Staff and Board of Zero Waste Washington

Staff

Suellen Mele, Program Director, has been on Zero Waste Washington’s staff since 2003. Suellen coordinates Zero Waste Washington’s producer responsibility policy work and also provides strategic organizational guidance. She contributed to the development and successful passage of Washington’s landmark electronics and fluorescent lights recycling laws. She is currently collaborating on solutions for responsible disposal of unwanted household medicines. Previously, Suellen worked for over ten years for local governments on recycling and household hazardous waste issues. Suellen earned a Bachelors from Wesleyan University and a Masters in Environmental Studies from the University of Oregon. (Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 206-441-1790)

Eva Dale, Project Manager, joined Zero Waste’s staff in the summer of 2006 as the manager of the Pharmaceuticals Take-Back Project. Prior to joining Zero Waste, she was a researcher under an EPA grant at the University of Washington examining the health effects of air pollution. She has been an advocate for environmental health and social justice for more than 15 years, beginning with creating the first recycling program at her high school while a student there. With other organizations, Eva conducts anti-oppression trainings and provides outreach and education on local environmental justice issues. She has a B.A. in Environmental Studies and Women’s Studies from Antioch College in Ohio and an M.S. in Environmental Health-Toxicology from the University of Washington. (Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 206-441-1791)

Board of Directors

	Julie Fisk is currently the Campus Sustainability Fund Coordinator at the University of Washington focusing on the awarding of grants for student-led projects that help to lessen the campus’s environmental impact. She will graduate with her Master’s in Marine Affairs from the University of Washington this year (2011) and has a B.A. in International Studies from Southern Methodist University. Julie’s graduate thesis deals with resilience in coastal Louisiana communities where the social and biophysical environments are closely linked. She has over eight years of experience in the non-profit sector and nearly two years of experience working for the federal government. Julie is interested in environmental policy and the intersection of social and environmental issues. She joined the board in 2011.
	Nanda Guajardo, Secretary, is currently the Recycling Program Coordinator at the University of Washington focusing on waste reduction programs and proper disposal of wastes for the entire campus. She received her Master’s of Environment & Community from Antioch University Seattle in 2006 and has a B.A. in Environmental Studies and Sociology from Bowdoin College. Nanda’s graduate research included working closely with the Collaborative on Health and the Environment in Washington State (CHE-WA) to identify environmental health and justice information and community needs in the hopes of creating conversations and action. She worked at Cascadia Consulting Group from 2000 to 2006 on the Education & Outreach team, coordinating waste reduction and sustainability efforts for residents and businesses throughout the region. Nanda is a mom who wants to help create healthy communities for all families. She joined the board in 2010.
	Emma Johnson, Chair, is currently the Resource Conservation Manager at the City of Bellevue. This program focuses on implementing energy and water conservation in municipal operations and facilities. She has a Master’s of Public Administration from the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs, University of Washington, with a focus on environmental management. During her Master’s program, she also completed a graduate internship with Seattle Public Utilities in green purchasing, waste prevention, waste-to-product opportunities, and multi-family food waste composting. Emma formally worked with the Washington State Department of Ecology Solid Waste and Financial Assistance Program for six years. Emma’s personal interests are whitewater kayaking, biking, skiing, climbing, or anything that gets her outside. She joined the board in July of 2005.
	Cheri Peele, Vice Chair, works as a Senior Associate at Cascadia Consulting Group on environmental policy issues, including product stewardship, chemical policy, and project evaluation. Cheri also works with Clean Production Action on greening supply chains and chemical policy. She worked with the Persistent, Bioaccumulative Toxics Initiative at the Washington Department of Ecology from 2001 – 2006, and on solid waste and mercury policy at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs from 1998 – 2001. Cheri has a Masters in City Planning from MIT and a BS in Urban Studies from Cornell University.
	Viki Sonntag, PhD, Treasurer, is the founding director of EcoPraxis, a non-profit that works collaboratively with small businesses and community-based organizations to put the vision of sustainable community economies into practice. Current projects include research on the local food economy and developing a sustainable information network based on community indicators. Her PhD thesis examined the relationship of overconsumption in the highly industrialized countries to changes in production technologies.
If you are interested in serving on the board with a knowledgeable and fun group of people who are committed to making a difference, contact us at 206.441.1790 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Last Updated (Thursday, 10 November 2011 12:51)