Maryam is a graduate of Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan

Al Gore's Inconvenient Truth inspired me to learn more about climate change and what we can do to help. I felt early on that I would rather work on finding constructive solutions than just worry about the inevitable. Since then, I've committed to spend the rest of my career in the areas of environmental protection, conservation, and environmental justice.

A graduate of Truman State University in northeastern Missouri, Laura went on to get her Masters in International Development from SIT Graduate Institute in Brattleboro, Vermont.

In second grade we read a Weekly Reader about a turtle that had been caught in a six pack ring and its shell was distorted. Ever since then, I have been aware of the impact people have on the world and the choice we have to make it better or not.

As a co-lead of Edible Evanston I get to learn about and talk to people about one of the most fundamental ways we are impacted by our environment and how we can positively impact it back, through our food choices. As a master gardener for nearly 20 years, this is a natural combination of my life-long interests and desire to take action.

Sophia is a student at Northwestern University studying History, Environmental Policy and Culture, and Data Science.

Growing up in the California Bay Area, I have always felt a deep reverence for nature; some of my fondest memories of home are hiking Land’s End on a foggy morning and camping in Yosemite with family. However, as I grew older, I began noticing how environmental burdens are unequally distributed—segregation due to redlining, staggering economic disparities, and unequal access to clean water and green space. This understanding has motivated my focus on environmental justice in college and my aspiration to become an environmental lawyer addressing systemic injustices.

Sophia serves as a CAE Student Board Member and Co-Chair of the Youth Climate Coalition, working to foster collaboration between Evanston students of all ages on climate initiatives. At Northwestern, Sophia is a project lead in Associated Student Government's Sustainability Committee; pursuant to her interest in environmental law, she also serves as Blog Editor for Political Union and Forum Editor for Northwestern Undergraduate Law Journal. As a Sanders Scholar in the history department, she researched and wrote an original 43-page paper on the history of Asian American environmental justice organizing. She is currently researching the political evolution of global environmentalist movements on a project funded by the Baker Research Grant. An avid volunteer, Sophia redistributes dining hall food to low-income communities with NU Campus Kitchens and writes postcards to encourage environmental voter representation with the Environmental Voter Project.

Graduated from ETHS in 2026. Current Northwestern ('30) with a main interest in Environmental Policy and Culture.

I was lucky to have a 'Roots and Shoot's' Club at Dewey Elementary school where it was instilled in me I could-- and should-- have an impact in stewarding our planet and protecting my community as a young person. We wrote letters to the Governor, posted signs about idling at school drop-off sites, learned about the Dakota Access pipeline and more.

Izzy joined ETHS's student-run Climate Advocacy group E-Town Sunrise her freshman year, involved in the passage and leading the implementation of the 'GND4ETHS' (the district's Sustainability Plan). She became a student board member of Climate Action Evanston through E-Town Sunrise, and has worked on various events (primarily Climate Action Accelerators), the Youth Committee, and led the revamp of Roots and Shoots program at Dewey Elementary.

In 1980, Joel received his BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign followed by two years of mechanical engineering graduate studies at UIUC to focus on thermal systems and building energy. Maintaining licensure as a Professional Engineeer in Illinois required ongoing professional development credits.

My involvement with building energy efficiency began in the 1980s. At that time, reducing building energy was primarily an economic consideration with a nod to resource preservation. The connection of buildings to greenhouse gas emissions and global climate change made our connection to energy consumption, renewable energy, electric grid considerations, and water use as an important array of global priorities.

In the early 2000's Joel participated in the community group called Evanston's Energy Future, a local group under CAE's ancestor organization, Network for Evanston's Future. This local group provided technical information and advocacy for Evanston's adoption of the Green Building Ordinance which become effective in 2009. He volunteered eight years on the City's Energy/Utilities Commission and then participated in the 2010/2011 Mayor’s Offshore Wind Farm Committee to explore the potential for offshore wind energy generation on Lake Michigan. He was co-chair of the Mayor’s Climate Action and Resilience Plan (CARP) Working Group that produced the 2018 CARP document. For Climate Action Evanston, Joel joined the board in 2020 and reconstituted the Energy program group in 2021. This included participation in the building electrification working group under the Environment Board which led to Evanston's adoption of the Healthy Buildings Ordinance (HBO) for building performance standards and also adoption of the 2023 Illinois Stretch Energy Code for new construction. The Energy program became the lead recipient of a grant from City of Evanston to expand "Climate Coaching"at the library, at the famers market, at public speaking events, and in home consultations. For City of Evanston, Joel is currently volunteer chair of the Healthy Buildings Technical Committee for setting targets and compliance paths for buildings covered under the HBO. He also participates in the CARP Implemenation Task Force (CIT) subcommittee of the Environment Board and has an ad hoc role with the Evanston Utilities Commission. To his home, Joel has added attic insulation, new windows, rooftop solar, heat pump water heater, induction cooktop, and all ellectric cooking appliances. He initiated use of a composting service at home and (and at his former work place). He has owned hybrid electric vehicles for more than 15 years. His propery has a growing number of pollinator-friendly native plants, greatly shrinking the amount of traditional lawn.

Jerri has a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from Ohio University and completed graduate studies in Hydrogeology at Kent State University. She was certified as a Professional Geological Scientist in 1984.

I am drawn to systems analysis and indicators of environmental health, so finding ways to address the climate crisis has been a natural progression for me. I am driven to understand how the interconnection between public policy and local decicion-making directly impacts equity, environmental and public health, all of which directly reflects climate resilience.

In addition to co-leading Environmental Justice Evanston, and participating as a member of the EJ Coalition,Jerri is a member of the Evanston Environment Board. In 2018, she was appointed to the Mayor’s Climate Action and Resilience Plan (CARP) Working group to develop the current Plan and currently participates on the CARP Implementation Task Force. She also participates in the Beyond Waste program and is a student of the degrowth movement to to bring human activity back within planetary boundaries while improving overall human well-being and social equity,

Jack earned his BA from Northwestern University where he studied American Studies and Environmental Science, and earned his community organizing skills from his large family.

As part of Gen Z, climate change has always loomed large as both the crisis and opportunity of my lifetime. Challenging as it is, imagining and creating a more just world for all living things gives life tremendous purpose. I intend to accelerate action today, tomorrow, and the rest of my life.

Originally from St. Charles, IL and a current resident of Chicago, Jack has lived his whole life in Chicagoland and is passionate about metropolitan-scale climate solutions. Working within Evanston and keeping tabs on other local groups, Jack sees Evanston as model city for the Chicago Region and the Midwest.

Peter earned a BA cum laude from Princeton University, and a Master of Arts degree in graphic design from the Yale School of Art.

Al Gore's presentation, Michael Pollan's book Omnivore's Dilemma, owning a home with a yard and garden, and time made available since retiring.

Other relatively recent environmental activities include retaining and working with landscape architects on his home's pollinator garden that was featured on Evanston's 2017 Garden Walk; creating Evanston "EcoHub" map of geo-locatable climate actions; successfully challenging the city's permit denial for his home's rooftop solar collectors thereby precipitating a rewrite of historic district solar regulations; designing a digital North Shore Channel Habitat Walk Guide; designing packaging for Janie's (stone-ground organic) Mill; leading the rebranding of Citizens' Greener Evanston to become Climate Action Evanston; and designing its current website.

My academic foundation is in Computer Science, which I studied at NIT Kurukshetra in India. I am currently pursuing my MBA at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, where I'm deepening my understanding of business strategy, leadership, and how technology and commerce can be leveraged to drive meaningful change.

My journey with climate began in the fourth grade, when a geography lesson on fossil fuels and water contamination first opened my eyes to the realities of environmental degradation. That early moment of awareness planted a conviction that has shaped my values and ambitions ever since, and continues to drive my desire to work in this space professionally.

For the past eight years, I have lived a vegan lifestyle as a deliberate and personal commitment to reducing my carbon footprint. While I am proud of the individual impact this choice represents, it has also deepened my understanding of how personal action, though necessary and deeply fulfilling, is insufficient at scale. This conviction has fueled my resolve to pursue broader, systemic climate solutions through my career.

Nicholas received a MS in Geological Sciences from Cornell University in 2022, where he completed the SC Johnson Sustainable Global Enterprise Immersion Program and served as Student Chapter President of the Society for Economic Geologists (SEG). He also received a BS in Geological Sciences and a BA in Global Studies from the University of South Carolina's Honors College in 2020.

R. Buckminster Fuller's book, "Operating Manual for Spaceship Earth" awoke within me a planetary consciousness and inspired me to pursue a life centered around tackling the intractable issues at the intersection of people and planet.

Outside of his professional interests in climate, Nicholas volunteers with various local environmental organizations. Before moving to Chicago, Nicholas lived in Naperville where he volunteered with the Naperville Environment and Sustainability Task Force (NEST) on the Energy Committee, speaking to City Government on issues pertaining to the City's energy supply agreement contract renewal. He was a Roving Steward Volunteer for the Conservation Foundation, conducting cological restoration work including removal of invasive species and habitat regeneration for native species.

Ryan received his BA in English from DePaul University in 2010 and enrolled in the University of Houston's MFA program in poetry. His work has been published in Owl Eye Review, Thresholds, and First-Class Chapbooks. He has accreditations from BDO-FMA's Certified Non-Profit Accounting Professional programs. He is currently enrolled at Oakton College, slowly accumulating credit hours towards sitting for the CPA exam.

I participated in a direct action against a fossil fuel company and saw the extent to which the state would go to protect the interests of those who are destroying our planet. I knew then that I had to be more involved in this work.

Ryan lends his expertise to a handful of small community-organizing nonprofits to help them build their infrastructure and ensure they won't get bothered by the IRS. If there is a direct action happening against a corporation, polluter, or a do-nothing elected official, you can probably find him marshaling and working to ensure everyone is safe.

Leslie graduated from the University of Chicago Law School, JD, 1985, and Wellesley College, BA, 1979 and spent her junior year at the University of London: London School of Economics and Westfield College (1977/8). She is admitted to the bars of the states of Illinois, Georgia, and New York and the District of Columbia.

When I realized around 2008 how climate change impacts the chemistry of the ocean, it brought home how far-reaching climate chaos is to ecosystems and all species.

Leslie is also Conservation Chair of Evanston North Shore Bird Club, volunteers in various local restoration efforts, and is actively engaged with local groups including Bird-Friendly Evanston, and Chicago Bird Alliance. She was a beekeeper for about seven years, and formerly served on boards including National Wildlife Federation. Personally, Leslie and her husband, Joe Brennan, are working to restore forested wetlands in Northwest Indiana. She and her husband have three adult children, and live in Evanston, IL with two dogs, two rabbits and a 35-year-old ornate box turtle.

BS Political Science, Truman State Univ, Kirksville, MO

I was drawn to CAE by its focus on and commitment to community-led action that empowers residents to lead change in their own communities.

Ashvin graduated with an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He also holds a Bachelor's degree from the National Institute of Engineering, Mysore, India.

I have a deep passion for sustainability advocacy and environmental causes. Outside of my day job, I’ve co‑chaired sustainability employee groups at my workplaces, allowing me to bring together my personal values and my professional life. A third aspect of this journey to leave the world better than how we found it was the opportunity to impact local change. CGE provides me the platform to support and amplify my voice and action where it matters most - my home, Evanston.

I've had the opportunity to work Leslie Shad and the Natural Habitat Evanston. During 2025, I also worked closely with Tom Mulhern and orchestrated the "Hard to Recycle" event as part of the Beyond Waste program. I now lead the Membership Commttee along with Peter Laundy and Jack Jordon.