Board Members
Communications
Membership
Professional Development
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Archivist
Kristyn Abhold; Membership
Kristyn hails from the golden state of California where she grew up in the bountiful Central Valley, studied in the majestic redwoods of the central Californian coast, and developed a passion for environmental issues. She came to Washington, DC in 2009 for a short three month internship and decided to stay to pursue her dream in helping move this nation towards a more holistic and sustainable future. She currently works as a Vice President for the Clean Water America Alliance.
Kristyn graduated Suma Cum Laude from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a B.A. in both Environmental Studies and Economics. She has had the opportunity to work for a number of wonderful people and organizations in her career, some of which include the Environmental Council of the States and the National Association of Clean Water Agencies. Kristyn enjoys traveling, reading, art, and has recently fallen in love with water sports such as rafting and dragon boat racing.
Jen Croft; Professional Development
As the former co-leader of the DC Green Economy group, Jen is keen to explore the nexus of economic, environmental and social issues. She is particularly interested in how market-based mechanisms can be leveraged to conserve species habitat and improve local people’s lives.
Jen is currently the manager of public policy and communications at the Jane Goodall Institute. Having participated in DC EcoWomen events since 2007, Jen is consistently inspired by the work conducted by the organization’s members and speakers. Other interests include music, the most trusted names in fake news, horseback riding and cattle wrangling.
Stacey Detwiler; Communications
Stacey works at American Rivers where she advocates for federal clean water policy that promotes green infrastructure and reduces sewage spills and polluted runoff. She has also worked for the Pew Environment Group on their fisheries campaigns, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council on stormwater management, and her college’s Arboretum where she spent many hot summer days tagging trees. She graduated from Connecticut College with a degree in Environmental Policy.
Outside of work, Stacey likes hiking and dancing (although generally not together) and volunteers at a yoga studio. She recently started playing guitar and rock climbing and whitewater kayaking are next on the list. She’s enjoyed participating in Eco Women events over her year and a half in DC and is excited to become more involved as a Board Member.
Nicole Dvorak, Programs
Nicole hails from the great state of Tennessee and treasures the time she spent as a Girl Scout, hiking, spelunking, repelling, canoeing and overall adventuring. She started college as a zoology major but then, after taking a class in international sustainable development, shifted to a B.S. in Environmental Studies, focusing on both environmental policy and science. After working for a sustainable business (which she loved), a candidate campaign in Cincinnati, and as a Fellow for the Alliance for Climate Protection in California, Nicole has found herself in DC working for one of the coolest renewable energy companies in the country, Clean Currents.
As a new member of the board, Nicole is ecstatic to be a part of DC Eco Women and loves the nexus of environmentalism, empowering women, and helping others cultivate the gifts that they have to be the happiest that they can be. She finds the talent and humor of the other board members to be not only inspirational but truly delightful.
When not working or trying to spend as much time exploring as she can, Nicole tries to keep it simple by enjoying chocolate cake on a regular basis, telling as many corny jokes as humanly possible, and trying to keep her oak tree sapling, Steve, alive and well (Current Steve Status: Good!)
Catherine Fahey; VP of Communications
Catherine joined DC EcoWomen looking to dust off her design skills and meet eco-savvy people in a new city. Four years later, she manages the communications and marketing needs for the organization, and enjoys every minute of it. Originally from Colorado, Catherine is an environmental and communications guru during the day, a computer buff by night (an avid Apple geek) and an aspiring athlete by trade (just ran her first marathon in Denver, CO).
Catherine is employed by SRA International and works as an onsite Energy Analyst at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Geothermal Technologies Program. She has a Master’s degree in Global Finance, Trade and Economic Integration from the University of Denver, and a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Kenley Farmer; Membership
Kenley Farmer is an attorney with Kellogg, Huber, Hansen, Todd, Evans & Figel. During her past four years with the firm she has worked on energy, securities, and pharmaceutical litigation. Prior to working at KHHTEF, Kenley clerked for the S.C. Senate Judiciary Committee.
Kenley was born and raised in South Carolina. She received a Bachelor of Arts in history from Furman University, a J.D. from the University of South Carolina and is currently working on a Masters in Environmental Policy and Science at Johns Hopkins University. An active member of the Columbia Heights community, Kenley enjoys cooking, reading and traveling.
Danielle Gagne; Professional Development
After surviving law school and the bar exam, Danielle moved to DC to pursue a career in environmental advocacy work. After internships and fellowships at NRDC and the Sierra Club, Danielle took a position working as a legal consultant for the Sierra Club. She is still pursuing advocacy roles. In addition to holding a law degree from the University of Pittsburgh, Danielle is a graduate of Penn State University, earning degrees in Geography and International Politics.
When not reading the Clean Air Act, Danielle likes to cook, hike, and hang out with friends. She makes sure to go to at least one Penn State football game a year, thus, she has a love of college football and Joe Paterno. She also has an addiction for pretzel chips and edamame hummus, and pretends to like running so that she can pretend to work on her fitness.
Jen Howard; Professional Development
Jennifer’s roots are southern having grown up in South Carolina before crossing the country twice for school and work. She first fell in love with wildlife conservation after watching King Kong and finding herself rooting for the giant ape. That love was fostered over the years through volunteering at animal shelters and working for an equine veterinarian. She also traveled to South Africa where she camped in the bush for a month and learned how to be a wildlife tracker.
Jennifer graduated from Clemson University with a B.S. in Animal Science then went on to complete her Ph.D. in Reproductive Physiology from Texas A&M University. Following completion of graduate school she was selected to be the Heller Research Fellow for the Endocrinology Department at the San Diego Zoo’s Institute for Conservation Research where she worked on developing pregnancy tests for African elephants. Currently her postdoctoral research at the University of Maryland focuses on environmental contaminants and their effect on aquatic wildlife reproduction. Starting in the fall she will begin work as an AAAS Fellow at NOAA in their National Marine Fisheries Service department. When not in the lab Jennifer enjoys hiking, kayaking, walking around the zoo, and spending time with family and friends.
Vesper Hubbard; Communications
Growing up close to the Shenandoah and Roanoke River Valley, Vesper has always had a healthy appreciation for the spending time outdoors and a fascination with nature. This has continued into her adult years and she has found a number of great outdoor activities in the DC area such hiking the Billy Goat Trail, kayaking along the Potomac and biking various trails in Arlington/Alexandria.
While earning her bachelors in chemistry from Hollins University she was extensively involved in atmospheric chemistry and biogeochemistry research directed towards climate change. Some of this research was eventually published in Environmental Science and Technology, which was an exciting accomplishment. As much as she loved working in the lab and helping to establish climate change research, she felt there was a disconnect between policy makers and scientists. Currently, she is pursuing an MA in Global Environmental Policy from American University in hopes of helping to overcome this disconnect and to encourage better communication between scientist and policy/law makers.
Vesper is excited to be a part of DC EcoWomen because she believes in women supporting each other to become better leaders and to be key players in the field of environmentalism. She looks forward to growing and learning with the organization, becoming better involved in the community and gaining more knowledge on living green.
Amanda Keledjian; Communications
Amanda grew up in sunny southern California and fell in love with the ocean at a young age. While an undergraduate at Grinnell College, Amanda spent time studying off campus in the tropical rainforests of Costa Rica and in the beautiful estuaries of Woods Hole before graduating with BAs in biology and anthropology. Since then, Amanda has earned an M.A. in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, where she studied fisheries management and specialized in California sea lion health and stranding. Some of her other adventures have included working at a marine mammal rescue center and traveling to Antarctica as a research assistant.
Amanda currently works on marine mammal and endangered species policy as a Knauss Fellow in the NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources. Since moving to DC, she has explored the city’s museums, parks, cafes, and farmer’s markets. In her spare time, Amanda works to hone her photography skills, hoping to someday use art and storytelling to teach children about the ocean. As a member of EcoWomen, she enjoys connecting with people who love the great outdoors, broadening her own eco-horizons, and helping others to do the same.
Lina Khan, Membership
Lina Khan is from St. Louis. She went to Truman State University, a small public liberal arts school in Kirksville, MO, for her undergraduate education, and completed degrees in Political Science and Linguistics. In her free time she attended veggie polucks and other events that celebrated good food and sustainable and equitable choices.
She went to the University of Maryland for her Master of Public Policy and started working at the U.S. Government Accountability Office in 2010. In her role as an analyst, she helps develop and write reports in response to Congressional requests for information about agency performance, including the EPA’s management of Chesapeake Bay restoration, and currently the Army’s management of Arlington National Cemetery.
She hopes to eventually work solely in the field of environmental mangement. She decided to join the EcoWomen Board after attending the Teaism events, including the speaker events and the book club, which led her to finally change her diet. She also enjoys meeting fun folks in DC.
Mary Ellen Kustin; VP of Programs
Mary Ellen is a recovering math nerd who went back to school to crank out an MPP in Environmental Policy and an MS in Sustainable Development and Conservation Biology from the University of Maryland. She then spent two wonderful years at the National Wildlife Federation working on many policy issues but focusing mostly on transportation. Mary Ellen is now excited to embark on a new professional chapter as the US Public Lands Associate for the Pew Environment Group. She and her husband Will live in Riverdale, MD with their pooch Luna. Whenever they can, they like to go play outside together.
Jessica Frohman Lubetsky; President
Jess Frohman Lubetsky is the Chair of the Executive Board for DC EcoWomen. She has been involved since nearly the beginning chairing the Communications Committee and acting as the organization’s WebMistress for much of her time with the organization. She is often the person answering EcoWomen member’s frequent questions while responding to our e-mail. She currently works for the Pew Charitable Trust’s Clean Energy Program in the Pew Environment Group as a senior associate leading their industrial energy efficiency and business outreach efforts. Jess has been a volunteer with the Sierra Club and has co-chaired their National Toxics Committee as well as worked professionally for the organization. She has been and occasionally continues to be a blogger and editor for www.begreenminded.com, spreading tidbits about the environment and what you can do to help protect it.
When not trying to single-handedly save the world, Jess likes to garden, bake yummy confections, try new recipes, and hang out with her newfoundland-lab, two cats and similarly eco-minded husband. She is a serious bargain shopper, coupon clipper and, a relatively recent roller coaster convert!
Ashley Netherton; Programs
Ashley is a native of eastern Kentucky, where she grew up in a small town in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. With the Daniel Boone National Forest literally at her doorstep, she was instilled with a love for the outdoors from an early age. Ashley completed her BA in Biology and French at Hanover College in Indiana, later going on to pursue an MS in Biological Sciences from the University of Kentucky and an MPA from Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) in Environmental Policy and Natural Resource Management.
Between her two stints in graduate school, she served as an agroforestry volunteer with the Peace Corps in eastern Senegal. Ashley has also worked on forest issues in the Congo Basin with USAID’s Central African Regional Program for the Environment (CARPE) and in Lebanon with the US Forest Service.
Ashley moved to the DC area two years ago and currently works as a contractor doing budget analysis for the General Services Administration (GSA), though her true passions are forest conservation and international development. Ashley is addicted to international travel, having visited 24 different countries at last count, and enjoys riding her bike, practicing her French conversation skills, and generally trying new things.
Katrina Phillips; Programs
Katrina became a scientist at an early age, catching tadpoles and fireflies in her backyard in upstate South Carolina. Her focus shifted seaward after several family trips to the coast, and she earned a B.S. in Marine Science from the University of South Carolina with a semester abroad in Ourimbah, Australia. Not ready to spend a majority of her time indoors, Katrina went on to monitor sea turtle nesting on a barrier island in South Carolina and became a shipboard scientist/educator for the Sea Education Association’s SEA Semester program. She then moved to Miami to study loggerhead sea turtles for her M.S. in Marine Affairs and Policy at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.
Currently, Katrina is a Knauss Fellow in communications for NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research. She is adjusting to office life, and enjoys the challenge of “translating” science into English. She was drawn to DC EcoWomen by the diversity of environmental expertise represented by the membership and looks forward to learning more.
Cecelia Pizano; Archivist
Cecelia, a native to Texas, took an interest in the environment when she was a Girl Scout and took on a community project for recycling that opened her eyes to the issues. It has since been a practice and passion in her life to live green. Today, she works in healthcare as a Speech Language Pathologist. Rehabilitation is fascinating and rewarding but EcoWomen is her outlet for fulfilling that other calling for contributing to a greener and more sustainable society.
She thrives on the surrounding herself with other like-minded women who never cease to impress with their motivation, intelligence and hard-work in the balance of life. When she is not busy with work and EcoWomen, you can find Cecelia out on the trails, on a yoga mat, in meditation posture, or simply planning the next big adventure.
Christina Sorrento; VP of Professional Development
Christina Sorrento is originally from Buffalo New York and moved to the DC area in 2004, which essentially makes her a native to the area. She is a land use attorney for the Maryland-National Captial Park and Planning Commission who has a keen interest in the environment. She attended the University of Buffalo School of Law and received her undergraduate degree in History from SUNY Geneseo. Christina has been on the Executive Board for DC EcoWomen since 2007 and currently serves as the Events Chair.
Prior to her current role, she served as the Speaker Coordinator for 2 and 1/2 years. Working to empower women in the environmental field and meeting all of the wonderful women involved with DC EcoWomen has been a highlight of her DC experience. She strives to continuously increase her involvement in activities that have a positive influence on the environment.
Amanda Stone; Programs
Amanda is just another film nerd meets tree/animal hugger trying to help this rockin’ rock of ours be a better place. After a successful career in television (thank goodness that’s over) she got her masters in Environmental Policy & Communication and Cute Endangered Species and moved to the D of C where she now works happily with the National Wildlife Federation.
After running the DC Ecowomen book club, she’s thrilled to join the board and welcome new eco-minded ladies to this fair city. With her newly found work/life balance she’s getting back to her yoga mat, going for longer bike rides, reading more books on the porch, and baking treats for whomever will eat them, all while surreptitiously plotting to ‘borrow’ dogs from the dog park.
Carolyn Szczepanski; VP of Membership
Spending several years of her youth in Switzerland, Carolyn grew up hiking the Alps, exploring the woods and riding her bike for transportation. That love of the outdoors was paired with a sense of global interconnectedness as she attended an international school where her friends hailed from countries around the world. Inspired by her experiences abroad, Carolyn majored in journalism and environmental studies at the University of Missouri (with a stint studying ecology in Australia), and, after graduation, worked as a reporter for several alternative newsweeklies, most recently in Kansas City. She crossed over into the nonprofit world when she moved to DC in May 2010 to take a communications position at the Alliance for Biking & Walking. When not dabbling in freelance writing, Carolyn spends her free time riding her bicycle, practicing yoga and cooking vegan meals.
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