Meet the PLAN Team

In May 2023, PLAN was incorporated as a Worker Self Directed Non-Profit (WSDNP). Over the years, PLAN has become increasingly intentional about its organizational structure and how we can model values such as transparency and collaborative decision-making. In practice, this looks like a staff-led core administrative body and committee structure. We invite you to learn more about this transition here.
Headshot of Alex.
Director of Atlas Zero Waste

Alex Freid (he/him)

University of New Hampshire '13

Alex is determined that zero waste is possible, and loves working with students and staff on college campuses to envision what it will take to get them there. He has been involved in zero waste programs since 2010, when he and his friends started the UNH Trash 2 Treasure program. At PLAN, Alex enjoys training and inspiring students to use systems thinking and anti-oppressive facilitation strategies to move their campuses beyond the roadblocks that prevent them from achieving zero waste. At home Alex enjoys woodworking and hiking, and is also an organizer, activist and street medic in his local community.

Headshot of Chelsea.
Membership Director & Admin Chair

Chelsea Walcott (she/her)

Temple University '18 '21

Chelsea is a graduate from Temple University with a bachelors in Environmental Studies, a Masters in Public Policy, and certificates in Sustainability and Inclusive Leadership. Her passion in work lies in how public policy affects daily life. At PLAN Chelsea focuses on creating seamless systems for membership, research for projects, and management support.  When Chelsea is not in work mode she spends her time as a bookworm and aspiring author who loves to read and write.

Headshot of Evelyn.
Social Media Coordinator

Evelyn Nelson (she/her)

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire ’23

Evelyn studied Journalism and Environment, Society, and Culture at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She enjoys utilizing her skills of writing and social media communication to advocate for social justice movements within the climate crisis. In her community, she serves as the Communications and Social Media Coordinator for her student office of sustainability on-campus. She also writes and designs for local newspaper publications, where she focused on student leadership efforts for restorative justice and divestment from fossil fuels.

Headshot of Grace.
Atlas Fellowship Manager

Grace Bowden (she/her)

West Chester University '21

Grace graduated from West Chester University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Communication Studies and a minor in Environmental Health. She interned as a Sustainability Peer Educator and an Atlas Zero Waste Fellow during her senior year. Grace planned student events themed around the pillars of sustainability, with topics such as food insecurity, composting, gardening, and of course, reducing our waste & recycling. She enjoys yoga, painting, reading, and staying active in her community through her house/baby/dog/cat/rat/hamster-sitting business.

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Communications Director

Isabel Jenkins (she/her)

University of Kentucky '20

Isabel combines her passions for design, media, and movement-building to creatively educate. Her studies and work center around media production, urban forestry, and community food systems. During her undergrad in Kentucky, where she studied Natural Resources & Environmental Science, she wrote and designed for campus environmental publications and worked as a freelance designer / photographer / videographer. When she’s not behind a computer or camera, you can find Isabel experimenting in the garden, kitchen, and with various musical instruments.

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Director of Education & Resources

Jensen Quinn (they/them)

College of Charleston '19

Jensen is a graduate from the College of Charleston, where they focused on Gender Studies and Environmental Sociology. Their campus experience includes working with the Office of Sustainability, developing Environmental Justice curriculum for an Alternative Break trip, and campaigning for increased gender neutral restrooms on campus. These experiences combine with Jensen’s passions for community care, access to resources and education, and food distribution. In their spare time, Jensen can be found writing spoken word or holding a dance party for one.

Headshot of Lisa.
Atlas Fellowship Coordinator

Lisa Smart (she/her)

Vassar College ‘22

Lisa graduated from Vassar College with a major in Anthropology and minors in Sustainability and French & Francophone Studies. At Vassar, Lisa worked as an intern for the Office of Sustainability, served as president of a student-led zero-waste organization, and volunteered with local environmental justice groups. Since then, Lisa has worked in France on local environmental legislation and, most recently, as a teaching assistant. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, cooking, and improving her design skills.

Headshot of Nithya.
Atlas Fellowship Coordinator

Nithya Narayanaswamy
(she/her)

Emory University '23

Nithya is a passionate plastics and environmental advocate from Atlanta. Her exposure to waste reduction programs began through co-founding the Plastic Free Emory Project at Emory University, where she did her undergraduate studies in Biology and Philosophy. She is now a first year MPH student in Environmental Health at Emory, and is excited to explore different iterations of zero waste, bridge the gap between institutional and individual accountability, and analyze how our social identities influence environmental vulnerabilities and health access! Nithya is also passionate about environmental justice, climate communications, and bioethics. During her free time, Nithya loves to sing, paint, and go on long walks exploring new parts of her community!

Headshot of Rachael.
Advising Director

Rachael Hood (she/they)

Oberlin College ’20 West Virginia University ’22

Rachael is a scholar-activist and organizer from Richmond, VA. They hold a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from Oberlin College and a Masters in Geography from West Virginia University. During her time as a student, Rachael focused on student organizing against fossil fuel and petrochemical expansion as well as implementing zero waste systems through Oberlin’s Resource Conservation Team. Rachael’s passion lies in visioning climate justice campaigns with a strong commitment to transformative movements. When not at work, Rachael can be found gardening, playing guitar, and running around with various sports leagues in Richmond.

Headshot of Ramiro.
Director of Events

Ramiro Murguia (he/him)

University of South Carolina ’19

Ramiro is a graduate of the University of South Carolina where he studied Environmental Studies and Marketing. At the university, Ramiro worked with the Office of Sustainability and led their on-campus Permaculture Farm. He took the teachings of permaculture and began applying them to other aspects of his life and how he interacted with the community and his organizing. As the Director of Events, he seeks to create spaces where we can all grow and learn from each other, and helps guide the new generation of changemakers on college campuses and beyond.

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STOP Fellowship Coordinator

Roo Stewart (she/her)

University of Tennessee, Knoxville '23

Roo is a climate justice activist, nuclear justice advocate, and compost “connoisseur." As a recent graduate from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Roo received an interdisciplinary BA in Environmental Justice and Radioactive Waste Management. Waste—both organic and radioactive—are centerpieces of her interests, as well as the impact of extractive industries (petrochemicals & uranium mining) on human and environmental health. She started at PLAN as a STOP fellow which supported her in leading a Plastic Free campaign at her university. She is thrilled to continue with the fellowship as coordinator. In her free time she enjoys hiking and operating heavy equipment at the UT Compost Facility.

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BFFP Pledge Manager

Savannah Robledo
(she/her)

University of San Diego '21

Savannah is an avid advocate for planet earth. Originally from Southern California, she attended the University of San Diego, majoring in Environmental Studies and minoring in Nonprofit Social Enterprise and Political Science. She interned for her school’s Office of Sustainability during her undergrad, accepting a full time position for the office post-graduation. In this role, she was incredibly fortunate to explore her passions of environmental justice, student organizing, and sustainable food systems. Outside of work, Savannah enjoys frequenting farmers’ markets, playing with her cats (Lalo and Fitz), and trying out local restaurants.

Headshot of Will.
Development Director

Will Corcoran (he/him)

University of Vermont ‘19 University of Michigan ‘22

Originally from Connecticut, Will majored in Environmental Studies at the University of Vermont. He initially became passionate about student activism as a member of student government, there he helped enact institutional change and advocate for his fellow students. Will then moved to Ann Arbor, MI where he earned his M.S. at the University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability, concentrating on behavior, education, and communication. In between his schooling, Will has worked as a grant writer, scientific researcher, and disability justice advocate. Will currently lives in Chicago, IL, with his dog Stanley.

Headshot of Young.
Plastic Campaign Director

Young Grguras (they/them)

University of Pittsburgh '19

Young is a graduate from University of Pittsburgh with a BA in Environmental Studies and BS in Ecology & Evolution, while organizing on campus in various efforts and working for the Student Office of Sustainability. At PLAN Young mentors students in their own organizing efforts on campus with a special focus in plastic because of their proximity to petrochemical build out happening in the Ohio River Valley. In addition to their work at PLAN, they enjoy organizing in their local community, tending to their garden, and putzing around, usually with second hand materials.

Board of Directors

Aldrumesia "Dru" Baker
Board Treasurer | she/her

Dru Baker is a lover of all things green and vegan, a sustainability technologist, and the Founder and Principal Consultant of The Dru Code Consultancy in Philadelphia, PA. Joining the PLAN Board after building a decade of deep experience in Green & Tech consulting, software engineering, and sustainable food movements, Dru has a knack for pairing technical skills with relationship-building, project management and a passion for sustainability advocacy. Dru’s currently serving on the PLAN Board while simultaneously expanding the breadth and reach of The Dru Code Consultancy. Dru’s advocacy work gives her a peek into a wasteless and technologically just world. They’re eager to continue combining their expertise in software engineering, global-scale problem-solving, and mission-driven sustainability to create Just-Transition-focused digital products and consultancy work.

Audrey Kriva
she/her

Audrey is committed to building a just transition to a Circular Economy. She began her professional journey with PLAN: after founding one of the first move-out programs advised by PLAN, Audrey became the first Student Rep on the Board, then a summer intern, and eventually PLAN’s Director of Partnerships. Since her time on PLAN staff, Audrey has received an MBA in Sustainable Solutions from Presidio Graduate School and been named an Ellen MacArthur Foundation Circular Economy Pioneer. Now a resident of Seattle, Audrey currently helps lead the grassroots organization CircularPNW and sits on the Governance Circle of Washington State’s NextCycle program. She works as a Climate and Circularity Consultant. Audrey spends her free time cooking vegetarian food and playing lots and lots of board games.

Forest Gluys
Board Chair | he/they

Forest is a Michigan-based farmer, fundraiser, and foodie. They hold a degree in Social Relations and Policy from Michigan State University and have a professional background in community organizing, basic needs access policy, and nonprofit development work in Michigan, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. Forest brings to PLAN more than 5 years of fundraising experience and his perspectives as a former student organizer, a housing cooperative alumnus, and a beginning young farmer.

Jane Patton
she/her

Jane Patton is a Senior Campaigner with the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and a co-founder of No Waste Louisiana. Since 2011, Jane has been working with communities to address inequality, mitigate harm, and increase justice. Her work focuses primarily on global policy regarding the full life cycle of plastics.

Jen Jones
she/her

Jen Jones brings over 10 years of experience working in sustainability at institutions of higher education to the PLAN board. She is currently the Sustainability Director at the College of Charleston. Jen attended Millikin University in Decatur, IL for her BS in Biology and has a MS in Environmental Studies from the College of Charleston. Jen has a passion for dance and teaches hip hop and yoga in her free time.

Kamau Pope
he/they

As a dirt road academic, storyteller, and historian, Kamau is a Ph.D. student in the History Department at Duke University. Their research uses historical narratives and oral histories in the U.S. South to explore Black, queer, and trans resistance and resiliency. Kamau is also interested in the history of the environment and unpacking its relationship to capitalism, white supremacy, and patriarchy. Along with their scholarly pursuits, Kamau holds many political homes and non-profits close to their heart. These organizations are Southerners on New Ground (SONG), Tiger’s Eye Collective, Carolina Youth Action Project, and of course, PLAN.

Mia Papageorge
she/her

Mia grew up in Indianapolis, IN. She moved to the East Coast to study Environmental Studies, Economics, and French at the University of Vermont. After her studies, she moved to Colorado to work at a ski resort. Since then, she crossed the pond to be an English Teaching Assistant in a Southwestern French high school. She enjoys working in outdoor environmental education regarding agriculture, food systems, and environmental and social justice.

Misha Haas
she/her

Misha is an herbalist, jewelry maker/artist, and fantasy nerd from New Hampshire. She works in community to redistribute wealth to Black, Indigenous, POC and Trans and Queer individuals and communities. Her intention is to support those building safety, providing care for themselves, and to one another. Redistribution happens both in and outside the nonprofit industrial complex, challenging the ways philanthropy often upholds violent and destructive industries. She thinks the world would be a better place if they taught about Alok Vaid-Menon and adrienne maree brown in school.

Salvador Uribe
he/him

Salvador Uribe is a current undergraduate student at the University of California, Berkeley. He is majoring in American Studies and minoring in Ethnic Studies.During his time in Community College, Salvador interned with Algalita Marine Research and Education in Long Beach, California. It was there where he knew that breaking free from plastic was a must and gathered his college friends to start a Break Free From Plastic camping at his community college. They gained traction across campus with the help of many on-campus student-led organizations. Now, Salvador looks forward as he completes his last years of Undergraduate at UC Berkeley and hopes to start his next journey in becoming an environmental attorney.