Founding Community Leaders
These professionals provided significant contributions to the founding of Climate Action KC. Their roles are listed as they were at the time of the founding. They are joined by countless industry and real-world leaders working to shape the strategies and data-driven solutions championed by Climate Action KC.

Brian Alferman
Johnson County Director of Sustainability, Climate Action Plan Committee Chair

Hannes Zacharias
Robert A. Kipp Professor of PRactice in Local Government Management and Urban Policy, University of Kansas

Joan Leavens
Sustainability and Community Engagement Coordinator - SMSD, Climate Action Plan Committee Chair

Julie Peterson
Director - USGBC Central Plains Summit Planning Committee Chair

Kristin Riott
Executive Director - Bridging the Gap

Teresa Kelly
Heartland Conservation Alliance

Melissa Cheatham
Overland Park Environment Committee

Richard Mabion
Board of Directors - Sierra Club Kanza Chapter

Adison Banks
Land Trust Coordinator, Heartland Conservation Alliance

Kelly Gilbert
Executive Director, Metropolitan Energy Center

Dorothy Barnett
Executive Director, Climate + Energy Project

Katherine Kelly
Executive Director, Cultivate KC

Karen Clawson
Air Quality Program Manager, Mid-America Regional Council

Jeanette Metzler
Community Benefits Manager, Advent Health

Randy Braley
Shawnee Planning Commission

Amber Stenger
League of Women Voters

Emily Libla
Board Member, Climate Council of Greater Kansas City; Program Facilitator, Pachamama Alliance

Jay Antle
Executive Director, Center for Sustainability, Johnson County Community College

Brandon Kenig
Johnson County Transportation Council

Chad Cooper
Executive Director, Sustainable Sanctuary Coalition

Bridget Sanderson
State Director, Environment Missouri Public Policy Committee Chair

Al Frisby
MoveOn

Karan Gupta
Project Manager, Build SMART Equity Committee Chair
