Leadership
DC EcoWomen is an exclusively volunteer-run organization. We are who we are today thanks to our Executive Board members and the help of volunteers beyond our Board. Learn about the committees that make DC EcoWomen a well-oiled machine and the rock-star women who run them.
DC EcoWomen Board
President
Artisha Naidu, Acting President
Treasurer
Alexandra Kroger, Acting Treasurer
Communications Committee
Melanie De Cola, Vice President
Ambika Chawla
Sydney O'Shaughnessy
Professional Development
Committee
Alexandra Kroger, Vice President
Artisha Naidu
Acting President
Artisha Naidu is a Government and Public Sector Consultant with Deloitte LLC. She has an extensive background in energy, environmental sustainability, international development, and urban policy. She holds a Masters of Public Administration from the George Washington University and a Bachelor’s of Science in Community and Regional Development from UC Davis.
Alexandra Kroger
Acting Treasurer
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. 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.
Clara Fang
Community Outreach
Clara Fang grew up in the DC area and has been a climate advocate for twenty years. She is currently deputy director of partnerships at Yale Program for Climate Change Communication. Prior to that she was senior fellow at Citizens' Climate International and student engagement director at Citizens' Climate Lobby. In addition to climate advocacy, she is working on a PhD on equity and inclusion in the climate movement at Antioch University and helping environmental organizations advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging through consulting.
Clara serves on the Board of Directors of the Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, is a member of the Switzer Network, and Green Leadership Trust. She holds a BA in English from Smith College and a Master of Environmental Management from Yale University. She lives in Germantown, Maryland with her partner and their cat and dog. Her websites are climatediversity.org and residenceonearth.net (blog).
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.
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Sydney O'Shaughnessy
Communications
Sydney is an experienced environmental communicator who has built her career around amplifying climate change solutions occurring in communities, companies, and governments across the United States. Currently, she is a Communications Specialist for the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, where she focuses on enhancing the communications strategy deployed by the organization’s climate and environment division. She holds a B.A. in Journalism and a B.S. in Environmental Science from Ithaca College and is finishing up her M.A. in Media and Strategic Communication from GWU. In her free time, she enjoys going on hikes with her husband and pup, crocheting, and reading! Connect with her on LinkedIn!
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.
Alexandra Kroger
Vice President,
Professional
Development
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).
Rachel Fry
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 Linked-In.
Nicole Johnson
Professional
Development
Nicole Johnson, PE is an environmental engineer for the federal government working in
the world of environmental compliance and sustainability. She currently leads the air
quality compliance program, along with the training program for all of the Marine Corps
installations. Through her experiences over the last 20 plus years, she has gained a depth
of expertise in designing, compliance, and auditing programs across the various sectors in
the environmental field.
Before moving to the Washington DC Metro area, she received her master’s and
bachelor’s degree from Clemson University in Biosystems Engineering.
In her free time, you can find Nicole exploring the DC food scene, playing tennis, or
exploring the town with her French bulldog, Oreo. Although Nicole is originally from
South Carolina, she enjoys being in the city and all diversity and education it has to offer.
Nicole welcomes connections on LinkedIn.
Artisha Naidu
Vice President,
Programs
Artisha Naidu is a Government and Public Sector Consultant with Deloitte LLC. She has an extensive background in energy, environmental sustainability, international development, and urban policy. She holds a Masters of Public Administration from the George Washington University and a Bachelor’s of Science in Community and Regional Development from UC Davis.
Janine Berger
Programs
Janine Berger is a sustainable development professional with expertise in environmental and social impact assessment; ESG strategy, reporting and disclosure; and carbon accounting. She currently advises international supply chain and waste management projects as the environmental compliance and climate risk management lead for Chemonics International's Health and Supply Chain business line. Previously, she worked at The Cadmus Group supporting USAID clients on environmental and climate policy capacity building and implementation. Janine has a deep appreciation for urban planning and sustainable design in the built environment as she began her career at Casey Trees where she focused on urban forestry/green infrastructure design and advocacy. She approaches her work through a local/global, equity, and science-based lens. Janine holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies (environmental sustainability and global health specialization) from American University. In her free time, Janine loves to connect with nature by tending to her community garden plot, unwind with a good book, and spend time with family and friends near and far. Connect with her on LinkedIn or via email at janineberger2@gmail.com
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!
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.
Roshani Kothari
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.
Nikhitha Ladegoan
Programs
A native Indian, Nikhitha fell in love with nonprofits when she was in college. Inspired while working on a disaster recovery assignment, Nikhitha developed a deep passion for charitable work. This resolve stuck with her through college, leading her to Ace her Assignment during the course of her program. Over 6 years later, Nikhitha provides support to our DC Eco Women team and is happy spending her days keeping Washington DC an amazing place to live, one program at a time.
Olive Swan
Programs
As an Idaho native, Olive grew up surrounded by nature and spent most of her time outdoors hiking, biking and rafting. Olive relocated to DC in 2021 after graduating from the University of Idaho with a degree in International Relations and French. She is currently a Program Associate at Bixal, which is a global consulting organization that is dedicated to improving people’s lives. In her free time, Olive enjoys reading, going to the gym and searching for the best croissant in DC (so far A Baked Joint had come out victorious).
Emily White
Vice President,
Community Outreach
Emily, a native Californian, embarked on a cross-country journey to the heart of Washington, D.C. for her undergraduate studies at American University. At American, she pursued a diverse academic path, combining Business, Language, and Culture with a specific focus on mastering the Spanish language. Today, Emily has found her niche as an Energy and Sustainability Specialist at ICF, where she dedicates her time and expertise to energy efficiency programs. Her overarching goal is to seamlessly merge her two great passions: business and sustainability. Her aspiration is to demonstrate the "business case" for sustainability, making it the preferred approach in corporate decision-making.
In her free time, you can find Emily exploring her favorite dining spots in the city, sharing memorable moments with friends over delicious meals, trying new workout class in the city, or chef-ing it up with her beloved collection of cookbooks.
She loves to connect over virtual or in-person coffee chats - you can find her on Linkedin!
bio to come
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.
Eva Estrada
Community Outreach