Planning Committee

The Midwest Climate Summit is a truly collaborative event! The Planning Committee includes the Steering Committee plus seven sub-committees: one committee focused on each of the Summit’s four topic areas, a student committee, and administrative committees focused on resources and marketing.

Steering Committee

The Steering Committee includes individuals from 20 organizations representing higher education, local government, non-profits, and the private sector across the Midwest. Steering Committee members include university faculty and staff, students, and sustainability professionals. A small number of steering committee members also serve on the executive committee.

Steering Committee Members

Sub-Committees

The seven sub-committees focus on Science & Research, Teaching & Education, Climate Action, Outreach & Engagement, Student Engagement, Resources, and Marketing & Outreach. Meet the members of the sub-committees below.

Science & Research

Sub-Committee Chairs

Sub-Committee Members

  • Jennine Arrighi  –  City of St. Louis
  • Bill Gutowski  –  Iowa State University
  • Jennifer Haverkamp  –  University of Minnesota
  • Chad Henry  –  Washington University in St. Louis
  • Celine Jennings  –  University of Minnesota
  • Olivia Ledee  –  Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center
  • Madeline Magee  –  Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
  • Martha McGee  –  Vanderbilt University
Teaching & Education

Sub-Committee Chairs

Sub-Committee Members

  • Holly Benz  –  Northwestern University
  • Michael Bisesi  –  Ohio State University
  • Claire Borgerding  –  Ohio State University
  • Jeff Henderson  –  Northwestern University
  • Cathy Jordan  –  University of Minnesota
  • Cathy Middlecamp  –  University of Wisconsin Madison
  • Lilliana Sydorenko  –  Northwestern University
  • John Warford  –  Historically Black College and University Climate Change Consortium
Climate Action

Sub-Committee Chairs

Sub-Committee Members

  • Barbara Buffaloe  –  Urban Sustainability Directors Network
  • Kevin Ellett  –  Indiana University
  • Amy Fredregill  –  Minnesota Sustainable Growth Coalition | Environmental Initiative
  • Demetria Giannisis  –  Northwestern University
  • Kevin Jacobson  –  University of Wisconsin
  • Melissa Kenney  –  University of Minnesota
  • Greg Kozak  –  Northwestern University
  • Missy Nergard  –  University of Wisconsin
  • Claire Santoro  –  Washington University in St. Louis
  • Russ Stark  –  Saint Paul College
  • James Tenner  –  Iowa State University
  • Phil Valko  –  Washington University in St. Louis
  • Catherine Werner  –  City of St. Louis
Outreach & Engagement

Sub-Committee Chairs

Sub-Committee Members

  • Dan Barry  –  American Association for the Advancement of Science
  • Abigail Foerstner  –  Northwestern University
  • Brenda Gonzales  –  University of Wisconsin Madison
  • Maddie Miller  –  University of Minnesota
  • Todd Reubold  –  University of Minnesota
  • Claire Santoro  –  Washington University in St. Louis
  • Cary Shepard  –  Northwestern University
  • Sara Smith  –  College of Menominee Nation Sustainable Development Institute
  • Natalie Tinsen  –  University of Wisconsin
  • Phil Valko  –  Washington University in St. Louis
Student Engagement

Sub-Committee Chair

Student Representatives

  • Lauren Lankenau – Vanderbilt Law School
  • Natalie Tinsen – University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Kevin Jacobson – University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Maddie Miller – University of Minnesota
  • Celine Jennings – University of Minnesota
  • Jennifer Seth – Iowa State University
  • Aline Milach Teixeira – Iowa State University
  • Nathan Erickson – Iowa State University
  • Claire Borgerding – Ohio State University
  • TJ Kirby – Ohio State University
  • Elizabeth Lima – Ohio State University
  • Lauren Simitz – Northwestern University
  • Liliana Sydorenko – Northwestern University
  • Lucy London – Northwestern University
  • Izzy Diagostino – Indiana University
  • Martha McGee – Vanderbilt University
Resources

Sub-Committee Chair

Sub-Committee Members

  • Nathan Erickson  –  Iowa State University
  • Chad Henry  –  Washington University in St. Louis
  • TJ Kirby  –  Ohio State University
  • Anjali Sridharan  –  University of Wisconsin Madison
Marketing & Outreach

Sub-Committee Chair

Sub-Committee Members

  • Nathan Jandl  –  University of Wisconsin Madison
  • Gina Langen  –  Ohio State University
  • Clara Steyer  –  Washington University in St. Louis
  • Aline Teixeira  –  Iowa State University