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 Afterman

Brian Alferman

Johnson County Director of Sustainability, Climate Action Plan Committee Chair

Hannes Zacharias

Hannes Zacharias

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

Joan Leavens

Joan Leavens

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

Julie Peterson

Julie Peterson

Director - USGBC Central Plains Summit Planning Committee Chair

Kristin Riott

Kristin Riott

Executive Director - Bridging the Gap

Teresa Kelly

Teresa Kelly

Heartland Conservation Alliance

Melissa Cheatham

Melissa Cheatham

Overland Park Environment Committee

Richard Mabion

Richard Mabion

Board of Directors - Sierra Club Kanza Chapter

Adison Banks

Adison Banks

Land Trust Coordinator, Heartland Conservation Alliance

Kelly Gilbert

Kelly Gilbert

Executive Director, Metropolitan Energy Center

Dorothy Barnett

Dorothy Barnett

Executive Director, Climate + Energy Project

Katherine Kelly

Katherine Kelly

Executive Director, Cultivate KC

Karen Clawson

Karen Clawson

Air Quality Program Manager, Mid-America Regional Council

Jeanette Metzler

Jeanette Metzler

Community Benefits Manager, Advent Health

Randy Braley

Randy Braley

Shawnee Planning Commission

Amber Stenger

Amber Stenger

League of Women Voters

Emily Libla

Emily Libla

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

Jay Antle

Jay Antle

Executive Director, Center for Sustainability, Johnson County Community College

Brandon Kenig

Brandon Kenig

Johnson County Transportation Council

Chad Cooper

Chad Cooper

Executive Director, Sustainable Sanctuary Coalition

Bridget Sanderson

Bridget Sanderson

State Director, Environment Missouri Public Policy Committee Chair

Al Frisby

Al Frisby

MoveOn

Karan Gupta

Karan Gupta

Project Manager, Build SMART Equity Committee Chair

Matt Zimmerman

Matt Zimmerman

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