The 2014/15 Systems Thinking Practicum Cohort
Each of the six individuals below is the key point person for their organization within the practicum. Other representatives of these organizations participate in the practicum calls and exercises, bringing a great breadth of knowledge and experience to the table. We are extremely grateful for all cohort members' enthusiastic participation in this learning journey.
Alison Cretney, The Natural Step
Alison is the Manager of The Natural Step's Energy Futures Lab, where she provides project management, research and analysis, facilitation, and relationship building support. Alison’s career has been at the cross-section of energy and environment. Beginning as an environmental and projects engineer with BP Canada, she then spent over a decade with the Pembina Institute, providing the corporate and government sectors strategic advice and support. Alison worked with a variety of clients to share her expertise in analyzing emerging sustainable business opportunities, change management, mulitstakeholder facilitation, carbon measurement and management, and facilitating integration of sustainability issues and systems thinking in decision-making and design. Alison was drawn to the Energy Futures Lab, a multi-interest collaboration, by its potential for creating systemic change towards a “fit for the future” energy system in Alberta.
Alison is the Manager of The Natural Step's Energy Futures Lab, where she provides project management, research and analysis, facilitation, and relationship building support. Alison’s career has been at the cross-section of energy and environment. Beginning as an environmental and projects engineer with BP Canada, she then spent over a decade with the Pembina Institute, providing the corporate and government sectors strategic advice and support. Alison worked with a variety of clients to share her expertise in analyzing emerging sustainable business opportunities, change management, mulitstakeholder facilitation, carbon measurement and management, and facilitating integration of sustainability issues and systems thinking in decision-making and design. Alison was drawn to the Energy Futures Lab, a multi-interest collaboration, by its potential for creating systemic change towards a “fit for the future” energy system in Alberta.
Anna Awimbo, Center for a New American Dream
Anna is the Collaborative Communities Program Director at the Center for a New American Dream. She coordinates New Dream's Get2gether initiative and supports education on its action guides that provide communities with resources that foster sustainable consumption and production. Anna has also been a long time advocate for sustainable food production both in the United States and around the world. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering at her children’s school in Maryland where she has led the effort to launch a green neighborhood initiative and build an outdoor classroom and garden.
Anna is the Collaborative Communities Program Director at the Center for a New American Dream. She coordinates New Dream's Get2gether initiative and supports education on its action guides that provide communities with resources that foster sustainable consumption and production. Anna has also been a long time advocate for sustainable food production both in the United States and around the world. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering at her children’s school in Maryland where she has led the effort to launch a green neighborhood initiative and build an outdoor classroom and garden.
Clayton Bunyard, Kimberly-Clark
Clayton Bunyard is Research Technical Leader for Kimberly-Clark, and has more than 10 years experience as a researcher in the field of green chemistry. Clay is most recognized for his work with polymers, for which he holds several patents. He holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and received the Kenneth G. Hancock Memorial Scholarship in Green Chemistry from the American Chemical Society & Environmental Protection Agency in 1999.
Clayton Bunyard is Research Technical Leader for Kimberly-Clark, and has more than 10 years experience as a researcher in the field of green chemistry. Clay is most recognized for his work with polymers, for which he holds several patents. He holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and received the Kenneth G. Hancock Memorial Scholarship in Green Chemistry from the American Chemical Society & Environmental Protection Agency in 1999.
Monica Wilson, GAIA
Monica Wilson is GAIA's US and Canada Program Director. She has worked with GAIA since 2002, and served five years as GAIA's International Co-Coordinator. Monica serves on the board of the Grassroots Recycling Network, was previously on the board of the Northern California Recycling Association, and is a master composter. In 2012 she was honored to be named by the California Resource Recovery Association as "Recycler of the Year" together with GAIA's US & Canada Program, for achievement in the field. Monica is based in GAIA's Berkeley, U.S. office.
Monica Wilson is GAIA's US and Canada Program Director. She has worked with GAIA since 2002, and served five years as GAIA's International Co-Coordinator. Monica serves on the board of the Grassroots Recycling Network, was previously on the board of the Northern California Recycling Association, and is a master composter. In 2012 she was honored to be named by the California Resource Recovery Association as "Recycler of the Year" together with GAIA's US & Canada Program, for achievement in the field. Monica is based in GAIA's Berkeley, U.S. office.
Nadine Gutz, Interface Carpets
As Director, Sustainability Strategy, Nadine is responsible for strategically leveraging and expanding Interface’s environment and sustainability leadership position in order to help increase visibility of the company’s Mission Zero™ vision through communication, education and community engagement. She speaks extensively on topics such as going beyond the business case for sustainability, materials stewardship, and ecological design. Nadine was recently appointed to the National Advisory Panel of the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada.
As Director, Sustainability Strategy, Nadine is responsible for strategically leveraging and expanding Interface’s environment and sustainability leadership position in order to help increase visibility of the company’s Mission Zero™ vision through communication, education and community engagement. She speaks extensively on topics such as going beyond the business case for sustainability, materials stewardship, and ecological design. Nadine was recently appointed to the National Advisory Panel of the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada.
Sheila Davis, Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition
Sheila Davis is Executive Director of the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition where she has played a valuable role in shaping environmental policy in the high-tech industry. She is one of the co-founders of the Computer TakeBack Campaign and sits on its steering committee. In 1996 she researched and developed the first electronic recycling legislation to reach the California Governor’s desk and in 1999 spearheaded the first pilot programs in the country to collect and recycle electronic waste from the residential curbside. Sheila’s research, advocacy and policy development led to a successful ban on hazardous electronic waste from the California municipal landfills and the subsequent passage of the first electronic recycling legislation in the nation.
Sheila Davis is Executive Director of the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition where she has played a valuable role in shaping environmental policy in the high-tech industry. She is one of the co-founders of the Computer TakeBack Campaign and sits on its steering committee. In 1996 she researched and developed the first electronic recycling legislation to reach the California Governor’s desk and in 1999 spearheaded the first pilot programs in the country to collect and recycle electronic waste from the residential curbside. Sheila’s research, advocacy and policy development led to a successful ban on hazardous electronic waste from the California municipal landfills and the subsequent passage of the first electronic recycling legislation in the nation.