Global Green

Matt Petersen - President and CEO

Matt Petersen has led Global Green USA since 1994, building and guiding the organization's innovative programs and initiatives. He serves on the Managing Committee of Green Cross International and is Coordinator of GCI's Energy and Resource Efficiency Program.

Previously, Matt ran local, state, and federal political campaigns as well as serving as the Executive Director of Americans for a Safe Future. Matt is a Term Member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a Member of the Pacific Council on International Policy, and serves on the environmental Media Association (EMA) Advisory Board. In May 2008 Matt was appointed by the Hillary Institute in New Zealand as a Hillary Senior Fellow. Matt will serve as an ambassador for the Institute’s search for exceptional mid-career Leadership.

Richard Wegman - Chief Operating Officer

Responsible for the management of Global Green USA's Finances and Administration, Richard Wegman has been helping to lead environmental companies since the late 1980s. Prior to coming on board at Global Green USA, he served as a consultant to many environmental and social justice organizations in the Los Angeles Area including El Rescate, Clinica Oscar A. Romero, Committee to Save Mono Lake, Coalition for Clean Air, Plaza Community Center in East Los Angeles, Physicians for Social Responsibility and the Audubon Society. Previously he was the Chief Operating Officer of TreePeople, a local community environmental non-profit. He also served for 8 years as the CFO of PS Enterprises, Inc., an environmental public relations firm that works with numerous cities, agencies, and non-profits.

Richard is also the co-founder of ActiveMusic Inc, a non profit that produces benefit concerts to raise money for other non-profit organizations, and recently has incorporated a non-profit Yoga Center.He holds an MBA in Finance and a BS in Marketing from California State Polytechnic University. In addition he is a certified Yoga teacher.

Allison Wilkey - Assistant to President & CEO

A California native and environmental advocate since junior high, Allison Wilkey joined Global Green over a year ago from both the business and political worlds, having previously worked as Scheduler to U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer and Director of Operations to the Betty Castor for U.S. Senate campaign.  Prior to that Allison spent time in Washington, DC as an environmental paralegal at a top international law firm.  One day she plans to return to Santa Barbara, where she received her B.A. in Environmental Studies. 

Walker Wells - Director, Green Urbanism Program

Walker Wells' responsibilities include working with building industry stakeholders, affordable housing developers, and municipalities to further sustain able development practices, primarily through developing and implementing viable and cost-effective green building practices and programs. Former Senior Urban Designer with Gruen Associates in Los Angeles, Associate Planner with the City of Santa Monica, and Urban Planner for the City of Malmo, Sweden.

Walker is a member of the American Institute of City Planners and is a LEED Accredited Professional. He has Bachelor's degrees in Sociology and Environmental Studies from the University of California Santa Barbara, and an M.A. in City and Region al Planning from California Polytechnic University San Luis Obispo.

Ted Bardacke - Green Urbanism Senior Program Associate

Ted Bardacke's responsibilities include providing green building technical assistance to affordable housing developers, municipalities and construction industry professionals. Research projects include examining the feasibility of creating social equity and community through the increased use of renewable energy and complex financial tools. Ted also consults on select building projects pursuing LEED certification.

Ted is a former foreign correspondent based in Bangkok and Mexico City for the Financial Times, and coordinator of volunteer construction projects in rural Mexico for the American Friends Service Committee. He is a LEED Accredited Professional and has a B.A. from the College of Social Studies, Wesleyan University as well as an M.S., Graduate School of Architecture, Columbia University.

Troy Simpson - Green Urbanism Program Assistant

Troy Simpson's responsibilities include working with municipal governments on the creation of green building programs for public and private development, assisting select green affordable housing projects navigate the United States Green Building Council's LEED for Homes Program certification process, and supporting Global Green's efforts to ensure new schools constructed through the Los Angeles Unified School District's New School Construction Program meet standards of sustainability.

Troy is a LEED Accredited Professional and a Build It Green Certified Green Building Professional. He holds a B.S. in Political Science and Psychology from Santa Clara University.

May Chiu - Green Building Resource Center Coordinator

May Chiu joined Global Green USA in May 2007. She serves as an assistant for the Resource Center in Santa Monica. Responsibilities include administering the center's daily operation and coordinating volunteer opportunities. May is also a Green Building Consultant with a local Los Angeles sustainable design firm. Prior to joining Global Green, May worked with a non-profit in Northern California and worked with projects that focused on green building, green affordable housing, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and environmental education.

May holds two B.S. degrees in Biological Sciences and Environmental Analysis & Design from University of California, Irvine. At UCI, she served as a coordinator for Alliance to Save Energy's Green Campus Program and assisted founding an Irvine chapter of California Students Sustainability Coalition. May received her LEED Accredited Professional credential in October 2006.

Elizabeth Teel Galante - Director, New Orleans Resource Office & Center

Beth Galante is responsible for the operation of Global Green’s New Orleans Resource Center & Office, supervision of the Hoy Cross Project, and rebuilding initiatives including green affordable homes, schools, and churches.

Beth was the former Deputy Director of the Tulane Environmental Law Clinic, which was the first recipient of the American Bar Association’s Distinguished Environmental Achievement Award and the National Law Journal’s Runner Up Lawyer of the Year during her tenure, for its groundbreaking work in the field of Environmental Justice. She is also former legal representation of the New Jersey Attorney General and the Quapaw Indian Nation regarding damages to their natural resources. Beth has a L.L.M. Environmental & Energy Law and J.D. from Tulane Law School

Linda Stone - Green Schools Policy Advocate

Linda Stone currently serves as Green Schools Policy Associate for Global Green. In this capacity she works with citizens and nonprofit organizations interested in insuring high performance schools, as well as the lawmakers and officials who can help direct policy and funding towards this type of facility. Linda’s professional background includes assisting the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation with its master plan, founding The Green Project, and serving as director of Mayor Morial’s Office of Environmental Affairs from 1999 to 2002. When the mayor left office in 2002, Linda took a job in San Antonio as director of the Metropolitan Partnership for Energy where she coordinated development of the city’s first residential green building program.

Linda has a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the University of California at Berkeley and a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of New Orleans. Linda also studied Spanish in Mexico and Spain and is a certified hatha yoga instructor.

Linda Morgano - Green Schools Policy Assistant

Linda was a former Global Green USA intern that assisted with creating the displays, the product library, and the green products and services list for the New Orleans Green Building Resource Center. She currently serves as an assistant for the Green Schools Initiative. Her responsibilities include coordinating energy audits and incorporating sustainable products and techniques at select New Orleans schools; green building technical assistance; grant writing; and administrative and IT support.

Linda has a diverse professional background that includes managing software development projects and collecting and analyzing biological data in support of environmental protection and conservation efforts.  She holds a M.S. in Computer Information Sciences and a B.S. in Ecology from the University of Pittsburgh. She earned her LEED AP credential and Permaculture certificate and is currently pursuing HERS training and certification.

Raymond Breaux - Program Manager, Build It Back Green Initiative

Raymond Breaux is the Program Manager of the Build It Back Green initiative, which works to disseminate "green" rebuilding information, materials and technical assistance to Road Home awardees in order to encourage and facilitate affordable, energy efficient and sustainable rebuilding. Raymond began his career as a Construction Specialist for a New Orleans area nonprofit and has also worked extensively on affordable housing and community development programs with Hibernia National Bank and the New Orleans office of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC).

Raymond has assisted non-profits in property development, including the development of two major neighborhood plans with Columbia University. Before Hurricane Katrina, he was part of a team assembled by Conservation Services Group (CSG) that developed a proposal for energy efficiency in New Orleans targeted at residential and commercial rate payers. Most recently before joining the Global Green USA team he managed the underwriting component of a $40,000,000 rental program for Katrina ravaged non-profit landlords.

Michael Lopez - Green Building Program Associate

Michael Lopez provides technical support services for various “green” initiatives throughout the Gulf Coast region. Michael primarily offers assistance to Habitat for Humanity’s Operation Home Delivery Program which lies within the Katrina and Rita hurricane zones.

Michael is a licensed contractor and has 35 plus years of construction experience in the residential, commercial, and heavy highway industries. He founded and operated a construction company and consulting firm which offered project management and permit expediting services. After serving as the first Green Building Coordinator in San Antonio, he relocated to New Orleans in 2006. Michael has successfully completed his HERS training and is awaiting his official certification. He has a B.S. in Building Construction from Texas A&M University, College of Environmental Design

Heidi Jensen - Office Manager, Assistant to Director

Heidi Jensen joined Global Green USA in 2008 to contribute to the green rebuilding efforts in New Orleans. She is responsible for the everyday operation of our New Orleans Resource Center, front desk reception and administrative support to the director and staff. Heidi coordinates Visitor's Center tours of the Global Green House in the Lower Ninth Ward, organizes green building resource center materials and consultations; coordinates our monthly panel discussions, newsletters, interns and community outreach events. Heidi is a native New Orleanian who's life endeavors have included the Louisiana Children's Museum, NO AIDS Task Force, childcare, voice over and local theatre and music.

Mary Luevano - Director, Policy & Legislative Affairs

Mary Luevano oversees policy and legislative initiatives related to green building, clean energy and climate change in addition to advising on a range of other policy issues for Global Green.  She and the Policy staff work to educate decision makers and champion model policies in the areas of green affordable housing, green schools, green municipal buildings, climate solutions for low-income communities and solar and other renewable energy technologies. Much of the work focuses on the needs of low-income communities and crafting policies that engage new constituencies in the fight against climate change.

Prior to joining Global Green Mary worked as a Congressional staffer serving in the offices of  US Senator Alan Cranston, US Reps. Augustus Hawkins, Calvin Dooley and Jane Harman.  Her legislative duties included work on environmental, defense technology, and business issues among others.  She has also worked on numerous political campaigns. In 2004, Mary was appointed by Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn to serve on the City of LA’s Recreation and Parks Board of Commissioners where she was elected Vice President. In that capacity, she also served as the alternate representative to the LA Coliseum Commission. Mary also served for three years (one as President) on the City of LA’s Environmental Affairs Commission and has served on the UCLA Alumni Association Board of Directors as Chair of the Government Relations Alumni Advocacy Committee.  

Mary holds a B.A. in Political Science/International Relations from UCLA and has completed the Congressional Research Service’s Graduate Legislative Institute in Washington, DC.  In her spare time she is a Masters Swimmer and loves watching her beloved UCLA Bruins!

David Fink - Policy & Legislative Associate

David’s responsibilities include supporting the development and implementation of policy and legislative initiatives related to green building and energy efficiency 

Prior to joining the Global Green staff, David spent three years as a consumer advocate and organizer for Consumer Watchdog working on healthcare issues, insurance reform and political accountability. After that, he traveled for a year helping run campaigns in four different states for ACORN, fighting for workers rights and low-income families. David also worked as a legislative aide and press deputy for Los Angeles City Councilmember Richard Alarcon, handling policy work on the foreclosure crisis and poverty.

Alex Kravetz - Energy Program Coordinator

Alexandra has been involved with Global Green since 2007. The focus of her work has been and continues to be on solar energy. She participated in the Global Solar Fund feasibility study and is now leading a research project comparing solar measures internationally. Her other duties include coordinating activities and communication with our Green Cross International affiliates pertaining to the Energy Program. Alexandra holds a B.A. in Political Economy and International Relations from UC Berkeley.

Dr. Paul F. Walker - Director, Security & Sustainability

Paul Walker has been with Global Green USA for over ten years and is responsible for direction and management of Global Green USA’s Security & Sustainabilty program, internationally known as the Legacy Program.

Paul is a former Professional Staff Member of the Armed Services Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives where he served as a senior advisor to the Chairman and full committee. He is also former Acting Director of the Peace and Conflict Studies Program at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts; and former Research Director with the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Paul has been an expert in international security, arms control, and nonproliferation policy for over 25 years. He has lectured and published widely, most recently on the demilitarization of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), and has appeared on numerous TV and radio news and talk shows including Fox News, CNN, NPR, Christian Science Monitor, Voice of America, MSNBC, ABC, CBS, and NBC. 

Paul holds a Ph.D. in political science and defense studies from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; an M.A. from Johns Hopkins School for Advanced International Studies; a Russian Honors Certificate from the Defense Language Institute of the West Coast; and a Post-Doctoral Fellowship from the Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University.  He is also a Vietnam-era Army veteran.

Finn R. Torgrimsen Longinotto - Senior Fellow

Finn Longinotto' responsibilities include supporting the overall international Legacy Program out of Washington DC. Primarily focused on the development and implementation of Global Green /Green Cross projects funded by the Global Partnership, including Russian outreach efforts, community and regional assessment studies and community development projects. Coordinates outreach to Washington, DC's foreign diplomatic community on threat reduction initiatives and weapons destruction programs. Formerly Managing Director at JPMorgan Chase Bank.

Finn has a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Geneva, Switzerland; an M.B.A. in International Management from Monterey Institute of International Studies; as well as an M.A. in Environmental Conservation Education from New York University (internship at The American Museum of Natural History's Center for Biodiversity and Conservation).

Cristian Ion - Program Associate

Cristian Ion's responsibilities include support and management for all Security & Sustainabilty Program (internaionally known as the Legacy Program) activities. Prior to joining Global Green USA, Cristian was a Research Associate at the Monterey Institute Center for Nonproliferation Studies in Monterey, CA and Washington, DC offices. Cristian also worked as a Junior Political Officer at the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague, The Netherlands, and as a Research Associate at the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research in Geneva, Switzerland. He speaks and researches in English, French and Romanian. He holds Honors B.A. degrees in Chemistry, French and International Relations from Oregon State University, and an M.A. in International Policy Studies from the Monterey Institute of International Studies.

Annie White - Director, Coalition for Resource Recovery

The Coalition for Resource Recovery is an industry working group dedicated to identifying, promoting, and implementing cost-neutral or better programs to divert, reclaim, recycle, and add value to waste. Annie’s expertise lies in facilitating the collaboration of diverse constituencies to identify and implement innovative approaches to improve environmental and social outcomes.

Previously, Annie served as the founding executive director of GreenBlue’s Sustainable Packaging Coalition, an industry working group dedicated to realizing sustainable packaging solutions through supply chain collaboration. The Sustainable Packaging Coalition has grown from its nine founding member companies to over 150 members, and has been lauded as ‘one of the most influential groups in packaging.’ Annie has also consulted with Fortune 500 clients on issues including: sustainable products and packaging, recycling, and sustainability reporting and communications.

Annie has an MBA from the Ross School of Business, an MS in Sustainable Systems from the School of Natural Resources and Environment at the University of Michigan, and a dual BS in Biology and Environmental Science from the College of William and Mary.

Ruben Aronin - Director, Communications

Ruben Aronin is responsible for overseeing the strategic messaging initiatives for Global Green and implements all of its media campaigns. Previously, Ruben served as the Executive Director of the Earth Communications Office, an international non-profit organization based in the Hollywood community. He has over a decade of experience in the environmental field and in non-profit management.

Ruben has overseen more than a dozen international communications campaigns that have reached over a billion people worldwide and has led celebrity delegations for press events at the United Nations, Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, and on Capitol Hill.

Ruben currently serves on the national steering committee of the Apollo Alliance, the Board of ECO India and Advocacy Arts, and the Advisory Boards of LOHAS and Ciceana. Prior to his environmental work, he worked for President Clinton's Inaugural celebration and for Congressman Christopher Shays.

Justine Smith - Communications Associate

Justine joined Global Green in 2007. Her responsibilities include management of the Global Green website, as well as working on media strategies and events. Justine's previous work experience has been as Project Manager in Interactive Media including Yahoo! Music. Justine grew up in England and Ireland, and came to California for college, receiving a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from UCLA. She recently completed an A.A. in Interior Design. Justine lives in Venice and happily bikes to work.

Adam Greenfield - Director, Foundation & Corporate Relations

Adam Greenfield's responsibilities include foundation and corporate relations, event management, and other development duties. Adam is a former lecturer at Mount St. Mary's College in Los Angeles where he taught courses on human rights and global development.

He holds an MA in Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Chicago and a BA in Political Science from the University of Michigan. He remains very interested in the politics and culture of the modern Middle East.

Terri New - Director, Major Gifts

Terri New works with major donors of Global Green. She is the Founder and President of Capital Strategies, a fundraising consulting firm based in Los Angeles. Terri has worked for over 18 years with elected officials, philanthropists, corporations, business executives and grassroots activists around the country and has raised hundreds of millions of dollars for various causes and candidates.

Dani Howden - Grants Manager

Dani Howden is GG USA’s Grants Manager. Prior to coming to Global Green, Dani worked as a grant assessor for the Australian Federal Government in her hometown of Melbourne, Australia. She has experience as a freelance grant writer and as a program coordinator for the ADC, a leading Australian non-profit. She holds an MA in International Politics from the University of Melbourne, participated in the graduate EAP International Program Masters of International Politics at UCLA and holds a BA in Political Science and Communications from the University of Melbourne.

Nina Storm - Events Manager

Nina Storm joined Global Green in 2006 and manages the planning and production of events all over the country. A life long environmentalist, Nina was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. A Los Angeles resident for the past 10 years, she held positions in entertainment, education, public relations and for other non profit organizations before joining Global Green. Nina holds a BA in Communication from Lewis and Clark College and currently resides in the legendary neighborhood of Laurel Canyon. A community and political activist, Nina has an ongoing romance with the City of Angels, and is thrilled each day, to have the opportunity to help make a contribution to protecting the environment through her work with Global Green.  
 

Kristen Gordon - Development Associate

Kristen Gordon joined Global Green USA in the summer of 2007. Kristen's responsibilities include managing the database, donations, donor relations, events, and other development duties. Previously, Kristen worked in P.R./Events for a Venice based P.R. firm specializing in film production. She also worked in the publishing department of the National Portrait Gallery while living in London.

Kristen holds an M.A. in History of Art from Richmond, The American International University in London, U.K. and a B.A. in Communications from the University of San Francisco.

Alyssa Pitman - Membership & Campus Outreach Coordinator

Alyssa Pitman joined Global Green USA in 2006, first working in Global Green's Green Building Resource Center. Now Alyssa maintains and coordinates Global Green's Membership and Campus Outreach programs. Her responsibilities include membership fulfillment, member management, and campus outreach. She has a B.A. in Political Science and International Relations from the University of Massachusetts Boston. Outside of work, Alyssa does her part to save the planet by biking to work, buying sustainable products, shopping at the local farmers market, and leaving her car at home as much as possible.

Heather Mott - Office Manager, Assistant to COO

Heather Mott joined Global Green USA in April of 2008. Heather brings with her many years of operations experience from a variety of different environments including The Chicago Stock Exchange, The Economic Club of Chicago, the technology sector and most recently real estate. Heather is a native of Chicago but studied at The University of Virginia and Columbia College. An outdoor enthusiast, Heather enjoys hiking, horseback riding and photography in her free time.

Dean Harvey - Accounting Manager

Dean Harvey joined Global Green USA in 2006. As Accounting Manager, he is responsible for overseeing the organization’s finance and human resources activities, including payroll, accounts receivable and accounts payable. Prior to joining Global Green, Dean served as Director of Operations, HR and Finance Director for several successful startup companies including PACE, Partnership for Academic and Community Excellence. While at PACE, Dean created and spearheaded a community action committee which encouraged corporate participation in school events such as toy and food drives, as well as financial donations. Dean graduated from the Musicians Institute of Technology in 1993 and currently plays bass in a local LA band.

Michelle Hart - Accounting Assistant

Michelle Hart joined Global Green part-time in 2006 as an Accounting Assistant. In this position she assists the Accounting team’s human resources and finance activities. She is also a Somatic Movement Educator.

Sharon Williams - Receptionist