New American Dream Staff
Bob Ferris,
Executive Director -
Center for a New American Dream
B.A., University of California Santa Cruz,
M.A., San Jose State University. Bob has been a leader in the conservation, environmental, and sustainability arenas for more than 20 years. Best known for innovative problem solving and insightful campaigns, Bob has worked on issues ranging from wolf recovery and federal farm policy to climate change and green building. He has held leadership positions with the Wildlife Habitat Council, Defenders of Wildlife, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Community Environmental Council, and Yestermorrow Design/Build School. More recently he launched the Fossil-Free by '33 campaign in Southern California, was a co-founder of the Carbon Shredders, and helped preserve a local farm. He is also an accomplished writer with a new book on natural building, several seminal policy and campaign documents as well as dozens of opinion pieces in national and regional publications.
At New American Dream he hopes to accelerate the societal change needed to build a sustainable future for all life. He and his wife, a green architect and landscape designer, also hope to take full advantage of the "extra" day by exploring options in urban homesteading.
Kathy Hedge, Deputy Director
B.A., Indiana University; MBA, University of Maryland. Kathy brings to New American Dream both a passion for its mission and over 20 years of experience working for the nonprofit sector in program management, organizational capacity-building and fund-raising. Prior to joining New American Dream, she worked for 14 years at BoardSource, advancing its mission to improve the effectiveness of nonprofit organizations by strengthening their boards of directors. Kathy served as BoardSource’s chief fundraising officer and later as strategic initiatives advisor, and co-authored the report, Advancing Good Governance: How Grantmakers Invest in the Governance of Nonprofit Organizations. Prior to BoardSource, Kathy served in leadership and fundraising positions at American Red Cross, Hostelling International-USA, and the Hariri Foundation.
Outside of New American Dream, Kathy and her husband are busy with their two young boys – both with school and extracurricular activities and preserving unstructured time for play and reading.
Chris O'Brien, Responsible Purchasing Network Director
M.S., Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute; B.A., Penn State. With two degrees focusing on science, technology and society, Chris' motivating interest is in using the power of the marketplace to create a more just and sustainable society. He has twelve years of experience working to promote corporate responsibility and has served as Director of both the Co-op America Business Network and the Fair Trade Federation. In 2006, Chris authored an award-winning book on corporate responsibility and sustainability in the brewing industry. He is now working on a book about justice and sustainability in the global coffee trade. He has also lived, worked and traveled extensively in Africa. Chris has played a lead role in developing and expanding the Responsible Purchasing Network to become a nationally recognized and rapidly growing membership organization.
Alexis Blackman, Development Manager
B.A., Nazareth College of Rochester. Alexis joined the New Dream staff in August 2008 as the Development Intern and is so happy to be in a permanent position here. In addition to working at New Dream, Alexis is also completing an M.A. in Philosophy and Social Policy at American University with specific interest in issues of identity, phenomenology and hermeneutics. Prior to New Dream, Alexis has worked for several non-profit organizations in environmental education, health care, as well as with the Unitarian Universalist Association. She has also spent a great deal of time organizing blood drives for the American Red Cross, organizing for an anti-racist/anti-oppressive future, and being a religious education teacher. Outside of work, Alexis enjoys spending time with her kitten, hiking, and cooking elaborately.
Vincent Kitira, RPN Manager
M.Eng. and B.S., Cornell University. Vincent's background includes two degrees in engineering and management, with concentrations in psychology and sustainable development. Before joining New Dream, he researched and promoted the use of environmentally preferable products at the City of New York's main purchasing agency. His published study on the use of hybrid electric taxis in NYC stemmed from interests in sustainability issues and fast moving vehicles. Additionally, he has done research on biodegradable microsensors, water treatment systems in Honduras, and the drinking habits of rats. Aside from spreading the use of green products, he loves biking to work, playing softball, eating at authentic ethnic restaurants, and cooking with the best possible ingredients.
Alicia Leake, Bookkeeper
A native of the District of Columbia, Alicia Leake is currently earning her degree in Business Administration at the University of the District of Columbia. She brings over 13 years of administrative experience with her, having worked for many companies in the region including First Potomac Investments, Riggs Bank, U-Haul, and the United Planning Organization. Some of her passions in life include helping and supporting others during times of need and organizing family social events. Alicia loves being in roles of support both personally and professionally.
Chris Mastin, Conscious Consumer Marketplace Intern
Originally hailing from the university town of Gainesville, Florida, Chris is currently a senior pursuing a political science degree at American University. Chris has been interested in the green movement since the age of 13 when a study was published stating that a local superfund site had the potential to contaminate his hometown’s only source of clean drinking water. At New Dream Chris’ position could be described as jack of all trades. As an intern he helps out with creating and maintaining the Conscious Consumer Marketplace as well as doing some blogging keeping tabs on the e-mail inboxes and performing the role of office handy man/furniture mover.
Anne Maynard, RPN Membership Coordinator
Anne earned her B.A. from the College of William and Mary in economics and environmental studies. She stayed busy in college as a member of the William and Mary Rowing Club and a leader in a peer health education club, H.O.P.E. (Health Outreach Peer Educators). She has interned with the City and County of San Francisco as part of their Zero Waste team and started her New Dream experience off as an intern for RPN. Anne has a passion for natural resource management and waste minimization. Her favorite activity is chatting over coffee, but running with friends is a close second.
Christina Moretti, RPN Fellow
Christina joined the Center for a New American Dream in November of 2007. She started as an intern while still in school at American University and began the Responsible Purchasing Fellowship in September of 2008. She has a B.A in environmental studies at American University and plans to continue on with the Masters program. She has worked for an activist organization to help pass Renewable Energy bills that promote wind and solar energy initiatives. Christina is currently responsible for researching and writing RPN guide content on issues such as cleaners, dining services and carbon offsets. Outside of school she enjoys cooking, running and playing guitar.
Oana Leahu-Aluas, RPN Intern
Oana recently graduated with a degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of California at Berkeley. She will soon be working towards her Master's Degree in Global Environmental Politics from American University. Originally from Romania, she grew up in the wonderful town of Boulder, Colorado. Oana decided to become devoted to environmental issues during her sophomore year of college when she took a course focusing on global warming and learned just how overwhelming problems of environmental degradation really are. At New Dream, she is an intern for the Responsible Purchasing Network, primarily researching environmentally preferable purchasing programs. In her free time, she loves to take frequent trips to Whole Foods and enjoy the sunshine.
Kim Puchir, Web Content Manager
BA, Warren Wilson College. Kim joined the staff of The Center for a New American Dream in August 2007. Prior to New Dream, Kim worked at other nonprofits in capacities varying from caseworker to IT support. Currently she also works for another nonprofit, Positive Exposure, an arts advocacy organization celebrating genetic difference.
Emmanuel Pulinario, IT Manager
Emmanuel Pulinario began his career in the IT field as an IT Specialist for a large family business in South Florida. After several years of experience and training he decided to move on and worked with multiple organizations like Montgomery County Gov., MD. He was proud to accept the position of IT Manager for The Center of a New American Dream, not only because he has the opportunity to continue advancing as an IT Professional but because it feels like he's part of a great cause. As IT Manager he expects to support and improve the technology and telecommunications needs of Center. ¡QUE VIVA EL NUEVO SUEÑO!
Seán Sheehan, Special Projects Director
B.A., American University (magna cum laude). Former associate, TV-Free America. Seán has worn many hats during his eleven years of employment with New Dream, including overseeing the creation and explosive growth of our New Dream Community and directing several of our public education, advocacy, and grassroots initiatives. He co-founded the Montpelier Energy Team and Alternative Gifts of Greater Washington, and serves on the boards of the Simplicity Forum and Take Back Your Time. In 2008, he will play a key role in implementing our Carbon Conscious Communities (C3) program.
Mary Jo Snavely, Program Manager
B.A., University of California at Santa Barbara. Her education and experience combine environmental protection and business management: she has directed the development of a Santa Barbara County organic waste management business plan, lead an industrial ecology course, organized the 2006 UC/CSU/CCC Sustainability Conference, and interned for a green products retailer. Mary Jo joined New Dream in 2006 as the Responsible Purchasing Fellow and continues her research paint, lighting, and paper. In addition, she also coordinates New Dream's Conscious Consumer Marketplace program.
Samantha Stallybrass, Director of Administration and Finance
Prior to making her dream of working with New Dream a reality, Samantha was most recently employed for eight years at the Baltimore Museum of Art where she served as the director of visitor services. Her early nonprofit career spans well beyond her role at the BMA and includes a position as director of education for STAGE (The Society for Theatrical Artists Guidance and Enhancement), and a variety of management positions with Planned Parenthood of Dallas and Northeast Texas. She holds a Post-graduate Certificate in Non-Profit Management from Johns Hopkins University, a MS In Human Resources from Amber University, and a BA in Sociology from the University of Texas at Austin. Born in the UK and raised in Texas, Samantha enjoys wearing cowboys boots in the rain and fog and eating bland food smothered in
bar-b-que sauce. She lives in Severna Park, Maryland with her better half, Tom Rhatigan, and a couple of adorable furry "children."
Dave Tilford, Senior Writer
B.A., University of Louisville; JD, Pepperdine University School of Law (cum laude); L.L.M., University of Washington. Dave previously worked as a corporate attorney in downtown Los Angeles and as a national park ranger in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska. Dave has worked with New Dream since 1998 in a variety of capacities, most recently co-directing the organization’s Conscious Consumer Marketplace program and writing the Responsible Purchasing Network newsletter.