Rolf Nordstrom is president and CEO of the Great Plains Institute, a nonpartisan nonprofit working across the US to transform the energy system to benefit people, the economy, and the environment.  

A nationally recognized leader, Rolf has more than 30 years of experience in energy and sustainable development policy as well as practice in both governmental and nonprofit settings. He has unique strengths in brokering agreement among disparate interests on difficult public policy issues. Rolf has been featured on National Public Radio’s All Things Considered, Scientific American, Finance and Commerce, Utility Dive, RTO Insider, Minnesota Public Radio, and the Minneapolis StarTribune among other media outlets. 

In 2016, US Department of Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz appointed Rolf to the department’s Electricity Advisory Committee. He has written or helped craft new laws on high-performance buildings, hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, resource-efficient land use, and sustainable development. He was a contributing author to the third National Climate Assessment, a comprehensive report required by Congress on climate change impacts in the US.  

Prior to joining GPI, Rolf served for a decade with the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board and Office of Strategic and Long-Range Planning. For seven of those years he served as assistant director of then-Minnesota Governor Arne Carlson’s Sustainable Development Initiative, working to harmonize the state’s economic and environmental policies.  

Louise Miltich is Executive Vice President of the Great Plains Institute, a nonpartisan nonprofit working across the US to transform the energy system to benefit people, the economy, and the environment. 

Louise has more than two decades of experience in energy development, regulation, and advocacy. Prior to joining GPI, Louise served as Assistant Commissioner of Regulatory Analysis at the Minnesota Department of Commerce, where she oversaw the Department’s work with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission on regulatory issues. Louise joined the Department in 2016 after nearly ten years in the private sector at Barr Engineering Company and a brief period in the environmental advocacy non-profit world as the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy’s natural resources scientist.  

Louise is passionate about energy, the environment, and the way economic and regulatory drivers shape human behavior and our impact on the world we live in. She enjoys every opportunity to collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders to find smart, balanced, and forward-thinking ways to approach our energy future and the vast challenges ahead. Louise holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and geology from Carleton College and earned her Master of Science in climate change geoscience at Penn State University. 

Huong Nguyen joined the Great Plains Institute in 2019 as the director of finance and administration. She most recently worked in a similar position at Great River Greening (GRG), an environmental conservation nonprofit working throughout Minnesota. At GRG, she was primarily responsible for leadership of teams in finance and administration, grant management and office operations. Prior to GRG, Huong worked in a variety of nonprofit areas including a role as finance and administration manager for COMPAS, an arts education nonprofit, where she was responsible for day-to-day accounting functions, human resources, IT management, office operations, and volunteer management.  

Huong has a law degree from Hamline University, an MBA from St. Thomas University, and a BS from Marquette University. 

Connie Volcke, a certified administrative professional, joined the Great Plains Institute in 2015 and is an executive assistant. Connie brings professionalism, confidentiality, creativity, and outstanding organizational skills to GPI. 

Prior to joining GPI, Connie provided administrative support to C-suite leaders in the nonprofit and corporate sectors for more than 20 years. Connie was elected regional director of the International Association of Administrative Professional’s (IAAP’s) Northern Plains District in 2019, she is a 2017 graduate of the IAAP Leadership Academy, and she earned her IAAP certification in 2011. 

Connie grew up in rural Wisconsin, moving to Minnesota in 1989. Currently, she resides in Northeast Minneapolis with her husband. Connie enjoys sewing, making homemade cards, scrapbooking, gardening, and camping.

Alana joined GPI in 2024 as program associate on the Carbon Management team, specifically supporting the Industrial Innovation Initiative, where she helps to advance industrial decarbonization through GPI’s consensus-building approach. 

Alana previously worked as an account executive at Jamf, where she helped current K-12 education customers improve and scale the management and security of their Apple device deployments. Alana has spent most of her professional years working with Minnesota nonprofits, including two years as an AmeriCorps member with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity.  

She holds a bachelor’s degree in community environmental studies from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

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Alejandro comes to GPI from Labor Union SEIU-United Service Workers West. He represented union workers from downtown Los Angeles and LA’s westside corridor of Century City, Westwood, and Beverly Hills. Alejandro enforced various collective bargaining agreements for union workers, ensuring yearly wage increases, health insurance benefits, and other workers’ benefits and protections. In addition, he worked with union leaders and outside stakeholders, such as community partners, public agencies, politicians, and industry experts, to develop and execute union campaigns.

Alejandro was also part of the Los Angeles-Justice for Janitors 2021 union contract campaign—he was part of the execution and coordination of large-scale actions in LA’s metropolitan area. Previously, he served as the Nevada state canvassing director at For Our Future Action Fund.

He holds a BA in international studies and Italian from the University of Kansas.

Bridget joined the Great Plains Institute in 2022 as the Carbon Action Alliance manager. The Carbon Action Alliance brings together GPI’s federal, state, and regional carbon management efforts and provides education and advocacy about the suite of carbon management technologies that need to be deployed at scale to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 in the United States. 

Bridget’s previous work spans the health and environmental policy sectors. Most recently, Bridget led a grassroots civic engagement program and advanced advocacy priorities at a Minnesota healthcare organization. Her prior experience also includes four years in Washington, DC, where she worked as a research assistant at The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and grants manager for a conservation foundation. Bridget holds a master’s in public policy from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, as well as a BA in US history and a certificate in environmental studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Carrie Danner joined the Great Plains Institute in 2023 and serves as the senior program coordinator for the Carbon Management team. In her work, she supports all projects within the program to elevate operations, specifically in the grant making and event planning spaces. 

Carrie earned a bachelor’s degree from Knox College in environmental studies. Prior to joining GPI, she supported programs at the Conservation Corps of Minnesota & Iowa as their member experience administrator.

Christian is the public policy manager of the Carbon Capture Coalition, which is convened and staffed by the Great Plains Institute. The coalition brings together more than 100 companies, unions, and conservation and environmental policy organizations, building federal policy support to enable economywide, commercial-scale deployment of carbon management technologies.

Based in Washington, DC, Christian works with coalition staff to design, enact, and implement the next generation of policies necessary to deploy the full suite of carbon management technologies at the pace required by midcentury climate goals.

He joined the Great Plains Institute in 2023, having previously worked as a policy associate at the Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA), where he helped advance policy priorities aimed at transitioning our food system away from animal agriculture. Christian also served as an honors law clerk at the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). He holds a JD from the George Washington University Law School and a BA from Georgetown University.

David Soll joined the Great Plains Institute in 2023 and serves as Industrial Decarbonization Manager. He oversees the Industrial Innovation Initiative, a coalition advancing decarbonization solutions for the Midcontinent region’s most important industrial sectors.

Prior to joining GPI, he taught history and environmental studies at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where he focused on urban infrastructure and energy conservation. David earned a Master’s in government from the University of Texas at Austin and a PhD in history from Brandeis University.

Diana Leane joined the Great Plains Institute in 2022 as a Communications and Public Relations Strategist for the Carbon Management team. Diana manages communications for the Carbon Action Alliance, which unites the team and GPI’s federal, state, and regional initiatives to educate and advocate for the deployment of carbon management technologies needed to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 in United States. She produces content for the website and works with the public and reporters to answer questions on carbon management and decarbonization. 

Prior to joining GPI, Diana worked as a freelance journalist and published work on the environment and health in Energy News Network, Detroit Public TV’s Great Lakes Now program, and the Chicago Tribune. Diana holds a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University and received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Boston University. 

Emma Thomley joined the Great Plains Institute in 2021 and is a state and regional policy specialist for the Carbon Management team. Emma supports the state and regional Carbon Capture projects and the Carbon Capture Coalition. Outside of her work with GPI, she advocates for sustainable agriculture by volunteering as a communications and outreach leader with the Land Stewardship Project.   

Emma graduated from Carleton College in 2020 with a degree in political science and environmental studies. While at Carleton, she analyzed climate action plan planning processes and climate mitigation strategies. As a National Science Foundation fellow, Emma researched the connections between disaster resilience and serious geogames. During her congressional internship with US Senator Amy Klobuchar, she conducted policy research and assisted constituents with the immigration process.

Jessie Stolark is the executive director of the Carbon Capture Coalition, which is convened and staffed by the Great Plains Institute. The Coalition brings together more than 100 companies, unions, and conservation and environmental policy organizations, building federal policy support to enable economywide, commercial-scale deployment of carbon management technologies. 

Based in Washington, DC, Jessie leads the Coalition’s successful federal advocacy, convening, and education work to foster economywide deployment of carbon management.  

She joined the Great Plains Institute in 2019 as the Coalition’s public policy and member relations manager. Previously, she was a policy advisor at Third Way, where she managed the organization’s carbon capture and industrial decarbonization portfolio. Jessie also served as a policy associate at the Environmental and Energy Study Institute. She holds a master’s degree in applied geosciences from the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree from Bryn Mawr College.

Jill Syvrud joined the Great Plains Institute in 2017 and serves as the program manager for the Carbon Management program. In addition to overseeing the overall program, Jill directly supports the Industrial Innovation Initiative, a coalition advancing decarbonization solutions for the Midcontinent region’s most important industrial sectors.   

Jill earned a BS in biology from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire and an MS in science technology and environmental policy from University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Jill’s past experience includes multiple graduate research assistantships concentrating on technology innovation and sustainable megacities and a previous position as an administrative and outreach coordination intern with Midwest Renewable Energy Association. 

Kate Sullivan joined the Great Plains Institute in 2019 and serves as a program coordinator for the Carbon Management team. In this role, she utilizes graphic design and analytical skills to provide research, writing, and logistical support across the Carbon Management team. In particular, Kate supports the Industrial Innovation Initiative, a coalition advancing decarbonization solutions for the Midcontinent region’s most critical industrial sectors. Previously at GPI, Kate worked with the Energy Systems team on several state and regional stakeholder initiatives working collaboratively toward equitable decarbonization.  

Prior to joining GPI, Kate worked as an energy counselor in the Center for Energy and Environment’s residential department, assisting homeowners with their energy needs and providing resources and recommendations for efficiency upgrades. Kate earned her BA in biology from St. Olaf College with an emphasis in environmental studies. Outside of work, she can be found climbing, paddling, or traveling.

Kelley Reierson joined GPI in 2023 and serves as the state and regional coordinator for the Carbon Management program. Prior to joining GPI, Kelley worked as the Special Projects Manager at Prosperity Now, a Washington DC-based nonprofit focused on programs and policies supporting low-to-middle income Americans. Earlier in her career, she served as Executive Assistant to the President at the Metropolitan Economic Development Association in Minneapolis. Kelley holds an M.A. in Public Policy from The George Washington University and a B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. 

Leo Duke joined the Great Plains Institute in 2022 and serves as the communications and member relations specialist for the Carbon Capture Coalition. In his work, Leo helps to support the Carbon Capture Coalition, which is convened by GPI and brings together over 100 members from industry, labor, and NGOs to advance carbon capture policies and commercial deployment.  

Leo earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and citizenship & civic engagement from Syracuse University. Prior to joining GPI, Leo worked primarily on Democratic campaigns, first with the Biden 2020 campaign in Pennsylvania, and he most recently worked on the 2021 New Jersey legislative cycle. Outside of GPI, Leo enjoys listening to his records or playing with his puppy, Penny. 

Madelyn Morrison joined the Great Plains Institute (GPI) in 2021 and serves as the government affairs director for the Carbon Capture Coalition, convened by GPI and brings together 80-plus members from industry, labor, and NGOs to advance carbon capture policies and commercial deployment.

Based in Washington, DC, Madelyn works on the Coalition’s growing and successful national policy and legislative work. She is responsible for outreach to members of Congress, the presidential administration, as well as broader constituency engagement.

Madelyn joins GPI from the Alzheimer’s Association, where she was a federal affairs specialist, managing and building relationships with lawmakers on a variety of topics related to Alzheimer’s and dementia policy, including building support for increased federal appropriations for Alzheimer’s and dementia research at the National Institutes of Health, representing the concerns of Native American communities impacted by Alzheimer’s to Congress, and serving as the policy lead on the Eldercare Workforce Alliance, a coalition of national organizations. Previously, Madelyn served as a political appointee in both the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture and as a member of former Senator Heidi Heitkamp’s (D-ND) staff. She holds a BA in political science and English from the University of North Dakota. 

Ryan joined the Great Plains Institute in 2022 and serves as the research manager for the Carbon Management team. Ryan oversees both internal and external research projects related to carbon management and develops white papers, webinars, and fact sheets for public outreach and education.  

Prior to joining GPI, Ryan was a research geologist at the Indiana Geological and Water Survey, where he focused on carbon storage opportunities in deep saline formations in the Illinois Basin and throughout the United States. Ryan earned an MS in geology from Indiana University and BS and BA degrees from Wheaton College, IL, in geology and Spanish. 

Sangeet Nepal joined GPI in 2023 and serves as technology specialist for the Carbon Capture Coalition. Sangeet is originally from Nepal, where he completed his bachelor’s in environmental engineering from Kathmandu University. Sangeet completed his dual master’s degree in public affairs and environmental science with a concentration in energy from Indiana University Bloomington in May 2023. Before coming to the United States for higher studies, Sangeet worked for an intergovernmental organization ICIMOD and co-founded an idea lab Green Decision Labs and Research. 

Aaron Backs joined the Great Plains Institute in 2023 as a program associate supporting the Metro Clean Energy Resource Team (Metro CERT). In this role, he helps coordinate the 11-county Metro CERT region, with a programming emphasis on energy efficiency and solar for underserved communities. 

Prior to joining GPI as a staff member, Aaron served at GPI for one year as an AmeriCorps Sustainability Project Coordinator through Ampact’s Climate Impact Corps. During his service, he supported Metro CERT initiatives related to solar & underserved businesses, and organized energy efficiency blitz events for manufactured home parks. 

Aaron graduated from Macalester College with a BA in environmental studies and an emphasis in political science. 

Ava joined Great Plains Institute in 2023 as a program associate for the Communities team. Ava supports the national Sustainable States Network and local networks dedicated to supporting government climate action and sustainability plans. Prior to her role at GPI, Ava interned at the City of Minneapolis’s Community Planning and Economic Development department after earning her bachelor’s degree in 2022. 

Ava majored in political science and urban studies at the University of Minnesota. During her time there, she was a journalist for the Minnesota Daily News. 

Brian Ross, AICP, LEED Green Associate, joined the Great Plains Institute in 2015 and is the vice president, of the Renewable Energy team. Brian joined GPI after 20 years as a consultant working on sustainable development in local decision-making and implementation. He leads GPI’s renewable energy market transformation efforts in the Midwest and nationally. 

Over 30 years, he has worked extensively with local, regional, and state governments on climate and energy planning, renewable energy policy and land use and natural resource regulation. Brian currently leads efforts at the state and national level to integrate renewable energy and community co-benefits to enhance natural systems, meet host community land use priorities, and support agriculture business models. He helped create the ground-breaking PV-SMaRT initiative on solar and water quality and now leads a new US DOE SolWEB initiative on solar and ecosystem services in the Midwest. Brian has written numerous model ordinances for the local government and works nationally with the SolSmart program and other wind, solar, and hydrogen, and electric vehicle initiatives.  

Diana McKeown joined the Great Plains Institute in July 2013 and is Statewide CERTs (Clean Energy Resource Team) Co-Director. Diana led the metro region of CERTs from October 2007, until becoming co-director in 2023. During her tenure with CERTs she has coordinated and participated in a number of clean energy initiatives, including: Apple Valley’s Better Energy Program; Neighborhood Energy Service; and an energy makeover of the Lao Family Community Center in partnership with Xcel Energy. Diana has also collaborated on the launch of a number of projects/programs including Minnesota GreenStep Cities, Cities Charging Ahead City EV peer cohort, and most recently the Minnesota EV Smart Cities/EV Smart Native Nations and Advancing Small Business Solar Equity. Prior to joining the CERTs team, Diana worked for over 14 years at Clean Water Action and has extensive experience building strategic campaigns and coalitions. Diana holds a BS in Environmental Studies from the University of Minnesota.

Keely Rau joined the Great Plains Institute in 2024 as a program associate supporting Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs), where GPI is a partner. In this role, she helps with CERTs statewide initiatives and assists with coordinating the 11-county Metro CERT region in Minnesota. Her work is centered on energy efficiency and reducing the energy burden for underserved communities in the Metro. She also assists in leading the CERTs Community Energy Ambassador program statewide.  

Prior to joining GPI as a staff member, Keely served at GPI for one year as an AmeriCorps sustainability project coordinator through Ampact’s Climate Impact Corps. During her service, she supported Metro CERT initiatives related to organizing energy efficiency blitz events for manufactured home parks and food shelves.   

Keely graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a BA in business administration.

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Lola Schoenrich joined the Great Plains Institute in 2008 and is vice president of the Communities team. Lola leads GPI’s communities’ work and provides strategic direction, overall program management, new project development, fundraising, and facilitation. She is a seasoned professional with over 35 years of experience in community energy planning and project implementation, energy policy, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. She has extensive background in bringing diverse groups of people together to craft energy policy and implement projects in networks, coalitions, and working teams. She leads the Sustainable States Network, which consists of organizations and programs supporting local government climate and sustainability projects in 15 states. In addition, Lola was one of the founders of the Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) and Minnesota GreenStep Cities. She spent nine years on the RE-AMP Steering Committee as the leader of the Energy Efficiency Working Group.  

Previous to joining GPI, she was the energy program director at the Minnesota Project, where she led the energy policy and coalition work. In the course of her 20 years at the Minnesota Project, Lola also worked on numerous other projects, including community sustainability and alternative solid waste management. Previous to her work with the Minnesota Project, she was the executive director of the Self-Reliance Center (now the Sustainable Resources Center) running community-based energy efficiency and conservation programs in Minneapolis neighborhoods. Lola has a BA in biology from Hampshire College.

Mackenzie Love joined the Great Plains Institute in 2023 as a senior program manager and transportation planner. She leads the expansion of GPI’s successful EV Smart program, which supports and empowers communities in providing equitable access to electric vehicle charging and electrified travel options. She also provides technical expertise on other transportation projects based on experience with bicycle and pedestrian planning, transportation demand management, long-range planning, and emerging technologies. 

In the past, Mackenzie worked for Virginia Tech, Fairfax County, and the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority. Mackenzie graduated from Virginia Tech with a BA in public and urban affairs and a master’s in urban and regional planning. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and the vice chair of chapter coordination for the American Planning Association’s Transportation Planning Division. 

Muntaas Farah joined the Great Plains Institute in 2024 as a program associate for the Communities team. Muntaas supports the team’s electric vehicle initiatives and programs that help cities and Native nations understand more about EV readiness and how to implement it into their communities. 

Prior to her role at GPI, Muntaas interned at the Sierra Club working on conducting and collecting data in the transportation and sustainability sectors, as well as interned with the Mayor of Rochester focusing on the platforming of youth voices in the community regarding the dismantling of injustices in schools and the advancement of adequate resources for students and families.  

Muntaas earned her BA in communications and studies in cinema and media culture with a minor in political science from the University of Minnesota. She also holds a certificate in project management.

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Rebecca Heisel joined the Great Plains Institute in 2021 and is a program coordinator for the Communities Team. She leads the team’s electric vehicle initiatives and programs that help cities and Native nations understand what it means to be EV ready and to take action.  

Prior to joining GPI as a staff member, Rebecca served as a GreenCorps member with GPI supporting cities’ vehicle electrification efforts. She also served as an environmental conservation volunteer for the Peace Corps in Panama, where she conducted projects focused on environmental education and deforestation mitigation.  

Rebecca earned a BS in biology from Truman State University in Missouri. 

Aileen Cole joined the Great Plains Institute in 2022 as a policy research specialist for the Energy Systems team. At GPI, Aileen conducts research that supports the team’s efforts on a range of complex energy-related issues, including regulatory approaches, implementation of climate adaptation and energy transition initiatives, interconnection processes, and engagement efforts related to these areas.  

Aileen’s professional background is in environmental planning, with planning experience specific to large utility and commission-related projects. Her prior work included conducting environmental analyses of energy projects subject to California Public Utilities Commission review. Aileen uses this expertise to inform her work with electric and gas utilities, their regulators, and other key parties. Aileen obtained her BA in zoology and Spanish at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her MS in science, technology & environmental policy from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota, where she conducted research on the varied municipal approaches to climate action planning and resilience planning worldwide.

Alissa joined Great Plains Institute in July 2020 and is the meeting and administrative manager supporting our Energy Systems team. Her work includes coordinating logistics and stakeholder communications for meetings (virtual and in-person), stakeholder groups, and engagement processes. Her experience also includes roles focused on finance administration and marketing.  

Prior to joining GPI, Alissa worked as an event producer where she was responsible for planning and executing events for high-profile clients throughout the Twin Cities. Alissa holds a BA in business administration and accounting from Augsburg University.  

Amy Ward joined the Great Plains Institute in 2022 and is a policy specialist for the Energy Systems team. In her work, Amy supports policy research for state climate plans, utility regulations, and federal funding legislation.  

Prior to joining GPI, Amy developed an interest in energy policy through internships at Midwest Environmental Advocates in Madison, WI, where she researched and tracked state-level legislation and action on environmental issues, and at Earthjustice in Washington, DC, where she researched various states’ public utility intervenor programs. Amy holds degrees in French and environmental studies: justice and citizenship from Beloit College in Beloit, WI.

Benjamin Stafford joined the Great Plains Institute in 2024 as senior policy manager for the Energy Systems program. Benjamin leads work on utility regulatory innovation and transmission deployment. 

Benjamin brings over 20 years of experience in the energy industry to GPI. Most recently, he provided strategy consulting to address regulatory and business model challenges to a clean energy transition. Benjamin’s past clients include investor-owned electric and gas utilities, environmental interest groups, and federal and state agencies. Benjamin also has worked extensively in government affairs, advocating for legislative and regulatory policy changes. Benjamin also brings experience in state regulation of public utilities. 

Benjamin is a graduate of Ohio State University with a BA in business administration, a Master of labor and human resources, and a MA in public policy and management, and a MSc in business research from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management. 

Bridget Williams joined the Great Plains Institute in 2023 and serves as policy coordinator for the Energy Systems team. Bridget supports the MISO Cities and Communities Coalition, NextGen Highways, and other projects that focus on the roles transmission and wholesale electricity markets play in achieving a decarbonized, resilient, and equitable energy future. 

Prior to joining GPI, Bridget worked with municipalities to establish community-wide climate action goals, created disaster response programs for low-income residents, and built cross-sector partnerships to facilitate collaborative and comprehensive community programming in her hometown of Cedar Rapids, IA. 

Bridget has a BS in community and regional planning from Iowa State University and lives in Milwaukee, WI. 

Deirdre Kennedy joined the Great Plains Institute in December 2023 as a policy research specialist on the Energy Systems team. In her work, she conducts research and supports the team’s efforts on a range of initiatives, including utility and regulatory innovation, transmission deployment, state climate planning and implementation, and engagement efforts related to these areas. 

Prior to joining GPI, Deirdre worked in business development for a renewable energy developer and operator. Deirdre obtained her BA in political science and environmental sciences at the University of Notre Dame and lives in Golden, CO. 

Diana Gastelum joined the Great Plains Institute in 2024 as an Energy Systems policy associate. Diana supports the Plains Power Initiative, NextGen Highways, and other projects. She primarily focuses on the transmission and wholesale electricity markets, conducting research and writing guidance.  

Prior to joining GPI, Diana worked as a senior program coordinator for an energy consulting firm, focusing on energy efficiency programs within disadvantaged communities, metric reporting, processing energy claims, and market transformation within the state of California.  

Diana graduated from Suffolk University in Boston, MA with a BS in environmental policy and a background in international relations.

Hannah Dobie joined the Great Plains Institute in 2024 and is a senior policy specialist with the Energy Systems team. She facilitates convenings to help develop policy solutions to utility regulatory challenges.  

Hannah is a lawyer who has represented various interests in utility regulatory proceedings. She has also convened diverse stakeholders to develop legally durable air quality and energy regulations. She has conducted research and written on topics including barriers to large-scale electric transmission build-out and implications of court rulings on environmental policy.

Prior to joining GPI, Hannah was a staff attorney with the Harvard Law School Environmental and Energy law program and an associate attorney with the law firms Holland & Hart in Denver, Colorado, and Preti Flaherty in Boston, Massachusetts. She earned her JD at the University of Colorado Law School and a BS in environmental policy analysis and planning from UC Davis.

Josh Rogers joined the Great Plains Institute in 2024 as the inaugural energy systems fellow. In his role, he researches the efficacy of different incentive structures relevant to the development of high-voltage transmission line development in the Great Plains. Over the next year, he will be embedding himself in impacted communities to discuss the best way to limit the opposition to transmission with local stakeholders. Prior to joining GPI, Josh explored global decarbonization initiatives at the US Department of Transportation as an intern in the Office of International Transportation and Trade.  

Josh graduated from Princeton University with a BA in politics and certificates in environmental studies and values & public life.

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Kara Thate joined the Great Plains Institute in 2024 as a project manager for the NextGen Highways initiative within GPI’s Energy Systems team. Her work focuses on providing internal operational support as the initiative seeks to expand its work in multiple states. 

Before joining GPI, Kara worked in residential and commercial solar photovoltaic and data centers. With over a decade of experience, she has helped develop and grow nascent initiatives, delivered outstanding customer experiences, and provided event planning and execution support in clean energy, health care, and community resilience spaces. Kara holds a BA in global studies from the University of Minnesota, with a focus on environment and sustainable development. 

Matt Prorok joined the Great Plains Institute in November 2015 and is a senior policy manager for GPI’s Energy Systems team. His work focuses on the development of electric transmission infrastructure and market mechanisms to accelerate deployment of low-carbon energy technologies in the Midcontinent region. Matt serves as a facilitator and technical consultant for a number of initiatives including the MISO Cities and Communities Coalition, NextGen Highways, and the Midwestern Governors Association’s MID GRID 2035 initiative. Matt also contributes to GPI’s research, analysis, and technical assistance work on topics including industrial and transportation electrification, electric rate design, local clean energy planning and goals, and federal policy implementation.  

Matt has a background in engineering and sustainability. He obtained his BS in mechanical engineering from Penn State with a minor in earth systems and an MS in science, technology, and environmental policy from the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs.

Trevor Drake joined the Great Plains Institute in 2013 and is vice president of the Energy Systems program. He focuses on electric and gas utility and regulatory innovation and on state climate action planning and implementation. He has spent the past 10 years convening and facilitating diverse groups of stakeholders to enable innovation and collaborative problem-solving around a variety of energy and climate challenges.  

Trevor has worked with utilities, regulators, and stakeholder groups on a variety of issues including carbon planning, resource planning, distribution planning, grid modernization, performance-based regulation, time-varying rates, transportation electrification, demand response, and interconnection. He has also supported both Minnesota and Michigan with developing and implementing extensive stakeholder engagement efforts to inform their climate action plans. 

In prior work, Trevor staffed the energy efficiency working group for the RE-AMP network, which convened clean energy advocates and their funders to co-develop strategies for maximizing energy efficiency in the Midwest. For several years, he also worked as a staff member of Minnesota’s Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs), where he helped local governments purchase renewable energy through collaborative procurement networks. Trevor received his bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from Saint John’s University in Minnesota. 

Tricia Treece joined the Great Plains Institute in 2023 and is the senior policy manager for state climate action planning and implementation on the Energy Systems team. She works with state governor’s offices and environmental and energy regulators to develop and implement statewide climate and clean energy plans. 

Tricia Treece is an air quality policy expert with over ten years of experience in state air quality planning. She has supported intergovernmental task forces and committees for the state of Arkansas on energy resources and infrastructure.  

Prior to joining GPI, Tricia worked for the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment in their Office of Air Quality and the Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health in their Toxicology Emergency Response Program. She is a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham with an MS in biology, a BS in biology, and a BS in psychology. 

Tyrone Brooks Jr. joined the Great Plains Institute in 2024 as a project manager for the NextGen Highways initiative within GPI’s Energy Systems team. With a background in government and community relations, his work focuses on coalition building as the initiative seeks to expand its work in multiple states. 

Prior to joining GPI, Tyrone served as a senior portfolio manager at Daymond John Ventures, honing his skills in investment and business development. Later, he contributed his expertise as a senior strategist for the US Treasury and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, emphasizing economic growth and community well-being. Most recently, Tyrone was deputy director in the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office, where he managed various initiatives, including My Brother’s Keeper Atlanta, where he was Regional Director working with The Obama Foundation in building coalitions to ensure equity among residents.   

Tyrone holds a BS in business administration and an MBA in international business, both from the University of Phoenix. He also attended William Taft Law School. 

Brian Ross, AICP, LEED Green Associate, joined the Great Plains Institute in 2015 and is the vice president, of the Renewable Energy team. Brian joined GPI after 20 years as a consultant working on sustainable development in local decision-making and implementation. He leads GPI’s renewable energy market transformation efforts in the Midwest and nationally. 

Over 30 years, he has worked extensively with local, regional, and state governments on climate and energy planning, renewable energy policy and land use and natural resource regulation. Brian currently leads efforts at the state and national level to integrate renewable energy and community co-benefits to enhance natural systems, meet host community land use priorities, and support agriculture business models. He helped create the ground-breaking PV-SMaRT initiative on solar and water quality and now leads a new US DOE SolWEB initiative on solar and ecosystem services in the Midwest. Brian has written numerous model ordinances for the local government and works nationally with the SolSmart program and other wind, solar, and hydrogen, and electric vehicle initiatives.  

Dreek Morgan joined the Great Plains Institute in 2024 as a program associate for the Renewable Energy team. His work focuses on providing research, analytic, and writing support to achieve the deployment of equitable renewable energy initiatives in the Midwest and across the nation.

Before coming to GPI, Dreek completed his MA in global policy studies from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. He also holds a BA in political science from Winthrop University. His academic research focused on investigating the disproportionate impacts of climate change on marginalized communities. Dreek is passionate about advancing environmental justice measures and bolstering energy resilience, particularly for vulnerable communities.

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Sydne joined the Great Plains Institute in 2022 as a part of the Renewable Energy team. She supports work to advance the deployment of renewable energy, especially solar, across the nation. Prior GPI, Sydne served as an Americorps service member at Fort Frederica National Monument, where she focused on natural and cultural resource management. 

Sydne holds a BA in journalism from the University of Arkansas. After a brief stint in journalism, she decided to pursue a career in the environmental field. She attained an MA in environmental studies in 2022 from Western Washington University, with a focus on science communication, policy, and environmental justice. Her masters’ thesis research explored how creative policy framing may be used to increase Southern evangelical Christian support of climate policy. 

Val Stori (she/her) joined the Great Plains Institute in April 2021 and serves as senior policy manager on the Renewable Energy team. Val brings over twenty years of experience in national clean energy policy and natural resource management. She worked as a project director at the Clean Energy States Alliance for over a decade, where she developed and managed its building electrification project as well as led its offshore wind policy work. Prior to her work in renewable energy, Val led conservation and natural resource management programs for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. 

Val sits on the board of several nonprofit organizations and town committees. She holds a BA from Middlebury College and a master of studies in environmental law from Vermont Law School. She recently earned a certificate from Yale’s Financing and Deploying Clean Energy program. In her free time, you can find Val running in the mountains or trying her hand at a new culinary creation. 

Aaron Westling joined the Great Plains Institute in 2024 as the shared mobility program manager. He is responsible for developing and managing a Vehicle Miles Traveled reduction initiative for the Transportation & Fuels program.   

Aaron has extensive experience in shared mobility policy and implementation. He began his work in the shared mobility space at Bublr, the bike share system in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. At the Shared Use Mobility Center, he co-created the Shared Mobility Action Plan for the Twin Cities and established the region’s Shared Mobility Collaborative. Most recently, he worked at the High Road Strategy Center, leading the Mayors Institute on Pedestrian Safety, a program to help mayors create safe, vibrant, and equitable communities.  

He holds a master’s in public policy from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs and BAs in economics and political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 

Alejandro Nakpil joined the Great Plains Institute in 2023 as an electric mobility program associate. In this role, he supports initiatives that improve, expand, and educate on electrified transportation systems (e.g., electric bikes and scooters, electric transit buses, electric vehicles, etc.). He also provides support to GPI-led electric vehicle stakeholder groups, including Drive Electric Minnesota and the Midcontinent Transportation Electrification Collaborative. 

Prior to joining GPI as a staff member, Alejandro served as a sustainability project coordinator on the Communities team through the Climate Impact Corps program. During his time there, he implemented several electric mobility projects, including the formulation and launch of the EV Smart Program, the creation of an electric vehicle ordinance database for municipalities, and the hosting of ride-and-drive events for a variety of organizations.  

Alejandro holds a BA in sustainable systems management from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities as well as certifications in project management and behavior-centered design. 

Brendan joined the Great Plains Institute in 2004 and is the vice president overseeing the Transportation and Fuels program. He has 17 years of experience leading initiatives to promote the deployment of low-carbon transportation and fuel technology. He works across subject areas, including electrification, bioenergy, low-carbon fuels, transportation, carbon management, carbon removal, and energy infrastructure. Brendan is an experienced facilitator, energy researcher, policy analyst, project manager, communicator, and advocate. He is the lead facilitator for a variety of initiatives, including the Midwestern Clean Fuels Policy Initiative, the Midcontinent Transportation Electrification Collaborative, the Bioeconomy Coalition of Minnesota, and Drive Electric Minnesota. He assists policymakers at the state and local levels with their low-carbon fuel and electrification initiatives.

He is part of a team collaborating with Argonne National Laboratories on life cycle accounting methodology for biofuels and supports initiatives to commercialize lower carbon intensity advanced and conventional biofuels. He collaborates with the Carbon Management team at GPI and leads initiatives with the biofuels industry and agriculture to lower emissions through carbon capture and agricultural soil carbon and fertilizer management.

Brendan has an MS in science, technology, and environmental policy from the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs and an undergraduate degree in biology from Carleton College in Northfield, MN. Brendan lives in Minneapolis, MN with his wife and two daughters.

Emmy joined the Great Plains Institute in 2022 as a research analyst with the Transportation and Fuels team. Before GPI, she worked as a mechanical engineer/project manager at a small manufacturing company and interned with the Engineering Utilities Department at the Port of Oakland.  

Emmy graduated from Macalester College with a BA in physics and minors in environmental studies and Chinese. She completed a research project analyzing the economic limitations of using hydrogen as a storage medium for excess solar and wind energy.

Gabrielle Olson joined the Great Plains Institute in 2024 and is a GREET program specialist. Gabrielle provides expertise on the GREET (Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Technologies) model and coordinates with stakeholders to increase the accessibility of GREET modeling nationally.  

Before joining GPI, Gabrielle conducted research using various programming languages to produce two publications in atmospheric chemistry and an honors thesis in cloud physics. They spearheaded the development of a sustainability entrepreneurship team that placed in the semifinals of the National Enactus Exposition. Gabrielle graduated as a Schreyer Honors Scholar from Pennsylvania State University with a BS in meteorology and atmospheric science, a BS degree in science, and a minor in chemistry. In their free time, Gabrielle loves to rock climb, cross-country ski, play ultimate frisbee, hike, read, and storm chase.

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Hannah Haas joined the Great Plains Institute in 2020 as part of the Transportation and Fuels team. As a research and writing specialist, Hannah conducts secondary research and develops blogs, reports, white papers, fact sheets, and other content to support projects such as the Bioeconomy Coalition of Minnesota, Midwestern Clean Fuels Policy Initiative, Drive Electric Minnesota, and the natural and working lands portfolio.  

Hannah graduated from the College of Saint Benedict with a BA in environmental studies. She has an MA in social science with a focus in ecological psychology and environmental humanities from Viridis Graduate Institute and is working toward her DA in ecological psychology and environmental humanities from the same institution.

Katelyn Bocklund joined the Great Plains Institute in 2017 and serves as senior program manager for the Transportation and Fuels program. In this role, Katelyn co-directs the team’s electric vehicle portfolio, manages the financial health of the team, facilitates meetings, oversees communications and events strategies, and collaborates across the organization on numerous projects. She excels at traditional and agile project management, meeting planning, and written communications. 

Prior to joining GPI, Katelyn worked with Youth Energy Summit as a regional coordinator and communications specialist and with the Ney Nature Center as a marketing coordinator. She also worked with the Recycling Association of Minnesota as a Minnesota GreenCorps member during 2013-14. Katelyn has an MS in environmental studies from Bemidji State University and a BS in political science from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She also holds a project management certificate from the University of Minnesota. 

Madeleine Poling joined GPI in 2024 as an energy conservation and green transportation Minnesota GreenCorps member. In this role, she supports our Renewable Energy team with solar co-benefits research and engagement and our Transporation & Fuels team on electric vehicle adoption. She supports initiatives including Drive Electric Minnesota, Electric Vehicle Education for All, and PV-SuCCESS (Photovoltaics Supporting Cultural and Community EcoSystem Services).  

Prior to joining GPI, Madeleine was the owner/operator of a sustainable landscaping company she started in 2011 and sold in 2024. She designed and installed native plant landscapes in the urban environment to increase wildlife habitat and clean water. She also advocated for zero chemical use and had an all-electric fleet of tools to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  

Madeleine is graduating in the winter of 2024 with a BA in environmental and business studies from Metropolitan State University and plans to pursue a master’s degree in public and nonprofit administration.

Mariem Zaghdoudi first joined the Great Plains Institute in June 2018 as an intern and then as a full-time program associate in July 2020. Mariem provides research and writing, as well as meeting planning and facilitating support to the Transportation and Fuels team in biofuels and bioeconomy. She has worked on a variety of topics, including anaerobic digestion, forest products, and clean fuels policy. Before joining GPI, Mariem worked at the Singapore General Hospital’s Heart Center as a research assistant and at the Minnesota Youth Collective as a campus organizer. Mariem earned her BA in biology and political science from St. Olaf College. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, trying (and reviewing) new restaurants, and going to museums. 

Matthew Creasy joined the Great Plains Institute in 2023 and serves as a natural and working lands specialist on the Transportation and Fuels team.. He works to support public and private natural and working lands decarbonization strategies through the promotion, research, and analysis of sustainable forest management and climate-smart agricultural practices. Prior to joining GPI, he served a year of AmeriCorps in the Washington Conservation Corps restoring watersheds and natural and working lands, then continued that work in local government in Colorado. Matthew obtained an MS in forest science from Colorado State University, studying low-cost alternatives for forest biomass modeling and estimation with drones, and a BA in geography from Macalester College in Saint Paul. 

Emma Parkson joined the Great Plains Institute in 2020 as a program associate for the Communities program. Before joining GPI, Emma was a Minnesota GreenCorps member assisting the city of Golden Valley to implement zero-waste, organics recycling, and pollinator protection initiatives. She has also supported the city of Coon Rapids, MN to increase community engagement and participation in an organics recycling program. 

Emma holds a BS from the University of Minnesota, focused on urban studies and environmental sciences. She has also been a member of the Association of Recycling Managers since 2019.

Kevin Shearen joined GPI in 2017 as an administrative assistant to support the organization’s finance, technology, and development efforts. Now, Kevin is primarily focused on finance but provides support benefits and contracts. Prior to GPI, Kevin worked for the Roseville Area School District as a paraprofessional, where he assisted in implementing a curriculum for students with special needs. 

Kevin holds a BS in applied economics from the University of Minnesota.

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Klara joined Great Plains Institute in January 2014 and is the grants and contracts manager, working as part of GPI’s finance team. She has a varied background in both non and for-profit spaces. She facilitated the development of operations protocols for several business start-ups as well as her own private consulting property management business. She thrives on variety and enjoys a good challenge.

Klara’s has a strong passion for the land and environmental issues. Having studied and lived in Europe and the Middle East, she was introduced to alternative energy and transportation options. She’s happy to use her talents in an organization that is addressing meaningful issues and making an impact toward a better energy future.

Rose Marcotte joyfully joined the Great Plains Institute in 2023 as the grants coordinator and Salesforce administrator. Rose coordinates grant submission and reporting processes across multiple programs and is currently helping the organization transition its customer relationship management (CRM) system to the Salesforce platform.  

Rose’s background includes more than ten years in grant writing and grant management for progressive nonprofit organizations. She holds a BA in sociology from Central Washington University and a marketing management certificate from the University of Washington. Based in Northwest Washington, Rose can often be found hiking mountain trails or ambling along the seaside. 

Aime Bita first joined GPI in 2019 through the Capitol Pathways internship program. She provided support to the Transportation and Fuels team by attending committee hearings at the Minnesota state capitol and tracking bills. In her current role, she advances GPI’s climate communications goals through engaging and compelling storytelling. She has previously worked at various nonprofits providing digital communications support. 

Aime holds a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in sustainability studies from the University of Minnesota. She also has a background in using social media and graphic design as tools to enact individual and systemic change that is climate positive. 

Drew Henry joined Great Plains Institute in 2023 and is the organization’s communications director. In this role, he leads GPI’s communications team in crafting the organization’s message, elevating its work and the work of its partners, and delivering strategic and tactical support to its five program teams.

Drew has more than a decade of combined strategic communications, energy, and political experience in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors. Prior to GPI, he served in multiple communications leadership roles at Xcel Energy, one of the nation’s largest investor-owned utilities, most recently managing executive communications and corporate thought leadership.

He has a BA in history from Yale University and lives in his hometown of St. Paul with his wife, two young children, and dog Humphrey. Engaged in his community, Drew serves on the board of directors for Mount Olivet Rolling Acres and enjoys coaching his children’s athletic teams.

Jennifer Christensen joined the Great Plains Institute in 2007 and is Marketing & Communications Senior Manager, working primarily on communications. Jennifer provides editorial direction and guidance on GPI communications and develops original, engaging content to increase GPI’s impact. She also manages the organization’s social media accounts and publishes GPI’s monthly “Better Energy News.”

Jennifer has managed several projects and developed communications, publications, and other resources for GPI-led stakeholder initiatives at the state, regional, and national level. This includes the development of several publications with stakeholders such as the Carbon Capture Coalition, the e21 Initiative, and Midwestern Governors Association, that address statutory and regulatory policy for deploying energy technologies and infrastructure.

Prior to joining GPI, Jennifer worked for Xcel Energy in their Data Integrity and Mapping Department. Jennifer is a graduate of the University of Hawaii at Hilo with a BA degree in political science and geography.

Will Dunder joined the Great Plains Institute in 2016 and is a Marketing and Communications Manager. As part of the communications team, Will works with many different programs and projects to tell the GPI story across numerous platforms and media. He also works closely with development staff as GPI streamlines the flow of information from its large network of friends, partners, and colleagues.

Will originally joined GPI as a digital communications fellow in September 2015, shortly after completing a master’s degree in strategic communications from the University of Minnesota. His thesis focused on creating communities through social media. Before joining GPI, he spent a number of years as a professional photographer and videographer working with many nonprofits and small businesses around the Twin Cities.

Zane Franke joined the Great Plains Institute in 2023 and is GPI’s marketing & communications coordinator. In her role, Zane provides strategic communications and editorial support to program staff, manages shared communications services, develops written content, and supports the broad objectives across the communications team. 

Located in Portland, OR, Zane brings experience in writing and storytelling across a variety of communications platforms, research, digital marketing, and messaging for environmental nonprofits. Originally from Latvia, she holds a bachelor’s degree in English linguistics and Norwegian from University of Latvia in Riga and has additional education from University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, University of Oslo, and University of Agder in Norway. In her free time, you can find her reading, learning a new board game, hiking, or skiing down the slopes of Mt Hood.

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