Leadership and Staff

Steering Committee

The Network is governed by a Steering Committee with co-leads elected by the membership.

  • Danielle Beard (Co-Lead), Michigan Green Communities

  • Leo Pierce (Co-Lead), Sustainable Maryland

  • Brandy Espinola (Administration Lead), Green Cities California & Sustainable Maryland

  • Jessica LeClair (Communications and Membership Lead), Sustainable CT

  • Joanna Bissetta (Program Lead), Massachusetts Green Communities Division

  • Kelly Tyler (Fundraising Lead), New York Clean Energy Communities (NYSERDA)

  • Randy Solomon (Finance Lead), Sustainable Jersey

 

Working Groups

Annual Meeting Planning

Ensuring an engaging annual meeting

  • Danielle Beard (Co-Chair), Michigan Green Communities

  • Sarah Lee (Co-Chair), University of Michigan Graham Institute

Climate Action

Sharing best practices on local engagement around climate mitigation and resilience 

  • Brandy Espinola (Chair), Green Cities California

Communication

Guiding communication efforts and outreach to partners 

  • Mike Hunninghake (Chair), Sustainable Maryland

Equity

Ensuring that social equity is front and center in state-level programs

  • Melanie McDermott (Chair), Sustainable Jersey

Student Programs

Discussing student-based programs and best practices

  • Sarah Lee (Chair), University of Michigan Graham Institute

Tech Bench

Tech resource sharing and best practices, including the shared member website and Customer Relationship Management Systems (CRMs)

  • Torin Radicioni (Chair), Sustainable CT

Staff Support

 

The Network is managed by the Great Plains Institute, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization with a mission to transform the energy system to benefit the economy and environment. Great Plains Institute acts as the Network’s fiscal sponsor.

Network Coordinator: Rebecca Heisel, Communities Program Manager, Great Plains Institute 

Rebecca’s work focuses on providing technical assistance to local governments and Tribal nations on transportation electrification, facilitating peer learning groups, and developing scalable and replicable resources and tools to help communities achieve their clean energy goals. Rebecca has been with GPI for five years, lending her expertise to the Charging Smart program, overall team financial management, and other related initiatives. Rebecca’s work emphasizes community engagement and education, as well as developing equitable goals through best practice-based programs.  

Network Support Assistant: Cassie Bros, Communities Program Associate, Great Plains Institute

Cassie’s work focuses on providing administrative and technical support to the Sustainable States Network and facilitating Minnesota local government networks. Prior to her role at GPI, Cassie worked as the AmeriCorps Sustainability Project Coordinator at the City of Eagan. During her service, she contributed to the development of the city’s climate action plan, promoted community engagement through outreach efforts, coordinated volunteers for Sustainable Eagan Academy and the Reusable Bag Program, and spearheaded Eagan’s inaugural Earth Week events. 

She holds a master’s degree in energy and environmental management from the University of Connecticut, as well as a bachelor’s degree in psychology and philosophy from St. Catherine University.