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
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.
Sarah has served a variety of nonprofits, local and abroad, including: Lutheran Services in Iowa, Blessman International, Children's Cancer Connection, Volunteer Center of the Cedar Valley, and McElroy Trust.
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. She received her Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) credential from the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, certificate in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion from NCBIDT, 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.
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Lexi McKee-Hemenway, Campaign Organizer
Phone: 515-809-9586
Email: mckee-hemenway@iaenvironment.org
Lexi McKee-Hemenway joined IEC in 2024 as a Sioux City based Campaign Organizer for the Clean Up MidAm campaign. She is a recent 2024 college graduate where she was a campus and local community organizer for intersectional women's health issues. She worked with local, state, and regional nonprofits and agencies to educate and provide resources to her community. Lexi holds a B.A. in political science from the University of South Dakota. Lexi spends her free time reading, baking, and traveling.
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.
Read blog posts by Sarah.
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, Director of Climate Initiatives
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.
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Nan Strutzenberg, Director of Development
Phone: 515-244-1194 x 214
Email: Strutzenberg@iaenvironment.org
Nan joined IEC in 2024 as the Director of Development with over 15 years of experience in community building and fundraising. Nan has supported a variety of organizations in deepening community impact and donor relations including: Drake University, Goodwill Industries of Central Iowa, Animal Rescue League, and Lutheran Services in Iowa. Nan was the first person in Iowa to hold the Certified Special Event Professional Accreditation. She has also received her CASE VI Bronze Award for Excellence in Fundraising and Special Events.
Nan lives in Ankeny, IA, with her husband Doug. Together they have one son and grandchild. In her free time, Nan enjoys woodworking and singing.
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.
Passionate about protecting Iowa’s environment? Check here for opportunities to join our team.