Comprised of leading figures in fields including nonprofit advocacy, education, utility management, environmental justice and electrification, the Council provides invaluable insights and perspectives to experts across the ESB Initiative. The Council is co-chaired by: Solyana Mesfin, College Student & First Student Ex Officio Member, Kentucky Board of Education; and Harold Wimmer, National President & CEO, American Lung Association.

Co-Chairs

Image Solyana Mesfin  College Student & First Student Ex Officio Member, Kentucky Board of Education

Image Harold Wimmer  National President & CEO, American Lung Association

Image Gilbert Blue Feather Rosas  Director II Sustainability & Adaptation, Modesto City Schools

Members

Image Maia D. Bellon    Partner, Cascadia Law Group	Image Alessandra Carreon  Commissioner, Michigan Public Service Commission	Image Carolina Chacon Mendoza   Coalition Manager, Alliance for Electric School Buses
Image Keith Dennis    President, Beneficial Electrification League	Image Curt Macysyn    Executive Director, National School Transportation Association	Image Molly McGee-Hewitt   Executive Director & CEO, National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT)
Image Melissa Miles    Executive Director, New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance	Image Patty Monahan    Commissioner, California Energy Commission	Image Susan Mudd Senior Policy Advocate, Environmental Law & Policy Center
Image Leroy Nix Vice President, Entergy	Image Michael A. Nutter    Former Mayor of Philadelphia	Image Victor A. Rojas    Senior Vice President, Sustainable Capital Advisors
Image Kellen Schefter    Director, Electric Transportation at Edison Electric Institute	Image Nathaniel Smith    Founder & Chief Equity Officer, Partnership for Southern Equity	Image Erica Swinney Staley    Executive Director, Manufacturing Renaissance
Image Antoine Thompson    Executive Director, Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition	Image Carol Tyson    Government Affairs Liaison, Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund	Image Karen Wayland    CEO, GridWise Alliance
Image Randi Weingarten    President, American Federation of Teachers	Image Curtis Wynn    CEO, SECO Energy

Learn more about the members of the ESB Initiative's Advisory Council:

Maia D. Bellon, Partner - Cascadia Law Group

Maia D. Bellon is a Partner at Cascadia Law Group and its consulting affiliate Cascadia Policy Solutions where she advises Tribal government, municipal, and private clients on a wide array of complex environmental matters, including climate and energy policy, air quality, environmental justice, water resources, toxics cleanup, water quality, and Tribal law.

Prior to joining Cascadia, Maia was appointed by Governor Jay Inslee, and unanimously confirmed by the Washington Senate, to serve as the director of the Department of Ecology (2013-2019). She was the longest-serving Ecology director in state history and led the agency to great achievements in carbon emission reductions, electrification initiatives, and integrating smart climate policy into land, air, and water regulations. She managed a staff of 1,700 employees and a biennial budget of $2.3 billion. Before serving as director, Maia was on Ecology’s Executive Leadership Team and held positions of deputy program manager and program manager of the Water Resources Program (2010-2012). Before working at Ecology, she represented the agency for 15 years as an Assistant Attorney General at the Washington Attorney General’s Office providing client advice and litigation support on a broad range of environmental and natural resources matters and litigation, including serving as the lead attorney for the state’s Clean Air Program. Maia received her J.D. from the Arizona State University, College of Law in 1994, and was presented a Dean’s Award upon graduation. She was also awarded the Joseph Albert Dear Distinguished Alumni Award in 2015 from her undergraduate institution, The Evergreen State College. Maia currently serves on the Washington Chapter of The Nature Conservancy.

Alessandra Carreon, Commissioner, Michigan Public Service Commission

Alessandra Carreon was appointed to the Michigan Public Service Commission by Governor Gretchen Whitmer on July 23, 2023. Her term ends July 2, 2025. Carreon is the first Asian-American commissioner in state history.  

Prior to her appointment, Ms. Carreon was a manager for Carbon-Free Transportation at RMI. She launched an initiative for electric vehicle (EV) battery circularity and led projects that focused on equitable fleet electrification and accessible EV charging infrastructure.  

Ms. Carreon also served as manager of the Responsible Material Sourcing for Ford Motor Company. She worked with Ford’s Global Sustainability team on corporate sustainability programs, and has a background in regulatory compliance, environmental consulting, social enterprise, and entrepreneurship. She draws from her experience in environmental, social, and corporate governance and sustainability within the automotive industry to consider EV life-cycle impacts when accelerating electrification.  

As a resident of Detroit, her past experience also includes serving as board vice-chair for Ecoworks, as board president of The Villages Community Development Corporation, as a steering committee member for the Detroit Climate Action Collaborative, and as a board member for the US Green Building Council – Detroit. 

Ms. Carreon earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Rice University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan – Ross School of Business. She is a licensed professional engineer.  

Carolina Chacon Mendoza, Coalition Manager, Alliance for Electric School Buses

Carolina Chacon Mendoza leads the Alliance for Electric School Buses, a national coalition of not-for-profit groups committed to an equitable transition of the nation's school bus fleet, starting in the communities most harmed by air pollution and creating good U.S. jobs along the way. Carolina has over a decade of experience in strategic planning, communications, community outreach and education, community organizing, and project management. For the last six years, she has worked as a consultant within the environmental field on advocacy work for clean energy, lands protection, and climate action, with a focus on elevating and supporting marginalized voices. Since 2017, she has worked on the Clean Buses for Healthy Niños campaign for Chispa, a Latinx organizing program by the League of Conservation Voters, pushing to prioritize Black and Brown communities in the transition to a clean ride for kids. 

Keith Dennis, President, Beneficial Electrification League

Keith Dennis is the President of the Beneficial Electrification League, a 501c3 non-profit organization whose mission is to increase understanding of the benefits of electrification by promoting the market acceptance of beneficial electrification. Keith has an interdisciplinary background in engineering, business, and law. He worked for nearly a decade at NRECA where he was Vice President of consumer member engagement and coined the term “environmentally beneficial electrification,” which led to an industry movement around beneficial electrification.

Keith joined NRECA directly from the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) where he led a Policy and Guidance Team for a $3.2 billion energy efficiency and conservation grant (EECBG) program. He also served at The White House Council on Environmental Quality where he supported several large energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.

Keith holds an A.B. in Engineering and Environmental Sciences from Dartmouth College, a Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) and Master of Engineering Management (M.E.M.) from the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College, and a Master of Studies in Environmental Law (M.S.E.L), summa cum laude, from Vermont Law School. He is also licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) and holds multiple certifications in the energy field.

Curt Macysyn, Executive Director, National School Transportation Association

Curt Macysyn currently serves as the Executive Director of the National School Transportation Association - a position he has held since May 2019. In his current position, Macysyn has presented publicly on a wide range of issues affecting student transportation, including Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs), the school bus driver shortage, and face mask and vaccine mandates in the pupil transportation realm.

In July 2020, Macysyn was a founder and served on the executive committee of the Student Transportation Aligned for Return to School (STARTS) Task Force –a group that provided a blueprint for school bus operators to safely transport students after the initial wave of Covid-19. Throughout his career in association management, Curt has served in various executive leadership positions, including a stint as Executive Director of the New Jersey Child Care Association, as well as holding the title of Director of Government Relations of the New Jersey School Boards Association.

Molly McGee-Hewitt, PhD, CAE, Executive Director & CEO, National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT)

Molly McGee-Hewitt, PhD, CAE serves as the Executive Director & CEO of the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT). She brings over 25 years of experience in public education and association management and leadership, previously serving in executive leadership positions with two large and prestigious educational associations, the California School Boards Association, and the California Association of School Business Officials, where she most recently served as CEO.

As a professional and well-regarded association executive, she has demonstrated her expertise in member engagement, legislative advocacy, certification programs, and professional development programming.

Her experience includes serving as a classroom teacher, administrator and school board member serving public schools. She has authored four books, over 200 blogs and articles and has delivered speeches across the United States and South America. She has also served as a consultant and advisor to school systems, associations, and for profit and not for profit organizations. Molly has a B.S. in organizational development, an M.S. in school business leadership, and a Ph.D. in adult and community education and training. She is also a credentialed certified association executive. She serves on numerous boards including EdSource.

Molly is the recipient of over 200 Awards and Commendations including honors from the United States Senate and Congress, the Governor of California, The California State Assembly and Senate and the city of Anaheim, County of Orange, the California School Boards Association, CASBO, and ASBO International.

Solyana Mesfin, College Student & Student Ex Officio Member, Kentucky Board of Education

Solyana Mesfin (she/her/hers) is an incoming second-year at the University of Louisville pursuing a joint concentration in Sociology and Pan African Studies with a minor in Political Science. 

Over the past couple of years, she has pursued advocacy in the areas of education, social justice, and mental health. Solyana served a two-year term as the first student member on the Kentucky Board of Education and served on the Kentucky Department of Education Commissioner Student Advisory Council representing Jefferson county for three years prior to graduation. 

Following her term, she established several equity-related campaigns, amplified departmental student-led initiatives, and currently serves as an advisor to the Kentucky Student Mental Health Action Summit Initiative with Kentucky’s Lt. Governor. She has also delivered a multitude of speeches, legislative testimonies, and editorials relating to the importance of student voice, institutional reform and policy implementation. 

Solyana has been recognized nationally for advocacy, drafting youth-based policy for the US Conference of Mayors, creating with the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE), serving as co-chair for the inaugural World Resources Institute (WRI) Electric School Bus Initiative Advisory Council, and is a 2023-2024 Cities United Youth Fellow. She is involved in several student-led initiatives across Kentucky, including serving on the Board of Directors for the Kentucky Student Voice Team and as a member of the Kentucky United We Learn Council, aiming to advance education resources. Locally, she serves as chair for Louisville Mayor’s Implementation Council and ambassador for Louisville Metro Government’s Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods and Office for Youth Development where she has led a series of protests, adopted nationwide movements, and mandated youth consultation in local policy. Solyana continues to emphasize the importance of youth inclusion in policy and a diverse student voice movement.

Melissa Miles, Executive Director,  New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance

Melissa began her career as a grassroots activist and community organizer while living in an Environmental Justice community in Newark, New Jersey, long used as the regions’ dumping ground, and called a “sacrifice zone” and a “waste-shed” by advocates. However, it is fertile soil for seeding activism and growing visionaries. Melissa is one of many there who was awakened to the environmental justice issues around her by organizers from the local grassroots organization. Melissa’s vision is to support environmental justice communities rooted in place, where people can live, work, learn, and play in health and harmony. She is someone who embodies the values and principles of environmental justice, with both the lived experiences and the extensive professional and organizing background that make her an ideal leader. Melissa is educationally well-credentialed with a MA in Anthropology from The New School, but she is also adamant when it comes to solutions to the world’s current environmental crises the best and most relevant come from communities and not from universities: “Those that are most affected, have the solutions” is the sentiment from which her advocacy stems.

She is a part of several national coalitions including the Climate Justice Alliance, Moving Forward Network, The Coalition for Healthy Ports and the international coalitions, The Movement of People Affected By Dams (MAB) and the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives. She is also part of the New Jersey Environmental Justice Advisory Council responsible for advising state agencies including the Department of Environmental Protection on issues of Environmental Justice. Her “expertise” is rooted in her lived experience and her commitment to making sure that people at the frontlines are the protagonists in the struggle for their future.

Patty Monahan, Commissioner, California Energy Commission

In April 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Patty Monahan to be one of the five commissioners on the California Energy Commission. She serves in the Energy Commission’s Science/Engineering position and is the lead commissioner on transportation. She has dedicated her career toward advancing clean energy technologies and cutting harmful pollution, with a focus on equity. Before joining the Energy Commission, she served as the transportation program director at the Energy Foundation, where she guided campaigns across the United States that advanced electric transportation and more efficient vehicles. She worked for the Union of Concerned Scientists in several roles, including director of the California office and deputy director of clean vehicles. She also worked at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and several energy-related consulting firms. Commissioner Monahan received a bachelor of science degree from UC Berkeley and holds a master’s degree in energy analysis and policy from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Susan Mudd, Senior Policy Advocate, Environmental Law & Policy Center 

Susan Mudd is an attorney and senior policy advocate for Environmental Law & Policy Center, where she directs ELPC’s Diesel Pollution Reduction Initiative to protect children’s and community health, ELPC’s Electric School bus campaign and with ELPC’s Science Advisory Council. Susan previously served as Citizens for a Better Environment’s Wisconsin director for 15 years, consulted for the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, and the Brico Fund. She lives in Chicago with her husband. 

Leroy Nix, Vice president, federal strategic policy and stakeholder engagement, Entergy

Leroy Nix is vice president of federal strategic policy and stakeholder engagement for Entergy. In this role, Leroy is responsible for the development and execution of strategies that align Entergy’s commercial and regulatory approach with the needs and objectives of the company’s 3 million customers and stakeholders.

Leroy is a solution-oriented executive with an extensive background in corporate, regulatory, legislative, external, marketing and public affairs within Fortune 500 companies and the United States government. In addition to being a strategic thought leader with deep cross-industry, business and government relationships, Leroy has a keen awareness and understanding of the dynamics that exist at the intersection of business and government. As the leader of Entergy’s strategic policy and stakeholder engagement efforts, Leroy works with numerous partners, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, congress, administration officials, and national associations, including the Edison Electric Institute.

Before joining Entergy, Leroy worked at Southern Company Gas where he served as the director of market strategy and was responsible for developing growth strategies in regulated jurisdictions. He previously served as director of federal government affairs in Southern Company’s Washington, D.C. office, where he worked with national elected officials, community leaders and stakeholder groups on issues related to energy and environmental policy. He also previously served in various leadership roles at Alabama Power Company.

Nix has a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Montevallo and a law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law. He is also a University of Chicago Booth School Impact Fellow and is a member of the Blackburn Leadership Institute.  

Michael A. Nutter, Former Mayor of Philadelphia

Michael A. Nutter is a former two-term mayor of Philadelphia, who previously spent nearly 15 years in the Philadelphia City Council. Since leaving public office in 2016, he has remained active in public policy, government, and civic life. He is the inaugural David N. Dinkins Professor of Professional Practice in Urban and Public Affairs at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and holds fellowships at the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Chicago, and Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics. He is a senior advisor and national spokesperson for the What Works Cities program at Bloomberg Philanthropies and a member of the external advisory council for JPMorgan Chase’s Advancing Cities initiative.

Mayor Nutter is past President of the United States Conference of Mayors and founder of Cities United. He is on the board of Rubicon Technologies, the Center for Science in the Public Interest, the Council on Criminal Justice, Heartland Alliance, the Sandy Hook Promise Foundation, the Urban Institute and the Advisory Board of the African American Mayor’s Association. Mayor Nutter maintains active involvement in critical areas of education, media, public policy, political campaigns, the corporate community and academic institutions across the country. He holds a B.S. Degree in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Victor A. Rojas, Senior Vice President, Sustainable Capital Advisors

Victor A. Rojas is Senior Vice President with Sustainable Capital Advisors (SCA), a minority-owned finance and strategic advisory firm focused on developing innovative and inclusive capital solutions that accelerate the deployment of sustainable infrastructure projects and initiatives. Vic manages SCA’s Advisory business, advising governments, governmental agencies, and investors on sustainable infrastructure projects and leveraging his extensive experience and network across public and private markets to further SCA’s business development efforts.

Prior to joining SCA Vic served as Senior Manager for Clean Energy Finance with the Environmental Defense Fund; Deputy Commissioner with the City of Chicago Department of Environment; Senior Vice President with Sindicatum Carbon Capital/Managing Director of Sindicatum Carbon Technologies; Principal with Medley Capital; Managing Director for Cleantech Investment Banking at First Analysis Securities; Managing Partner of San Joaquin Venture Partners, and; Assistant Vice President with First Chicago Capital Markets Public Finance. Mr. Rojas also served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs and Public Liaison at the United States Department of the Treasury and Legislative Counsel for a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Mr. Rojas holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Resource Economics from the University of California, Berkeley and a Juris Doctor degree from Hofstra University.

Gilbert Blue Feather Rosas, Director II Sustainability & Adaptation, Modesto City Schools

Gilbert Rosas has specialized in energy conservation, emissions reductions and grant project management for the past ten years. His passion is seeking environmental justice for disadvantaged communities through electric school bus adoption and empowering students through sustainability initiatives and green career path choices.

In addition to WRI’s Electric School Bus Initiative Advisory Council, Gilbert serves on Generation 180’s Solar Advisory Council and the District Innovation Hub for the California Environmental Literacy Initiative.

Gilbert has gained national attention with two of the fastest electric school bus deployments in California’s history. In 2020, Stockton Unified School District went from design to construction to buses arriving and charging in less than 11 months.

In March of 2022, Gilbert joined Modesto City Schools as Director II of the Sustainability & Adaptation Department. Modest City Schools is the 25th largest school district in California and is converting half of its existing bus fleet, while exploring funding options for full electric conversion. 

Kellen Schefter, Director, Electric Transportation at Edison Electric Institute

Kellen Schefter is Senior Director of Electric Transportation at the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), the association for U.S. investor-owned electric companies. At EEI, Kellen leads cross-industry coordination to advance transportation electrification, including policy advocacy, business model development, and stakeholder engagement. He previously worked on regulatory and compliance issues at plug-in electric vehicle manufacturer Fisker Automotive. Prior to that, Kellen managed R&D projects in the Vehicle Technologies Office at the U.S. Department of Energy.

Nathaniel Smith, Founder & Chief Equity Officer, Partnership for Southern Equity

Nathaniel Smith serves as Founder and Chief Equity Officer of the Partnership for Southern Equity (PSE), which advances policies and institutional actions that promote racial equity and shared prosperity for all in the growth of metropolitan Atlanta and the American South. Among PSE’s notable accomplishments was the creation the American South’s first equity mapping and framing tool, the Metro Atlanta Equity Atlas, and co-authoring numerous reports including: “Growing the Future: The Case for Economic Inclusion in Metropolitan Atlanta”, and “Employment Equity: Putting Georgia on the Path to Inclusive Prosperity.” PSE also led a coalition of diverse stakeholders to support a $13 million transit referendum that expanded Atlanta’s metropolitan transit system into a new county for the first time in 45 years.

Smith’s advocacy activities were instrumental in the ratification of a 15 percent set aside of Atlanta BeltLine Tax Allocation District (TAD) dollars for the development and maintenance of affordable workforce housing within the Atlanta BeltLine Planning Area - $250 million dollars over the 25-year lifespan of the Atlanta BeltLine TAD. Among his many accomplishments, The Huffington Post honored Nathaniel as one of the eight “Up and Coming Black Leaders in the Climate Movement” in 2017. Nathaniel was also named to the Grist 50 by Grist Magazine in 2018 and the Atlanta 500 by Atlanta Magazine in 2019 and 2020 and designated one of the 100 “Most Influential Georgians” by Georgia Trend magazine in 2018, 2019 and 2020. His work was also featured in the U.S. News and World Report, Chronicle of Philanthropy, Nonprofit Quarterly, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Atlanta Voice and others.

Erica Swinney Staley, Executive Director, Manufacturing Renaissance

Erica Swinney Staley has over 20 years’ experience working in and with low-income, Black and Latinx communities on a variety of environmental, community, youth and workforce development programs and initiatives. Since 2008, Erica has worked for Manufacturing Renaissance (MR) and now serves as its Executive Director and a leader in the Chicagoland Manufacturing Renaissance Council network. MR advances sustainable development anchored in manufacturing.

Through MR, Erica developed and directed the Manufacturing Connect and the Young Manufacturers Association programs to expose, inspire, prepare, and support Black and Latinx youth and young adults to pursue career pathways in manufacturing. Through these programs over 12 years, Erica's management led to over 150 manufacturers participating in program activities, a NIMS-accredited machining facility designed and installed into a Chicago Public School on the westside of Chicago, nearly 700 work experiences completed by youth, over 400 nationally recognized industry credentials earned, over 175 full-time manufacturing job placements for graduating high school students averaging over 1 year of retention on the job.

After completing her BA at the University of California (Berkeley), she served two years in the Peace Corps (Paraguay), and eighteen months in Americorps. She later earned her MA from San Francisco State University and completed the Civic Leadership Academy program at the University of Chicago. Before joining MR, Erica started her career in California as a community organizer and project manager. Erica, a biracial Black woman (she/her/hers), was born and raised in Chicago and attended Chicago Public Schools through high school.

Antoine Thompson, Executive Director, Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition

Antoine Maurice Thompson is a native of Buffalo, New York. He graduated from Buffalo Public Schools #61, #60, and Bennett High School. A graduate of SUNY Brockport with a dual bachelors’ degree in History and African and Afro-American Studies, Thompson also studied at the University of Ghana in Ghana, West Africa. Antoine is the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Laws Degree from Medaille College. He is a graduate of the 2001 Class of Leadership Buffalo.

Antoine M. Thompson is a nationally recognized leader for environmental justice, green business, housing, diversity and urban policy. Antoine is the Executive Director of the Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition (GWRCC), a public-private partnership that promotes the use of clean, American transportation fuels for homeland security, improved air quality, environment justice, diversity and inclusion.

He is the former Executive Director of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) the oldest organization of African-American real estate professionals in the United States. He also had a significant public service career in his hometown of Buffalo, New York. His positions have included election to Buffalo Common Council where he authored the Buffalo’s Fair Housing Law, the Minority and Women Business Enterprise Inclusion Law and secured over $75 million for community development projects. He was elected to the New York State Senate in 2006 and 2008 and served as the Senate Deputy Majority Whip and the first African-American to Chair the Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Conservation and Co-Chair of the Senate Minority and Woman Business Enterprise Task Force. He authored the NYS MWBE Mentor/Protégé Law. He was also a key architect of the Green Jobs/Green New York law.

Carol Tyson, Government Affairs Liaison, Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund

Carol Tyson is the Government Affairs Liaison for the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF), a national law and policy center, with offices in Berkeley, California and Washington, D.C. Tyson provides an advocate voice in the District, and works in coalition with disability and civil rights partners and industry stakeholders, focusing on: transportation equity; healthcare; supports and services needed to remain in the community; education; and civil rights. Tyson has served on committees addressing: on-demand transportation, bicycle and pedestrian safety, equity and accessibility issues. In 2014 Tyson received the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Dr. Rosalyn Simon Award in recognition of advancing the field of accessible transportation through education, training, and advocacy. Tyson has been a grateful contributor to Mobility Lab, and the Eno Center; has been quoted in numerous local and national transportation press. Prior to joining DREDF, Tyson served as the Director, Disability Policy for United Spinal Association, and as a researcher in the labor movement in the US and Australia.

Karen Wayland, CEO, GridWise Alliance

Dr. Karen Wayland is CEO of GridWise Alliance and Principal at kW Energy Strategies, where she provides strategic consulting on grid modernization and clean energy policy. She is a recognized expert in national energy and environmental policy and served in leadership positions at the highest levels of government and nonprofits, including as policy advisor at the U.S. Department of Energy and to the Speaker of the House. She serves as Director on the Board of Center for Sustainable Energy and is a Distinguished Associate at Energy Futures Initiative, a Nonresident Senior Fellow at Boston University Institute for Sustainable Energy and an Equity in Energy Ambassador at the US Department of Energy. She holds a Master of Science from the University of Connecticut and a Dual Ph.D. in the fields of geochemistry and resource development from Michigan State University.

Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers

Randi Weingarten is president of the 1.7 million-member American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO, which represents teachers; paraprofessionals and school-related personnel; higher education faculty and staff; nurses and other healthcare professionals; local, state and federal government employees; and early childhood educators. The AFT is dedicated to the belief that every person in America deserves the freedom to thrive, fueled by opportunity, justice and a voice in our democracy. This freedom is achieved through an economy that works for all, including the ability to form a union; great public schools and affordable higher education; healthcare as a right; retirement security; the right to vote and civil rights; a vibrant democracy; and safe, welcoming and healthy environments and communities. The AFT and its members advance these principles through community engagement, organizing, collective bargaining and political activism, and especially through members’ work—we care, fight, show up and vote.

Prior to her election as AFT president in 2008, Weingarten served for 11 years as president of the United Federation of Teachers, AFT Local 2, representing approximately 200,000 educators in the New York City public school system, as well as home childcare providers and other workers in health, law and education. Weingarten is the recipient of many commendations; she was included in Washingtonian’s 2021 Washington’s Most Influential People, City & State New York’s 2021 New York City Labor Power 100, and Washington Life’s 2018 Power 100 list of prominent leaders, and in 2017 received the Roosevelt Institute’s FDR Distinguished Public Service Award. In 2013, the New York Observer named Weingarten one of the most influential New Yorkers of the past 25 years.

Harold Wimmer, National President & CEO, American Lung Association

Harold Wimmer is the National President and CEO of the American Lung Association, carrying out the strategic framework and policies established by the National Volunteer Board of Directors. Fostering a culture of innovation and a distinct mission-first approach, Harold directs the executive operations of the Association to deliver high impact services and initiatives to improve the lung health of Americans and prevent lung disease. Harold has dedicated his life to improving the lung health of all Americans. His work with the American Lung Association began in 1978, and he became National President and CEO in February 2013.

Prior to leading the nationwide organization, Harold served in key executive positions in the American Lung Association in Illinois and the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest. Earning a B.S. in Community Health and an M.S. in Health Administration & Policy from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, he has been an active alumni member at U of I, serving on the Applied Health Sciences Alumni Board. Harold received the 2008 Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Illinois, College of Applied Health Sciences.

Curtis Wynn, CEO, SECO Energy

Curtis Wynn was hired by the SECO Energy Board of Trustees in 2021 and joined the large and fast-growing Florida cooperative in mid-December. His energy industry career is rooted in Florida. From 1981 to 1997, he worked at West Florida Electric Cooperative. His tenure culminated there as Vice President of Member Services, Information Technology, Marketing and Economic Development. Wynn also served for 24 years as President and CEO of Roanoke Electric Cooperative in North Carolina before making the move to SECO Energy. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and Management Information Systems from Troy University. With a cooperative career that spans over 40 years, Wynn’s resume reflects a long list of awards and accomplishments with creative solutions that are turning the challenges of the energy industry evolution into major opportunities.

Wynn serves or has served on a variety of boards including: Immediate past board president, National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association; Past president, vice president and secretary-treasurer of North Carolina Electric Membership Cooperative; Board member, National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC); Board Member Meridian Cooperative (formerly SEDC); and past nominating committee member, CoBank. Most recently, Wynn was awarded the Clyde T. Ellis award from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. This prestigious award honors those who have made exemplary contributions that promote the principles and progress of rural electrification and the development and use of natural resources. More recently, NRECA’s board of directors named the newly formed NRECA Diversity Champion award in his name.