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Connecting Communities for Eco Action and a Thriving Planet
Our Amazing Managers, Core Team, and Intern Volunteers Who Are Powering the Movement:
"What inspired you to get into sustainability/environmental/climate work?"
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Hadassah Reign-Region
External Programs Director
Washington, DC
"Growing up in an urban environment where pollution, waste, and inequality were daily realities, I realized early on that sustainability isn’t just about the planet—it’s about people, justice, and creating systems that care for both. That awareness ignited a lifelong mission in me to fight for environmental equity and systemic change.
I’ve led zero waste initiatives at the Pentagon, launched composting programs that serve thousands, and managed complex waste portfolios across schools, businesses, and federal agencies—not just because I love logistics, but because every diverted ton, every educated resident, and every policy change gets us one step closer to a more sustainable, more compassionate world.
This work is personal. It’s purposeful. And it’s powerful."
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Devon Bernard
Program Director
Atlanta, GA
My passion for sustainability really started long before my career. I grew up in a Caribbean household where being resourceful and efficient was simply how we lived. My grandmother taught us to compost, reuse things, and be mindful with what we had, and that shaped the way I think about both people and systems.
My first real experience working in sustainability was at EcoServe, where I managed environmental performance across multiple facilities. That role confirmed for me that sustainability was something I wanted to build a career around.
At the same time, I was working at Uber, and when they offered the opportunity to earn my degree through their education program, I took it. I used that chance to fully transition into the sustainability space by completing my bachelor’s in sustainability at Arizona State University.
After that, I joined ICF, where I worked on large-scale energy-efficiency programs for major utilities. That role really helped me develop the technical and strategic side of sustainability, things like ISO alignment, program design, emissions tracking, and cross-functional collaboration.
All of that brings me here today. I genuinely appreciate how Go Green approaches sustainability, building it directly into operations rather than treating it as an add-on. That’s the type of work and mindset I want to contribute to.
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Deepika Kuntumalla
HR Coordination
Salt Lake City, UT
I was inspired to get involved in sustainability because I believe small, consistent actions can create meaningful change. Volunteering allows me to align my values with action, support healthier communities, and contribute to a more sustainable future.
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Arushi Malik
Environmental Law & Community Engagement Associate
New York, NY
My interest in environmental and climate work was sparked by the understanding that sustainability is as much about people as it is about the planet. Watching how environmental challenges disproportionately affect certain communities pushed me to get involved in solutions that support equity, resilience, and long-term well-being. I’m motivated by the idea that local initiatives can create ripple effects of positive change, and I want to be part of a community that works together to build a more sustainable future for everyone.
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Brenna Kennedy
Operation Coordinator Intern
Seattle, WA
From a young age, I’ve felt a strong connection to the environment. Watching David Attenborough documentaries with my parents gave me an early appreciation for the natural world and a sense of responsibility to protect it. Later, through my dad’s work overseas, I was introduced to ESG and came to understand how economics and sustainability are intertwined. This perspective inspired me to pursue a degree in Business and Sustainability at Western Washington University. Having recently graduated, I’m excited to take the next step in my journey and contribute to meaningful work in the sustainability space. I was particularly drawn to this organization because of its commitment to both the environment and bring people together, and I’m eager to be part of advancing that mission.
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Mardet Mulugeta
Community Engagement Intern
Washington, DC
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Simran Ravindra
Sr Sustainability Core Volunteer
Boston, MA
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Kyleigh Lasseter
Community Engagement Intern
Flagstaff, AZ
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Megan Li
Community Engagement Intern
Coppell, TX
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Jenny Nichols
Executive Director/Founder
Reno, NV
"It started with my mom teaching me to read ingredients when I was young, which sparked a lifelong awareness of how our choices affect health and the planet. As a young mom myself, I became concerned about pollution, GMOs, and toxic systems harming families and the environment. I turned to organic food, gardening, upcycling design, and permaculture. Later, I saw a need to connect people with local resources and eco-initiatives. That’s why my husband and I founded GoGreenLocally—to help individuals take meaningful action in their communities and support those working to protect our shared future."
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Nomusa Mguni
My journey into sustainability was shaped by my work in water resources management in Africa, where I saw firsthand how environmental practices, and lately, climate change, directly affect community health. Experiences ranging from rural pest control to tragic pollution incidents deepened my commitment to protecting people and ecosystems. This inspired me to co-found a community health and environmental initiative that is still functioning today back home and continues to drive my passion for data-driven, practical solutions. I am excited to bring this global perspective and collaborative spirit to GoGreenLocally's mission.
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Lakshmi Satya Sowdamini Ponnada
I feel like environmental issues are largely overlooked across the world. Even among my educated friends, sustainability rarely comes up in conversation, and when it does, it often stops at surface-level solutions like planting more trees. I’ve noticed that younger people tend to see climate action as more urgent, while older generations often focus on balancing it with economic or personal concerns. Academic background also shapes perspectives, with some focusing on technical fixes and others on policy or community action. Cultural background plays a role too, but overall I think environmental issues still don’t get the consistent attention they deserve.
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Cynthia Folajimi
Marketing Data Analyst
Connecticut, CT
I am inspired to be involved in sustainability and environmental work because of its direct impact on both local communities and the world at large. Ecological challenges such as climate change, resource depletion, and pollution disproportionately affect communities, particularly vulnerable populations, and addressing these issues requires thoughtful, data-informed, and collective action. I am motivated by the opportunity to contribute to efforts that promote responsible environmental stewardship, strengthen community resilience, and support long-term solutions that benefit current and future generations. Through this work, I hope to support initiatives that create measurable, positive change at both the community and global levels.
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Dalila Zuniga
Marketing Data Analyst Intern
I was inspired to pursue sustainability because you saw how fashion could be both creative and responsible — and realized your skills in content and storytelling could help people choose better, not just more.
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Yuzheng Cai
PR and Media Intern
Boston, MA
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Lain Harold Rufo
Community Engagement Intern
Bellingham, WA
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Avani Dhyani
Community Engagement Intern
Memphis, TN
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Elizabeth Rosas
Sustainability Intern
Dallas, TX
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Juliet Hayes
Eco-Action Challenge PM.
Los Angeles, CA
My involvement in climate work stems from an obligation to use the skills and resources at my disposal to make the air, land, and sea around me a better place. I have a passion for sustainability because I am motivated by a duty to preserve the earth, through involving myself and empowering others to join.
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Bhumika Thakur
Sustainability Impact Coordinator
Seattle, WA
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Kitsana Sudsaneh
Sustainability UX Designer
Chicago, IL
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Jailaiyah Rouse
Community Engagement Intern
Omaha, NE
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Yufan Du
Community Engagement Intern
Durham, NC
Working on sustainability projects for large corporations gave me a big-picture view of climate and environmental challenges—but it also made me realize how easy it is to feel disconnected from the real-world impact of this work. I found myself wanting to contribute to something more local and personal, where I could actually see the changes happening around me. That’s what drew me to GoGreenLocally. I love that the organization focuses on community-based solutions—whether it’s through education, urban farming, or local partnerships. It’s been rewarding to be part of efforts that make sustainability feel real and relevant in people’s everyday lives.
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Karla Cardenas
I got involved in sustainability and climate work because I really care about the world we live in and the communities around me. It’s easy to get caught up in the future and technology, but I think it’s important to protect what we already have and not take it for granted. Being part of this kind of work makes me feel connected to something bigger than myself, and I love being able to contribute to positive change in my community while learning and growing at the same time.
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Bryn Gutwein
Admin and Operations Intern
Denver, CO
Growing up in Indiana, I was surrounded by nature and agriculture, which sparked my awareness of how closely daily lives are connected to the environment. Over time, I saw the impact of pollution and waste practices in my own community motivated me to study environmental studies at CU Boulder. I am passionate about encouraging people to take environmental action locally, in order to make sustainable solutions more accessible. Getting involved with GoGreenLocally felt like a meaningful way to turn that passion into action and help others make changes in their own lives.
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Sophia Dudley
Sustainability Intern
Los Angeles, CA
My love for the outdoors inspired me to consider environmental work. I spent most of my childhood running or hiking on the mountains or beaches of Southern California. I love these places and wanted to protect them. I took AP Environmental Science in high school hoping to learn about new ways to protect natural spaces and reduce my impact on the Earth. I am currently an Environmental Studies major at Sacramento State. I am particularly interested in classes related to conservation and green buildings. This internship is helping me find ways to encourage everyone to live more sustainability and help the Earth. I am still incredibly grateful for every moment I get to spend outside and hope to continue to protect our beautiful, natural spaces.
IT Support:
Alan Nichols
My path of green action is using 40 plus years in media and electronics engineering to back-up the gogreenlocally website and podcasting work. I love to research and share information about solar systems and other local and national green solutions that can help our planet.
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