About Us

Donna is a passionate project manager committed to driving social and environmental change through sustainability. With a strong background in data science, she excels at leading initiatives that make a positive impact. Donna has managed diverse projects at the World Resources Institute, developed strategies for the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and collaborated with the UN on sustainability policies. Her career has taken her from advising on waste management programs in Nepal to the picturesque landscapes of Salzburg.​​

Eric brings over a decade of experience in energy efficiency design and project management, delivering sustainable solutions across the U.S., Latin America, and the Caribbean. Specializing in optimizing HVAC, lighting, and water systems, he has spearheaded energy efficiency projects for municipalities, schools, hospitals, and commercial facilities. He has helped these institutions significantly reduce energy consumption, while enhancing performance and cost-effectiveness. Eric’s approach to energy conservation goes beyond technical fixes, creating lasting, scalable improvements that benefit both the environment and the communities he serves. Throughout his career, Eric has managed the entire lifecycle of energy conservation projects, from conducting preliminary assessments to overseeing construction completion. He seamlessly manages contractors and provides expert engineering support during site audits, construction bids, walk-throughs, and project development. Eric’s leadership in energy audits has shaped the priorities of his clients, guiding them toward the most impactful conservation measures. He also conducts comprehensive measurement and verification reviews to ensure that the implemented solutions deliver on expected savings.

Commissioner Erniko Brown is the Founder and CEO of Organized Uplifting Resources & Strategies (OURS), an environmental organization based in McCormick, South Carolina, dedicated to advancing community-driven, evidence-based environmental justice in rural, historically marginalized communities. Her work focuses on addressing urgent challenges, such as poor air and water quality, food insecurity, and housing disparities, while fostering sustainable, long-term solutions that uplift and empower the communities she serves. As the Environmental Justice & Disaster Management Executive Chair for the South Carolina NAACP State Conference, Commissioner Brown plays a pivotal role in leading statewide efforts to ensure equitable access to environmental resources and enhance disaster preparedness for vulnerable populations. Her leadership is critical in shaping policies that prioritize marginalized communities disproportionately affected by environmental injustices.

Jason Brooks is a clinical psychologist committed to expanding access to mental health care and improving outcomes for diverse, underserved communities. With extensive experience in various settings, Dr. Brooks has supported families and children facing significant challenges. Currently, Jason applies his expertise in trauma-informed care to support Veterans and their families, fostering resilience and promoting mental wellness. Looking ahead, he is eager to use his expertise to assist people in the intersection of mental health, environmental and energy justice, and the impacts of climate change. Through his compassionate and accessible approach, he continues to build pathways to mental wellness and advocate for those most in need.

Nikki Weiss is a biocultural anthropologist specializing in mixed methods research who currently serves the Center for Public Health Systems at the University of Minnesota. She completed her undergraduate education in biology at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and she earned her master’s and doctorate in anthropology from Ohio State University. Before arriving at CPHS, Nikki worked for the Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health – Great Lakes Hub, as well as for the CDC Foundation. Her research interests include health equity and making health care accessible and attainable for all.

As the founder of GridEquity, Robert Gudea is deeply committed to advancing community-driven, evidence-based energy and environmental justice. His work centers on understanding and prioritizing the expressed needs of the communities served, ensuring that initiatives effectively address the immediate challenges faced by those most impacted by climate change. While many communities are eager to explore clean, renewable energy solutions, they often confront pressing issues such as poor air and water quality, toxic runoff, noise pollution, and flooding. Robert strives to address these urgent concerns while facilitating pathways to renewable energy, creating a framework where both community needs and sustainable solutions can thrive together. In his work, Robert confronts the issues of greenwashing and astroturfing within the energy sector. These tactics are particularly evident in discussions surrounding biomass, biofuels, wood pellets, carbon credits, and carbon sequestration, where misleading marketing practices exaggerate environmental benefits. Greenwashing can portray these energy sources as sustainable despite their potential to contribute to pollution and deforestation. Meanwhile, astroturfing creates a false sense of grassroots support, obscuring the true impact of these technologies and undermining genuine efforts toward sustainability. By addressing these challenges, Robert aims to ensure that the ongoing energy transition is transparent, equitable, and genuinely beneficial to communities.

Virginia Sanders is a former National Sierra Club Organizer who worked in the Richland and Marion Counties of South Carolina. Her work to further environmental justice includes fighting for her community’s right to access clean water. Virginia and the Sierra Club were instrumental in stopping developers in 1999 who had purchased land near the Congaree River to build a gated community in the floodplain. She knew that if they succeeded, they would divert flooding waters into a low-income Black community in Lower Richmond. With help from the Sierra Club, Virginia rallied volunteers to educate the community and fight the development, and they won. Virginia's tireless efforts continued in 2018 when a uranium and acid leak from a Westinghouse nuclear facility, located five miles from her home, posed a threat to the community's water source. Additionally, Virginia has organized bus riders in the city of Columbia to advocate for improvements to transit services and investments in walking and biking infrastructure. She serves on the Richland County conservation commission as well, all in an effort to improve the quality of life for the people of Richland and Marion Counties.