Leadership
DC EcoWomen is an exclusively volunteer-run organization. We are who we are today thanks to our board members and the help of all the volunteers beyond our board. Learn more about the various committees that make up DC EcoWomen and our fantastic volunteer leaders.
DC EcoWomen Board
President
Alexandria Kroger, President
Treasurer
Julia Saffer-D'Anna
Communications Committee
Melanie De Cola, Vice President
Professional Development
Committee
Rachel Fry, Vice President
Programs Committee
Roshani Kothari, Vice President
Adriana Bryant
Emily Prettyman
Community Outreach Committee
President
Alexandra Kroger
President
Alexandra Kroger is currently a Senior Financial Analyst at the Work Dynamics practice of JLL. In her role she supports the portfolio management of the Loans Programs Office of the US Department of Energy. Previously she served as the Energy Program Director of The Energy Co-op, the only nonprofit cooperative supplier of renewable energy in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She directed the management and strategy of renewable electricity and renewable natural gas sales to residents and small businesses while also helping to build new partnerships to meet the sustainable energy needs of the Philadelphia region.
Clean energy and environmental issues have been the focus of Alexandra's entire career and academic training. Prior to her current position, she performed budget analysis in New York for the recycling and organic waste collection programs of the sanitation department at the New York City Office of Management and Budget, and she performed policy analysis for the New York City Parks Department.
But her environmental career path actually got its start in Washington DC - after finishing her undergraduate degree in environmental studies and political science at the University of Pennsylvania, she worked on clean energy policy education and advocacy at the Center for American Progress. From there, armed with specific knowledge of solar energy policy, Alexandra went on to develop policy strategy and project development at then-startup solar project developer Distributed Sun. She solidified her commitment to environmental stewardship with an environmental policy focus in her Master's of Public Policy from the University of Maryland (and she remains a proud Terp to this day).
Treasurer
Julia Saffer-D'Anna
Treasurer
Bio to come.
Communications
Melanie De Cola
Vice President,
Communications
Melanie has been working in the field of architecture for more than a decade specializing in data visualization, graphic design, research, and marketing. She's a proponent of high-performance design and completed her master's thesis on biomimicry and the influence of nature on modern design innovations. Currently she helps firms discover, apply, and share research occurring across the field of architecture as part of the research team at the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Previously she has worked for both a local DC architecture firm, Hickok Cole, and a multinational firm, Gensler, but got her start pitching in at Dwell Magazine and the non-profit Architecture for Humanity in San Francisco. Melanie is a LEED Green Associate, a former US DOE Solar Decathlon judge and a member of the DMV Net Zero Energy Coalition. She loves to kayak, hike, camp and visit all the local beaches in the Delmarva area.
Maheen Ahmad
Communications
Maheen grew up in Miami, FL and is a sustainability enthusiast. She graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and from The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies with a Master’s degree in International Relations. Following grad school, Maheen served as a researcher for private-sector clients at FP Analytics and Hanover Research, and then as a Program Manager at the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE). When she is not working, Maheen enjoys taking walks in nature, learning about composting, and baking bread.
Ambika Chawla
Communications
Ambika is a cities and climate change professional with experience collaborating with UN-Habitat, research institutes, and non-governmental organizations. Ambika is a key contributor to the UN’s analysis on urban development and climate change for Vietnam and she has contributed to policy reports which have been published by UN-Habitat, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Global Green Growth Fund, and the One Earth Future Foundation. She is also the project coordinator for the book “State of the World 2009: Into a Warming World,” published by the Worldwatch Institute. The book is an important reference guide on climate change and has been translated into 25 languages. She holds a master’s degree in environmental law from Sturm College of Law, the University of Denver. Ambika enjoys reading, hiking, cooking, and exploring new places. You can find Ambika on Linkedin and you can find her articles and reports at her website: www.urbanclimateinnovations.org.
Cory Deal
Programs
Born and raised on a barrier island in Florida, Cory Deal spent her childhood kayaking, fishing, and exploring the natural wonders of her home state. After years of witnessing habitat decline in her treasured waterways, Deal started a career in conservation. Now, she serves as a marketing and development consultant while pursuing her MBA. A DC resident for ~5 years, she enjoys hiking and camping throughout the Virginia and Maryland area with her dog Erwin.
Sara Thornton
Communications
Sara Thornton, a Raleigh, NC native, graduated from NC State University with a Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering with a concentration in Renewable Electric Energy Systems and a minor in Environmental Science. During her time at NC State, she served as a Research Assistant for the NC Clean Energy Technology Center where she led renewable energy feasibility studies and researched state renewable energy policies. Since graduating, she has moved to Washington DC to work as a Power Systems Engineer for Eaton Corporation to develop her technical and project management skills. Her long-term goal is to continue to seek opportunities to combine her passions of engineering and sustainability in creative ways. In her free time, Sara likes reading, running outside, and exploring new food spots in and around DC. Sara welcomes new connections on LinkedIn.
Nicole West
Communications
Nicole is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon with a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering. She has spent 15+ years developing visual effects pipelines in the film and television industry, leading technical innovations behind the scenes. Now, she is transitioning into GHG accounting, leveraging her technical expertise to address climate change. In parallel, Nicole is passionate about using her background in storytelling to educate and inspire the public, enabling individuals to make impactful choices for a more sustainable future.
Professional Development
Rachel Fry
Vice President,
Professional
Development
Rachel is a Career Fulfillment Coach based in Washington DC. She has her coaching practice, Free To Flourish, where she helps people who want fulfilling careers align their next steps with their strengths and purpose. She is an accredited coach with the International Coaching Federation and has her master’s in Positive Psychology Coaching as well as training in yoga and mindfulness. She has a working background in the environmental, ocean conservation, and sustainability field with a bachelor’s in Environmental Science. Rachel has coached and taught in Southeast Asia and worked at a sustainability semester school in The Bahamas where she also taught freediving and SCUBA diving to students. She is passionate about environmental and social impact issues as well as addressing gender equity in today’s world. In her free time she likes to play soccer, be outside, explore in the city, and travel outside the U.S. when she can. You can connect with her on LinkedIn.
Andrea Ferri
Professional
Development
Andrea is on the Strategic Finance and Investing teams at Blue Forest, a conservation finance nonprofit focused on accelerating forest restoration. In this role, she leads loan related activity and provides financial management to projects. Previously, she worked at The Conservation Fund managing the Conservation Loans program primarily lending to land trusts across the country to acquire conservation real estate. She holds an M.S. in Environmental Science and Policy from George Mason University and a B.A. in Environmental Studies at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville.
A DC area native, Andrea grew to love the outdoors by exploring urban parks and observing the human impact on the natural environment. She continues to love spending time in DC parks with her husband, son, and two rescue pit mixes. She welcomes new connections on LinkedIn.
Bria Jamison
Professional
Development
Bria Jamison is a fellow placed in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) working on issues related to the water-energy nexus. Her portfolio includes decarbonization of water and wastewater treatment sectors, industrial water savings, and environmental and energy justice. Prior to joining the DOE, she worked in environmental consulting, focusing on contaminated sites and emerging contaminants.
She has pursued women-empowering work through organizations like the Society of Women Engineers. Bria has advanced diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives during her time in university recruitment and admission, consulting, and now the DOE. Proud of her central California roots, hailing from oil and farm country, she continues to search for equitable climate solutions that bridge the gap between communities across the U.S. In her free time, she loves to practice yoga, mix (and drink) cocktails, and sew.
Bria holds a bachelor's in environmental engineering and a master's in green technologies engineering from the University of Southern California (USC).
Liza Khmara
Professional
Development
Liza is an interdisciplinary social scientist and policy analyst working to advance biodiversity conservation efforts that promote sustainable development and equity. Her prior experience includes serving as a legislative fellow on issues such as public lands, science, and animal rights, and as a research analyst at a non-governmental organization conducting ecosystem service valuations and policy analyses. Currently, her work is focused on how nature-based solutions can address climate change and other societal challenges. Liza holds a B.A. in Geography and Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of Miami, where she studied the economics and governance of protected areas. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
Programs
Roshani Kothari
Vice President,
Programs
Roshani Kothari is a digital strategist, influencer and connector with extensive experience working with nonprofits and technology companies that focus on nonprofits. She is passionate about using technology for social change. She has helped companies and organizations create and implement effective advocacy, communications, fundraising, community, and technology strategies. She has traveled extensively in Africa, Asia and Latin America. She worked as a Peace Corps Intern in Thailand and a Catholic Relief Services Fellow in El Salvador, and studied abroad in Bolivia. She has a MA in International Development from George Washington University and a BA in International Studies and Communications from Trinity University in San Antonio. She received a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship, which she applied to a Grassroots Development and NGO Management certificate program in Zimbabwe through the School for International Training. In addition to her technology and international experience, she is passionate about environmental issues, gardening and cooking. She is also an avid photographer who has done photo exhibits on Bolivia, Cuba, El Salvador, Israel, South Africa, Washington, DC, Zanzibar and more. She is a recipient of the DC Commission for Arts and Humanities Small Projects grant. Her work was included in the Our City, Ourselves: Women Photograph Washington exhibit in 2021. You can connect with her on LinkedIn.
Adriana Bryant
Programs
Adriana is a Ph.D. student at the University of Maryland at College Park. She is pursuing her degree in Civil Engineering and is working at the intersection of the built environment and climate. Her previous work has looked at the impact of federal disaster aid on socially vulnerable populations. Currently she works for the Center for Global Sustainability and conducts climate policy modeling at the U.S. national and sub-national levels. In her free time she enjoys reading at local coffee shops, going on runs, and taking care of her 40+ house plants!
She is always looking to connect with like minded women in the DMV and can be contacted via LinkedIn!
Emily Prettyman
Programs
Emily leads marketing and contributes to project management, writing, and client services as an Account Manager at Redwood Climate Communications. Before joining Redwood, Emily most recently worked in project management with the Black Women’s Health Imperative focusing on their Rare Disease Diversity Coalition and building out their climate portfolio. Prior to moving to Washington, D.C. Emily Spent 4 years working in Alaska’s tourism industry.
In Alaska, showing visitors the state’s natural beauty reminded Emily that she wanted to do more to protect the planet. That led her to pursue her master’s degree in Sustainability Management from American University. While in school, she consulted with organizations such as the World Resources Institute on communications strategy. She is originally from the Gulf Coast of Florida, which inspired her love of the ocean. She earned Dual Bachelor’s degrees in Communications and Hospitality from Florida State University.
When not working (or sometimes with her laptop when working) Emily can be found outside. She is always ready for an outdoor adventure especially if it involves hiking, SCUBA Diving, or Kayaking. You can connect with her on LinkedIn.
Community Outreach
Nicole Dorrell
Community Outreach
Hailing from Great Britain, Nicole has accumulated international research, project, and program management experience, working on the successful planning and implementation of programs with a scientific or technical focus that do good for people and planet across Europe and the USA. She has experience working for the United Nations Environment Programme, the American Geophysical Union, a renewable energy public NASDAQ corporation, an international sustainability consultancy and now works for a Congress authorized public health funder. Nicole is passionate about nature, wildlife, culture and art, and always seeks opportunities to network with like-minded individuals. Nicole warmly welcomes any passionate women working in sustainability to reach out to her on LinkedIn to share ideas or grab a coffee.
Bio to come.
Eva Estrada
Community Outreach
Sydney Rodman
Programs
Sydney Rodman is the founder of Green Revival, a company that is using invasive plant waste for applications in the bioeconomy. Sydney worked at the startups Vertical Field in Israel and Repair the Sea in Florida. After graduating from Rice with a degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology in 2023, Sydney is excited for the future of nature restoration meets business. Connect with her on LinkedIn.