Staff and Board of Zero Waste Washington
Staff
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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) |
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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) |
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Gabbie Guncay is an outreach intern who is passionate about environmental education and community outreach. She earned a Bachelor's of Science degree in conservation biology from the University of Washington and was a Peace Corps Volunteer in El Salvador (2009-2011). Her favorite activities include jogging and playing with her two dogs.
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Natalie Hisdahl, Outreach Intern, joined Zero Waste after moving to Seattle from Virginia in January 2012. Natalie works to strategize and implement online and face-to-face outreach that delivers Zero Waste’s message. Before joining Zero Waste, Natalie worked as a research associate at the Global Energy Network Institute in San Diego. She investigated the human health impacts of coal-based electricity generation in Southeast Asia, and created an argument for accelerated use of renewable energy. Before moving to Seattle, Natalie volunteered as an Energy Efficiency Education outreach team captain for Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment in Arlington, VA. In her free time she loves to hike, snowboard, paint, bike, and kayak. Natalie graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with degrees in Biological Sciences and Psychology in 2011. |
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Alexis Izor, Outreach Intern, joined Zero Waste after moving to Seattle to attend Antioch University. She is currently working on getting her Master's in Environment & Community. Alexis is very interested in environmental justice, and is also working with Green Plate Special to teach urban gardening to low-income middle schoolers. Prior to moving to Seattle, Alexis lived in Ithaca, NY, where she attend Ithaca College. In the past, Alexis has worked on anti-nuclear, energy efficiency, campus sustainability, locally-sourced building materials, and compost/recycling programs. In her free time, she loves to run, bike, kayak, read, and play music. |
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Richard Yang, Accountant, came aboard to Zero Waste Washington back in 2008 after graduating from Seattle University with B.A. degree in Accounting. Richard wants to help Zero Waste Washington to produce minimum waste if not zero waste in payroll, grant tracking, financial and 990 audit supports. He loves the greener sports like Ping Pong, Badminton and Tennis plus the greenest food – tofu skin. (Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) |
Board of Directors
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Candy Castellanos- bio coming soon. Candy joined the board in 2012. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Emily Newcomer is currently the Recycling Program Operations Manager at the University of Washington. Emily received her MPA from the Evans School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington and a B.A. in Communication from California State University, Sacramento. Her past experience is varied. She worked in high-tech PR in San Francisco during the tech boom and she helped build latrines while serving as Peace Corps volunteer in West Africa. It was in graduate school, through an internship with Seattle Public Utilities, where her recycling passion began, and she has since spent the past 7 years "talking trash" in both the public and private sector. She is passionate about educating people on what goes where, and working collaboratively with municipalities and other key stakeholders to help reach collective sustainability goals. Emily is an outdoor enthusiast who can be found biking, hiking, skiing or snowshoeing in her free time. She joined the board in 2012. |
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Scott Taylor is a communications consultant who specializes in helping non-profit organizations and cause-based companies build participatory communication campaigns that encourage community involvement, and multi-directional dialog and feedback. He started down the road to becoming an environmentalist when he was fishing in Alaska as a kid. He looked down the riverbank and saw a moose and calf about 200 yards away and it was all over. Ever since then he's volunteered, donated to environmental causes and been that guy at work who pulls the paper and cans out of the trash and puts them in the recycling bin. He doesn't fish anymore but he enjoys getting outdoors on walks and is an amateur birder. Scott has over 18 years experience as a communications professional and received a Masters in Strategic Communications from Antioch University Seattle and a BS in Mechanical Engineering Technology from the College of New Jersey. Scott joined the board in 2012. |
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 . |
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Last Updated (Wednesday, 02 May 2012 10:38)