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
