Staff Directory

Heath is the Initiative Manager for Lighting under Minnesota’s Efficient Technology Accelerator, a statewide program implemented by CEE. He leads efforts to accelerate the adoption of luminaire-level lighting controls (LLLCs) in Minnesota. He oversees daily program operations, collaborates with internal research and product development teams to shape market intervention strategies, and engages regularly with utility stakeholders to align efforts and drive adoptions.

Before joining CEE, Heath worked for TRC Companies managing the Trade Ally Network for Energy Trust of Oregon’s commercial Existing Buildings Program. 

As a building science trainer, Noah teaches participants building science principles in CEE-implemented training programs. He also assists in creating new curricula to develop and expand training programs.

Prior to this role, Noah worked as an energy auditor with the Home Energy Squad. Noah carries a Building Performance Analyst certification.

As the business systems analyst for CEE's IT department, Sergio manages Salesforce for the Commercial, New Homes, Program Development, and Engineering departments.

He has a BA in political science from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and has been with CEE since 2016.

Clara conducts whole-home assessments for energy efficiency upgrade opportunities during Home Energy Squad visits as part of a team. During each visit, Clara helps educate homeowners on relevant and cost-effective next steps to improve their insulation, heating system, and water heater, as well as health considerations such as home ventilation.  

Prior to working at CEE, Clara served as an intern in the Land Use and Environment department at Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and as a graduate teaching assistant at University of Massachusetts-Amherst.

Clara holds an MA in history with a certificate in public history from University of Massachusetts-Amherst and a BA in history and Spanish from Augsburg University. 

As a senior research engineer, Samantha evaluates and studies innovative technologies to improve residential and commercial building energy efficiencies. Her recent work includes field evaluating new types of residential air source heat pumps, improving the demand response and efficiency of heat pumps, and supporting electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Tribal communities.

Before joining CEE, Samantha spent two years leading early-stage new product and technology development projects in the filtration industry. She earned her Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of Minnesota in 2019. Her thesis work developed new nanocomposite materials able to convert standard window glass into solar-harvesting devices. 

As a help desk technician, Mackenzie provides technical support and assistance to CEE staff.

Mackenzie joined CEE in 2019 as an energy counselor with the Home Energy Squad. Before CEE, they were a park operations intern at Whitewater State Park. Mackenzie received their bachelor's in environmental studies from St. Cloud State University.

Before joining CEE, Sari worked as a project manager with BWF, a fundraising consulting firm. In this position, Sari helped manage a portfolio of client facing projects, contributed to reports and research projects, and provided additional administrative support when needed. Sari has a BA in international relations and anthropology from Lawrence University.

As a program coordinator, Ellen's primary focus involves coordinating activities for the Windows and Emerging Technology Initiatives. Ellen has been passionate about working in the energy sector ever since attending Gustavus Adolphus College studying environmental studies, geography, and Spanish language and culture.

Her previous experience includes working as Sustainability Intern at Gustavus Adolphus with a focus on streamlining energy initiatives, co-authoring a published research paper highlighting the benefits of citizen science during a milkweed study done across the United States, and her work as an Energy Analyst tasked with coordinating and conducting energy audits, establishing relationships with utilities and other market actors, and extensively analyzing data for the reduction of energy consumption on a case by case basis.

Co-Author of the Following Publication:
- "Coordinated Distributed Experiments in Higher Education: A Low Barrier to Entry and Potential for Student Projects" in the Bulletin: Ecological Society of America Journal

Member of the Following Honor Societies:
- Sigma Delta Pi National Honor Society in Spanish
- Gamma Theta Upsilon International Geographical Honor Society
- Alpha Alpha Alpha Honor Society

Other Accomplishments:
- All-American and All-Academic District Swimmer
- Gustavus Adolphus Dean's List 2020-2023

As an energy advisor, Lisa assists homeowners with making their homes more energy efficient and comfortable. Along with the rest of CEE's Energy Advisors, our mission is to be a helpful resource for homeowners to come to when reviewing their energy report. We assist in connecting them with vetted contractors, provide guidance with rebates available, and assist with other resources such as low-interest financing for energy projects. 

Lisa joined CEE in 2018 as a scheduling assistant for the Home Energy Squad. She graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BS in multidisciplinary studies with a focus in sustainable business and integrative health.

Zach has worked in a wide variety of positions from customer service, to construction, to licensing and more. He is enthusiastic about working with nonprofits and other agencies that have a meaningful impact on our local communities. With his style of constructive positivity and wide area of experience he is hoping to make an environmental difference even if it’s in his own small way.

As an energy counselor, Braedon works as part of a team to install energy-saving measures such as bulbs, door weatherstripping, and more during Home Energy Squad visits and helps educate homeowners on habits and upgrades that can improve their home’s efficiency.  

As a software developer, Juniper works alongside other developers to help design, build, and maintain CEE's software applications. She previously worked at Indiana University as a software developer helping design, build, and maintain a number of applications related to administration and research. 

Juniper holds a BS in computer engineering with minors in computer science and mathematics.

Kevin manages the day-to-day operation of the Home Energy Squad.

Kevin joined the Neighborhood Energy Connection in 2013, before it merged with CEE in 2017.

As a loan officer at CEE, Janson is responsible for processing home improvement financing applications for the Lending Center. This position provides core support to participants of the Lending Center.

Prior to CEE, Janson was a campaign representative at United Way where he managed workplace-giving campaigns for United Way partners. 

Janson holds a degree in political science and sociology from Luther College.

As a systems coordinator for the Home Energy Squad program, Danielle helps people start the process of looking to make their homes more energy efficient.

Danielle joined CEE in 2017. Before CEE, Danielle worked at a teahouse and as an assistant at a fine art studio. She studied women studies and public health at St. Catherine University.

Danielle leads the strategy and execution of marketing efforts and supports brand consistency for several of CEE's residential programs. 

Prior to joining CEE, she worked at a small digital marketing agency, focusing on content marketing. She also has experience in a number of nonprofits, working in industries ranging from education to civic engagement and beyond.

As a loan officer at CEE, DeShaun is responsible for processing home improvement financing applications for the Lending Center. This position provides core support to participants of the Lending Center.

Before CEE, DeShaun had various roles in lending and sales with companies such as Wells Fargo, Ideal Credit Union, and Employees First Credit Union. He is pursuing a BA in business from Metropolitan State University and received his AS in business from Minneapolis Community College. DeShaun also volunteers with Hennepin County Mentors for Success.

As program development manager, Molly develops and manages local building energy efficiency policies and programs across the Midwest including Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Her current focus is on creating productive utility-community partnerships to achieve shared goals of building decarbonization and climate change. She co-founded and served on CEE’s first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council from 2021-2023, and wrote the company’s first DEI policy in 2019.

Molly is a sustainability scientist with years of experience in climate change, energy, waste, and food systems. Since joining CEE in February 2018, Molly has been program manager for two different building energy benchmarking initiatives in the Midwest, including the Kalamazoo Energy Collaborative in southwest Michigan, and Energize Saint Paul in Minnesota. Both are partnerships between cities, local building owners, utilities, and nonprofits, to increase the energy efficiency of existing buildings. In partnership with the City of Rochester, MN, and a group of 40 community stakeholders, she worked for the first 18 months of the COVID-19 pandemic to create a community-based sustainability action plan. The combined team won a Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership Award for equitable planning and engagement.

A systems thinker with a diverse background, Molly previously worked with governments, organic food companies, and Fortune 500 clients, specializing in greenhouse gas accounting, climate change strategy, waste management, packaging, supply chain sustainability, renewable energy, and carbon markets.

Molly has an MS in climate and energy sustainability from Antioch University and a BA in political science from Carleton College. She is a LEED Green Associate and is fluent in Spanish.

Molly was elected to the first board of directors of the Midwest Building Decarbonization Coalition in January 2023.

Accreditations and affiliations

• LEED Green Associate

Languages

• Fluent in Spanish

As an energy counselor, Victoria works as part of a team to install energy-saving measures such as bulbs, door weatherstripping, and more during Home Energy Squad visits and helps educate homeowners on habits and upgrades that can improve their home’s efficiency.