience, and Mass sales channels.

Kevin has always been interested in food and sustainability. While earning his Bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, Kevin spent his Saturday mornings roaming the Madison farmers market, learning and engaging with the local farmers to understand the plethora of fresh ingredients to cook with. As a California native, he was surprised to see the only vegetables available in February were those pickled from the summer before!  While working at Clif, Kevin learned firsthand how a company can have multiple bottom lines and be both profitable and socially responsible. He helped  teams navigate complex distribution channels such as K-12 food programs and developed new communication tools to empower Clif's sales team to better educate and engage their external partners on the company’s various social and environmental initiatives. With his Food industry experience and business-for-good mindset, Kevin is eager to help rethink and redesign our existing food system to create equitable access to nutritious, organic foods in all communities.