Our Staff
From our talented and hardworking staff, to our dedicated board and passionate volunteers, the Iowa Environmental Council’s greatest asset is its people.
Board of Directors
IEC is grateful for the vision and passion our board members bring to IEC's work.
IEC Staff
Angelisa Belden, Communications Director
Phone: 515-244-1194 x 210
Email: belden@iaenvironment.org
Angelisa returned to Iowa to join the Council in 2018 from her most recent position in membership and marketing for WTTW, Chicago’s PBS station. Angelisa grew up along the Turkey River in Fayette County, Iowa, and earned her B.A. in Communications and Journalism from the University of Iowa.
She began her career as a broadcast producer with positions at KGAN and KCRG in Cedar Rapids. She then transitioned to work with non-profit professional membership organizations in Minnesota and Illinois, gaining a wide range of experience in communications, volunteer management, development, education, and membership.
Read blog posts by Angelisa.
Michaelle Gallagher, Event and Fundraising Coordinator
Phone: 515-244-1194 x 214
Email: gallagher@iaenvironment.org
Michaelle joins the IEC from her most recent position as a Prairie Management Specialist and Sustainable Urban Coordinator from Des Moines Area Community College (Urban Campus), where she developed interactive programs, facilitated conservation collaborations, and coordinated student events. She is also an experienced K-12 substitute teacher for Winterset, Waukee, and Des Moines Public Schools.
Previously, Michaelle served as the Executive Director for the Winterset Art Center where she developed fundraising opportunities, created instructional programs, managed volunteer committees, and increased membership.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, community gardening, adding to her houseplant collection, traveling, and hiking along the river with her dog (Scout).
Sarah Green, Executive Director
Email: green@iaenvironment.org
Sarah Green is the Executive Director of IEC, bringing her experience and expertise to oversee IEC's staff and board.
Most recently, Sarah served as the Vice President of Philanthropy and Community Engagement for Lutheran Services in Iowa, one of Iowa’s oldest and largest nonprofits. Sarah oversaw philanthropy, marketing, advocacy, and immigrant and refugee community services, responsible for diversifying funding streams, engaging new donors, and expansion of refugee resettlement services to Des Moines, Waterloo, and Sioux City, IA. Sarah managed the LSI Charitable Foundation and was responsible for growth of the organization’s endowment.
Prior to her role with LSI, Sarah served as Director of Development for Blessman International and Manager of Special Events and Volunteers at Children’s Cancer Connection.
Sarah holds a Bachelor’s degree in Leisure, Youth and Human Services with an emphasis on Nonprofit Management and minor in Public Relations from the University of Northern Iowa, and a Master of Public Administration with emphasis in Executive Leadership Development from Drake University.
Sarah has received her Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) credential from the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, certificate in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion from the National Coalition Building Institute Diversity Training, and certificate in Principles and Practices for Nonprofit Excellence from the Larned A. Waterman Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center.
Sarah is a West Des Moines Native and lives there today with her husband, Brent, and 2 year-old son, Cameron. When she's not working, Sarah can be found riding her bike on the great Central Iowa trail system, traveling to National Parks, and cheering on the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Steve Guyer, Energy Policy Counsel
Phone: 515-244-1194 x 213
Email: guyer@iaenvironment.org
Steve Guyer joins IEC as the Energy Policy Counsel, bringing years of experience and leadership in the energy field. Since 2008 Steve has owned and lead GWA International, a solar installation company based in Altoona that has designed and installed solar systems on the federal courthouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa DNR facilities, and homes and businesses. Prior to operating his own company, Steve held several key environmental positions with Iowa utilities, analyzing environmental laws and impacts, providing counsel on environmental compliance, conducted due diligence, and other critical environmental duties.
Steve is an Iowa native and holds a J.D. from the University of Iowa, a B.A. in Physics from the University of Northern Iowa, and an A.A. in Electronics Engineering from Hawkeye Institute of Technology in Waterloo. He now resides in Altoona and in his spare time enjoys biking and traveling.
Read blog posts by Steve.
Sarah Howe, Communications and Advocacy Associate
Phone: 515-244-1194 x 220
Email: howe@iaenvironment.org
Sarah Howe joins IEC from her most recent position as a Planning Consultant for The Land Conservancy of New Jersey, where she authored municipal open space, recreation, farmland, flood acquisition, and environmental resource inventory plans.
Previously, she served as a Research Assistant for Chicago’s Metropolitan Planning Council, focusing on Chicago’s lakefront climate adaptation and equitable water utilities. Sarah holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Illinois at Chicago in Urban Planning & Policy. Currently living in Iowa City, Sarah is an avid reader, runner, and rock climber.
Kitty Jacobson, Finance and Operations Administrator
Phone: 515-244-1194 x 200
Email: jacobson@iaenvironment.org
Kitty joined the Council in October 2016 and oversees the organization’s financial accounting and reporting, including budgets, grants, and payroll. Her position also includes the management of human resource functions and processes, benefits administration, and monthly analysis reports.
Prior to joining the Council, Kitty was vice president of sales and administration at a book publishing company. Her career has mainly focused on independently owned and small business finance.
Marshall James, Communications and Advocacy Associate
Phone: 515-244-1194 x 219
Email: mjames@iaenvironment.org
Marshall James joined the Iowa Environmental Council in 2023 after more than a decade spent working in television and film production. Before joining IEC, he organized with several environmental organizations, such as Food & Water Watch and the Sunrise Movement. Marshall holds B.A.s in Journalism and Film & Television Production. Marshall enjoys spending his free time gardening, dancing to live music, and hiking the great outdoors.
Kerri Johannsen, Energy Program Director
Phone: 515-244-1194 x 208
Email: johannsen@iaenvironment.org
Kerri Johannsen is the Energy Program Director with the Iowa Environmental Council. She has over a decade of experience in energy policy, most recently serving as the Council’s Manager of Government Affairs, leading state-level legislative strategy. She previously developed energy policy with the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, administered the Iowa Power Fund for innovative clean energy projects, and worked as an analyst and Legislative Liaison with the Iowa Utilities Board before joining the Council in 2016. Johannsen has a B.A. from Gustavus Adolphus College and a Master’s in Public Policy from the Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota.
Read blog posts by Kerri.
Jordan Oster, Energy Program Associate Director
Phone: 515-244-1194 x 209
Email: oster@iaenvironment.org
Jordan Oster is IEC’s Energy Program Associate Director. He joined the Council in 2019 after previously consulting for the organization. Jordan is an experienced issue advocate who grew up in the Des Moines area.
Prior to joining IEC, he worked with numerous state and national issue organizing efforts, political campaigns, nonprofits, and businesses and brands. Jordan develops, implements and manages education and advocacy campaigns, while building relationships on behalf of the Council that advance Iowa’s clean energy transition. Jordan holds a B.A. and a Master’s in Public Administration from Drake University.
Read blog posts by Jordan.
Michael Schmidt, Staff Attorney
Phone: 515-244-1194 x 212
Email: schmidt@iaenvironment.org
Michael Schmidt joined the Council in 2019 and works across IEC's program areas. He most recently worked as a staff attorney for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, where he focused on clean water and mining issues through enforcement, permitting, and rulemaking actions. He previously worked for the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, a state-based nonprofit, where he engaged in legal, legislative, and policy advocacy on water quality issues. He has a law degree from the University of Minnesota and a B.A. in political science from the University of Iowa.
Read blog posts by Michael.
Cody Smith, Senior Policy Advocate
Phone: 515-244-1194 x 215
Email: smith@iaenvironment.org
Cody Smith is a climate policy professional with substantive experience in the energy, agriculture, and water sectors. Earning a Bachelor of Science from Iowa State University in agricultural communications and political science and a Master of Public Affairs in natural resources and climate change policy from Indiana University, Smith has spent much of his professional career advising local, state, federal, and foreign governments on adopting policies that build climate resilience. Growing up on a farm in the rural Midwest, Smith brings an authentic perspective to the pursuit of a 100 percent clean energy future for Iowa. Cody spends his free time kayaking, hiking, and enjoying the great outdoors.
Alicia Vasto, Water Program Director
Phone: 515-244-1194 x 206
Email: vasto@iaenvironment.org
Alicia joined the Council in 2019. She grew up in Adel, Iowa. She previously worked as the director of the Iowa Conservation Education Coalition, where she supported environmental educators and advanced environmental literacy. Alicia holds a Master of Environmental Management degree from Duke University with a focus on land conservation and management, and an undergraduate degree in Environmental Science from the University of Notre Dame. In her free time, she enjoys cycling, travel, and yoga.
Read blog posts by Alicia.
Kristen Weaverling, Energy and Climate Project Manager
Phone: 515-244-1194 x 217
Email: weaverling@iaenvironment.org
Kristen Weaverling joined the Iowa Environmental Council in 2020 and is now in the role of Energy and Climate Project Manager. Before starting at IEC, she spent several years implementing energy efficiency programs for small business customers on behalf of utility companies here in Iowa. She also has a background in the nonprofit sector, having served as a volunteer manager for an international nonprofit as well as completing a term with AmeriCorps in eastern Iowa. Kristen holds a B.S. in Geography from The University of Iowa along with certificates in both Sustainability and Human Rights. In her free time, you can find her rehabilitating her late 1800s Victorian home or planning her next international trip.
Read blog posts by Kristen.
Passionate about protecting Iowa’s environment? Check here for opportunities to join our team.