In 2021, the MREA established an advisory board to bring together industry leaders, partner representatives, solar experts, and others who are working for a more sustainable planet and a more just world. The work of the advisory board is to help better inform our work, provide feedback on various matters, raise awareness of the MREA’s initiatives, and expand our efforts to build a more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and well-trained workforce ready to join a growing industry as a skilled renewable energy professional.
Advisory Board
Bako Ambianda
Chairman & CEO of Labacorp Group of Companies (LGC)
Bridget French
Energy, Climate, and Change Leader | Certified Coach, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC)
Marshall Green
Global Vice President of Intellectual Property at Esdec
Bob Hattier
Business Representative at IBEW Local 134
Melanie Kenderdine
Principal at Energy Futures Initiative
Richard Lawrence
Program Director at Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC)
Edith Makra
Director of Environmental Initiatives at Metropolitan Mayors Caucus
Steve Melink
Founder & Chairman at Melink Corporation
Vikki Muthukumaresan
Systems Engineer, Energy Storage & Solar at Panasonic
Lissa Pawlisch
CERT Coordinator at UM Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships
Pam Ritger
Milwaukee Program Director and Staff Attorney at Clean Wisconsin
Zach Schalk
Indiana Program Director at Solar United Neighbors
Becca Ward
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Senate Affairs, Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs at U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
Chris Brown
Sr. Manager of Project Development at Q CELLS North America
Lisa DeMarco
Principal Consultant & Founder of Climate Tech Marketing, LLC
John Farrell
Co-Director of Institute for Local Self-Reliance & Director of Energy Democracy Initiative
Ava Gibson
Head of Sales at Blue Planet Energy Systems, LLC
Geoff Greenfield
Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Third Sun Solar
Elizabeth Hittman
Senior Manager of Illinois Solar for All at Elevate
Amna Khan
Director, Stewardship & Partnerships, Policy & BICEP Network at Ceres, Inc.
Megan Levy
Resilience Strategist at State of Wisconsin, Office of Energy Innovation
Jennifer Martin
University of Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, Champaign, IL
Ben Passer
Senior Program Officer, Midwest Climate and Energy at McKnight Foundation
Debra Rowe
President at US Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development
Erin Stojan-Ruccolo
Policy and Strategic Issues Management Advisor at Midcontinent Independent System Operator
Mike Zanillo
Climate Policy Advocate at Lake County Chapter of Citizen’s Climate Lobby
For more information, reach out us at info@midwestrenew.org or 715-592-6595.
MREA Advisory Board Committees
The MREA is often involved in advisory board committees across the Midwest, helping to guide the clean energy industry and create a more sustainable future.