Josephine Fleming
PRESIDENTJo has over 30 years experience in the environmental and sustainability realm in a wide breadth of scientific research, environmental remediation, commercial and industrial pollution prevention, environmental outcome data and community-based programs. She has worked for large environmental consulting firms, corporations, learning institutions and local governments. She established numerous Green Business Programs, ground-breaking sustainability programs, and served as the founding Executive Director for the California Green Business Network and now volunteers on their Advisory Board. Jo currently leads Environmental Innovations as President.
Julianne Rhodes
VICE PRESIDENTJulianne gained extensive project, personnel, and contract management experience during her 12 years as engineering manager at Cruzio.com and subsequently earned a Masters in Applied Marine and Watershed Science. Her focus on water quality and conservation efforts has led to projects working for the Coastal Watershed Council, Farmers for Water Quality, the Watershed Institute at CSUMB, City of Scotts Valley, and the City of Salinas. Julianne also manages the development and maintenance of GreenBizTracker, a web-based platform designed to facilitate the operation of Green Business certification programs and report outcomes from the adoption of environmentally preferable practices.
Brooke Wright
VICE PRESIDENTBrooke leads Environmental Innovations' commercial energy programs in partnership with lead implementers, RENs, CCAs, and utilities across California. She brings deep experience with equitable program design and developing outreach teams working to serve people, planet and profit. Brooke is accustomed to managing grants, contracts and stakeholders, and developing teams and innovative, equity-driving incentive programs that serve the twin missions of Environmental Innovations and the California Green Business Network.
Lawrence Nussbaum
VICE PRESIDENTLawrence has over 20 years of experience working with environmental certification and market-based sustainability programs. Lawrence was a leader in the development of Forest Stewardship (FSC) certification, he also created the regional Salmon-Safe certification program, and managed several market-based sustainability initiatives for clients in food and agriculture, textiles, furniture, manufacturing, and green building. He also led business strategy in the organic food sector for Full Circle Organics and managed client services for 25 certification and Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) offerings for the international sustainability firm, SCS Global Services.
Lacey Raak
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTORAs Co-Executive Director of the California Green Business Network, Lacey serves communities throughout the State of California supporting community-level economic development and a more sustainable and environmentally-responsive business sector. Lacey began her career at the City of Monterey, supporting sustainable transportation and the development of their first Climate Action Plan. She then worked for 12 years in Higher Education Sustainability as the Director of Sustainability at UC Santa Cruz and CSU Monterey Bay, where she developed and supported innovative initiatives, integrated sustainability into long-term plans and policies and helped build a culture of sustainability within an institutional setting.
Anna Hirst
MARKETING DIRECTORAnna manages Marketing and Graphic Design for Environmental Innovations, the California Green Business Network, various Green Business Programs, and also manages the CDFA Healthy Refrigeration Technical Assistance program. With over 20 years of experience in the environmental sector, Anna is a creative digital specialist who effortlessly shifts between numerous roles, including marketing communications, program management and implementation, outreach strategies, and business development. Anna graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a B.A. in Environmental Studies.
Maria Corona
BILINGUAL SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER AND EQUITY CHAIRCorona is a bilingual sustainability professional with extensive experience in community outreach, environmental justice initiatives, social media marketing, and design. She is Co-Executive Director and Equity Chair for the California Green Business Network. Passionate about advancing equity and sustainability, she collaborates with Community-Based Organizations to enhance participation from vulnerable communities, so that the Green Business advantage is uniform and equitable. She brings expertise in waste reduction and recycling through her implementation of SB 1383 organics recycling and food recovery programs across three jurisdictions, as well as her previous role as the Zero Waste Coordinator at CSU Monterey Bay.
Sandrine Cassidy
SENIOR SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTANTSandrine Cassidy is a Senior Sustainability Consultant with Environmental Innovations, where she helps cities, businesses, nonprofits, and schools implement leadership programs in waste reduction, recycling, energy and water conservation, pollution control, and green purchasing. She has supported over 600 businesses in adopting green standards and gaining recognition for their efforts. Sandrine is the Southern California representative for the California Green Business Network, which oversees 50 Green Business Programs across the state; she manages several of these programs in Southern California. Sandrine holds a LEED Green Associate accreditation and a California Resource Recovery Association (CRRA) Professional Certificate in Sustainable Resource Management.
Saburi Sai
SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTANTSaburi is a Sustainability Consultant with expertise in digital marketing, project management, and outreach strategy. Before joining Environmental Innovations full-time, she gained extensive experience in sustainability with the Green Business program at Ecology Action and as a Digital Marketing Specialist at EI. Saburi now focuses on managing partnerships, social media strategies, and recognition events, while overseeing content creation and video production for EI-run Green Business Programs and broader marketing efforts.
Jakki Castorena-Davila
BILINGUAL SUSTAINABILITY MANAGERJakki is EI's Monterey Bay Area Bilingual Programs Manager, focusing on community engagement and outreach programs. She leads initiatives that empower local resource-constrained communities, building on her experience in sales, public outreach, and local partnership building. Jakki is dedicated to creating sustainable and impactful programs that address key community needs. She brings the passion and determination to ensure equitable access to her hometown and the greater community.
Rilynn Misa
SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTANTRilynn is a passionate sustainability specialist with extensive experience in business support strategies, resource efficiency implementation, and community outreach. Since joining Environmental Innovations in 2022, Rilynn has supported a broad range of programs that specifically target business efficiency and support. Based out of the Bay Area, she is currently the Green Business Coordinator for both the Alameda County and Santa Clara County Green Business Programs, as well as a committee member for the CAGBN Performance and Standards committee. Through this committee she aids in the analysis, decision making, and maintenance of statewide Green Business requirements.
Nancy Robles
BILINGUAL SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTANTNancy, a Bilingual Sustainability Consultant, is a business outreach specialist with experience serving small, Spanish speaking business owners ranging from home daycares to brick and mortar businesses across the Central Valley and the Bay Area. She is the lead coordinator for two small business energy programs and supports several Green Business Programs that are part of the California Green Business Network. She came to EI with experience in LEED certification, technical account management, sales, and environmental education. Her love for nature and passion for sustainability drives her to help make the communities a more sustainable place to live and work.
Bryan Garcia
BILINGUAL SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTANTBryan is a proficient Sustainability Consultant who is skilled in two languages. His commitment to environmental causes began during his time at the University of California, Davis, where he pursued a major in International Agricultural Development. Participating in a variety of internships and programs during this time sparked a deep enthusiasm for tackling real-world issues, which now drives his commitment to his present role. Utilizing the skills he has developed as a problem solver, effective communicator, leader, and dedicated learner, he returns to his native community in Salinas, California to effect positive change. He takes great pride in embracing the role of an environmental steward, with the goal of preserving the ongoing prosperity of future generations.
Claudia Villalta-Mejia
BILINGUAL SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTANTClaudia Villalta-Mejia is a Bilingual Sustainability Consultant supporting sustainability projects across Santa Cruz County with a background in corporate sustainability. As the lead coordinator for the county’s Green Business Program, she certifies dozens of small and local businesses annually, serving as a bridge between grants and community services and businesses in need. Passionate about environmental compliance, Claudia guides the Cities of Capitola and Scotts Valley on SB 1383 compliance. She simplifies state and local requirements for businesses through targeted education and outreach, empowering them to comply with these important regulations. A proud local, Claudia also actively supports the regional Green Schools Program and the Foodware Ordinance compliance in Watsonville, demonstrating her commitment to fostering a sustainable home county.
Kori Nielsen
SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTANTFor over seven years, Kori has dedicated her career to minimizing environmental impact and promoting sustainability across various sectors. She has experience supporting businesses, educational institutions, and nonprofits along California’s central coast in achieving their sustainability goals, helping them exceed regulatory standards and implement best environmental practices. With a specialization in energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainability certifications, Kori has developed a robust portfolio of strategies that empower organizations to enhance their environmental performance. At Environmental Innovations, she leads the Santa Barbara County Green Business Program and collaborates on various state-wide projects, leveraging her extensive experience to engage dynamically in a broad range of sustainability initiatives, quickly adapting to challenges and ensuring their success.
Bryton Mays
BILINGUAL SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTANTBryton Mays is a bilingual Green Business Consultant, currently overseeing San Mateo County’s Green Business Program. He also supports foodware outreach in the Bay Area and supports the CAGBN’s Sustainable Funding Committee. His passion for protecting the environment and helping small businesses make practical sustainable changes comes from his background as a U.S. Army Airborne Medic and many years of working in small businesses. He is currently finishing his MBA in Sustainable Solutions at Presidio Graduate School and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a bachelors in International Business. Additionally, he has attained his International Society of Sustainability Professions- Sustainability Excellence Associate ISSP-SEA certification.
Dharma Bartram
SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTANTDharma is a Sustainability Consultant with experience in event management, development, marketing, community outreach and project management. At Environmental Innovations, she specializes in foodware outreach and leads field outreach for sustainable foodware policy programs in San Mateo County and the City of Cupertino. She supports both EI and the California Green Business Network with expertise in sustainable foodware, edible food recovery, events and development. She graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a B.A. in Communication and has previously worked at a leading ad agency.
Natalia Bogolasky
BILINGUAL SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTANTNatalia is a bilingual sustainability consultant passionate about connecting people, ideas, and strategies for a more sustainable world. In addition to her work with various Green Business Programs, she joins EI as part of the team working in Energy Efficiency programs, dedicated to providing solutions to historically underserved customers. Previously, Natalia worked with the Chilean Plastic Pact, driving initiatives toward a circular economy for plastics.
Liz Sullivan
FINANCE DIRECTORLiz has a rich and varied 20+ year history of helping small businesses, startups, and nonprofits, to thrive and grow, sustainably. With a background in the public sector as well as Fortune 500 multinationals, she has brought financial best practices and a solid and sustainable business model to support strategic planning and decision making in senior management teams.
Sharon Green
OFFICE MANAGERSharon has had 20+ years experience supporting executives. She aims to make their lives easier, brighter and more efficient. She has enjoyed supporting and volunteering for many nonprofits over the years.