Global Green Team
Our diverse and talented team of change-makers are hard working, innovative, entrepreneurial, smart, and dedicated to making the world a better place by helping to solve the toughest sustainability problems.
Our Global Green Team
William Bridge
Chairman of Green Cross, CEO of Global Green
William Bridge is Chairman of the Green Cross International Board of Directors, and Chief Executive Officer for Global Green-USA.
With 25 years of Executive Leadership experience in strategic planning for environmental and educational partnerships, his work includes the United Nations Foundation, Connect4Climate, the Entertainment Industry Foundation, and United States Green Building Council, and the International WELL Building Institute.
He is a graduate the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania, USA. He is dedicated to bringing forth the legacy the mission of the Green Cross as laid down President Gorbachev.
Bjorn Heyerdahl
Integral Sustainability Expert
Bjorn is an active explorer, global citizen, Explorers Club member (2002), Earth Charter Affiliate, integral thinker, biospheric designer, global public speaker and philosopher. He is founder of Midgard and Integral Climate Change Solutions (integralclimatechangesolutions.com) and the Midgard Expedition (www.midgardexpedition.com), which was formally launched at the Explorers Club in 2003. He is also the recipient of the Lowell Thomas Award from the Explores Club in New York 2003, for his contribution to the future for scientific exploration. Bjorn was awarded the Silver Medal by Micheal Gorbachev at the tenth anniversary of the Green Cross International in Geneva 2003 for his contribution to global ecological awareness, scientific research, functional model building in sustainability, promoting the Earth Charter and furthering the principles inherent in the GCI.
Alison Heyerdahl
Leadership Team
Alison is part of the Leadership Team at Global Green, heading up the sustainability journey and alliance memberships. She has a medical degree in physical therapy and psychology, and has been involved in scientific research, functional model building in sustainability, promoting the Earth Charter and furthering the principles inherent in the GCI.
Liam Quaresimin
Director of International Development & Affairs
Liam M Quaresimin covers the role of Director of International Affairs for Global Green and its parent organization Green Cross, contributing to the development and hegemonic relations between the 28 GC national organizations. Liam speaks four languages and has lived in 3 continents before moving to Los Angeles to pursue a Public Policy & International Relations Masters degree. Prior to his role at GG, has worked on Environmental lobbying issues in California, being on the team that fought with Senators B.Allen and R.Bloom to pass the AB1884 and SB1335 Bills (banning the use of single-use plastic straws and mandating recyclable or compostable plastics in all public offices and spaces statewide). Previously, in Spain, he worked with the Government to facilitate sustainable business strategies and discussion forums between cities and companies. Before his Climate endeavors, he managed development issues for a UNESCO world heritage site in Italy and organized cultural and artistic events in Barcelona.
Sarah Teevan
Development Officer
Sarah Teevan is Global Green's Development Officer. She has dedicated her career to global sustainability. Prior to joining global Green, she was an environmental consultant with her primary client being the NYC Department of Environmental Protection. Her areas of focus include green infrastructure, coastal resiliency, energy resource recovery, drinking water and waste water.
Janika Heyerdahl
Director of the Global Green Schools Program
Janika has a BSc in Biochemistry and BSc (Honours) in Biological Science. She has many years of teaching experience, in addition to a Certification in Education for Sustainable Development through the University for Peace in Costa Rica. Janika is currently completing a Masters researching the role of moral intelligence, spiritual intelligence and environmental identity in pro-environmental behaviours and actions. She has developed a model of Education for Sustainable Development that includes all of the major components necessary for facilitating the development of higher capacities for pro-social and pro-environmental behaviours, not only in the youth at schools but that also targets the teaching and grounds staff who can take these principles out into the wider communities.
Nicole Rankin
Creative Director
Nicole Rankin is Global Green’s Marketing Specialist. She has been with us since January 2020 and has a deep passion for the environment. She has volunteered for organisations such as the Citizens Climate Lobby. Nicole has over seven years of marketing and writing experience, having preciously worked at ESPN and Fox Sports. She also recently won a Primetime Emmy Award for Artificial, the first-ever scripted interactive show.
Arthur J. Johnson
CEO of Center for Sustainable Engagement
CEO of Center for Sustainable Engagement and Dev
Genesis Diaz-Alvarez
Development Associate
Genesis Diaz-Alvarez serves as Green Global's Development Associate. She is a recent graduate of the Master of Management: Innovation, Sustainability, and Technology program from the University of California, Merced.
Prior to her role at GG USA, Genesis worked in the Broadcasting and Media industry. She was part of the development and production for season 2 of The Justice Beat Talk Show that is aired on a national radio station, on St. Louis (MO) local TV, and online. Previous to that, Genesis was a part of the executive team to implement and develop the Voter Choice Act (2016) at the California Secretary of State office. Her role included outreach, public engagement strategies, voter hotline, and point of contact with CA State University, Sacramento.
Matt de la Houssaye
Senior Advisor
Matt has served as a Project Director for multiple programs and initiatives at Global Green over the past 9 years and is currently a volunteer Senior Advisor to the organization. At Global Green, he’s led over 20 research and demonstration projects, and influenced the broader adoption of these programs within government agencies and corporations. Most recently, Matt led a climate resilience technical assistance program for 4 cities in the United States, and has provided program development and communications support for Green Cross affiliates in West Africa.
Ilsa Spencer
Development Associate
Ilsa is working with Global Green through the AmeriCorps VISTA program. She graduated in May 2019 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies and Geography from University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has a passion for natural resource protection, climate change mitigation and helping people. She has experience with ecological restoration and leadership and is excited to continue building a meaningful environmental career.
Antonia Issaevitch
Development Associate
Antonia is working with Global Green through the Americorps VISTA program. She is a recent graduate from San Francisco State University’s class of 2020, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Studies and Planning and minored in Geography. While attending college, Antonia has experience interning for the City of San Francisco at the Department of the Environment. Antonia has a strong passion for the environment and supporting community efforts towards sustainability and resilience.
Andrew Acevedo
B2B Communications Coordinator
Andrew supports Global Green’s corporate outreach and partnerships efforts. Before joining the organization, he served in account management roles for award-winning marketing agencies, Octagon and CSM Sport & Entertainment. Andrew’s desire to leverage his client and partnership management experience to benefit the greater good led him to Global Green.
David Stover
Consultant, Business Development
David is working with Global Green as a business development consultant. As a Ph.D. biochemist, CEO of a biotechnology company, and over 25 years in management of research and development of life-saving cancer therapeutics, he has both scientific and corporate development experience. Having a life-long interest in environmental issues, David is now looking to apply his skills in this arena, to support the critical push toward a sustainable future.
Maggie Faigen
Business Development Associate
Maggie is passionate about corporate sustainability and holds a masters degree in public policy from UCLA. She has contributed impactful single-use plastics research for LA County’s Chief Sustainability Office, informing the region’s forthcoming SUP reduction ordinance. An avid animal lover, she has additionally assisted with the implementation of ethical California legislation (Prop 12) at the Humane Society of the United States.
Bryan J. Plescia
Corporate Partnerships Consultant
Bryan J. Plescia is working with Global Green as a Corporate Partnerships Consultant. With 15 years of experience in Corporate Development, Sponsorship Sales, and Business Development, he has an extensive background working with technology and consumer companies and bringing their awareness and messaging to the forefront. He looks forward to creating meaningful partnerships with corporations that share a vision with Global Green in fostering a global shift toward a sustainable and secure future.
Amber Bollard
Volunteer
Amber Bollard is an Australian singer, songwriter and interviewer based in Los Angeles. She has been covering events for Global Green since 2005 and continues to raise awareness for the organization.
Claire Cianci
Development Volunteer
Claire is returning from a post-college internship with Global Green as a volunteer to support business development. She has a background in GIS, data analytics, and hospitality with a passion for sustainability and the environment.
Mike Zoltowski
ESG Consultant
Mike Zoltowski is working with Global Green as a ESG (Environmental, Social, Government Data) consultant. With over 20 years of experience in portfolio analytics, he is working with Global Green to help develop educational awareness to a more sustainable future.
Grant Southwick
Smart Energy Volunteer
Brianna Lee
Volunteer
Tiffany Nguyen
Volunteer
International Affiliates
Ruy Campos-Dugone
President of Green Cross UK
Mr. Ruy Campos-Dugone is an International Executive, with deep expertise in the Renewable Energy (+4000MW), in the Agriculture and Water sectors. He is an accomplished Board Member of Private Companies and Environmental NGO in Americas and Asia, and has extensive senior-level experience in all aspects of business (development, commercial and marketing, strategies, operations), project development, bid management, project finance, relationship development, team coaching and revenue generation.
Since 2009, he has been collaborating with Green Cross for Latin America, supporting and advising in the Public, Mining, Agricultural & Energy sector. Since 2019 the Board Director of Green Cross assigned him the responsibility to establish the NGO in Panama; a GCNO acting as a hub for CAMECA region.
Professor Marisa Arienza Mallmann
President of Green Cross Argentina
Professor Marisa Arienza Mallmann is the President of Green Cross Argentina and was elected to the Board of Green Cross International in 2013.
Prof Arienza is a lawyer with a PhD in International Relations who undertook post-graduate studies at Harvard University under the direction of Prof Samuel Huntington and Prof Raymond Barre. She also undertook post-graduate studies in economics and international trade at the Italian Trade Agency.
She is a founding member of the Forum Humanum, a member of the The Club of Rome, Secretary of the Argentinean Chapter of The Club of Rome, Secretary-General for Latin America of The Club of Rome (under the Presidency of Belisario Betancur). She worked with Aurelio Peccei, the founder and first president of The Club of Rome, from 1975 until his death in 1984.
Prof Arienza has been closely associated with the United Nations University in Tokyo, Japan, working as a specialist in sustainable development alternatives through the Goals, Processes and Indicators of Development, (GPID) Programme and also on peace and security in Latin America, which prompted her to co-author several books on the subject in collaboration with Venezuelan sociologist José Agustín Silva Michelena.
Prof Arienza has worked previously with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization and United Nations Development Programme and is the former Director of Doctorate Studies in Foreign Affairs at the Universidad de Buenos Aires. She is also a full professor of Environmental Law Careers at the Universidad de Belgrano, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Email Prof Arienza at m.arienza@greencross.org.ar
Elio Pacilio
Founder Green Cross Italia
Elio Pacilio is an Italian environmentalist who founded Green Cross Italia in 1998 and has been its President since. As the representative of Green Cross Italia, he was elected to the Green Cross International Board in 2013 and is co-founder of the Green Drop Award at the Venice Film Festival.
Between 1981 and 1985, Elio created and participated in the activities of the Institute for Energy Research and Design (IRPE SCRL), an institution among the forerunners of the application of the principles of sustainable development in the architecture of small and medium-scale systems urban planning and transport networks, as well as the potential for recovery and development of so-called Areas of Limited Resources.In particular, he implemented a project of regional energy planning in Itri, southern Italy.
He was among the founders of the Centro Studi Formazione e Ricerca (Centre for Studies and Research Training) and a director from 1988 to 1991.Mr Pacilio is a founding member of Verdi Ambiente e Società (Green Environment and Society), for which he served as vice president from 1991-2001, and a member of the National Council since 2001.
He co-founded the editorial Verde Ambiente (Green Environment), assuming the role of a board member from 1991 to 1998 and chairman of the board of directors since 1998.In 1992, he designed and implemented the environmental education project Un Racconto per l’Ambiente (A Tale for the Environment), which evolved into the successful Green Cross Italia-organized Immagini per la terra, which is used to promote environmental conservation and protection in all Italian schools.
Yuriy Sapiga
Co-Founder, Chairman of the Board Green Cross Ukraine
Born on July 17, 1969 at the station Popilnya, Zhytomyr region. From 1987 to 1991 he passed military service in the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany. 1993-2004 he worked at the National Music Academy of Ukraine. In 2004 he graduated from the Kyiv National University of Theatre, Film and Television named after I.K. Karpenko-Kary, got specialty of theatre theorist at the department "Organization and Management. Theatre art". Yuriy Sapiga conducts scientific and educational activities. 20 works were published. He works closely with international partners. He facilitates and organizes meetings between government representatives, supports forums and conferences, promoting cooperation and joint development of international relations, he attracts foreign partners, investors and sponsors who provide help in solving the social, health and environmental issues in Ukraine. He has got numerous acknowledgments, diplomas and awards from regional and district administrations, orphanages and boarding schools, partner organizations and medical institutions for his commitment, rendered aid, charity and personal contribution to the formation of well-being, prosperity and a happy healthy future for children in Ukraine.
Tonia Moya
Executive Director of Green Cross Sweden
Tonia Moya is the Executive Director of Green Cross Sweden. She has served as GCS President and GCS General Secretary.
For over two decades she has spearheaded integrated projects within the GCI pillar programs of Water, Value Change and Environmental Security, from peace-building to water advocacy.
She is an Affiliate member of the Earth Charter and on the Committee for Climate Network Sweden.
Mr. Shoo Iwasaki
Founding president of Green Cross Japan
Shoo Iwasaki is the founding president of Green Cross Japan, which was among the inaugural group of Green Cross national organizations to be formed in 1994. Shoo Iwasaki is a former Nishi Nippon Broadcasting Co. announcer and a graduate of Chuo University in Japan.
He also holds honorary degrees from Kyonggi University in South Korea and from Emerson College in the US.He has been a strong supporter of education and value change activities in his home country, Japan, and offered great services to other members of the Green Cross family, including Sri Lanka, where he and Green Cross Japan have supported renewable energy projects, including the installation of solar panels, to provide power for public parks. He has also supporteds the Sri Lankan Environment Diary program for 10 years now.
Mark J. Lambregts
Director of Green Cross Netherlands
Mark has been making an effort with heart and soul as director of Green Cross Netherlands since 2007. Mark has a background at the conservatory (classical) and has been the owner of an artist – and speaker agency for over 25 years. Since an early age, he was touched by social injustice and the growing ecological problems on our planet.
At the height of the Cold War (during his conservatory studies) he was very worried about a possible escalation (which led to six months delay in his studies) between the former superpowers. He was also very active in different social organizations. As an example, he was a board member of the ‘Foundation South-Africa Committee Eindhoven’, which enabled university studies for black South-Africans in The Netherlands. After his studies, he refused military service and he did replacement conscription in Amsterdam. In the same period, he was also founder and co-director of the professional classical ‘Eindhovens Blazers Ensemble (EBE)’ with 30 musicians, in which he was also active as a musician.
Jeremy Mansfield
Executive Director of Green Cross Australia
Mr. Mansfield has held the Sustainability Manager role in Lend-Lease for 7 years and has 10 years' experience in the construction industry with significant knowledge and experience in sustainability as well as project and construction management roles in the design, planning and delivery of major building and infrastructure projects.
Mr. Mansfield is passionate about disaster resilience, innovation, and positive change. With a vast depth of experience in sustainability through design, construction, and project management disciplines, he has contributed greatly to the development of Green Cross Australia.
As a Green Cross Australia volunteer, Mr. Mansfield supported the online GCA programs to advance sustainable development of Australia's built environment and promote natural disaster resilience. In 2013 Mr. Mansfield also led a panel on a 7 city tour of Australia & NZ sponsored by CIBSE called 'Adapt and Survive - from hindsight to foresight.
An alumni of Social Leadership Australia, Queensland Leadership Program 2011/2012, Mr. Mansfield is a well-respected sustainability professional with a vast network across government, business, and civil society.
Dr. Istvan Szabo
Representative of Green Cross Hungary
Representative of Green Cross Hungary
Ousséni Diallo
President of Green Cross Burkina Faso
Ousséni Diallo is President of Green Cross Burkina Faso. He is a Socio-Economist of Development and expert in Environmental Sustainable Management, and member of the governing bodies of several international organizations including the African Civil Society Network on Water and Sanitation. /p>
Through his engagement in environmental protection and logical management of natural resources, he has held many high-ranking positions not only in Burkina Faso but also throughout West Africa./p>
Diallo was the coordinator of numerous regional and national projects and programmes. On behalf of Green Cross Burkina Faso, he has taken part in many important international meetings worldwide. He is the author of books on Environmental Education and an Affiliate Member of the Earth Charter.
Mubarick Musawudu
President of Green Cross Ghana
Mubarick Musawudu is a trained development planner and social innovator, who has deep roots in impact investment and sustainable finance. With being credited in the development of several market solutions, he's successfully tackled several social problems. He believes that to eradicate poverty, we need to prioritize enterprise development.
Sergey Baranovsky
President and Co-founder of Green Cross Russia
A Green Cross veteran for almost three decades, he establish the Environmental Education Program in Russia and former Soviet Union; the Social and Medical Care Program in the region of Chelyabinsk; and worked with Chemical Destruction Weapons Program. He is co-author of the Environmental Doctrine for the Russian Federation.
Dr. Ying-Shih Hsieh
President of Green Cross Taiwan
Dr. Ying-Shih Hsieh is the president of Green Cross Taiwan and the chairman of Environmental Quality Protection Foundation (EQPF). The first civil lawsuit in Taiwan in 2005: the Changhua Dioxin Duck Farmer case was his starting point on the road to protect the environment. He specializes in patent law, environmental law and climate law, also holds a doctorate degree in law from Peking University (PKU) in 2007. He was a council member of the Kaohsiung Bar Association, a legal consultant of the Red Cross Society of the Republic of China (Taiwan), a lecturer at National Chengchi University, Soochow University and the chairman of the Taiwan Society of International Law. He has devoted to ENGO activities for nearly 20 years.
Vladimir Shevtsov
Co-founder and Director of Green Cross Belarus
Vladimir Shevtsov is Co-Founder and Director of Green Cross Belarus. Today he is managing Green Cross Social, Medical and Education Programme in Belarus as well as the Schoolgarden International Project in Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova. In 1995 Roland Widerkehr from Green Cross Switzerland and he together initiated Green Cross Socmed Programme for CIS countries. Please visit www.greencross.by to know about the mentioned and other projects by Green Cross Belarus.
Alberto Fraguas Herrero
Executive Director of Green Cross Spain
Biologist, specializing in Ecology and a Master in Environmental Management Development, with more than 35 years of experience in environmental management and planning, specifically in environmental assessments of projects and public policies. As an environmental consultant, he currently acts as the Executive Director of the Instituto de Estudio de la Tierra S.L. (IET), collaborating with different public and private institutions.
He has worked as the CEO and founder of GEMAP S.A. and the director of a reforestation and environmental restoration company ECOVIVEROS S.L. Additionally, he was previously the Advisor to the General Directorate of the Environment of the Ministry of Public Works and Urban Planning, as well as a Senior Consultant to the North American engineering company Gibbs & Hill (GHESA). On the public side, he has been Deputy Dean of the Official College of Biologists in Madrid and President of APROMA (Association of Environmental Professionals and Coordinator of the Observatory of Political Ecology of the NGO ATTAC. He is currently the Sustainability Coordinator of the NGO Alianza por la Sostenibilidad / Action Aid and Executive Director of the NGO Green Cross Spain founded by Mijail Gorbachev.
He has directed more than 600 environmental studies of both projects and plans for public infrastructures and industrial facilities related to the forecasting of impacts, correction, and control of environmental effects. He has also advised public institutions on strategic plans for the management of the natural environment, waste, and water.
Additionally, he has extensive teaching experience in both public and private courses and masters programs (he has presented at more than 200 conferences), has authored more than 80 articles in technical journals, having participated as a collaborator in various media outlets (radio, TV, press) in order to educate citizens on the importance of environmental protection and climate change.
Walter Felipe Usneros Ortiz
President of Green Cross Bolivia
Taynah Reis
President of Green Cross Brazil
Hawa Sawadogo
President of Green Cross Burkina Faso
Koffi Mathieu Mahika
President of Green Cross Cote D'Ivoire
Stepan Kyjovsky
President of Green Cross Czech Republic
Michael Johansen
President of Green Cross Denmark
Jean-Michel Cousteau
President of Green Cross France
Justin Moon
Founder of Green Cross South Korea
Dr. Jagath Senevirtane
President of Green Cross Sri-Lanka
Martin Bäumle
President of Green Cross Switzerland
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